Chapter 1241 - 125: Analysis_4

"There's one thing that's rather strange."

Kakashi spoke up as something occurred to him.

"What is it?"

"Starting from more than half a month ago, the one handling Hidden Cloud Village's affairs hasn't been the Fourth Raikage himself, but his secretary Mafui. Although Mafui has publicly claimed that the Fourth Raikage is training some powerful Nin-Taijutsu and is temporarily unable to deal with Cloud's administration, given the current abnormal movements from Cloud, I think it's very possible the Fourth Raikage isn't training Ninja Techniques at all, but has already left the Hidden Cloud Village."

Kakashi said.

"Is the source reliable?"

"Lord Hokage, this is only my speculation. I don't know the exact situation either. Anything involving the Fourth Raikage—basically only his trusted circle knows the internal truth."

Hiruzen pondered for a moment, then nodded, turning to Shikaku and asking, "Shikaku, what do you think of Kakashi's assessment?"

"There's some logic to what Kakashi said, but if the Fourth Raikage really has left Cloud, then where did he go, and for what purpose did he leave? As of now, all we concretely know is that Cloud is conducting military exercises in the Land of Hot Water. We still have far too little intelligence."

Shikaku answered, frowning.

"Whatever the case, we have to be ready to fight Cloud. Kakashi, later remember to send orders to the Anbu operating outside. Have them make contact with Jiraiya and Tsunade as soon as possible. The village needs their support right now."

Hiruzen's expression was stern.

"Understood, Lord Hokage. I'll make arrangements as soon as possible."

Kakashi nodded in assurance.

At this moment, something occurred to Shikaku. He spoke in a probing tone: "Um, Lord Hokage, do you think Cloud's sudden move might be connected to the situation in the Land of Rain?"

"The Land of Rain?"

Hiruzen was slightly taken aback; he hadn't speculated about this kind of link.

"Yes. According to intelligence gathered by the Anbu, the Hidden Rock Ninja stationed in the Land of Rain previously have already completely withdrawn from Rain's territory. And now Cloud has begun operations along the border of the Land of Hot Water. Isn't such an arrangement a bit too coincidental?"

"Cloud… no, why would the Land of Lightning do that?"

Hiruzen's face hardened; this possibility could not be ruled out.

"Just imagine it: Rock suddenly pulls its troops, Cloud subsequently deploys theirs. Once the situation develops in that direction, the strength of the Land of Fire and Konoha is destined to be spread thin, unable to be concentrated. Under such circumstances, which Country benefits the most?"

Shikaku already had an answer in his heart, yet he feared it would be confirmed.

Prompted by Shikaku, Hiruzen's expression sank.

"The Land of Demons!"

Chiba Hakushi!

If things are really as Shikaku says, then the sudden moves by the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning are not accidental at all, but premeditated, which means there is someone behind them deliberately targeting the Land of Fire and Konoha.

Within the Land of Demons, the only person Hiruzen could think of who has both the status and capability to pull this off is Chiba Hakushi.

It was almost laughable: the man was born in Konoha, yet within Konoha's intelligence system, he was a figure shrouded in mystery, a complete enigma.

"This is my personal conjecture, Lord Hokage. But both the Land of Rain and the Land of Waves are now under the Land of Demons' attention. The Land of Demons doesn't want a frontal clash with the Land of Fire, yet must still achieve its strategic objectives. In that case, forming an alliance with other Countries to pressure the Land of Fire and Konoha is undoubtedly an extremely subtle move. So I believe this conjecture may very well be the truth."

Though an enemy, Shikaku had no choice but to admire Hakushi's diplomatic finesse.

To unite not just one major Country requires not only a thorough grasp of the international environment, but also a clear understanding of both one's own strengths and weaknesses and those of the other party, and then prescribing the right remedy.

He didn't know what methods Hakushi used to unite the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning, nor whether any other Countries were involved. Even though Hakushi is not a Ninja, as an enemy, he is nonetheless a dangerous individual.

"If that's the case, how do we break the game? Do you have a way, Shikaku?"

Hiruzen looked at Shikaku.

Shikaku gave a bitter smile and replied, "Although it's not beyond saving, if we want to resolve this predicament, we must first address the largest contradiction right in front of us."

"What contradiction?"

"Will the Daimyo fully cooperate with decisions made by Konoha? Konoha can only represent the Land of Fire's military power; it cannot intervene in the Daimyo's Mansion's decision-making."

Many times, the Ninja Village and the Daimyo's Mansion are mutually wary.

This relationship of being partners yet simultaneously resembling enemies allowed Shikaku to see clearly the true gap between the Land of Fire and the Land of Demons.

No—this gap does not only exist in a comparison between the Land of Fire and the Land of Demons.

It exists between all the Countries currently in the Ninja Realm and the Land of Demons; they all share this structural flaw.

Moreover, this defect cannot be eliminated.

Once someone attempts to alter this structure, what will erupt then will not just be a Ninja Realm war, but a world war.

Hiruzen was rendered speechless and exhaled deeply.

"You're right. But now is not the time for mutual suspicion. I believe the Daimyo currently needs Konoha's help, and Konoha needs the Daimyo's help as well. Shikaku, you'll accompany me to the Daimyo's Mansion. I'll go and persuade the Daimyo personally."

Hiruzen stood up from his seat, speaking with firm resolve.

"Understood."

Shikaku nodded.

"Kakashi, I'll temporarily leave village affairs to the two Advisors, but when it comes to Anbu decisions, do not follow their arrangements. You make the calls yourself. I hereby grant you authority to make independent judgments."

Hiruzen said to Kakashi.

Jiraiya and Tsunade were currently away from the village, and Danzo had secretly gone to the Land of Rain. Once he, the Hokage, left, the only ones left in the village who could make decisions would be Advisors Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.

Though he trusted that those two would not run amok in the village while he was gone, the Anbu absolutely had to remain in the Hokage's grasp.

Kakashi nodded gravely.

"Please rest assured, Lord Hokage. I'll handle the Anbu properly."

Looks like this time I can plant a few more informants. For now, I'll assign them to the logistics division. Kakashi thought to himself.