Amid the chaotic situation and with powerful enemies at the gates, the Konoha's leadership naturally dared not let the news of the Uchiha Clan's annihilation leak out.
Simultaneous with the massacre event, the entire Konoha Village was placed under the highest state of alert.
Incoming and outgoing merchant caravans were halted. The village policy became 'entry only, no exit', strictly controlling potential channels for information leaks.
However, even the most optimistic members of the Konoha's leadership knew this couldn't be kept secret for long. This was the Uchiha, after all, nominally the top noble clan in the Ninja World. How could the sudden disappearance of several hundred people possibly be concealed?
But…
Even if it couldn't be concealed, they had to delay the leak of information for as long as possible. This would buy Konoha precious, potentially life-saving time.
In short, the situation was grave.
First the Rotting Wood Plague, then Minato nailed to death on the Hokage Rock, and now the enraged Kushina slaughtering the Uchiha… even the most obtuse person could sense something was terribly wrong by now.
These events were bizarre and convoluted, and each one was interconnected, as if an invisible hand was manipulating things from behind the scenes.
'Could it be…'
'That it really is Uchiha Madara?'
After the major events concluded, Hiruzen also pondered in his office. He felt there must be hidden circumstances behind this incident, but he couldn't think of anyone other than Madara who could have such a large hand in it.
But if it was Madara, why would someone so powerful choose to manipulate events from the shadows instead of coming to Konoha openly for revenge?
The logic didn't add up!
A few days later, the news quickly spread throughout the Ninja World.
Konoha's Yellow Flash was dead, unbelievably nailed to the Hokage Rock.
As for the subsequent Uchiha Massacre, it caused huge waves throughout the Ninja World.
Kirigakure, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, Sunagakure, Amegakure…
The reactions from various forces were extremely intense. Some ambitious individuals with radical temperaments had already cast hostile gazes towards Konoha.
Having successively lost Danzo, Orochimaru, Minato, and the Uchiha Clan, Konoha was clearly in a very critical condition. These ambitious figures saw no issue with kicking someone who was down, waiting for an opportunity to deliver a fatal blow to Konoha.
The Land of Fire's border.
Sunagakure, which had gradually become a vassal village to Konoha, had a very violent reaction.
"The three-year period is up! Sunagakure returns to its rightful place!"
In the great hall, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, had a fanatical and excited expression. The Sunagakure's higher-ups around him were equally agitated.
Clearly,
The events in Konoha had reached Sunagakure. The deaths of Minato and the others, coupled with the annihilation of the Uchiha Clan, made the previously submissive Sunagakure instantly stand tall again.
Attack!
Attack!
Attack!
All those humiliation, it's time to get back at them!
"Kazekage-sama!"
A Sunagakure's Elite Jonin said excitedly, "If the news about the Uchiha Clan's annihilation and Minato's death is true, then now is the best time for us to strike Konoha!"
"Right! Absolutely right!"
A Sunagakure's elder nearby loudly agreed, "Losing three Kage-level Ninjas in a row, plus the annihilation of the Uchiha Clan… Konoha's losses this time aren't just 'injuring muscles and bones' anymore… they've truly shaken their foundation. If we act now and handle it properly, we can definitely secure huge benefits for Sunagakure!"
"That makes sense!"
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa also said excitedly, "Deploy all the village's Intelligence Division Ninjas into the Land of Fire! I want the authenticity of this intelligence confirmed at the fastest speed. We must confirm Minato's death and the Uchiha Clan's annihilation. This is a critical moment concerning Sunagakure's rise or fall, we absolutely cannot be careless!"
"Yes, Kazekage-sama!"
"I'll go handle it immediately!"
As soon as the words were spoken, a Sunagakure's higher-up immediately turned and left the hall, impatiently going to issue the intelligence-gathering mission.
After all,
Their opponent was the old fox Sarutobi Hiruzen. The Sunagakure's leadership felt it was necessary to be cautious to avoid falling into a trap. If Minato wasn't actually dead and Konoha's Yellow Flash targeted them, that would truly make it hard to sleep or eat in peace.
…
It wasn't just Sunagakure. Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and even Amegakure began dispatching large numbers of scouts into the Land of Fire to gather intelligence and verify the information.
For a time,
The hostile gazes of the major powers all focused on Konoha.
The Third Great Ninja War, which had been fought intensely by all sides, unnoticeably decreased in intensity.
It seemed the leaders of the various forces had a tacit understanding: they were preparing to seize this once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity to devour Konoha, the real big fish.
After all,
The essence of war is the redistribution of resources. The Land of Fire, occupying the most fertile land, was undoubtedly the focus of attention for all warring powers.
The pressure on Konoha began to visibly increase, making the atmosphere within the Konoha's leadership even more oppressive.
Many people were as silent as cicadas in cold weather, already sensing the approaching storm.
Fortunately,
A starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Even after suffering consecutive major losses, Konoha still had Kage-level Ninjas like the Hokage, Jiraiya, and the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki. Other villages wanting to truly move against Konoha would still need to carefully weigh their options.