Biwa Juzo listened intently to Aoba as he spoke about the situation in Konohagakure, showing no intention of interrupting him.
He was aware of the affairs of Konohagakure, especially since information about the Third Great Ninja World War was now widespread.
However, he was aware that not all information could be considered reliable.
It was worth listening to what Satsuma Rentaro had to say...
After all, the essence of being a ninja was engaging in intelligence warfare; whoever acquires faster and more accurate information can gain an advantage when war looms.
He had another perspective to analyze the Third Great Ninja War and the affairs of the Kirigakure, which Biwa Juzo was more than happy to do, especially since the storyteller was Satsuma Rentaro, whom he greatly trusted and admired.
"According to the intelligence I've gathered so far, Konohagakure's strength is inferior to that of Iwagakure. Especially after the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen's maneuvers, the situation has become quite dire," Aoba continued as he noticed Biwa Juzo's silence, feeling his slightly unsettled heart settle down. He could continue his deception if the other party allowed him to speak smoothly.
"Not only me..."
"Many people..."
"Believe that Konohagakure is destined to lose!"
"And looking at how things developed afterward, ninjas from Sunagakure and Kumogakure also got involved, all wanting a piece of the pie."
"Our ninjas from Kirigakure didn't go!"
"This is one of the foundational reasons the Third Hokage sought cooperation with us..."
"After all, at this critical juncture, for Konohagakure, even if we are not friends, as long as we are not enemies, we can still be friends!"
Aoba went on, using reasons he believed would make Biwa Juzo and Suikazan Fuguki accept his explanation.
As long as they accepted his reasoning.
The rest would be easier to discuss.
Of course.
Based on Aoba's experience with deception, these two were sure to accept his reasons, as they were logical and convincing.
Konohagakure had yet to seek external help.
But if they started to look.
Then, Kirigakure would be the best choice because it was practically the only choice.
Biwa Juzo and Suikazan Fuguki exchanged glances, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes. Neither of them was particularly sharp-minded; Biwa Juzo was somewhat more intelligent, but they were both more or less on the same level, far below Aoba's.
After finishing his speech, Aoba paused intentionally, waiting for Biwa Juzo and Suikazan Fuguki to ask questions.
Aoba was fearless of questions.
Just as he had dealt with Konan before.
If someone asked.
Then he could explain even more.
And the more he explained, the more credible it would seem.
Aoba's approach was relatively straightforward; generally, if the other party started asking questions, it indicated they had concerns. Addressing these concerns directly was often more effective than letting them fester unspoken.
However.
After waiting a moment, Aoba realized...
No one had asked anything.
"Um..."
Aoba nodded silently, knowing that their lack of questions didn't mean they had no doubts; perhaps they just weren't ready to voice them yet.
So he could continue.
"What I've mentioned was just a premise..."
Aoba spoke again, his gaze shifting between Biwa Juzo and Suikazan Fuguki, who appeared severe as if they were contemplating or listening to a story.
"As I've just said, nearly the entire ninja world thinks that Konohagakure will lose to the Iwagakure, but then the situation suddenly changed!"
"A man emerged from nowhere!"
"He is Namikaze Minato!"
"His arrival completely turned the tide for Konohagakure, even breaking the usual dynamics of the ninja world!"
"So..."
"Namikaze Minato has become the prime candidate for Konohagakure's Fourth Hokage!"
Aoba stated sternly, now preparing for the fireworks of Namikaze Minato's ascension to Hokage. Once everything was ready, the next steps would naturally follow.
The current situation was still slightly off from the original story timeline. The Third Great Ninja World War should had been more severe, with more significant casualties, and ultimately, the Third Hokage could not shirk responsibility and had no choice but to step down.
And precisely because of the heavy losses, Minato's contributions during the battle had perfectly cemented his achievements.
Of course, in Minato's heart, he didn't desire such accolades!
At this point, Minato had already become a savior in the hearts of the ninjas who went out to fight, unrivaled in prestige among that cohort.
But here lay the problem...
Aside from those on the battlefield, those remaining in Konohagakure were unaware of how difficult it had been.
Their lives had not been significantly affected.
There was no significant difference between stocking up on food and reducing going out.
Although Konohagakure was a ninja village, not everyone was a ninja; more accurately, it was a village protected by ninjas. And these battlefield-bound ninjas, even when not fighting, had continuous missions waiting for them.
Compared to previous timelines.
The current Third Great Ninja World War had less pain and suffering; most of the deceased were ANBU ninjas, those shadowy presences whose presence or absence mainly went unnoticed.
Most importantly...
Konohagakure's children, students, and young ninjas hadn't entered the battlefield like in previous storylines and hadn't touched the foundation through death and injury.
Without such painful wounds, naturally, the sense of achievement was not as profound. Simply put, that was the logic.
Aoba's current task was to fan the flames for Konohagakure, not necessarily needing pain but being able to elevate the emotions of the people of Konohagakure, producing the same effect and leading them to support Minato directly.
The key to these emotions...
Were these ninjas from Kirigakure!
After all, the ninjas from Kirigakure hadn't been involved in the Third Great Ninja World War from the start, making them perfectly suitable...