A quiet room filled with shadows was a rather sterotypical room for a meeting of ninjas. At least when one considered the cliches that the various movies had for them. But then some things required tradition, and more importantly a certain deniability.
Two of the spaces around the circular table was already filled, while the third waited to be filled.
A slight puff of smoke announced the last arrival.
"Mah, mah... You're late. As usual. One would think you were trying to be insulting to us." the androyngous voice spoke up, enuciating each and every word as if savoring it.
"You know it is, my girls asked me for help, I couldn't simply couldn't, say no to them..." the newcomer spoke up, his smirk showing in his voice, putting lie to his words. "Still, here we are. We still on, I presume."
"Indeed. I must admit to some curiousity as to why you would suggest having our forces hold off on actually invading Konoha. It seems... counter-intuitive to destroying the Leaf."
"Well, now. There is a simple reason. Suna has the Ichibi No Shukaku going in for the exam and Konoha has the Kyubi no Yoko hidden in it. You don't think the Ichibi going in on full power won't force the leaf nin into a defensive formation to fight it much like it did when the Kyubi first showed up? Among which is, ha ha, the Kyubi's jinchuriki."
"Yes, a noted speculation. You do so like those."
"Well.. if the Kyubi doesn't show up, a single order to strike when the leaf nin turns inwards to deal with the Ichibi would be... hmmm... more effective than striking before, don't you think?"
"Agreed."
"Mah, mah... it does look like your brain hasn't rotted with time, old friend. You always did like charging in."
"You know what they say. Age changes people."
Minor author's notes - This is... in my eyes what likely would happen if the sannin were working together. Don't worry, it's not like they have a grudge against their sensei, right?