"Since Lord Third says so, I think it's more appropriate to wait and see for now. The specific situation of the Hidden Waterfall Village and Hidden Grass Village is still unclear, and a lot of information is not fully confirmed. I believe it's more appropriate to wait for the movements from the Hidden Leaf and Hidden Cloud Village before making a judgment, or simply, we can reveal the news a bit earlier ourselves and push things from behind."
Gari paused, then continued.
Very traditional thinking.
If one must say, the style of the Kamizuru clan was very similar to the Hyuga clan of the Hidden Leaf. This referred not only to the living environment and upbringing within the clan but also to the fact that everyone's ideology was very rigid.
A very common trait of people like them was a dislike for "change"!
Eternity was what they considered correct.
Specifically regarding a certain situation, one couldn't say 100%, but in most cases, they would lean towards a strategy like "defensive counterattack" rather than choosing to attack proactively, unless there was nearly 100% certainty.
Variables, uncertain factors.
These were the words Kamizuru Gari hated the most.
Of course, this didn't mean people like them were timid or cowardly; it was just that their style of conduct had always been like this.
"Hmm, that makes some sense. Kitsuchi, what do you think?"
Gari's answer didn't exceed Ohnoki's expectations.
After nodding slowly, Ohnoki turned his head to look at Kitsuchi on the other side and asked softly.
"At this stage, I also approve of Gari-san's arrangement. As for what to do next, I think we still need to look at that Menma-kun. Lord Third, we have an alliance with this Menma-kun. Shouldn't they have an obligation to communicate with us about some of their actions? Especially when it involves the Hidden Waterfall Village and Hidden Grass Village!"
An alliance in name was still an alliance after all.
Of course, there was no obligation between allies to inform each other of actions unless there was a targeted plan. But on certain occasions, it still depended on the respective wishes of both sides. From the perspective of the Hidden Stone Village...
The Hidden Waterfall Village and Hidden Grass Village were neighbors to their own ninja village.
If integrated...
There was a possibility of threatening the security of their ninja village.
Regardless of whether they would actually do it.
But as long as the theoretical possibility existed, that was enough.
As an ally of their ninja village, Menma could choose not to speak before acting, but now that everything was over, their ninja village was qualified to question him.
And as long as they could obtain further news from Menma...
They could more easily make the next judgment.
"Mhm, that makes sense!"
Upon hearing his son's words, Ohnoki's eyes lit up. This was where he himself had been negligent just now. Even if they were to wait and see, they couldn't really do nothing. One thing was to fan the flames a bit, making the Hidden Leaf and Hidden Cloud notice Menma's existence and actions faster.
The other was the need to put some pressure on this "little" ally.
One must know that the reason for reaching that specious alliance with Menma was to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight.
The larger the scale of the turmoil caused around Menma, the bloodier and more terrifying it was, the more benefits their Hidden Stone Village could harvest.
Now that they finally waited for the opportunity.
Ohnoki naturally wanted to grab it firmly!
If not for this point, Ohnoki himself would have forcefully taken action that day to capture Menma back. The Nine-Tails, the strongest Tailed Beast in the ninja world.
Rumored to be a terrifying existence that only the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha could suppress alone.
Even without witnessing the power of the Nine-Tails with his own eyes.
Just relying on this point, and that Hidden Leaf turmoil 13 years ago, was already enough.
"Immediately send people to spread the news. Then Kitsuchi, you personally contact that Menma-kun and tell him it's time to fulfill the obligations of an ally. In addition, Gari, Akatsuchi, you two lead teams respectively to the eastern and southern borders to further investigate the situation of the Hidden Grass Village and Hidden Waterfall Village. Especially the latter, Gari, you will be responsible. Han, you go together as well, sit in the center to supervise, and ensure the stability of the border. Understood!?"
Ohnoki ordered with a serious expression.
"Yes, Lord Third!"
Kitsuchi, Gari, Akatsuchi, Han, and the others all bowed in reply together.
"Old man, I want to go too!"
And just as Ohnoki's words fell, Kurotsuchi on the side immediately spoke up.
Although judging from the current situation...
Their Hidden Stone Village still wouldn't make any big moves at the beginning, but Kurotsuchi was already eager to try in her heart.
Staying in the village, surely nothing would fall on her.
Going to the border would be different.
Kurotsuchi wasn't the kind of little girl who would behave herself.
"Don't cause trouble, Kurotsuchi. You stay honestly in the village for me!"
Before Ohnoki could say anything, Kitsuchi, as her father, darkened his face and spoke in a slightly strict tone.
Don't look at how Kurotsuchi was already a ninja with decent strength.
And her age had reached fifteen or sixteen.
But in Kitsuchi's eyes, she was still that ignorant little girl. This situation had a high probability of affecting the entire ninja world. His daughter was still so young; staying honestly in the ninja village was the most correct choice.
Hearing Kitsuchi's words, Kurotsuchi pursed her lips involuntarily. Her small eyes rolled slightly, wanting to say something, but staring at her old father's serious expression, she ultimately couldn't say anything. Don't look at how lively Kurotsuchi was in front of Ohnoki; that was all because Ohnoki more or less spoiled Kurotsuchi.
Kitsuchi was different. Since childhood, Kurotsuchi had been very afraid of this strict father of hers.
"Hehe, it's still a bit early now. You just stay in the village first. If there is a suitable opportunity, Grandpa will definitely arrange a mission for you then."
Seeing his granddaughter's deflated look.
Ohnoki also smiled slightly and said.
"Really!? You said it, old man!"
Hearing Ohnoki's words.
Kurotsuchi immediately became spirited again, saying with a beaming smile.
"Lord Third, this..."
Kitsuchi on the side seemed to want to say something.
"Alright, Kitsuchi, young people need more experience. Kurotsuchi is sixteen too, two or three years older than that Menma-kun. You have to trust Kurotsuchi!"
But Ohnoki waved his hand to interrupt his son's words.
At first glance, Ohnoki seemed to be an old grandpa image who spoiled his granddaughter very much, but as the Kage of a village, Ohnoki's overall view was still very strong. He would favor Kurotsuchi, but he would absolutely not overprotect his granddaughter.
If a ninja wanted to become strong and grow up as soon as possible...
They needed to undergo many experiences.
Only by overcoming crises one after another with their own strength could they truly become a strong person. Ohnoki still had great confidence in his granddaughter!