Inside the conference room.
After listening to Hiruzen, Shinji's eyebrows involuntarily twitched.
Kumogakure, no, it should be said that the current Raikage, is as fierce and direct as ever.
Moreover, judging from this direct warning to Yugakure, followed by the decisive assembly of ninja troops for an exercise, the think tank of Kumogakure is not simple.
Shikaku, as Konoha's chief strategist, naturally also understood the meaning behind these actions.
The conference room fell silent for a moment. It wasn't that the other Jonin didn't express their opinions. Rather, Shikaku, Konoha's chief strategist, had already demonstrated his unique strategic prowess during the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars.
"Hokage-sama." Shikaku pondered for a long time before bowing to Hiruzen.
"No need for that, Shikaku, just state your plan directly." Hiruzen waved his hand, signaling Shikaku to come up to the stage.
Receiving the signal, Shikaku walked forward and stood beside Hiruzen, in front of a huge map of the Ninja World.
His finger lightly tapped the location of the Land of Hot Water, and he spoke calmly to Hiruzen and the Jonin, "Hokage-sama, Kumogakure's actions have already indicated their objective."
"What they want now is not war, but to put a knife to Yugakure's throat, thereby forcing Yugakure to cancel its alliance with Konoha."
"However, given that Yugakure has already approached Konoha and the Land of Fire to seek substantial security guarantees, my countermeasure is to use softness to overcome hardness, and to use multiple deployments to form a net to bind the Raikage."
Hiruzen tapped his index finger on the table, slowly saying, "Tell me in detail."
"Yes, our village will dispatch experienced Special Jonin who are proficient in defense and barrier techniques to establish a joint defense department."
Shikaku's fingertip traced.
"They will work with the Jonin of Yugakure to jointly build a defense system."
"It is imperative that every tendril Kumogakure extends towards Yugakure gets caught in the net, unable to advance an inch."
After speaking, Shikaku paused slightly, allowing all the Jonin present to clearly hear, then placed his palm on the other side of the map. Above it was the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning.
"We also need to deploy troops at the border, but... it's an act for the Raikage to see."
"As for the personnel involved in this exercise, colleagues who possess powerful jutsu can be sent."
"At the same time, the Anbu needs to be dispatched to 'clean up' the Land of Hot Water. However many infiltrators Kumogakure sends in, we need to capture every single one. Send all the alive ones to the Daimyo of the Land of Hot Water, and all the dead ones thrown back to them."
"Let the Fourth Raikage himself feel if this price is acceptable."
After Shikaku finished speaking, he stopped.
This was his first phase plan.
Hiruzen closed his eyes, tapping the table, carefully considering Shikaku's plan.
Shinji, sitting beside Guy and Kakashi, twitched his lips. He felt that among the people Shikaku mentioned for the performance, he was definitely one of them. However, Shikaku's consideration was thorough.
Although Konoha would provide personnel and participate in border exercises, in reality, these things wouldn't cost much.
On the contrary, after a series of actions, Konoha could even ask Yugakure for money. After all, the previous alliance between Yugakure and Konoha had clearly stated that if Konoha needed to deploy ninjas, Yugakure would be responsible for the funds and provisions.
As for the final 'cleaning up' and handing over the captured people to the Daimyo of the Land of Hot Water, that approach was even more brilliant.
Yes, Konoha captured the people. However, we only accepted the commission. Now the hostages are with the Daimyo of the Land of Hot Water. If you have the ability, go ask the Daimyo of the Land of Hot Water.
Don't think that the Daimyo of a small country can be easily manipulated.
The commotion Jiraiya caused in the Land of Rice Fields before wasn't small.
It was only after Hiruzen handled it thoroughly that the Daimyo of the Land of Rice Fields let it go.
In the Ninja World, small ninja villages can disappear at will, but not Daimyo's residences.
After all, establishing a new ninja village also requires the support of that country's Daimyo.
"Excellent, what suggestions do you have for Shikaku's plan?" After speaking, Hiruzen looked at the Jonin.
Evidently, he agreed with this plan and was allowing anyone with dissatisfaction to voice it first.
Inside the conference room, there was silence.
Shinji rested his chin on his hand, looking at Shikaku on the stage.
Hiruzen looked towards his disciple's position and said, "Shinji, tell me your thoughts."
Feeling gazes from all directions, Shinji was a bit speechless.
His master was trying to trick his disciple!
"Cough, Shikaku-senpai, I remember the Raikage's personality is relatively fierce and direct, and these plans can indeed make him have some scruples. However, do we need to prepare more insurance?"
Hiruzen nodded with satisfaction, this was his thought.
Shikaku's plan was good, but it lacked one thing. The opposition between great nations is more about winning over allies.
And the Land of Lightning has... it should be said that Konoha's natural geographical location makes another great nation, the Land of Earth, similar to the Land of Lightning. They also covet Konoha.
Shikaku nodded, Shinji was right.
"Hokage-sama, then you will need to have the Kazekage send a message to Kumogakure."
Hiruzen nodded, sighing, "Yes, after all, Sunagakure is Konoha's ally."
"When Konoha's ally is being threatened, Sunagakure's sand will also blind the Raikage's eyes."
As soon as Hiruzen said this, Shinji naturally knew that his master, this old fox, had already thought of it. He just wanted him to make an appearance and show his presence.
The rest of the meeting was Hiruzen, Shikaku, and some of the think tank beginning to arrange the plan.
After the meeting, it was confirmed that Raidō and Genma would lead teams to Yugakure to jointly establish the Joint Defense Department.
After all, Raidō and Genma had served as the Fourth Hokage's bodyguards. Their leading the team would carry weight without being too conspicuous.
And the border exercise was also confirmed. Kakashi, Guy, and Shinji, along with other well-known Jonin or recently popular Jonin, would lead the demonstration.
They only needed to lead a thousand ninjas to form an exercise unit, and these ninjas needed to be capable of rapid mobilization and high combat power.
After all, although it was an exercise, it also needed to give Kumogakure a clear message: Konoha does not advocate war, but it is not afraid of trouble.
The meeting ended, and Shinji, Kakashi, and Guy walked out of the Hokage Building.
Guy grinned, giving a thumbs-up and shouting loudly, "Shinji, I get to see your youthful side again!"
"Ah, thank you, Guy-senpai." Shinji responded somewhat weakly, as he genuinely wasn't very keen on executing this mission.
Showing off is not as practical as gaining rewards from training disciples.