In the current shinobi world, a single move could affect the balance of every nation.
Dodai had absolute confidence in the strength of both the Fourth Raikage and Kumogakure.
However, confidence was one thing; recklessness was another.
Although Konoha was no longer as overwhelmingly dominant as it had once been and had gradually been weakened through successive conflicts with the other Great Shinobi Villages, it remained one of the Five Great Nations.
Facing one opponent was manageable.
Facing two or even more was an entirely different matter.
No matter how powerful Kumogakure was, it could not afford to act without caution.
"It doesn't matter."
The Fourth Raikage waved his hand dismissively.
"Applying pressure first is itself an important way of gathering intelligence and judging the situation."
"Dodai… you know Konoha as well as I do."
"Ever since the death of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, that village has gradually lost the resolve it once possessed."
"They still have strength…"
"But they no longer possess the courage to match it."
"Have you forgotten the Hyūga Incident a few years ago?"
"We'll use this opportunity to probe Konoha."
"And while we're testing them, we'll also observe the reactions of the other villages."
"If Konoha isn't the one responsible…"
"…then the real culprits will eventually reveal themselves."
"When that time comes…"
The Fourth Raikage slowly clenched his fists.
"I'll personally teach those bastards what true despair looks like."
"Understood, Lord Raikage."
After a moment's consideration, Dodai finally nodded.
Although there were risks involved, Konoha was not Iwagakure.
If the target were Ōnoki and the Hidden Stone, Kumogakure would have no reason to bother with political pressure.
They would simply prepare for war.
Konoha, however, was different.
Even if the Hidden Leaf proved innocent…
There was still a chance to extract political concessions or material compensation.
Everything depended upon how the Fifth Hokage responded.
Tsunade Senju had only occupied the Hokage's seat for a little over half a year.
No one outside Konoha fully understood what kind of leader she would become.
In that sense…
This incident was also an opportunity to assess the Fifth Hokage herself.
Once the orders were issued…
The entire Hidden Cloud Village immediately sprang into action.
Unlike the other Great Shinobi Villages, Kumogakure had always favored displays of overwhelming military force during diplomacy.
Negotiations backed by armed pressure were practically part of the village's tradition.
Formal diplomatic talks elsewhere often began with symbolic gestures of goodwill.
Kumogakure was different.
Its attitude was always straightforward.
If you failed to provide a satisfactory explanation…
They would simply come and take what they wanted themselves.
Immediately after arranging for diplomatic envoys to travel to Konohagakure, Dodai also followed the Raikage's orders by dispatching additional Kumogakure forces toward the border between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Fire.
Such operations had become second nature to the Hidden Cloud.
Especially during the Fourth Raikage's reign, border mobilizations had occurred so frequently that the village had already developed an efficient system for executing them.
Nearly every Kumo shinobi had long since become accustomed to their Raikage's uncompromising style.
Before long…
Kumogakure's diplomatic declaration sped toward Konohagakure.
Calling it a diplomatic message, however, was generous.
It was far closer to an ultimatum.
Almost simultaneously…
Konohagakure received the notice.
Inside the Hokage's office
"What?!"
Tsunade abruptly rose from her chair.
"They're accusing us of wiping out an entire Kumogakure squad?"
"And they actually expect us to hand over the bodies of their shinobi and the so-called murderers?"
"Are they out of their minds?!"
Her voice echoed throughout the office.
Then she looked back toward Nara Shikaku.
"And if we refuse…"
"They're threatening war?"
"Is that bastard actually trying to intimidate us?"
The wording of Kumogakure's declaration was unmistakable.
Anyone with even the slightest political awareness could hear the threat hidden between every line.
Combined with reports that Kumogakure had already begun mobilizing troops along the border…
Their intentions could not have been more obvious.
Tsunade's anger immediately flared.
Did they truly believe Konoha could simply be bullied whenever they pleased?
Only two days earlier, she'd already been forced into another exhausting confrontation with Danzō during a high-level council meeting.
Her frustration had yet to dissipate.
Now Kumogakure had chosen this exact moment to add fuel to the fire.
"That is consistent with the Fourth Raikage's character, Lady Hokage."
Shikaku sighed softly before continuing.
"Judging from Kumogakure's troop movements, we can't afford to dismiss this as mere posturing."
"If negotiations collapse…"
"There's a very high probability that fighting will break out along the northern border."
Under ordinary circumstances…
A Kage should always make decisions based upon reason.
Unfortunately…
The Fourth Raikage was far from ordinary.
Even someone as analytical as Shikaku found it difficult to predict his actions.
The man's history spoke for itself.
Regardless of how unlikely war might appear…
Even if Shikaku were ninety-nine percent certain that Kumogakure was merely applying political pressure…
The remaining one percent still couldn't be ignored.
Because that one percent involved A.
The Fourth Raikage had repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to escalate situations that most leaders would have resolved through diplomacy.
His reputation as an aggressive warmonger wasn't without foundation.
As Konoha's chief strategist, Shikaku couldn't casually dismiss that possibility.
Ultimately…
The final decision belonged to the Hokage.
Once, that responsibility had rested with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Now…
It belonged to Tsunade.
Bang!
Tsunade slammed both hands onto her desk.
"If they want a confrontation…"
"Then they'll get one!"
"You think I'm afraid of Kumogakure?!"
Among all the famous kunoichi in the shinobi world…
Tsunade stood at the very top.
She was not only one of the Legendary Sannin, but also the only woman currently serving as one of the Five Kage.
Her temper…
Was every bit as fierce as the Fourth Raikage's.
Threats were something she despised above all else.
Although Tsunade generally exercised restraint and would never initiate a war without sufficient reason, restraint did not mean cowardice.
When necessary, she was perfectly capable of enduring humiliation for Konoha's sake.
But that did not mean she would tolerate everything.
Compared to Hiruzen Sarutobi…
Tsunade possessed far greater decisiveness.
She was also willing to take calculated risks when circumstances demanded it.
That much had already been demonstrated by her willingness to allow Jiraiya to take Naruto Uzumaki the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki away from the village for an extended period in order to continue his training.
Every leader had strengths and weaknesses.
In this regard…
Tsunade surpassed her predecessor.
And now…
The Fourth Raikage's blatant intimidation had completely ignited her temper.
"Shikaku."
She spoke without the slightest hesitation.
"Immediately order every unit stationed along the northern border to enter the highest state of combat readiness."
"Mobilize the reserve forces as well."
"Reinforce every defensive position immediately."
Shikaku nodded.
"Understood."
Tsunade continued.
"However…"
"Our forces are under strict orders."
"They are not to make the first move."
"If Kumogakure wants an excuse for war…"
"They won't get it from us."
After a brief moment of thought, she added another instruction.
"And have Shizune lead the medical support contingent to the northern front as well."
"If conflict really does break out…"
"Our medical corps must already be in position before the first battle begins."
Shikaku nodded once more.
"I'll make the arrangements immediately."
With Kumogakure openly applying military pressure and Konoha responding in kind, the atmosphere across the shinobi world grew increasingly tense.
One careless decision…
Could easily become the spark that ignited another great war.