Coalition

The Third Tsuchikage of Iwa and the Third Raikage of Kumo had decided to meet up. They had come in the neutral village of Taki.

Although nearer to Iwa, Raikage was aware that Taki was independent of Iwa's schemes. They had been given the 7 Tails by the First Hokage, and they were weak only in terms of numbers. The quality of their shinobi reached the level of the Great Shinobi Villages.

Anyway, they were having their alliance meeting. The Third Raikage stared at the Third Tsuchikage before speaking, "So, I have heard that the S-Ranked Shinobi under you was killed by an Uchiha brat? It seems Iwa is only so and so…" The mocking look on his face was quite irritating for the Third Tsuchikage.

The people who had joined the Third Raikage were here and asking him to not show such blatant disregard for the Third Tsuchikage.

However, the Third Raikage didn't care. He naturally was happy at Iwa's troubles. Maybe after destroying Konoha, they could have a chance at Iwa.

To this, the Third Tsuchikage snorted and replied, "You shouldn't show such a delighted look, Raikage-dono… Your ANBU members did die at the hands of Senju Araki when they went to Konoha."

"This… How do you know this?!" The Third Raikage stared at the Third Tsuchikage and asked for answers. The Third Raikage had been very secretive about this method.

"You don't need to know that… I am merely informing you that Kumo isn't also as great as you believe it to be. Now, should we get this alliance started or do you want to continue this battle of words?" The Third Tsuchikage seemed to be in the mood to get the thing started. He really wanted to hurry up.

"Whatever…" The Third Raikage said while taking a seat. His guards stood behind him, taking note of the Third Tsuchikage's guards.

"Now, let's discuss our strategies ahead. Because if it continues on like this… Konoha might make it a long war… We won't be able to afford a long term war against them. The Daimyo who have been funding us wouldn't be able to support the war expenditure for a decade or so." The Third Tsuchikage's voice was quite calm as he said to the Third Raikage.

"…tsk." The Third Raikage clicked out his tongue but didn't interject. He was aware that this was the truth.

Although he didn't fear anyone in a battle, he couldn't say the same about his shinobi. They wouldn't be able to fight against Konoha Shinobi for such a long time. Moreover, he was sure that they were going to fight against Hatake Sakumo… The man who was smart enough to be recognized as a Military Tactician.

Unless that man was killed through some means… it would simply be quite troublesome for the Kumo Shinobi.

Raikage had internally decided to be the one to fight and kill Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang. However… There presented an issue in that plan…

"How do we hold back the Third Hokage while I fight against Hatake Sakumo and kill him for good?" The Third Raikage asks with a rather curious look.

"I will perhaps need to fight against Hanzo the Salamander, so I don't think I would be able to stop the Third Hokage at that moment." The Third Tsuchikage said, quite casually.

"Hmph… I expected nothing more from you." The Third Raikage said with a hint of irritation and disdain. Before the Third Tsuchikage could respond to him, he continued, "I guess I will take care of the two of them. You just make sure to attack Konoha and deal massive damage to the village."

"Naturally, I would do that. Now… Let's talk about something more serious…" The Third Tsuchikage responds to the brute known as the Third Raikge.

"About the Kyuubi's Jinchuuriki and Senju Araki…" The Third Tsuchikage's voice was quite grave as he called out for Senju Araki's name. The reason the Third Tsuchikage didn't mention anything about the Uchiha Clan was that he had no idea that the black flames were due to the Mangekyou Sharingan.

Although he was surprised to know that someone named Uchiha Keshiro had killed his S-Ranked Shinobi, he didn't worry about Keshiro too much.

"Senju Araki!" The Third Raikage ground his teeth at the very mention of Araki. He still remembered that scene from the time when they had attacked Uzushio…

It was because of the presence of Senju Araki and the Kyuubi's Jinchuuriki that they had encountered the most losses.

He also remembered that the envoys he sent, returned while informing him that Senju Araki fed the bodies of his ANBU members to dogs. That he considered them no more than dog food!

It was enough to ignite the Third Raikage's fury. Although the Third Raikge was a brute and rash man, he still knew well enough that he couldn't just charge at Konoha with the current strength of Kumo.

He needed to endure… endure until he could return that favour ten folds!

Now… Although the Third Raikage planned on dealing with the Senju Araki alone, he still didn't know who should deal with the Kyuubi's JInchuuriki. He was sure that if the Kyuubi's Jinchuuriki could use the Kyuubi's power so good at that young age, her control over it must have vastly improved by now.

Well, he wasn't entirely right in his thoughts, but he was on the right track at least.

"In this one year, it seems that Senju Tsunade has returned to Konoha, but Orochimaru is nowhere to be found in Konoha." The Third Tsuchikage informed the Third Raikage.

"Jiraiya, the Toad Sage, and Senju Tsunade, the Slug Sannin…Well, even though they are quite strong… I can deal with them." The Third Raikage said with a confident tone.

"You are right, but we still cannot underestimate them." The Third Tsuchikage said with a grave voice, he continued, "The last time we did underestimate someone, we paid a huge price. I am sure you remember that battle of Uzushio…"

The Third Raikage didn't reply, but he clenched his fists in anger. That was nothing short of a humiliating experience for the Third Raikage.

"So, what do you want then? Ask the Mizukage?" That was one option…

To this, the Third Tsuchikage shook his head, "That is a good idea. We can ask the Mizukage after a few years, but not now. I don't think his Daimyo would agree to support him in a war against Konoha from the start."

"In fact, we will be asking for Suna's support." The Third Tsuchikage finally said…

"Suna? I see now… Suna lost against Konoha during the Second Shinobi War. Although they haven't reached the peak of their strength, they would be delighted to enter the war in the middle phase of the war. The time when our two Great Villages have shaved off Konoha's Shinobi." The Third Raikage said, agreeing with the decision of the Third Tsuchikage.

At this moment, the attendants of the Third Raikage or Third Tsuchikage couldn't help but think at the same time 'If what they are saying is indeed the truth… Then for the first time in history, A coalition of Four Great Villages would be formed against a single Great Village.'

"It's quite an ironical situation that the man who split the Tailed Beasts between the villages for peace; his grandson would be one of the main reasons behind this coalition. Someone of his potential cannot be left unchecked. He must not be allowed to realise his true potential…"

"I will definitely kill him this time!" The Third Raikage said with a determined look in his eyes.

To this, the Third Tsuchikage didn't say anything. He stood up and left Taki…

The wheels of time continued to turn…