Elders Decision

The Hidden Rain Village's growing belligerence was becoming more apparent by the day. In response, Konoha had been sending more and more ninjas into the Land of Rain to gather intelligence.

This constant probing was only intensifying the friction between the two sides, to the point where skirmishes were breaking out.

"The Rain Village is flexing its muscles. Hanzo is sending a clear warning to Konoha."

Jiraiya said gravely. "Based on intelligence from the Anbu, the Root, and our spies, it's clear that under Hanzo's leadership, the Rain Village's strength is now on par with that of the Five Great Nations."

"If war breaks out, the Land of Fire will be the first to suffer its wrath,"

Jiraiya continued, his tone growing more urgent. "I believe we must act to prevent this threat before it escalates. We cannot allow the Rain Village to grow any stronger or to challenge Konoha."

Danzo slammed his hand on the table, his voice filled with anger. "Hanzo is sending assassins after our Konoha ninjas as a warning. Sarutobi, do you really think Hanzo is willing to sit down and negotiate with us at this point?"

Konoha's relentless intelligence-gathering efforts seemed to have provoked Hanzo, the leader of the Rain Village. Under his orders, Rain Village ninjas began systematically hunting down Konoha's operatives, even ignoring Konoha's requests for peace talks.

Are we really heading towards war? And Konoha would be the one initiating it?

Are we really heading towards war? And Konoha would be the one initiating it?

This was not the outcome the Third Hokage wanted. But the situation was growing dire.

Last year, the Rain Village had merely shown signs of aggression, possibly eyeing the Land of Grass. As an ally of Konoha, the Land of Grass naturally couldn't be left to fend for itself.

When Konoha's Anbu and Root operatives infiltrated the Land of Rain, along with intelligence from their spies, the Third Hokage was faced with an unsettling truth. Hanzo wasn't interested in the Land of Grass. His sights were set on the Land of Fire!

If Konoha wouldn't allow the Rain Village to touch the Land of Grass, there was no way they would stand by and let Hanzo target the Land of Fire.

Does he really think his village is on par with the Five Great Nations? This was why Danzo was so furious Hanzo's actions were a blatant insult.

Ignoring Konoha's requests for negotiations was a slap in the face, one that left Konoha's pride deeply wounded.

"If Konoha declares war on the Rain Village, the flames of conflict will spread across the entire ninja world. Have you all considered the consequences?" Danzo's hawkish stance was clear, he believed Konoha should strike first, to prevent the war from reaching the Land of Fire's borders.

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, members of Konoha's Council, found merit in Danzo's arguments.

If Hanzo was foolish enough to provoke Konoha, then they should teach him a lesson.

Even if Konoha wanted peace through negotiation, the Rain Village's blatant refusal left them with little choice.

"Do you think that if Konoha doesn't declare war on the Rain Village, the conflict won't spread to other nations?"

Danzo scoffed, turning his sharp gaze toward the Third Hokage. "Sarutobi, don't forget that since the First Shinobi War, all the major villages have recovered their strength. It's not just the Rain Village that's showing signs of aggression; the other villages are ready for war as well."

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