Right now, the major shinobi villages were all one hundred percent convinced that the Hidden Leaf had grown corrupt and decadent. The only reason it hadn't rotted away completely was its deep foundations and abundant wealth.

But judging by the current situation, its full collapse was only a matter of time. The rot had started from the upper ranks.

That meant the Leaf's decay was inevitable. All that remained was for time to catch up.

Therefore, delaying the start of the next Great Shinobi War became a priority.

Based on this analysis, intel soon made its way to the desks of each Kage.

Although the reports were vague, they pointed out key issues—namely, the rapid decline and corruption festering in the Hidden Leaf.

In Sunagakure, the Third Kazekage narrowed his eyes and sneered.

"Just as I expected. The Leaf is deteriorating at an alarming rate. They've abandoned tradition, which makes them destined to fall. Since Rasa confirmed it, we must delay the war for now. Let's hope the others know when to hold back and wait."

...

In Iwagakure, the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, frowned as he read the intel, doubt filling his heart.

"What's going on? Why does the Leaf seem so incomprehensible now? What is Hiruzen Sarutobi planning? Doesn't he realize this path will destroy them? Or... has that old fool finally grown senile?"

But Onoki couldn't truly believe Sarutobi had become so useless.

After all, this was the same man who led the Leaf to victory in two Great Shinobi Wars—the so-called 'strongest Hokage.' While Onoki didn't rate him highly in terms of power, he grudgingly respected his governance.

At this point in time, the Nine-Tails attack hadn't happened, nor had Sarutobi been reinstated. The Sannin hadn't yet left the village. Under the Third Hokage, the Leaf was militarily strong. Short of having a cheat code like the First Hokage, this era was arguably its most powerful.

The only real stain during his rule was the suicide of the noble Konoha White Fang—who had clung to a code of honor even to the end.

To Onoki, issues like morality or scandal were irrelevant to a Kage. In his view, Sarutobi was a worthy rival—perhaps even someone he secretly envied.

The problem was, the two were nearly the same age. But Sarutobi had become Hokage over a decade earlier. After the Second Hokage's sudden death, Sarutobi had taken charge and pulled the Leaf from the brink.

Onoki? Not so lucky. When his own predecessor was killed, he took up the mantle—but in the Second Shinobi War, Iwagakure failed to win. Though they didn't suffer too badly thanks to their rugged terrain, the Land of Earth was too resource-poor to call it a victory without gaining any reparations.

Wars cost massive amounts of supplies and lives. And despite years of focused development, Iwagakure still suffered a severe gap in elite forces. Onoki had been forced to hire mercenaries to fill missions, becoming the laughingstock of the other villages.

A stain upon a great nation's pride. But what choice did he have? His village lacked manpower.

Later, Onoki would field ten thousand men against the Third Raikage, only for that man to fight to the death alone and ruin the entire operation.

He'd learned to endure humiliation.

That was why, during the Five Kage Summit after Pain's attack, he and the Fourth Raikage constantly butted heads—they had real blood feuds.

Though much hadn't yet happened, Onoki already harbored deep resentment and jealousy toward Sarutobi. The Third Hokage was like a living reminder of his own inadequacies.

Had he known the future—that Sarutobi would falter, grow indecisive, and ultimately fail—he might have found peace.

But this wasn't that world. The future wouldn't be so kind.

So Onoki refused to believe Hiruzen had truly decayed. It had to be a ploy. These reports were probably a setup by the Leaf to mislead them.

Not because he doubted his own people—but because he doubted the intel itself.

So he decided to send more scouts. Once the delegation returned, he'd question them thoroughly.

...

In Kirigakure, the newly appointed Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, read the report and looked stunned.

As someone unfamiliar with Hiruzen Sarutobi, he became excited instead. If the mighty Hokage had become old and feeble, then the Leaf had finally stumbled into the same tragedy as Kirigakure.

Why? Because Kirigakure's downfall had come from an aged Third Mizukage who clung to Warring States-era thinking.

In truth, the village's golden age had been under the Second Mizukage—Gengetsu Hōzuki. He was powerful and pragmatic, even winning over the notoriously erratic Kaguya clan.

Gengetsu kept the old guard in check. But when he died suddenly in the Second War, the conservatives took over. The Third Mizukage rose to power and created the Blood Mist era, targeting clans with Kekkei Genkai like Gengetsu's.

To Yagura, it was clear: when elders clung to power too long, they corrupted everything. And Hiruzen Sarutobi was no exception.

So Yagura immediately approved more funding for their Konoha mission. It was time to add fuel to the fire.

...

In Kumogakure, the Third Raikage, A, roared with laughter as he tossed the report to his elders.

"Konoha's rotting from the inside! They've abandoned shinobi tradition! While their coffers fill with coin, their ninja grow greedy and weak."

"They've forgotten they're a shinobi village—not a merchant city under some daimyo. Money may please nobles, but we are warriors!"

"When a military power focuses only on profit, it might get rich—but it will rot from within. And when that happens, it's only a matter of time before it crumbles!"

His advisors looked elated, though one elder voiced doubt.

"This decline… it's too fast. It's only been a few months."

Still, with little solid intel, he held back judgment. They'd wait for the delegation to return.

As the others celebrated, a younger A—his son—scratched his head.

"Otō-sama, why two and a half years? If the Leaf is falling apart, why not strike now?"

The room went silent.

Then, the Raikage smashed a fist into his son's face, sending him through a reinforced wall.

"Idiot! Don't be so naive, A! The rot is only in their middle ranks. We don't know what's happening up top—but the lower ranks are still solid!"

"Kumogakure has grown, but the gap between us and the Leaf is still wide. If we strike now, they'll snap out of their stupor and retaliate with overwhelming force!"

"Let them keep falling. When their strength truly fades, then we strike—and this time, we'll win!"

Young A, groaning from the rubble, bowed his head.

"I'm sorry, Otō-sama. I was too naive."

The Raikage barked, "Raise your head, A! Never bow! You're the next Raikage—stand tall and face all obstacles without fear! That is the Will of Lightning!!"

A snapped to attention. "Yes, Otō-sama!"

That fiery resolve ignited in the room.

The elders smiled, seeing hope for the future. One day, they believed, Kumogakure would surpass the Leaf.

In the 'original' timeline, they had.

After the Nine-Tails incident, the Leaf was left shattered. Their middle generation was wiped out, and the Sannin scattered. What once was an unassailable lead became a precarious edge over Sunagakure.

To compare the Leaf to Suna was an insult of historic proportions.

Had it not been for Obito's manipulation of the Fourth Mizukage, another Great War would've broken out—this time, aimed at destroying the Leaf.

But that chance passed. And the Leaf recovered—as it always did.

In this timeline, with Uchiha Kei's butterfly effect already swirling into a storm, that same decline might not come.

And if it doesn't—then he didn't cross worlds for nothing.