As a student of Senju Tobirama, Sarutobi Hiruzen considered himself to have grasped at least the basics of his teacher's teachings.
He knew that every move made by the Kages of the other villages was the result of thorough deliberation with their respective high-ranking officials. The recent joint denunciation from the other villages was, on the surface, a demand for personnel, but in reality, it was a probe to test Konohagakure's bottom line.
If Konohagakure chose to yield, they would infer that the village's strength was indeed far from what it used to be. Consequently, they would push their luck, making even more unreasonable demands and pressing forward step by step.
Chapter 67