And once Konoha committed the vast majority of its elite and main forces to the western front for a decisive clash with the Village Hidden in the Sand, the northeastern defense line would become unprecedentedly empty.
Given the personality of the third Raikage and the Village Hidden in the Cloud's efficiency, they would not wait for a month. Most likely, just as the flames of war ignited in the west, the Village Hidden in the Cloud's spear would already be pressed against the throat of the northeastern defense line of the Land of Fire.
At that point, Konoha would fall into a desperate situation of simultaneous decisive battles on both eastern and western fronts, its forces completely torn apart and scattered.
Even more terrifying would be the chain reaction. If Konoha showed signs of being overstretched on both fronts, then Onoki, who had been observing, would likely stop observing.
He would seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity without hesitation and deliver a fatal blow from the northwest.
Even the Village Hidden in the Mist across the sea might take the chance to launch a large-scale landing.
By then, it would no longer be a two-front war, but flames on all sides.
So, that won't work.
The option of quickly resolving the Village Hidden in the Sand seems proactive, but in reality, one misstep would drag Konoha into an irreversible abyss.
Then, only one answer remains.
Delay.
The core of the strategy must be delay and stability.
On the western front, they must withstand the Village Hidden in the Sand's fierce initial offensive, driven by momentum, dragging it into a war of attrition. Using the Land of Fire's stronger national power and supply capabilities, they would gradually wear down the Village Hidden in the Sand's momentum and war potential, without seeking a decisive battle in the short term.
The true hard battle and counterattack focus should be placed on responding to the Village Hidden in the Cloud's assault. Sufficiently strong mobile forces and top-tier fighters must be deployed on the northeastern defense line, striving to stabilize the situation during the Village Hidden in the Cloud's first and most ferocious offensive, and even seize the opportunity to inflict heavy damage, shattering their illusion of a quick victory.
And all of this had an even deeper purpose.
To send a clear signal to that old fox in the northwest, Konoha might appear momentarily strained, but it is not to be trifled with. Its resilience is formidable, and it still has strength to spare even while fighting on two fronts.
To tilt Onoki's calculations away from attacking Konoha or reaping passive gains, and instead toward targeting his old enemy, the Village Hidden in the Cloud, or attacking the weaker Village Hidden in the Sand first.
This is difficult.
Every step walks along the edge of a cliff, requiring precise calculation, powerful execution, and a fair amount of luck.
But this is already the only seemingly viable path.
Thinking of this, the third Hokage came back to his senses. Seeing the heavy atmosphere and dead silence among everyone present, he raised his hand, but at that moment…
"Clap, clap, clap."
Applause rang out.
From that same position.
From that same person.
Danzo Shimura stood up.
He stood there, clapping slowly, his expression still cold and unreadable, revealing no emotion.
Yet he was the first to stand among the three thousand people present.
The smile on the third Hokage's face stiffened for a moment, his hands pausing midair.
He looked at Danzo's back, at his old partner standing straight, unable to describe what he felt.
What exactly are you trying to do?
But only for a moment. The third Hokage also stood up, facing the young boy on the stage, and began to applaud, his movements still composed, his smile still gentle.
As he rose, it spread like a tide; everyone stood up.
Three thousand people all stood up, applause roaring like mountains and seas, shaking the entire conference hall until it trembled slightly.
Shinichi stood on the stage, slightly bowed, and saluted in all directions.
The applause lasted for a long time. When it finally gradually subsided, people began to leave with solemn expressions. No one spoke, no one conversed; they simply walked silently toward the exit.
As many of them left, their gazes would unintentionally sweep over the figure of the young boy on the stage, filled with incomparable complexity.
It was as if they were getting to know this village's most dazzling rising star in recent years, the youngest Special Jonin in Konoha's history again.
He was only ten years old, yet he could already sort out the intricate and complicated situation of the Shinobi World and the logic of war with such clarity.
Even before the first spark of war had ignited, he had already dissected the motives and actions of all parties with complete clarity, leaving no room for rebuttal.
The villagers of Konoha did not know what had happened in the building today. They only saw the familiar ninjas they usually recognized walking out of the Hokage building one after another, each with the same heavy expression on their faces, so heavy that it made people feel uneasy.
That very evening, a notice was posted all over the streets and alleys of Konoha.
The third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, along with the three advisors, would deliver an important speech from the Hokage building platform at noon three days later.
Brief. Solemn. No extra explanation.
But everyone knew that something major was about to happen.
Time returned to that moment.
After finishing his speech, Shinichi bowed slightly amid the tide of applause, then turned and walked toward the passage at the side of the podium.
The applause still echoed behind him as he passed through the door and entered the relatively quiet backstage area. The lighting was dimmer, and the soundproof door blocked most of the noise behind him.
At that moment, a staff member in uniform quickly approached him.
"Shinichi-kun, please wait."
Shinichi stopped and looked at him.
The staff member bowed slightly and handed over a document. "This is a joint notice from the Hokage-sama and the three advisors."
Shinichi took the document and unfolded it. The notice was very simple.
Three days later, the Hokage would deliver an important speech to the entire village, and the three advisors would also take the stage in sequence to speak.
But the final line made him pause slightly.
"Additionally, Elder Danzo has been unwell recently. Under medical advice, he requires rest and is not suitable for prolonged standing in public settings. By Elder Danzo's own designation, Special Jonin Shinichi Higashino will deliver the speech on his behalf."
Shinichi's gaze lingered on that line.
Danzo?
Designated him?
Speak on his behalf?
What was that old pot-king plotting?
Shinichi remained silent for a moment, then gently folded the document and placed it into his clothes.
At this time, Danzo, who was supposed to be feeling unwell and needing rest, was sitting expressionlessly in front of the third Hokage.
The table was covered with newspapers, spread out in a colorful array.