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According to past precedent, whenever such incidents occurred, the village should step forward to issue a condemnation—at least, the surface-level formalities needed to be observed.
"Unnecessary." While Tsunade was still considering, Kazuki directly vetoed the suggestion. "Firstly, our source of information isn't official. Intelligence transmitted by spies can be known to us, but it cannot be made public. After all, such matters cannot be openly discussed. Secondly, the current situation in the ninja world is chaotic. There's no need to engage in such meaningless gestures at this time. Unless other villages take the lead, in which case we can follow suit without issue—it's just issuing a statement, after all. But if we are to take the lead ourselves, it's better to abstain. Actions that gain no favor and may even invite trouble should not be undertaken."
"Let's wait." Kazuki sat back down, leaning against his chair. "After a major incident like this, Iwagakure will certainly take the lead. If Iwagakure itself chooses silence, why should we, the spectators, go and muddy the waters?"
"That's reasonable, however..." Many in the conference room seemed to have more to say but hesitated.
Homura and the Third Hokage exchanged a glance. Finally, the Third Hokage spoke up. "But if we choose silence, tending only to our own affairs, then when the Akatsuki finally makes its move, we might find no one willing to assist us." Kazuki advocated non-involvement, and Tsunade hadn't opposed it, indicating they were on the same page. Thus, those with reservations didn't dare voice them recklessly. Fortunately, the Third Hokage articulated the collective concern.
If everyone only looks after themselves and ignores others, then when the Akatsuki inevitably targets them, won't they be left without allies? The Akatsuki's strength was already known throughout the ninja world. Beyond the seemingly overpowered Nagato, the other members were formidable in their own right—especially Konan, whose countless explosive tags left a lasting impression.
If you don't help others in their time of need, surely no one will come to your aid when trouble finds you. Such a line of thinking was natural, just misapplied in this context.
"Everyone can rest assured, such a scenario is impossible." Kazuki stated with certainty. "Once the Akatsuki begins targeting the villages, it will no longer be a matter of each village handling its own problems. It will become an issue for the entire ninja world. Once the situation escalates to that level, unless you wish to become an enemy of the entire ninja world, everyone will obediently choose to cooperate. The only distinction will be who takes the initiative."
Sweep the snow from your own doorstep? That's only possible if you get the chance. Once the Akatsuki makes its move, it becomes a major affair for the entire ninja world—not merely a problem for one nation or one village. Therefore, Kazuki wasn't worried that remaining silent now would lead to others dragging their feet later. As long as you weren't afraid of becoming a public enemy, as long as you weren't afraid of facing collective retaliation, then feel free. He personally had no objections.
"Does anyone else have opinions on this?" After speaking, Kazuki spread his hands, his gaze sweeping across everyone's faces.
Soon, the meeting concluded, and everyone dispersed from the Hokage's office building. Tsunade couldn't help but pound the table. Kazuki's eye twitched. Fortunately, Tsunade knew to control her strength; she didn't smash her fist down with brute force, necessitating a new desk.
"What does the Akatsuki even want? Over a decade ago, they orchestrated the Nine-Tails rampage. Now, we have a Four-Tails rampage!"
"If they obeyed laws and order, there wouldn't be an Akatsuki in the first place," Kazuki corrected Tsunade. "The Nine-Tails attack was, to be precise, Uchiha Obito's personal vendetta against Konoha. The entire Akatsuki organization wasn't significantly involved. Within the Akatsuki, he is the single greatest threat."
On the surface, Nagato appeared the most terrifying within the Akatsuki. To those familiar with the deeper lore, Zetsu might seem the most fearsome. But Kazuki believed Uchiha Obito was the most dangerous of all.
Because Nagato and Zetsu, for the sake of their ultimate goals, could exercise patience and abide by certain rules. Obito was different. That guy had gone completely off the deep end.
"These kids take a teenage romance and escalate it to wanting to destroy the world." Just recalling Obito's backstory made a vein throb on Tsunade's forehead. What kind of madness was that?! To become so twisted and corrupted over a girl he liked—it was insane.
Kazuki spread his hands helplessly. "Can't be helped. The more pure-hearted a person is, the greater the impact when they suffer a severe shock. Coupled with the outside influence, it led Obito to become what he is. Frankly, the result would have been similar for anyone else."
Even without Obito, with Uchiha Madara and Zetsu's capabilities, they could have easily found a substitute. For them, any member of the Uchiha clan would suffice. Even if a suitable candidate couldn't be found, their focus would ultimately have settled on Nagato. And if even Nagato proved inadequate, Zetsu's final resort would have been to unleash his trump card.
With Madara's power, whether truly resurrected or revived via Edo Tensei, he would have been more than capable of overcoming any obstacle. Transplanting the Rinnegan specifically into Nagato served not only to nourish the eyes using the Uzumaki clan's potent life force but also, more importantly, to avoid drawing the attention of the Sage of the Six Paths. Zetsu didn't know if the Sage had left behind other countermeasures.
Otherwise, in the original timeline, there wouldn't have been such prolonged dawdling, with them ultimately relying on Kabuto Yakushi to bring Madara back.
"I'm starting to see a pattern," Tsunade remarked, eyeing Kazuki. "You Uchiha really can't handle emotional trauma."
Kazuki looked at her, exasperated. "Why are you looking at me? This has nothing to do with me." Most Uchiha had abnormal mental wiring, but that didn't mean he was the same. He was perfectly sane, thank you very much.
"Ah, yes, yes, yes. It has nothing to do with you. You just have a bit more... 'love' to give than others."
"..." On that point, Kazuki truly couldn't refute her. His "love" was indeed a bit more plentiful than most.
Konoha received the news fastest, but other villages were not far behind—except perhaps Sunagakure and Kirigakure, which were slightly slower due to the ongoing war affecting all communications.
"An opportunity?" Upon learning the news, the Fourth Raikage, A, was greatly shocked. Konoha had suffered the Nine-Tails attack, and now Iwagakure got hit with a Four-Tails rampage by the Akatsuki. Iwagakure must be severely weakened right now. Should they...?
No. Can't act impulsively. A quickly calmed down. Iwagakure's heavy losses were primarily in terms of infrastructure damage and significant civilian casualties. Their core military strength hadn't suffered drastically. They weren't like Konoha, which had sent wave after wave of ninja against the Nine-Tails, only for them to be slaughtered. Attacking Iwagakure now would essentially be drawing the Akatsuki's fire onto themselves. Ōnoki and the people of Iwagakure were undoubtedly seething with rage. Provoking them at this moment was unwise.