[Tanigakure Cave, Land of Rivers]
In a cave within the land of rivers, two powerhouses of the continent had agreed to meet. Vanquished in the Second Shinobi World War, crippled with debts from the compensation fees and their pride stomped, the third Raikage A and the third Tsuchikage Onoki shared similar fates. Pressured by their village's own elders to step down despite their efforts in wartime, they were slowly coming to the same conclusion that the whole conflict had been a scheme from Konohagakure.
"Hiruzen stepped down without putting on a fight...My hunch, he is Danzo's puppet, along with his two assistants", Onoki spoke without hiding his thoughts, "My spies reported that your Engetsu clan deserted your village. As soon as they entered Oto no Kami, your ANBU vanished, alongside my spies"
A shook his head: "They were not just ANBU. They were fine jonins. Otogakure has grown tremendously while we were busy fighting each other. Growing so much in just three years makes little sense, meaning they have tapped into an unknown power. The Rice Country is said to possess a rare treasure, Royal Rice, as they call it, a strong regent capable of increasing shinobi's chakra and strength"
Onoki nodded: "A hypothesis at best, unlikely if we look at it truthfully. Shimura Danzo was already a threat when he was in Konohagakure. It is his strategy that is fearsome, rather than his strength. He is undoubtly a kage-level figure, but his presence is lacking compared to yours...unless he uses the four-tails power, that is"
A continued: "To think he would defeat Hanzo the Salamander and capture his summon...This is unheard of. Even Hiruzen failed to achieve this with the white fang...It means he is on par with medium-kage level figures"
"What do you propose? Our villages are in no state to engage in a new war. Additionally, attacking Otogakure would cause our borders to be pressured from the East and West, as they are in a solid alliance with Sunagakure, the other one who profitted immensely from the conflicts"
"Are you saying the third Kazekage was part of the scheme?"
"He might be the mastermind. The Second Kazekage conveniently passed away on the battlefield, while he brings peace and wealth in return, solidifying his position"
"Our hands are tied...for now. The truce treaty only lasts for five years. This is barely enough to regrow our force, regain our political standing. Otogakure will capitalize on this period to grow their strength too, however", A spoke
"Although it is on par with major hidden villages today, Otogakure only possesses, to my knowledge, five clans, if we count the Engetsu that sought sanctuary in their maracage. Our villages possess dozens. Time is in our favour. Our base of civilians, too, makes our recovery faster. Their elites, however, are likely to grow faster. They have shown tremendous growth in the past"
"Don't underestimate the side effects of forbidden jutsu too", A reassured himself, "So be it. Five years of peace, then what?"
"Then, we create a joint operation to destroy Konohagakure", Onoki spoke
"Onoki, as much as I respect your straightforwardness, we saw how that ended up in the Second Shinobi World War...Kirigakure, Sunagakure and Kumogakure allied against Konoha and Iwa, and it was a pyrrhic loss for everyone but Suna"
"Hiruzen is a puppet, but Konoha remains strong. What if Oto and Sunagakure join our cause?", Onoki continued
"You mean-"
"Danzo is an ambitious man. He has been loyal to one thing since the start: benefits. Others might not know that yet, perhaps he doesn't even know it himself. However, he has been seeking strength and power since his birth, and stayed true to his character", Onoki smiled
"Gathering in the open like that is dangerous...What if our plan is caught?"
"Then Konohagakure will seek revenge. This is why the hidden village of stones will hold a chunin exam in five years. All the kage will be present, from the six major villages and minor villages alike. This will be the perfect opportunity to discuss. Only five major villages can exist. Since Otogakure was smart enough to establish itself, someone has to go. It won't be Iwa, and I reckon it won't be Kumo either"
Konohagakure ANBU, hidden in the shadows, captured the conversation whole.
The future was uncertain, discontent brewing in the shadows.
Konohagakure was in danger, Sunagakure, known as the weakest of all, was rising alongside with a new player. The game of shinobi had just begun, yet the chaos had never stopped.