Dodai skimmed through the intelligence recorded on the scroll, then placed it lightly on the table and looked at the Third Raikage, who was deep in thought.
Undoubtedly, this was a rare piece of intelligence, and the fact that Konoha was willing to share it so easily demonstrated significant sincerity.
After all, every village had to pay a considerable price to obtain the intelligence they needed, yet this information was essentially being given to them by Konoha for free.
However, there was still no reason for the Hidden Cloud Village to join this alliance, but the Third Raikage did not immediately refuse.
Dodai didn't need to speculate much to understand that the Third Raikage was most likely eyeing the tailed beast that had been taken by the Hidden Rain Village, which was why he hadn't outright rejected such a ridiculous proposal.
Currently, the Hidden Cloud Village was strong, and it also had private dealings with the Hidden Rain Village. What reason did they have to participate in this alliance? They were more than happy to watch the other villages struggle against the Hidden Rain.
Since the Third Raikage remained silent, Dodai naturally did not voice any opinions and simply stood quietly to the side.
Seeing that the Third Raikage hadn't immediately turned them down, the Ino-Shika-Chō trio felt a glimmer of hope. If the Hidden Cloud agreed to the alliance, then the matter would basically be settled.
However, Shikaku was being overly optimistic. The Third Raikage wasn't contemplating whether to join the alliance but rather how to obtain more tailed beasts. If it was feasible, joining the alliance wouldn't be out of the question.
After a moment, the Third Raikage snapped out of his thoughts, looked at the three of them, and casually said, "I can't decide this right away. Why don't you three stay here for a few days and let me think it over? I'll give you an answer then. What do you say?"
Dodai shot a sidelong glance at the Third Raikage and then turned his attention back to the Ino-Shika-Chō trio. He still wasn't sure what the Raikage was planning, but if he had his eyes on the tailed beast, it wouldn't be an easy feat to obtain it, the other villages wouldn't just stand by and allow it.
The trio exchanged glances. There might still be a chance.
They had come with little expectation, but if there was an opportunity, they wouldn't let it slip away.
"Alright." Shikaku thought for a moment and agreed to stay in the Hidden Cloud Village for a few days to await the Raikage's response.
The Third Raikage placed his hand on the scroll and calmly looked at Shikaku, saying, "I won't be polite, I'll accept this intelligence."
Shikaku's eyes flickered slightly, and he smiled. "Even if the Third Raikage decides not to join the alliance, this intelligence is still a goodwill gift from Konoha to your village."
"No need to be so courteous." The Third Raikage chuckled, then glanced at Dodai and instructed, "Dodai, arrange accommodations for them."
"Yes."
Dodai nodded, then walked toward the trio and gestured in a particular direction. "This way, please."
Shikaku nodded and followed alongside Inoichi and Chōza as they trailed behind Dodai.
Before long, Dodai had arranged suitable accommodations for the trio.
The house wasn't shabby, it was spacious enough to accommodate ten people, yet it was allocated solely to the three of them, which was quite a generous gesture.
Inside the room, Shikaku set down his simple travel bag and glanced around before turning his gaze to Inoichi.
Sensing Shikaku's look, Inoichi slightly shook his head.
Chōza, on the other hand, plopped onto the bed, casually took out some dried meat, and began eating without a care in the world. When he was hungry, it seemed like he had no sense of vigilance at all.
Shikaku and Inoichi exchanged a helpless smile at their companion's carefree attitude.
"Want some?" Chōza offered them a piece of dried meat with his free hand.
"No, thanks."
Declining Chōza's offer, Shikaku turned to Inoichi and said, "On our way here, I observed that this house is positioned in the center of the surrounding buildings. Did you notice anything?"
Inoichi calmly replied, "There are quite a few people with strong chakra in the surrounding houses, about thirty-two in total."
Shikaku stroked his chin and murmured, "They haven't stationed people close by to monitor us, nor have they restricted our movements. It seems the Third Raikage trusts us… or rather, in his eyes, we're not even worth guarding against."
"Most likely." Inoichi nodded. He remained unfazed by the fact that the three of them were being underestimated.
"Well, we'll just wait for the Raikage's response. Until then, we stay put." Shikaku lay down on a single bed, folding his hands behind his head.
On the way to their lodging, Dodai had casually mentioned that they were free to walk around the village.
Shikaku was tempted to explore the Hidden Cloud Village and memorize its layout, but to avoid arousing suspicion, he decided against it, even if Dodai had extended the offer.
"As usual, Chōza, you take the first watch." Inoichi walked over, grabbed a piece of dried meat, and took a bite.
Chōza swallowed a mouthful and grinned. "No problem."
Even though their accommodations were good and there were no visible guards nearby, the Ino-Shika-Chō team still adhered to their standard procedure, one of them would always be on watch.
—
After arranging accommodations for the trio, Dodai returned to the Raikage's office.
"Everything set?" the Third Raikage asked.
He wasn't referring to simply finding a place for them to stay but rather the deeper layers of security measures.
Dodai nodded. "Everything is in place."
"That's good. If they make any suspicious moves, just kill them," the Third Raikage said casually as he picked up the intelligence scroll.
"I'll give the order," Dodai responded. After a brief pause, he curiously asked, "Raikage-sama, we have absolutely no reason to participate in this alliance. Why not just refuse outright?"
The Third Raikage silently stared at a name on the scroll and let out a cold chuckle. "There's indeed no need to participate, but there's also no rush to refuse."
Dodai was momentarily stunned. Given the Third Raikage's usual decisiveness, if something was deemed unnecessary, he would reject it outright. But now, he was deliberately keeping Konoha's Ino-Shika-Chō trio waiting. Unable to help himself, he asked, "Raikage-sama, are you after the tailed beast in the hands of the Hidden Rain Village?"
"I have that in mind. What do you think?" The Third Raikage did not deny it.
Dodai shook his head and said, "The chances are slim, almost nonexistent."
If the villages united, they could seize the Hidden Rain Village's tailed beast at minimal or even negligible cost. But precisely because of the alliance, there would be no opportunity for Cloud to take advantage of the situation.
If they went after the Hidden Rain Village alone, they might have a chance to capture other tailed beasts, but the cost would be significant.
The Third Raikage let out a hearty laugh and said, "That's true, but it's worth thinking about. If no opportunity presents itself, then we'll create one. However, what I want the most… is still Konoha's Nine-Tails."
With the techniques the Hidden Cloud Village possessed for controlling tailed beasts, acquiring the Nine-Tails would render the other villages powerless to resist. Then, the title of the strongest village would rightfully belong to the Hidden Cloud.
"So, Raikage-sama, when do you plan to give them an answer?" Dodai asked.
"Let them wait a few days. It won't hurt," the Third Raikage said casually, tossing the scroll aside. Then, in a calm tone, he added, "I'm curious about why the Hidden Rain Village is collecting tailed beasts. With their foundation and knowledge, they don't have the means to control tailed beasts, nor can they even create proper Jinchūriki."
"Then, what is the Hidden Rain Village's purpose in gathering tailed beasts?"
Hearing this, Dodai fell silent…
.....
Hidden Rain Village
Nagato gazed at the endless downpour.
"It's time."
His deep murmur was drowned out by the sound of the rain.
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