The meeting regarding the Chunin Exams had ended, but the covert struggles between the villages had not.
After the Third Hokage, Hiruzen, announced the end of the meeting and everyone left the reception room, each person harbored different thoughts.
Although the Third Raikage's provocation towards Sunagakure was defused by Elder Ebizo's humble response, he also confirmed the weakness of Sunagakure from Ebizo's reaction.
Previously, the Third Raikage only knew that Sunagakure suffered a disastrous defeat at the hands of Konoha in Amegakure, with the Third Kazekage falling in battle and suffering heavy losses in personnel.
But he wasn't clear on the specifics of the losses and how much vitality Sunagakure retained.
Now, through his probing of Ebizo, the Third Raikage could confirm that Sunagakure was indeed at its limit.
Since confirming that the opponent was no longer a threat, the Third Raikage naturally wouldn't care about rules and morals, but would prepare to aggressively tear into the opponent's flesh to strengthen himself.
As for the reasons for starting a war, for Kumogakure and the Raikage, it wouldn't matter!
Just find any excuse to send troops and attack!
Thinking of this, as he watched Ebizo's figure gradually recede, the Third Raikage's eyes flashed with a hint of greed.
The Third Raikage had his own plans, and the shadows and representatives of the other villages also had their own intentions.
Through the Third Raikage's attitude towards him, Ebizo sensed the crisis.
Ebizo was well aware of the ambitions and tough stance of Kumogakure.
Although he had defused the Third Raikage's provocation in the meeting, Ebizo knew that once the Raikage harbored the idea of invading the Land of Wind it wouldn't be something he and the village could resolve by lowering their positions.
For the security of the Land of Wind's territory and to buy time for the village to recover vitality, he had to quickly find a true ally that could help Sunagakure.
Logically speaking, seeking help from Konoha, with whom Sunagakure had just signed a ceasefire and compensation treaty, as well as an alliance agreement, would be the most appropriate.
But Ebizo had different thoughts on this.
Sunagakure had just lost to Konoha and signed a ceasefire compensation treaty. If they were to seek help from Konoha at this time...
Then Sunagakure would truly become a vassal and underling of Konoha.
Maintaining the identity and foundation of the Five Great Countries, neither Ebizo nor Chiyo wanted to see this happen.
Compared to Konoha, Sunagakure would prefer to form an alliance with Iwagakure, which was geographically closer.
Iwagakure had completely stayed out of the Second War and preserved its strength well. The Third Tsuchikage was even the only top-tier shinobi in the Ninja World who mastered Bloodline Selection.
If they could form an alliance with Iwagakure, not only could the security crisis of the Land of Wind be greatly alleviated, but Sunagakure could also maintain a relatively equal position in the alliance.
With this consideration in mind, Ebizo planned to find a suitable opportunity to secretly meet with Onoki, the Third Tsuchikage, and convey Sunagakure's willingness to form an alliance.
As for whether Onoki would have any bad intentions towards the Land of Wind like the Raikage, Ebizo wasn't worried, because he still had a trump card in his hand.
If Onoki, like the Raikage, wanted to annex the territory and interests of the Land of Wind then Ebizo would prepare to completely turn to Konoha, willingly becoming a vassal!
"Since you all don't want my Sunagakure to survive, then I'll sell myself to your greatest enemy."
"Isn't it just a matter of a nation's face! Isn't it just ambitions of hegemony! I don't want any of that, I'll just lay flat and hug the thigh."
Even if it's cutting meat to serve as an underling, isn't it more comfortable for Sunagakure to serve as an underling to Konoha, with the New God of Shinobi, Kizaru, sitting in Konoha?
Ebizo, who had discussed countermeasures with his sister, who had just taken office as the new Kazekage, before coming to Konoha, was not worried at all.
It wasn't just Ebizo who wasn't worried. Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, who was the biggest winner of the Second War, was also very calm.
Kumogakure revealing its ambitions to Sunagakure was something Hiruzen was happy to see, and even hoped to bring about.
Only by putting Sunagakure in a dangerous situation and having Konoha intervene to rescue them could Konoha gain more leverage in its future alliance with Sunagakure.
Feeling cheerful, Hiruzen, who was smoking, was the last to walk out of the reception room.
Recalling the student exchange system that Kizaru had told him about when he returned to the village with two Amegakure children, Hiruzen felt that he could use Sunagakure to test it out.
Thinking of this, Hiruzen couldn't wait to talk to Kizaru about his strategic plan regarding Sunagakure.
Arranging for ANBU ninjas to inform Kizaru at the ninja school, Hiruzen walked back to his office and waited for his disciple to arrive.
"Sensei, it's lunchtime now!"
Receiving the message from ANBU, Kizaru, who had arrived at the Hokage's office, complained as soon as he entered the room.
"There's something very important I need to hear your thoughts on." Sitting at his desk, Hiruzen smiled kindly.
Sitting down in front of Hiruzen's desk without hesitation, Kizaru crossed his legs and waited for his teacher to continue speaking.
Before today's meeting began, the Third Raikage provoked Ebizo of Sunagakure.
"Kumogakure is retaliating against Sunagakure to recover their losses from defeat." Just hearing the first sentence from Hiruzen, Kizaru guessed the Third Raikage's intentions.
Appreciating Kizaru's insight, Hiruzen nodded and continued, "I want to take this opportunity to completely pull Sunagakure into Konoha's camp."
"How cunning, Sensei!"
Hearing Kizaru's evaluation of him, Hiruzen's old face darkened slightly.
Can this kid speak properly? He seems to have been influenced by Danzo. What do you mean by cunning? This is called wisdom!
"The student exchange system you told me about last time, I think we can use Sunagakure to test it." Looking straight at Kizaru, Hiruzen revealed his intention in calling him.
Somewhat surprised by his teacher's words, Kizaru didn't expect that his normally dovish sensei would show rare ambition and assertiveness.
The student exchange system Kizaru had initially planned to test first with Yahiko and Amegakure.
Now, his teacher, Hiruzen, was going directly to Sunagakure, one of the Five Great Countries, to test it.
"You truly live up to your reputation as a Ninja Professor, Sensei!"
Due to Kizaru's influence, the Second War ended relatively quickly, and Hiruzen didn't lead Konoha ninja in fighting against several major Countries.
Therefore, Hiruzen also didn't gain the title of "Ninja Professor" as in the original storyline.
Now, hearing the title "Ninja Professor" for the first time, and from his favorite and most proud disciple's evaluation, Hiruzen couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter.
His face was filled with wrinkles, like an aged chrysanthemum, and Hiruzen, thoroughly pleased with the title, looked at Kizaru with satisfaction and affection.
"This kid sure knows how to talk! Truly my disciple!"
"Something like a 'Ninja Professor,' it's exaggerated! Hahaha!" Hiruzen "humbly" said.
"No, I think it suits you very well, Sensei!" Seeing his sensei so happy, Kizaru continued to praise him.
Waving his hand to dismiss the compliment, Hiruzen, still smiling, continued speaking.
"Don't spread such praise outside, I truly feel unworthy."
"Understood, I'll make sure to spread it outside."
As a mentor who understood human nature well, Kizaru naturally understood what his teacher truly meant.
"It's troublesome! I can't control my mouth, I've always speak whatever I want."
Hearing Kizaru's response, Hiruzen shook his head, looking as if he couldn't control Kizaru.
"Kizaru, what are your thoughts on using Sunagakure to test the student exchange program?"
"I think we should keep an eye on Onoki."
"Onoki..." Reflecting on this name with Kizaru's reminder, Hiruzen came to his senses. "You're right, we need to be careful if Sunagakure and Iwagakure form an alliance."
"For such matters, it's most appropriate to leave it to Uncle."
As the strongest troublemaker in Konoha, Danzo was the most suitable candidate to handle such tasks of instigating discord.
Agreeing with a nod, Hiruzen said, "I'll have Danzo keep an eye on Ebizo and Onoki."