Konoha Leadership: Everything Was for the Village!

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not discuss whether the Uchiha Clan was trustworthy with Danzo.

To minimize the repercussions, he immediately took emergency measures.

He first ordered the Anbu ninja to retrieve the Cloud Ninja's corpse, then sent someone to notify the Raikage of Kumogakure.

The outcome was easy to imagine...

The kidnapping of Hinata had not been a spur-of-the-moment decision by the Cloud Ninja Leader. It had been planned by the Raikage all along.

If the Cloud Ninja Leader succeeded, they could unravel the secrets of the Byakugan.

And if he failed, they had prepared a backup plan.

After two days of escalating tensions, the Raikage sent an envoy with a clear response.

Konoha.

Inside the Hokage's Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi read the letter sent back from Kumogakure.

Kumogakure's stance was simple.

They did not want to let this matter spiral into an irreparable disaster either.

But the man who had died was, after all, a close brother of the Fourth Raikage.

Therefore, they demanded that Konoha hand over the culprit who had killed the Cloud Ninja Leader and leave him to Kumogakure's disposal.

That was the only way to quell public outrage.

Otherwise, the flames of war in the Shinobi World could only be rekindled.

At the same time, the three members of Konoha leadership—Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Shimura Danzō—had all gathered here.

They discussed countermeasures with Hiruzen.

However...

Aside from them, Shisui Uchiha had unexpectedly appeared as well.

"What did the letter say?" Koharu asked bluntly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally did not hide anything and roughly explained its contents.

"Furthermore, Kumogakure specifically stated that they have already investigated the matter. The ones who killed that leader were the Clan Head of the Hyuga Clan and Kaze of the Uchiha Clan."

"In other words, as long as we hand over Hiashi and Kaze, we can sign a new peace agreement and act as though nothing happened."

It was worth mentioning that every village had spies hidden within it.

Even though the Cloud Ninja squad that night had been completely wiped out, Kumogakure could still obtain information through other channels.

As for whether Hiashi had participated in the killing.

Kumogakure did not actually care.

They simply wanted the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan.

They just had not expected an Uchiha to get involved as well.

Naturally, they would not let such a good opportunity slip away.

"Hmph."

Danzo suddenly snorted. "What sworn brother of the Raikage? That leader was, at most, a Jonin from Kumogakure."

"Someone like him would not even have the chance to interact with the higher-ups."

"In my view, this is nothing more than a pretext."

Danzo's attitude was extremely firm. He did not believe the Raikage's nonsense at all.

Wasn't their true goal the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan and the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan?

"That may be true, but the current Raikage is still in his prime, and his village has the Eight-Tails and Two-Tails jinchuriki..."

Koharu agreed with Danzo's view, but when comparing the combat power of the two villages...

The Third Hokage was already in his twilight years, while Danzo had also lost an eye.

The Fourth Hokage had sacrificed himself to seal the Nine-Tails.

Orochimaru had defected.

Jiraiya and Tsunade were also nowhere to be found.

Starting an all-out war with Kumogakure at a time like this was definitely not a wise decision.

"Not only that, but if one part moves, the whole body follows. The other ninja villages may seize the chance to invade while we are weakened."

Mitokado Homura also spoke up, laying out his own view.

"Konoha should not deal with Kumogakure's demands with a hard-line attitude right now."

"Besides, they only want one culprit."

"I recall that Hiashi has a twin brother. He is now the leader of the Branch Family and looks exactly like Hiashi."

"Moreover, he was branded with the Caged Bird Seal as a child. Once he dies, his Byakugan will be sealed directly."

"As for the Uchiha Clan, since Kaze caused this trouble, let him bear responsibility himself."

"Besides, he has not even awakened the Sharingan."

Mitokado Homura had also heard about what happened two days ago.

Kaze had single-handedly dealt with five ninja from Kumogakure.

And he was only fifteen years old.

He could be said to be showing his brilliance too sharply.

If he were allowed to continue growing, he might become a hidden threat in the future.

It would be better to simply use the Raikage's demand as an excuse and hand over his corpse.

That would both silence the Raikage.

And suppress the Uchiha Clan.

Killing two birds with one stone.

"I agree with Homura. This truly is the most prudent way to handle it."

Koharu spoke up in agreement as she looked toward Shisui.

"What do you think, Shisui?"

Hearing that, Shisui could not help but freeze. Yet he quickly realized why he, an Anbu ninja, had appeared at this meeting.

They wanted him, as a ninja of the Uchiha Clan, to state his position on this matter.

And convey the thoughts of Konoha leadership to Fugaku, the Clan Head.

"Indeed, there is no more prudent solution than this."

Shisui hesitated slightly, but in the end, he nodded.

All of this was for the village's stability.

Besides, this matter had begun because of Kaze in the first place.

If he had not acted without authorization, Lord Hokage would not have been put in such a difficult position.

"Perhaps we still have other options."

At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed a reluctant expression.

As though he felt there was still room to negotiate.

"Hiruzen, your kindness is your only weakness," Koharu reminded him.

"What we are doing is not because we hold any prejudice against the Uchiha Clan."

"It is solely for the village."

"You should understand better than any of us that Konoha can no longer afford an all-out war."

"Koharu is right. Everything is for the village," Homura echoed. "If Lord Tobirama were still alive, he would surely support us."

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his brows, his gaze shifting back and forth between Koharu and Homura.

He still looked unable to make up his mind.

The room suddenly fell silent.

After roughly half a minute, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke slowly.

"This matter is of great importance. Even if we are to proceed, we should obtain the support of those involved."

"Call a special meeting. Have representatives of both the Hyuga and Uchiha Clans come to the Hokage Building."

"If their two clans are willing to sacrifice themselves for the village, then I will respect their decision."

As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi focused his gaze on Shisui.

Their eyes met.

"I will trouble you to notify Fugaku of this matter."

Shisui immediately dropped to one knee. "Yes, Lord Hokage."

The next second.

Shisui vanished from the Hokage's Office with a whoosh.

He raced toward the Uchiha Compound.

Half an hour later.

Shisui arrived at Fugaku's home and conveyed the position of Konoha leadership.

Fugaku's expression immediately darkened.

Being able to single-handedly annihilate one Jonin and four Chunin from Kumogakure.

Was enough to show that Kaze was a rare genius of the Uchiha Clan.

He was an important piece in their future struggle against Konoha leadership.

Yet now...

The Third Hokage actually intended to hand over Kaze's corpse to settle this conflict.

Naturally, that left Fugaku feeling extremely bitter.

"Clan Head."

Noticing the change in Fugaku's expression, Shisui kindly reminded him.

"Everything is for the village."