Meeting in Takigakure

A week later, the Third Raikage organized a meeting with the Third Tsuchikage and the Third Mizukage. The meeting was taking place in the land of the waterfall, near the Takigakure village.

This time, even the village head of the Takigakure had been invited. This was on the recommendation of one of the Third Raikage's Advisor's suggestion.

Although reluctant, the Third Raikage listened to his advisor's suggestion and invited the village head of the Takigakure. It wouldn't be a bad idea to enhance their numbers even more.

The current leader of the Takigakure was Hisen. He was also the one who personally knew the Jinchuuriki of the Seven Tails, Shu. The Seven Tails was quite different from its siblings.

Unlike them, it didn't have much issue in sharing its power with its Jinchuuriki. Moreover, it maintained a good relationship with its Jinchuuriki. Its personality was quite happy-go-lucky.

Both Hisen and Shu were in the room where the Kages of the Three Great Village had also taken their seats, behind Kages were their advisors and other shinobi who came as their guards.

The first one to speak was the Third Mizukage, he stared at the Third Raikage and the Third Tsuchikage before speaking, "Greetings, Raikage-dono, Tsuchikage-dono, the three of us hadn't had this kind of meeting since the time when we joined hands to destroy Uzushio."

This was a sore point for the Third Raikage who grunted in response while the Third Tsuchikage merely nodded.

"So… What is the reason for Raikage-dono to call for not just myself and Tsuchikage-dono, but also Takikage-dono?" The Third Mizukage calmly asked the Third Raikage. It felt as if the words flowed out of his mouth really naturally…

The Third Tsuchikage, Ohnoki spoke first, "Is this meeting related to the death of the Third Hokage and our next moves? I believe it would be better for us to wait for some time and check how this Acting Hokage, Uchiha Keshiro does things.��

The Third Raikage cleared his throat before speaking, "Tsuchikage-dono, Mizukage-dono, Takigake-dono, the reason I have requested for this meeting is because of the envoy sent by Konoha."

The Raikage stopped speaking, and his advisor took it from there. The Raikage's advisor spoke word to word about what the Konoha's envoy had spoken.

While listening, all the three Kage other than the Raikage frowned. They furrowed their brows, wondering just why Konoha would send such an arrogant message through an envoy.

It was the Third Mizukage who asked with a confused look on his face, "Why would Uchiha Keshiro send such a message through his envoy?"

The Third Tsuchikage said, "This could be Konoha's tactic… Maybe they are hoping that the Kumo wouldn't join hands with Iwa and Kiri and instead wait for Senju Araki at Kumo."

"That… That is indeed a possibility. But the question remains, why would the Konoha send Senju Araki to Kumo if Kumo doesn��t launch a full-scale attack at Konoha with Iwa and Kiri? Are they that confident in Senju Araki's strength?"

"That could be one reason. From what I have heard, it was Senju Araki who has indeed killed the Third Hokage in a one-on-one battle. His strength will be nothing to scoff at." The one who spoke was none other than the Third Tsuchikage.

"Hmph… If Senju Araki thinks he can attack Kumokagure alone and hope to survive, then he is even more naïve than I thought. He should better not underestimate Kumogakure!" The Third Raikage said with a hint of pride in his village. Perhaps that pride could also be interpreted as arrogance…

The Third Tsuchikage was well aware of how prideful the Raikage was of his own strength and his own village. But… unlike the Third Raikage, the Third Tsuchikage had seen a trace of the power held by the Uchiha Madara.

And Senju Hashirama was said to be even stronger than Uchiha Madara. It definitely wouldn't do well to underestimate the only bloodline inheritor of the Senju Hashirama who had grown strong enough to kill the Third Hokage in a one-on-one battle.

The Third Raikage wasn't finished though, he added soon enough, "But…I also don't want Kumo to be the site which becomes the battlefield."

The other Kages ignored this point. This was quite naturally, after all. No Kage would want their own village to be the site of the battlefield.

"I believe it would be better if we all join forces and destroy Konoha in one go." The Third Mizukage suddenly suggested to the other three Kages.

"And why would you suggest that, Mizukage-dono?" It was the Takikage named Hisen who asked the question.

"It is because we cannot focus on just Senju Araki. Indeed, Senju Araki is quite strong, but I believe that it should be better to give a decisive blow to the Konoha. The timing couldn't have been better since a lot of clans other than the Uchiha Clan received a lot of casualties from the sudden invasion of Sunagakure." The Mizukage calmly said.

"Since they have asked the Kumo to ally with Kiri and Iwa, shouldn't it be taken that Konoha is confident in giving us a good challenge?" The Third Tsuchikage spoke with a small frown.

"Perhaps they are. But tell me Tsuchikage-dono, are you not confident in crushing Konoha if you are allied by 2 Great Villages and Takigakure. You must remember that in this battle, other than the Nine-Tailed Bijuu of Konoha, and the One-Tailed Bijuu of Sunagakure, all the other Tailed Beasts are by our side. In terms of numbers, the combined army of all our villages should be strong enough to crush Konoha." The Mizukage was done speaking.

On this, the Third Raikage, the Third Tsuchikage could agree. At this moment, the Takikage, Hisen said, "Not just that, we can also use some of our wealth to recruit some powerful shinobi. There is a former shinobi named Kakuzu of the Takigakure, he is a bounty hunter right now. He was someone who had exchanged blows with the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama. However, he barely escaped with his life, but there is no denying that he is quite powerful."

The Third Tsuchikage also said, "I have also heard of Kakuzu… Strength is also nothing to scoff at. But… his services are quite expensive."

"We can split the cost between ourselves."

The four villages joined hands and decided to crush Konoha with a full-scale attack as soon as possible.

A week ago, within the Hokage's office, Keshiro was seated behind the Hokage's desk, wearing the trademark hat of a Hokage. Opposite to him sat Araki…

"So… You sure you don't need any assistance?"

"Don't even think of sending any reinforcements. I will be taking my revenge personally… I won't tolerate anyone interfering."

"Hai Hai…"

As Araki left the office, Keshiro let out a sigh while thinking 'Father… your vision had an error. Senju Araki isn't just going to fight against the Kumo, but also against Iwa and Kiri… His strength has gone far beyond what we expected even after overestimating him greatly.'

He sent the envoy to Kumo with this message.

It had been two weeks since the Kumo received that envoy. Within the Senju Clan training ground in Konoha, a young man with long black hair was seated, a smile on his face. He slowly opened his eyes, and a crimson glow with three ripples could be seen…

"Now then, the time has finally come."