The Hidden Stone Village, being the first to receive the news, was also the first to take action.
But just as Ohnoki said.
They could receive the news, and other ninja villages would at most be delayed by a day or two before also receiving news about Menma, the Hidden Waterfall Village, and the Hidden Grass Village. Because Menma was, after all, always under the highest scrutiny of various ninja villages. If he remained completely silent and took no action, it would naturally be difficult to catch him.
But as long as Menma took the initiative to expose himself to the public eye...
It was impossible to escape the sight of these people.
Almost at the time when Kitsuchi, Akatsuchi, Gari, and others in the Hidden Stone Village began to act according to their Tsuchikage's orders...
The Hidden Leaf, Hidden Cloud, Hidden Sand, Hidden Mist, and other ninja villages also successively received intelligence to varying degrees.
And compared to the information received by the Hidden Stone Village a day or two ago...
Now there was additional news about the alliance between the "Hidden Waterfall Village" and the "Hidden Grass Village"!
Even if it wasn't very comprehensive, nor 100% confirmed.
But the content of this intelligence...
Was enough to shock these ninja villages.
"What!? Menma appeared in the Hidden Grass Village? Suspected of reaching an agreement with the leader of the Hidden Grass Village, and now it has turned into an alliance between the Hidden Waterfall Village and the Hidden Grass Village!?"
Land of Fire, Hidden Leaf Village, inside the Hokage Building.
Tsunade, who was already annoyed by the intensified conflict with the Cloud ninja during this period, suddenly stood up abruptly upon hearing this intelligence, looking at Shikaku Nara who had rushed over to report with a look of disbelief.
One must know that just a few days ago, they had just learned information about Orochimaru, and there was specific intelligence stating that the Six-Tails Jinchuriki had indeed returned to one of Orochimaru's bases with Menma and Kabuto Yakushi.
This was already heavyweight intelligence, and now came even heavier information.
For a moment.
Tsunade almost suspected the authenticity of the intelligence.
It was only because the person reporting was Shikaku Nara; otherwise, Tsunade would have 100% ordered the Intelligence Division personnel to investigate again.
This was simply too beyond common sense, right!?
Shikaku Nara also spoke with a very serious expression: "It's very likely not just an alliance relationship, Lord Fifth. Although the intelligence isn't very explicit, it can be analyzed that after the inexplicable death of Hisashi Shigeru (this was news released officially by Mui on behalf of the Hidden Grass Village under Menma's instruction; even if everyone knew, they couldn't really say they killed the former leader themselves, a fig leaf was still needed), all the orders made by the person who ascended to the leader's position didn't quite align with the Hidden Grass Village's own interests. There is also unconfirmed information indicating that Mui seems very respectful to Menma. Combined with the information from the Hidden Waterfall Village, we have reason to suspect that the current Hidden Waterfall Village and Hidden Grass Village are very likely both under Menma's control!"
Just as Ohnoki made his judgment based on his decades of life experience, Shikaku made his judgment from this insufficient intelligence based on his ultra-high sensitivity and intuition.
It sounded exaggerated, nonsensical.
Even ordinary people would find it hard to believe.
Including Tsunade, who showed a look of disbelief immediately.
But the person saying this was the intelligence pillar of her own ninja village; Tsunade had to consider how high the possibility was.
"And looking at it this way, our previous judgment on the relationship between Menma and Orochimaru should also have been deviated. Menma didn't join Orochimaru's side, but should be in an equal alliance relationship. It should be that Menma used some leverage and means to persuade Orochimaru!"
Shikaku continued his analysis.
And there was one more sentence Shikaku didn't say out loud: looking at it this way, during last year's Chunin Exams, it might not necessarily have been Orochimaru who actively sought out Menma. It was very likely the reverse situation. The events in the Forest of Death were full of doubts!
Even though this would bring up more unexplainable things.
But a voice in Shikaku's heart kept telling him that this development was most likely the truth.
Tsunade's expression became unprecedentedly ugly at this moment.
If everything was truly as Shikaku said...
She really needed to re-evaluate Menma Uzumaki, this boy of only 13.
A boy possessing such terrifying scheming and means.
And being the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, in the future, it wasn't just possible, but inevitable that he would bring a hell-level catastrophic impact to the Hidden Leaf.
Evidence?
Such things didn't need evidence.
Just having such a sign and probability was enough.
In the diplomatic relations between national ninja villages...
Especially involving this kind of existence with deep hatred, even a sliver of possibility must be faced with a 100% attitude.
Less than a year.
In such a short time.
Tsunade could already fully feel the threat brought by Menma. At this moment, Tsunade had also completely abandoned her previous thoughts.
Even if she would indeed let down the Minato and Kushina couple who sacrificed for the village.
But as the Hokage, and also the granddaughter of Hashirama Senju.
She had to stand from the perspective of the Hidden Leaf, considering the interests and safety of the Hidden Leaf.
Whether it was Menma.
Or Orochimaru.
It was time for execution.
'Naruto, if you want to blame someone then, blame Grandma Tsunade. Everything is for the village.'
Naruto's cheerful face, resembling her younger brother, flashed through Tsunade's mind. after sighing secretly in her heart, she immediately hardened her heart.
"Shikaku, immediately order a high-level meeting to be convened. Send someone to notify the three elders to attend!"
Tsunade slammed her desk abruptly, speaking with a very grim expression.
"Yes, Lord Fifth!"
After Shikaku bowed his head sharply in response, he also turned and left immediately to convey Tsunade's order.
"Lord Tsunade, will this...?"
As Tsunade's true confidant, Shizune could almost guess what Tsunade was thinking the moment she saw that expression on her Lord Tsunade's face.
At that moment, she also spoke with a look of worry.
"There is no time left for us to hesitate, Shizune. The situation now is completely different from last year. Whether it's the Hidden Cloud Village, or the newly allied Hidden Waterfall Village and Hidden Grass Village, for the safety of our Hidden Leaf, a decision must be made. Of course, it's not that we won't give that guy a final hope, but it also depends on whether he is willing to accept it himself. Anyway, we can't continue to delay any longer."
Tsunade waved her hand, directly interrupting Shizune's words, speaking with a very decisive expression.