Chapter 163, Analysis.

"You must have received the news, right?"

Raijin chuckled and asked Senju Tobirama.

"Really, I'm surprised that you can sit here calmly and talk to me about this matter."

Senju Tobirama looked at Raijin with a gratified smile in his eyes.

"Anger only makes one lose their reason."

Raijin shook his head and said to Senju Tobirama.

"So, how do you think this matter should be handled?"

Senju Tobirama nodded, crossed his hands on the table, and asked Raijin.

"You're testing me."

Raijin first laughed sheepishly, and since Senju Tobirama was now so calm and composed, he must have already made the necessary arrangements.

So, Raijin was not in a hurry anymore.

"Actually, I think that even if we investigate this incident, we won't find anything in a short time."

"Oh? Tell me your reasoning."

Senju Tobirama propped his chin with one hand and asked Raijin.

"Firstly, I don't think this incident was caused by Kumogakure. After all, if Kumogakure had decided to go to war with Konohagakure and wanted to gain an advantage by targeting the Uchiha Commerce Guild, then Kumogakure's troops should have already reached the Land of Fire border by now.

And before that, Konohagakure should have received some intelligence."

Raijin shared his thoughts with Senju Tobirama.

"Not only that, if Kumogakure's goal was to gain an advantage, they shouldn't have just targeted the Uchiha Commerce Guild. The Senju family should also have a commerce guild in the Land of Moon."

Raijin paused, then continued to add.

"Hmm, who do you think it could be?"

Senju Tobirama nodded with a smile in his eyes.

Smart, calm, strong.

Such a child is simply the best assistant to the Hokage.

"It's even less likely to be the other hidden villages. Waging war across multiple countries, even the geographically closest Land of Earth would struggle to keep any intelligence from leaking."

Raijin shook his head, indicating he didn't know who was responsible.

But deep down, Raijin already had a rough idea.

Is it you, Black Zetsu?

In war, there are no winners. Even if Konohagakure emerges victorious, it will have expended a significant portion of its strength.

So, who stands to benefit in the end?

It seems... only Black Zetsu remains.

After all, given Konohagakure's current overall strength, even sealing the Nine-Tails in a jar, it would be difficult for Black Zetsu to steal it.

If one were to put themselves in Black Zetsu's shoes, starting a war to weaken the entire shinobi world and increase the chances of success for one's plans would be a sound strategy.

"Your line of thinking is correct."

Senju Tobirama nodded in response. Among the four great hidden villages, Konohagakure has always had spies. The higher-ups' meeting content might be unknown to Konohagakure, but some combat missions can still be guessed.

And to take down an Uchiha Jonin who has activated the Three Tomoe, along with two Chunin, would require at least two or more elite squads.

Such a move would not go unnoticed by Konohagakure.

Therefore, this incident could not have been the doing of the four great hidden villages, and the smaller ones simply lack the strength.

So, when all possibilities are excluded, the remaining impossibility, however improbable, must be the answer.

That is, this incident was orchestrated by a presence lurking in the shadows.

For now, Senju Tobirama is unclear about this person's motives and goals.

This shinobi world is truly interesting...

"The permanent Senjutsu experiment is on hold, Team 7's training progress is slowed down, you don't need to worry about this incident for now. Later, I will discuss this matter with your father, and then, the Anbu and Konohagakure's police force will handle this together."

Senju Tobirama said to Raijin, content that the Uchiha had allowed Raijin to come here and discuss the matter with him.

Of course, the Uchiha will be involved in what follows, otherwise, they would surely create an uproar.

"Alright, thank you for your efforts."

Raijin stood up and said to Senju Tobirama.

"I'm not the one who should be thanked. If war breaks out, it's you who will suffer the most."

Senju Tobirama said with a light chuckle, standing up and patting Raijin on the shoulder.

"You're kidding me."

Raijin chuckled and nodded, bidding farewell to Senju Tobirama before leaving the Hokage's office.

...

"Is war about to begin?"

At Konohagakure's third training ground.

As Raijin brought back the news, before Jiraiya could get excited, Nawaki had already beaten him to it.

"What are you excited about? Whether war breaks out or not, what does it have to do with you? Graduate first, then talk about war!"

So, Jiraiya said to Nawaki with a mix of sarcasm and mockery.

Great, with Nawaki's arrival, Jiraiya is finally not the weakest link anymore.

"Idiot! I could graduate easily, you know?"

Nawaki immediately pointed at Jiraiya's nose and shouted.

"Nawaki!"

Before Jiraiya could speak, Tsunade called out first.

Following Tsunade's words, Nawaki silently withdrew his hand and sulkily sat to one side.

"Alright, let's end today's training here. Everyone, go back and rest well."

Raijin stood up and said to Orochimaru and Jiraiya in front of him.

"Okay."

Orochimaru and Jiraiya glanced at Raijin, nodded, and left the training ground.

"I might not have time to teach you for a while."

Raijin took a couple of steps forward and crouched in front of a somewhat dejected Nawaki.

"Alright, I understand."

Nawaki pursed his lips and nodded in response.

"Train well in the village. When I have time, I'll test you. If you pass, I'll teach you the technique from that night."

Raijin thought for a moment and then said to Nawaki, giving him something to look forward to.

"What counts as passing?"

Nawaki's eyes finally lit up with a bit of sparkle as he stood up and asked Raijin.

"Cover your body with Lightning Release chakra without forming hand seals."

Raijin stood up, and with a mere thought, a thin layer of lightning covered his body.

This sight successfully made Nawaki swallow back the word 'impossible' that had almost escaped his lips.

"It's a deal."

Nawaki said to Raijin.

"It's a deal."

Raijin nodded in response, and after calming Nawaki, he went home with Tsunade.

Meanwhile, Anbu Captain Senju Osamu and Konohagakure Police Force Captain Uchiha Motohide also arrived before Senju Tobirama.

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