Hyuga Hiashi, who was responsible for observing the enemy's movements, also discovered Sasori of the Red Sand and the Anbu from the three Shinobi Villages being pursued.
Although he didn't recognize Sasori of the Red Sand, he did recognize the headbands of the other Shinobi Villages, so he immediately understood that these were definitely not allies.
"Hokage-sama, Anbu from Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure have been spotted at two o'clock. They are pursuing a red-haired young man."
Hyuga Hiashi knew the matter was serious, so he immediately reported it to the Third Hokage, otherwise, if a sudden encounter battle occurred, the losses would likely be severe.
"Hmm, I understand. Those are Anbu from three Shinobi Villages pursuing Sasori of the Red Sand. Damn it, they dare to carry out missions so brazenly in the Land of Fire."
The Third Hokage was extremely annoyed. For such actions, the major Shinobi Villages could completely send a written notice to Konoha, requesting assistance from Konoha after entering the country.
However, the three major Shinobi Villages had no intention of notifying Konoha at all; it was entirely a test of Konoha.
If Konoha was weak and easily bullied, then it wouldn't be long before they launched the Third Shinobi World War, further weakening Konoha, besieging Konoha, and dragging Konoha into the quagmire of war.
But if Konoha eliminated these Anbu without a word, then they could use the pretext of Konoha killing their Village's Anbu to start a war.
As for the letter notifying Konoha for assistance, excuse me, we have already sent it, but due to irresistible forces, the letter did not arrive in time.
Then it's about bickering to gain the moral high ground, followed by war. The Third Hokage was too familiar with the shamelessness of these major Shinobi Villages; they were the epitome of impudence.
Even if he expelled these Root members with overwhelming strength, as long as the three major Shinobi Villages wanted to start a war, they could completely say that these Anbu had been killed by Konoha.
It's unsolvable. This is simply a trap set by the three major Shinobi Villages working together. No matter what is done, Konoha will suffer the ravages of war.
To be honest, from the Second Great Shinobi War to the Third Shinobi World War, Konoha had actually weakened, losing one Kage-level expert, coupled with a lack of new talent and Danzo's defection, Konoha could be said to be unprecedentedly weak.
The Third Hokage was extremely hesitant, unsure how to choose. Originally, if he had three close friends to discuss with, there might have been a solution, but now one had defected, and two were not by his side.
He was no longer the Shinobi Hero of the past. He realized Konoha's decline and his own aging.
He really didn't want war; Konoha could no longer withstand war, but the other four Shinobi Villages wouldn't think that way.
Ling immediately saw Hiruzen Sarutobi's hesitation. His helmsman had lost his direction, unsure where to steer the great ship of Konoha.
"Hiruzen-sensei, Konoha still needs to recuperate. As long as Sasori of the Red Sand hasn't been captured, the three major Shinobi Villages will not launch a war for now."
Ling immediately leaped a few times to the Third Hokage's side. Minato Namikaze's Shadow Clone also snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Ling, who was speaking eloquently.
"I suggest forcefully eliminating the Anbu of the three major Shinobi Villages first, then expelling Sasori of the Red Sand to the Land of Water, dragging Hidden Mist into the fray."
"Now that Danzo has defected, after the major Shinobi Villages receive the news, they will definitely be eager to capture Danzo, which will also tie up their attention."
"If we can't catch Danzo this time, then after his defection, we can provide him with some assistance to help Danzo develop."
"And subtly display this vague relationship with Danzo to the major Shinobi Villages, making them think that Danzo's defection is just a Konoha conspiracy, so they temporarily won't dare to make big moves."
Ling quickly analyzed and arranged the matter clearly. Although the Third Hokage still had many questions, he also knew that a decision had to be made immediately.
"Shikaku, Minato, what do you think of Ling's arrangement?"
Minato Namikaze's Shadow Clone also looked at Ling in surprise. He was somewhat amazed by Uchiha Ling's wisdom in making a decision in such a short time.
"Hokage-sama, I think Ling is very right. It's best to have Danzo join the Hidden Rain Village after his defection, making the other Shinobi Villages think we have a collaboration with Hanzo."
Minato Namikaze still had some tricks up his sleeve. After just hearing Ling's strategy of taking advantage of the situation, he immediately thought of leveraging the power.
Hanzo of the Hidden Rain Village, who once challenged the existence of the Five Great Ninja Villages with a small Shinobi Village and persisted for a considerable amount of time, although he also shattered the Land of Rain, he also made the major Shinobi Villages remember this powerful Village and the reputation of the Demigod.
Nara Shikaku stroked his chin. He also admired Uchiha Ling's extraordinary talent, being able to see the situation in the Ninja World so clearly at the age of five.
"Ling's method can work, but it can only last for a short time, at most no more than two years. Minato's idea needs to consider Hanzo's will. Hanzo is a suspicious person, and he may not accept Danzo."
"So we need to raise the stakes for him. The Hidden Rain Village is in ruins, and we can provide some material aid to Hanzo to help us curb Danzo's development, while also supporting Danzo so he isn't eliminated by Hanzo."
"As for Hidden Mist, we can disguise ourselves as Anbu from the three major Shinobi Villages and carry out some destruction within the Land of Water under the guise of pursuing Sasori of the Red Sand."
"Of course, the three major Shinobi Villages might also drag us into it, so after we cause destruction, we must immediately declare to Hidden Mist that those Konoha Anbu are disguised enemy Village members, and we can assist Hidden Mist in their extermination."
Nara Shikaku, as the strategist, immediately supplemented Uchiha Ling and Minato Namikaze's arrangements.
"Good, then proceed immediately. Minato will be responsible for contacting Danzo and explaining the situation. I believe he will cooperate with us. We will be responsible for eliminating the Anbu of the three major Shinobi Villages and then expelling Sasori of the Red Sand to the Land of Water."
The Third Hokage made the final decision. With these three strategists by his side, why would he worry about not achieving great things? It seemed he wouldn't even fear a Great Shinobi War breaking out tomorrow.
"Sensei, wait a moment, I still have some additions."
Ling immediately stopped Minato Namikaze's Shadow Clone, who was about to disband.
The Third Hokage looked gently at his intelligent young disciple, feeling that Ling becoming the Fifth Generation candidate was absolutely the most correct choice.
"Sensei, there is also a force in the Land of Rain called the Akatsuki Organization. Their leaders are all Jiraiya-sensei's former disciples. We can support them to form a three-way standoff in the Land of Rain, which will be more stable."
Ling unceremoniously began to scheme against Nagato and Yahiko, which was actually scheming against Black Zetsu and Uchiha Madara behind them.
With the Rinnegan exposed, I believe it can cause them quite a bit of trouble. Wow, wow, I, Uchiha Ling, am truly a heaven-sent genius.
"Akatsuki Organization? Jiraiya's disciples? How do you know?"
The Third Hokage was also somewhat puzzled; he himself didn't know such secret information.
"Last time, Jiraiya-sensei was drunk, and I heard him say he had three disciples in the Amegakure. Later, I asked the Ninja Cat Clan to investigate."
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