Since there weren't any active battles at the moment, staying at the camp was getting boring.
Besides, Orochimaru had given them some time off.
However, they still needed to report before heading to the Land of Bears.
After a brief discussion, they went to Orochimaru at the command post.
Orochimaru didn't say much and approved their request right away.
With Orochimaru's permission, the two cheerfully set off for the Land of Bears, even hunting a wild deer along the way to bring with them.
Better to prepare some ingredients than to arrive and only eat dry rations if Takuya didn't have fresh supplies.
Their purpose in going to the Land of Bears was not only to chat with Takuya but also to enjoy some good food.
If they went all the way there only to eat dry rations, it would be a crime.
So they made sure to bring some ingredients with them.
This way, Takuya could just focus on cooking.
In Konoha, inside the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage looked at the scroll sent by the Anbu, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead:
"This brat is just causing trouble!!
Doesn't he realize that such words could affect the morale of our troops?"
"How could he dare to do this?"
Danzo was shameless, and he had been underhanded in the past, but wasn't that already a thing of the past?
Why keep stirring things up?
It's one thing to curse in private, but to publicly insult them —it was simply tarnishing the reputation of the village leadership.
"Send the scroll to Tsunade and let her handle it."
Only a few people knew about Hatake Sakumo's situation, and Tsunade was one of them.
If Takuya knew, it must have been because Tsunade was displeased with Danzo's actions and specifically informed him, leading to this whole incident.
Since it started with Tsunade, let her handle it.
As for whether Danzo would be furious, the Third Hokage didn't care. If Danzo hadn't acted recklessly, none of this would have happened.
The fact that he wasn't in serious trouble was already a blessing.
To clear Danzo's name?
That wasn't happening.
Meanwhile, Kirigakure was preparing for a major event.
Yagura's letter had also reached the Third Kazekage.
After several years, the Third Kazekage, Chiyo, and Ebizō gathered once again in the Kazekage's office.
In addition to them, there was the Third Kazekage's student, Rasa, and Pakura, known as the strongest kunoichi in Sunagakure.
Chiyo and Ebizō, who typically stayed out of village affairs, were also present.
Not because they wanted to regain control, but because the Third Kazekage had personally invited them.
Rasa and Pakura respectfully greeted the two elders.
Even though Chiyo and Ebizō had long since stepped down from their positions, neither Rasa nor Pakura dared to show any disrespect.
Chiyo smiled as she carefully observed the two of them.
Ebizō also studied Rasa and Pakura, who had begun to shoulder the responsibilities of the village.
Sitting in the main seat, the Third Kazekage took the initiative to introduce them:
"This is my student, Rasa, who also possesses the Magnet Release. And Pakura, who holds a special kekkei genkai. Both are the future of our village, so I have allowed them to join this high-level meeting."
It's a pity that Sasori wasn't interested in such matters, otherwise, he could have been brought in.
Even though Rasa and Pakura were considered prodigies of the village, Chiyo still believed her grandson Sasori was stronger.
Unfortunately, Sasori had completely changed after his parents' death. He rarely left his puppet workshop unless absolutely necessary.
He didn't even want to interact with the people in the village.
This caused Chiyo considerable distress.
Chiyo and Ebizō had already retired from their duties, and the Third Kazekage was the one who initiated today's meeting.
"You both should be aware of the village's situation in recent years. The high war reparations have caused the village's development to stagnate, and the situation is dire."
"So, Kazekage-sama, are you suggesting..."
Chiyo knew that for the Third Kazekage to personally invite them, something significant must be happening.
It was most likely related to a new war.
Even though they were retired, Chiyo and Ebizō understood that if nothing changed, Sunagakure's situation would only worsen.
Without trust from the daimyo, without funding for development, and with the burden of massive war reparations, all these factors were leading Sunagakure further into decline.
"This is a message from Yagura of Kirigakure."
The Third Kazekage placed the scroll on the table and spoke in a deep voice:
"The war between Kirigakure and Konoha has entered a critical phase. The Third Mizukage has instructed Yagura to invite us to form an alliance and attack Konoha together."
Is the village going to war?
Rasa and Pakura were slightly taken aback.
Chiyo and Ebizō, on the other hand, remained calm, as they also believed that war was the only way to change Sunagakure's situation.
Only by waging war could they wipe out the debt owed to Konoha.
Only by waging war could they force the daimyo, who had turned a blind eye to the village, to allocate funds.
Once the war began, even if the daimyo disliked Sunagakure, he would still have to provide funds.
Otherwise, if they lost the war, the daimyo wouldn't benefit either.
He might even be ridiculed.
When it concerned his own interests and reputation, the daimyo of the Land of Wind would have no choice but to comply, providing money and resources.
"Has the Third Mizukage lost his mind?"
Chiyo picked up the scroll and, after reading it, her hands trembled as if she were holding a venomous snake instead of a simple message.
Ebizō looked at her in confusion.
Why was his sister reacting so strongly?
Peeking at the scroll, his eyes widened, and he was stunned. After a moment, he slowly shook his head:
"Sister is right, the Third Mizukage has indeed lost his mind."
"True, I also think he's lost it, but for us, this is an excellent opportunity."
Whether the Third Mizukage was crazy or not didn't matter to the Third Kazekage. What mattered was that if this was all true, Konoha would inevitably suffer heavy losses, giving Sunagakure a chance.
Bringing both jinchūriki to the battlefield and using a strategy that would harm both sides just to deal with Konoha showed Kirigakure's determination.
"If all of this is true, then..."