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Even if Ōnoki had realized the Four-Tails was preparing a Tailed Beast Ball aimed at the Tsuchikage's office building, he could only watch helplessly, powerless to stop it.
"Iwagakure's days are about to become very difficult." Even after dealing with the immediate catastrophe of the Four-Tails Night, the subsequent rescue and reconstruction efforts would be a heavy burden for Iwagakure to bear. Fortunately, although the Four-Tails' rampage was extensive, it likely wouldn't severely impact Iwagakure's military strength. The casualties would probably be concentrated among the civilian population.
During the Nine-Tails attack, Konoha had suffered heavy losses. Besides having just endured the Third Great Ninja War, it was because a large number of Konoha ninja had gathered to confront the Nine-Tails, resulting in devastating casualties.
Iwagakure's situation was different. Ōnoki decisively ordered the village ninja to focus on rescue and firefighting, while he alone dealt with the Four-Tails. Ninja casualties were thus relatively low. The main damage was the extensive destruction of village infrastructure and significant civilian casualties.
The Third Hokage put down his pipe and added, "Currently, Iwagakure requires a massive sum of money for village reconstruction and compensation for casualties. Given their current financial state, it will be extremely difficult for them to come up with these funds." He knew this desperate feeling all too well from his own experience a decade ago.
Konoha had just endured the Third Great Ninja War, left severely weakened. Just as the village was beginning to recover a year after the war's end, the Nine-Tails attack happened. Even though Konoha's physical destruction wasn't as severe, the funds needed for reconstruction and compensation for the fallen had given him countless headaches. Present-day Iwagakure was in an even worse position than Konoha back then. Their finances were already tight, and the Four-Tails attack had blown their budget to smithereens.
Since being stationed at the border to guard against Iwagakure, the Third Hokage had been constantly gathering intelligence on the Stone Village. He just hadn't expected that his temporary two-day return to the village for clan matters would coincide with Iwagakure's Four-Tails Night disaster.
"Lord Third is correct. Based on Iwagakure's current finances, they cannot possibly produce that amount of money," Nara Shikaku voiced his own thoughts. "The village needs reconstruction, and the families of the deceased require compensation. Since the village lacks the funds, the likelihood of Iwagakure resorting to extreme measures is very high."
Reconstruction needed to begin immediately, and compensation couldn't be delayed. But what if the treasury was empty? The only option left was to take it by force.
"Focusing on the Akatsuki should be the priority now. What a shame..." Homura sighed. A few years ago, all Five Great Shinobi Villages had placed great emphasis on the Akatsuki. However, the organization had lain dormant, and everyone's vigilance had gradually waned. Now, with Kirigakure and Sunagakure at war and Iwagakure suffering this blow, who had the spare attention to focus on the Akatsuki? As long as they weren't the ones being targeted, everyone was content to sweep the snow from their own doorstep. Who had the time to worry about others?
Unless the Akatsuki chose this moment to jump out and directly confront the Great Villages again, none of the Five would likely turn their full attention to them. Moreover, the Akatsuki weren't fools; they wouldn't pop up now to draw hatred. They caused havoc, then immediately went back into hiding, leaving you seething with nowhere to direct your revenge. Infuriating, wasn't it?
Isn't that stating the obvious? Kazuki glanced at Homura but chose not to engage, ignoring the comment.
"I will depart for the border camp first thing tomorrow morning," the Third Hokage stated. Regardless of whether Ōnoki would point the spear at Konoha, the village needed to be prepared.
"Kazuki, do you think the village needs to actively pursue the Akatsuki's whereabouts?" Tsunade, having finished her meal and now full, officially opened the meeting.
"Unnecessary, and it would be extremely difficult to locate their hideout. We just need to remember one thing: as long as the Akatsuki's plan proceeds without a hitch, they will undoubtedly target each village's Tailed Beasts and Jinchūriki." Kazuki thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Rather than us searching for them, it's better to let the Akatsuki come to us. After all, we won't be the first to suffer."
Unless Uchiha Madara were to be resurrected, the Akatsuki, in executing their plan, would likely proceed in the order from the One-Tail to the Nine-Tails. Attacking Konoha first wasn't a wise move. Instead, other villages—particularly Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure—needed to worry about this. As for Kirigakure... there was no need at all. As long as the Akatsuki controlled Yagura and that information remained secret, capturing Kirigakure's two Tailed Beasts would be effortless for them.
"Ahem!!!" The increasingly corpulent Chōza coughed. Once everyone looked his way, he spoke. "Don't you all find it strange? The Akatsuki already had control of the Four-Tails. Why deliver it back to Iwagakure just to let it rampage?"
"Because the Akatsuki needs to weaken the strength of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Moreover, a Tailed Beast doesn't truly die when killed. After the Four-Tails resurrects, the Akatsuki can simply go and capture it directly, without needing to infiltrate Iwagakure again—unless Iwagakure recaptures it first."
Kazuki looked at the large man with some surprise. It was rare to see him attend a high-level meeting. But the degree of his rotundity... even a prize-winning buffalo would have to concede defeat upon seeing Akimichi Chōza in his current state. The man was indescribably large. Fortunately, buffalos in the ninja world weren't to be trifled with either; some could grow as large as houses.
Many in the conference room looked at Akimichi Chōza with odd expressions. The village had long since obtained and analyzed this intelligence. Just how negligent had Chōza been to not even look into this?
"What? It's just been a while since I paid attention, that's all." Under everyone's gaze, Chōza's face flushed slightly as he stubbornly defended himself.
Beside him, Shikaku lowered his head deeply, trying hard to conceal his exasperated expression. How embarrassing. But given Chōza's seniority and status as a veteran, Shikaku couldn't very well call him out.
Maintaining a calm expression, Kazuki continued, "Furthermore, if the Akatsuki is to capture the Tailed Beasts, they'll most likely start from the One-Tail, not target the Nine-Tails first."
Alright then, pretend I said nothing. Carry on, carry on. Chōza smiled awkwardly and settled back into his seat, deciding not to speak further. However, as he shifted his weight, the chair beneath him emitted a groan of protest, as if on the verge of collapse under his immense bulk. Such a large person on such a small chair... the poor chair.
"Then, should the village issue a statement condemning the Akatsuki?" The usually reserved Hiashi suddenly spoke up.
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