"Before you shake your head at us, think about your own Hidden Village, possessing so many Kekkeigenkai yet unable to control people's hearts?"
Onoki went completely berserk.
The Third Mizukage slammed the table forcefully: "Old fool, if the Second Tsuchikage could be killed by Hidden Mist, the third one like you could be too!"
"Why don't you give it a try? Can my Kekkeitota, be blocked by a Mizukage like you who can't even control Kekkeigenkai?"
In an instant, the meeting turned into a chaotic brawl.
From Onoki attempting to seize the initiative, ignited by the Third Raikage's disruption, villages nursing blood feuds started attacking each other, with verbal battles flying everywhere...
Behind them, the guards were all on high alert, channeling Chakra and secretly forming Hand Seals to prepare for the potential outbreak of a Kage-level battle!
But after a moment, though their mouths were dry from arguing, the Kages, while still wanting more, halted the disputes.
Each had secretly gained some insight — "It seems Konoha's intelligence is correct, the state of Hidden Mist/Rock/Rain/Sand/Cloud is indeed like this..."
The quarrel was not as superficial as it seemed.
The Kages' dismantling of each other's facade used the intelligence provided by Aomi, and by observing each other's reactions and the tension levels of the Kage Guard, they gained an understanding of each other.
Konoha's intelligence was genuine!
Therefore, upon having their weaknesses exposed, they chose to bow their heads to Konoha first.
"Alright, the boring probing should end..."
Onoki swiftly changed his tone, adopting a heavy voice: "Everyone, once back in the village, conduct a thorough check for spies, Konoha's infiltration is excessively severe, these top-secret intelligence reports are already on the Hokage's desk."
"Currently, I hope everyone can unite, even if entangled in profit disputes amongst ourselves, let's at least wait until we break through Konoha!"
The Third Raikage picked up the thread, and said in a deep voice: "In this regard, I agree with the short one's view."
"In the past two Ninja World Wars, we feared Uzumaki Mito's intervention, often hesitating halfway through the alliance, turning around to backstab each other and ending up in a melee, allowing Konoha to breathe."
"In the past, despite Konoha constantly claiming adherence to the First Hokage's will to avoid war, it was actually due to its own lack of capability, struggling to deal with the joint efforts of Hidden Sand and Rain during the Second Ninja World War, which was evident to us."
"Now, Uzumaki Mito is dead! To prevent another Senju Hashirama or Uchiha Madara from emerging from Konoha, we, the Kages unwilling to be enslaved or annexed, must unite to eliminate this most dangerous village!"
The Third Kazekage nodded silently.
This time, he did not rush to refute the Third Raikage.
The Third Raikage spoke the truth, Konoha's performance during the Second Ninja World War did not display formidable strength.
Previously, Konoha had Uzumaki Mito as the pillar within, and Senju Tobirama commanding from without, with every Ninja Clan obeying the Hokage's command, even Hidden Sand and Rain together couldn't stand a chance.
From this perspective and intelligence, Konoha's strength has waned too much, especially right after Uzumaki Mito's death, it's the weakest period...
But the issue is, Konoha's stance is unexpectedly firm, displaying extraordinarily strong intelligence capabilities.
This left these Hidden Villages puzzled, what exactly gave Sarutobi Hiruzen this audacity of confidence?
The Third Tsuchikage and Third Raikage, these old hands, found themselves somewhat dazed, seeing echoes of Senju Tobirama's tone in their responses, unlike something Sarutobi Hiruzen could articulate...
"Konoha's unexpected attitude, in my eyes, signifies one of two possibilities..."
Onoki raised two fingers: "Firstly, Konoha has birthed a groundbreaking genius, a budding God of Ninja, restoring Sarutobi Hiruzen's faith."
"Secondly, they might be bluffing us with superior intelligence capabilities, trying to disrupt the unified stance of the major Hidden Villages against Konoha."
"In my view, regardless of whether it's the first or second possibility, it should strengthen our resolve against Konoha in war, if a God of the Ninja World is emerging, we must join forces to crush it before it's fully grown!"
"If they're using intelligence to bluff us, it only implies that Konoha's weakness is bone-deep, and Sarutobi Hiruzen, out of options, is taking desperate measures!"
The Kages nodded thoughtfully.
Is Konoha to be fought?
If they have a Senju Hashirama or Uchiha Madara-level ninja, then definitely not a bit.
But if they have a nascent God of the Ninja World or Ninja World Asura?
Then it's a must to fight, no one dares gamble that the next epoch-making ninja from Konoha will think like Senju Hashirama, and not like Uchiha Madara or Senju Tobirama.
And what if Konoha has nothing?
Then no need to say more, eliminate this village that poses a threat to the Ninja World, step over Konoha's corpse to let each Hidden Village eat their fill, and the leftover power struggle will be a matter for a decade or so later.
The situation in the Ninja World is indeed intriguing.
The pressure brought by Aomi may delay the Ninja World war's progression, but also unite them into a tight unit.
The major Hidden Villages, gathering in advance, vented their dissatisfaction with each other, also warning that backstabbing is not advisable, at least not until Konoha falls.
The situation may change into another form in an instant, often unpredictably.