Hokage Tower Conference Room
Compared to yesterday's relatively amicable atmosphere, today's meeting was weighed down with tension.
"What more is there to say? Kumogakure came with ill intent, and now they have the audacity to demand accountability… Let me lead the Uchiha clan—"
Uchiha Fugaku was the first to break the oppressive silence, rising with a dark expression.
"Fugaku, this is a formal meeting. The Hokage hasn't spoken yet. Do you intend to destroy the peace between Konoha and Kumogakure?" Koharu Utatane scolded him sharply, her tone laced with irritation.
"Hmph…" Fugaku shot her a cold glare but sat back down without another word.
The others present were unsurprised. Over the past two years, Fugaku had clashed frequently with the two elders, but neither side could ever gain the upper hand.
Fugaku's accomplishments during the Fourth Hokage's era, combined with the Uchiha clan's considerable strength, made it difficult for the Third Hokage to act rashly, despite ongoing efforts to suppress them.
The last major victory the village elders had won against the Uchiha was forcing them to retreat after the Nine-Tails incident.
"Hiashi, how do you believe we should handle this matter?" The Third Hokage's expression was complicated as he posed the question.
"We will defer to your judgment, Lord Hokage," Hiashi Hyuga responded.
Silence fell over the room once again. After a long pause, the Third Hokage finally spoke, his voice tinged with regret.
"This time, I must ask the Hyuga clan to endure the burden."
The heads of Konoha's major clans all frowned. The Hyuga clan was a prominent force in Konoha, and now they were expected to swallow the humiliation of having their heiress kidnapped.
Not long ago, Konoha had been a true leader in the shinobi world. How had things deteriorated under the Third's leadership?
But what the Third Hokage said next stunned everyone further.
"This peace is fragile and hard-won. Konoha has just emerged from the Nine-Tails' rampage. We cannot afford another war. As for Kumogakure's demands for accountability, I must ask Hizashi to take on this burden."
The decision had been made after the Third Hokage consulted with the village elders. Kumogakure's terms were simple: hand over the head of the Hyuga clan as payment for their leader's life.
The meeting fell into another uneasy silence.
Sarutobi Hiruzen finally broke it with a solemn declaration: "Everything I do is for the good of Konoha."
At that moment, the doors burst open, and Pakura wheeled Danzo into the room.
"Danzo…"
"Lord Danzo…"
"If I'm not mistaken, I am still an elder of Konoha. I have the right to be part of this meeting," Danzo said, his frail yet commanding voice leaving no room for argument.
"Danzo, we've already reached a decision. You're not well. You should rest." Homura Mitokado tried to dissuade him.
Everyone could see Danzo's condition. His aura was that of someone hovering at death's door.
"I've already heard the full situation… and I overheard Sarutobi's decision from outside. I disagree with this resolution."
Danzo's single, piercing eye swept across the room, daring anyone to meet his gaze. None could.
"If someone must be sacrificed for Konoha's peace, then that person should be the Hokage."
The conference room descended into stunned silence.
Homura rose, his face dark with anger. "Danzo, you don't understand the circumstan—"
"Shut your mouth, Homura. This isn't a negotiation. And we still have unfinished business regarding the Fire Daimyo's demands."
"Danzo, you—" Homura pointed at him, too incensed to speak.
Suddenly, a figure appeared at the door. The scent of fresh blood clung to him as he knelt respectfully. "My lord, the Kumogakure forces have been dealt with."
"Danzo, you…" The Third Hokage's face darkened further. Danzo had undermined him—first with words, and now with actions.
The oppressive pressure from Hiruzen's chakra spread throughout the room, causing everyone to shiver. His glare stopped Danzo from speaking further.
"Compromise is like feeding a crocodile, hoping it will eat you last. What you're doing, Sarutobi, is destroying Konoha," Danzo declared coldly.
"I'll handle Kumogakure. Pakura, let's go."
Pakura pushed Danzo out of the room, leaving behind a stunned and silent gathering.
...
Deep within Root's headquarters:
Danzo's spiritual pressure radiated continuously, a side effect of his deteriorating body.
"If the Raikage wants to act, we'll leash him. Itachi, handle the situation in the Land of Lightning."
"Yes, my lord."
After Itachi departed, Pakura wheeled Danzo to a hidden chamber.
The room was filled with everything necessary for a forbidden technique.
In the center, a massive glass cylinder held the body of a 17- or 18-year-old, floating gently in the liquid inside.
As soon as they entered, the stone door closed behind them, sealing the room with complex runic inscriptions. This was the safest place in all of Root.
"My lord, everything is ready. We can begin."
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
Fanfic is finished on Patreon (195 chapters in total.)
Patreon(.)com/Jixo (for only $4.50, read this entire fanfic)