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The current state of affairs between Konoha and Iwagakure, while persistent, did not significantly hinder Konoha's overall development. For Konoha, it was a manageable situation. Iwagakure, however, was different. This dynamic had already become a burden for them.
In the original Boruto era, other villages developed progressively better, especially Konoha, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure, achieving what could be called leaps across eras. Even Sunagakure was continuously advancing. only Iwagakure grew increasingly backward the more it developed, a situation likely inextricably linked to their village's economic expenditures.
Typically, this meant they lacked sufficient funds to support massive military expansion yet tightened their belts to funnel most of their money into military development. This led to a distorted state of village development. During peacetime, this wasn't a major issue; at worst, the village just endured a period of austerity, which was manageable. However, once the shinobi world experienced upheaval, problems would inevitably arise.
Now, the problems had already erupted. The war between Kirigakure and Sunagakure had caused ripples throughout the entire shinobi world, at least significantly impacting economies. Both Konoha and Kumogakure were unavoidably affected, let alone Iwagakure, whose economy was inherently weak.
With excessively extreme military development coupled with emerging economic problems, Iwagakure was becoming a landmine. If they continued to endure like this, this landmine would only explode internally.
To prevent this landmine from exploding and harming themselves, the only solution was to launch an external war, transferring the crisis elsewhere.
Looking at it this way...
"Tch...."
Tsunade couldn't help but suck in a sharp, cold breath.
Because she realized that, according to the data Kazuki had compiled, Iwagakure was not far from the point of detonation. If Ōnoki didn't want this landmine to explode internally, external war was inevitable.
In contrast, Kumogakure was comparatively more substantial. While the war affected them, it wouldn't cause their village's development to falter. Kumogakure could comfortably sit back on a high platform, fishing – watching the other villages fight. If opportunities and benefits arose, they would intervene. Without good chances or tangible benefits, they would remain spectators. Stable. Extremely stable!
Because even if Iwagakure's landmine detonated, they wouldn't target Kumogakure. Attacking Kumogakure would be arduous and thankless for Iwagakure. Kirigakure and Sunagakure offered little profit to seize. Only the prosperous Land of Fire would become the prime target and choice.
"Dammit! Once internal village problems arise, Ōnoki will undoubtedly use war to resolve them, and the target Iwagakure chooses will only be us!!!"
With just a little deduction, the conclusion became clear. Tsunade immediately grew restless.
"This won't do. We must make comprehensive preparations. Iwagakure has a precedent of being the first to declare war on Konoha; we cannot give them such an opportunity."
The more Tsunade thought about it, the more she couldn't sit still. Konoha had to be prepared. Even at the cost of expending a large batch of supplies and a significant sum of money, they needed to dispatch a group of shinobi to be stationed at the border near the direction of the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain. Not a single opportunity could be left for Iwagakure.
"Shizune, immediately send someone to summon the Jonin Commander, Nara Shikaku, and inform the old man to come here as well."
Besides increasing shinobi deployment, they needed to send someone sufficiently authoritative to hold the fort. Tsunade initially considered Orochimaru, but given that Orochimaru was himself an unstable factor, she chose the Third Hokage instead. Even though the Third Hokage had done many bizarre and downright insane things in the past, his loyalty to the village was beyond question. The Third Hokage was qualified in that regard.
Tsunade was a woman of action. Regarding her decision, Kazuki didn't stop her. Taking preemptive defensive measures was always correct. Once the waters were muddied, anything could happen. Coupled with the Akatsuki organization stirring the pot and causing trouble from the shadows, it was right to guard against Iwagakure's potential explosion in advance. It was merely a matter of losing some supplies and money. As long as the flames of war didn't reach the Land of Fire, this cost was worthwhile.
Shizune, knowing the importance of the matter, quickly ran out of the office to notify the Anbu. Without needing much reminder from Shizune, the Anbu hurriedly went to summon Shikaku and the Third Hokage.
In less than half an hour, both arrived at the Hokage's office building. Shikaku was very busy, and the Third Hokage was in a rather sour mood, but upon receiving the summons, both came immediately.
"Lord Third, the Hokage is not in her main office, but in the Advisor's office. Please come this way."
As the Third Hokage and Shikaku prepared to head to the Hokage's office, an Anbu member quickly stopped them. They were going the wrong way. In Kazuki's office? The Third Hokage paused for a moment before turning around. Shikaku, lost in thought, quietly followed the Third Hokage.
Chairs had already been set up in Kazuki's office. As soon as the Third Hokage and Nara Shikaku entered, Tsunade said to them: "Shikaku, old man, please have a seat first."
"Alright." The Third Hokage sat down first. But having just sat down, seeing Kazuki remaining seated in the host's chair without moving, he felt a pang of discontent. Tsunade's favoritism towards Kazuki was a bit excessive. In such a situation, regardless of whose office it was, the seat should be yielded to Tsunade. Kazuki, however, simply sat there without budging, while Tsunade sat right beside him. Shikaku blinked, sat down next to the Third Hokage, and chose to observe the tip of his nose and the heart of his mind – see less, say less. His choice was to follow his instincts cautiously.
"Shizune." With everyone present, Tsunade signaled Shizune to give the printed materials to the Third Hokage and Shikaku. "Lord Third, Lord Shikaku, these are the documents."
"Documents?" The two picked up the materials and began reading carefully. One was the former Hokage, highly sensitive to the shinobi world's situation; the other was the Jonin Commander, famously intelligent. It didn't take long for them to understand why Tsunade had asked them to read the documents first.
Trouble was brewing again. It really never stopped. Shikaku felt a headache coming on. People from his clan shared a trait: high intelligence coupled with a distaste for trouble. Just look: Sunagakure and Kirigakure were fighting heatedly, causing unrest along Konoha's borders, and before that situation was even settled, Iwagakure's landmine was about to explode! Troubles kept coming one after another, leaving no time to catch one's breath.
"This data collection is quite excellent," the Third Hokage said seriously. "Iwagakure's development does indeed have some problems. Now, affected by the war, with village economies suffering, Iwagakure's issues will become prominent. It seems the village needs to take some precautions."
"Old man, I've decided to conscript a group of shinobi, to be led by you, to station at the border and guard against a potential war launched by Iwagakure."
Iwagakure launching an external war was inevitable; it was only a matter of time and whom they chose to attack. Konoha was absolutely the primary target. Iwagakure had coveted the Land of Fire's fertile lands for far too long.