Chapter 124:
The Third Kazekage wasn't a fool. He fully grasped the implications of what Chiyo was suggesting.
Every village engaged in research, be it weapons, secret medicines, or forbidden arts. Even the smaller nations participated in this arms race. Up until now, the balance of power had been relatively even. One village might have more talented ninjas, another a greater number of forbidden techniques, but they all had similar tools at their disposal. A tailed beast here, a secret technique there, each village had something to counter the other.
But now, things were shifting.
Konoha's innovations—super healing abilities and long-range weapons threatened to upset that balance entirely. If Konoha continued down this path, the other villages would find themselves increasingly outmatched, their casualties mounting while Konoha's remained minimal.
In short, if this trend continued, Konoha's military power would grow unchecked, and villages like Suna might eventually be swallowed up.
"I used to believe the Third Hokage genuinely sought peaceful coexistence between the villages," the Third Kazekage mused, his tone dark. "Now it seems they've been planning something else all along."
Chiyo, her expression neutral, replied, "That may be, but even though you are Kazekage, let me remind you: there's no need to rush into an alliance with the other villages to solve this."
Without waiting for a response, Chiyo turned and left the tent, leaving the Third Kazekage deep in thought.
He knew exactly what Chiyo meant.