Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage of Konohagakure, still harbored a deep-seated dread of war left over from the Second Great Ninja War at the crucial moment when the Land of Wind first made its move.
It was this very fear that acted like an invisible shackle, tightly binding his decision-making mind. Fearing that he might provoke a war himself, he grew excessively cautious and conservative when managing the relations among the Five Great Shinobi Countries.
When critical intelligence fluttered down into his hands like snowflakes, his reaction was far too conservative, leading to a brief hesitation. It was this fleeting moment of hesitation that Sunagakure caught with acute sensitivity.
Chapter 196