The Third Hokage's Decision

"Hiruzen, I heard that Shukaku of the Sand Village was killed by a little guy from the village. Is that true?" Another elder suddenly asked.

"Um?"

The Third Hokage raised an eyebrow. He had deliberately suppressed the news about Katsuki and Minato, even warning Danzo, but these old guys still found out. He wondered where the leak came from. It seemed necessary to clean up the mess.

However, the meeting should be the priority right now.

"That's right, it was Uzumaki Katsuki, the second son of the Uzumaki Clan, who killed the One-Tail Jinchuriki." The Third Hokage nodded.

"Whirlpool? You're quite the young man. I remember that little fellow named Uzumaki Katsuki was only ten years old, right? I'm not mistaken, am I?" the old man pressed.

His lips twitched. "Of course I remembered correctly! I've investigated everything perfectly, even found out Katsuki's age! Why are you pretending to be stupid and asking me this? What the hell are you asking?!" The Third Hokage nodded blankly, remaining silent.

"But Hiruzen, why keep such a genius in the village instead of letting him hone his skills on the battlefield?" the old man questioned.

The Third Hokage touched the pipe on the table. He hadn't even smoked a pipe to take care of these elderly people whose organs were declining, yet they still found fault with him!

"Alright, Kawahara, you old geezer, shut up! Hiruzen is the Hokage. Why bring up such trivial matters? When is this meeting going to end? Today's topic is to discuss the operation against the Sand Village. If you can't even tell what's important, then get out of the Elder Council."

The white-haired old man sitting to Hiruzen's left opened his eyes and launched into a tirade against the elder named Kawahara.

Kawahara had a long, gloomy face, as if someone owed him money. He dared to lecture Hiruzen by virtue of his age, but he couldn't muster any toughness when facing the chief advisor elder whose clothes bore the emblem of the Senju of the Forest.

"Cough cough."

Hiruzen coughed twice, drawing everyone's attention.

"The next question concerns the issue of reinforcing the front lines..."

"Hiruzen, what's wrong with Elder Kawahara today? Why is he staring at the brat from the Uzumaki Clan?"

The Hokage's Office.

The Third Hokage sat in his large office chair, puffing on a cigarette. Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Homura sat on the sofa. Although the former teammates had some disagreements, they had not yet gone their separate ways or become enemies. It was common for them to gather together like this.

Utatane Koharu, put down her teacup and broke the silence by speaking first.

"Who knows!"

The Third Hokage replied dejectedly, unsure whether Elder Kawahara had lost his mind or what.

"It's just an old grudge. When Kawahara was young, he was beaten up by a powerful member of the Uzumaki Clan. He's been holding a grudge ever since. When Mito-sama was still alive, he naturally didn't dare to utter a word. Now that he knows he can't mess with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, he has no choice but to take it out on Uzumaki Katsuki," Danzo said calmly.

"······"

Despite the three astonished gazes, Danzo remained calm.

"What's so strange? Although I don't have Hiruzen's powerful intelligence network, my 'Root' shady dealings are far superior. Gathering information about Kawahara's petty affairs shouldn't be too difficult."

"Not too difficult?"

The Third Hokage shook his head and smiled wryly. Such things were not as easy as Danzo made them out to be. His Anbu were not a bunch of useless idiots. It could only be said that Danzo was indeed skilled at making money through underhanded means. His decision to preserve 'Root' was not a mistake.

"Let's Kawahara matter aside for now and talk about the situation in the Land of Wind! Sakumo wrote that the Sand Village's resistance is quite fierce, and there are rumors circulating that the Third Kazekage has personally gone to the front lines. It's hard to tell if they're true or not, but given the difficulties the Third Kazekage is facing in the desert, we hope the village can provide reinforcements."

"The Third Kazekage? That's a tough guy, and the battlefield is in the desert..." Mitokado Homura shook his head, feeling a headache just thinking about it.

The Land of Wind is obsessed with the power of the Tailed Beasts. Starting with the First Kazekage, they have been dedicated to the research of the One-Tail. Combining the Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai, they created the Sand Release Jutsu, which produces Iron Sand, Gold Dust, and so on. It is not an ordinary troublesome technique, and its combat power can be greatly increased if the battlefield is in the desert.

This is a tricky problem!

The previous meeting with the Elder Council only agreed on the general direction; it was impossible to rely on these old guys for the details. Moreover, the Third Hokage didn't like these old guys interfering, which is why he held a second meeting in his office.

"To counter the Sand Release Jutsu, there are only Water Release Technique and Lightning Release Techniques. Who in the village is currently proficient in these two techniques?" Utatane Koharu asked, counting on her fingers.

The Sand Release Jutsu is essentially about using Magnet Release to manipulate sand. The two sides have clashed several times on the battlefield. Those present are also aware of the weaknesses of the Sand Release Jutsu. One is Lightning Release Technique, which, seemingly due to the connection between Lightning Release Technique, can destroy quicksand. The other is Water Release Technique, which allows water to soak the sand, making it heavier and more difficult to manipulate.

"Masters of Lightning Release Technique are relatively easy to find, but Water Release Technique is difficult, and they also need to maintain a certain level of combat effectiveness in the desert. Right now, you're the only one who Hiruzen Water Release like that!" Danzo tapped his cane. Although he was still at the peak of his life, he brazenly came to the meeting leaning on his cane.

The Third Hokage was Ninja Scholar in all Five Great Nature Transformations. He had reached the level of an elite Jonin every single one of them. Others either specialized in one, like Danzo who specialized in Wind Release Technique, or at most, like Sakumo who was proficient in both Lightning and Earth Dual Element Ninjutsu. Even if a few geniuses could master three elements, there would inevitably be a distinction between primary and secondary elements, and strengths and weaknesses. Unlike the Third Hokage, none of the Five Great Nature Transformations were weak.

The Third Hokage relied on the Five Great Nature Transformations to dominate the battlefield. No matter which Escape Technique the opponent used, he would use the corresponding counter-technique. That's how the Third Hokage's enemies were literally toyed with and killed.

"There really isn't much talent in Water Release Techniques this generation. Only Nawaki has some potential; he might reach a considerable level in the future, but he's not qualified yet. However... there is a good candidate in Lightning Release Techniques. That little guy can also control Shukaku, the Sand Releaser. He should be able to show his skills against Magnet Release ninjas."

The Third Hokage exhaled a series of smoke rings.

However, this does just fulfill that Kawahara's wish.

"A kid from the Uzumaki Clan? To be honest, I still find it hard to believe. Lightning Release Technique without hand seals... It's truly unbelievable." Mitokado Homura's face was full of emotion.

The Third Hokage suppressed information about Katsuki, but did not hide it from the three people present. Danzo had his own information channels, and Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were now his capable assistants, so they had all seen the reports about Katsuki.

"Lightning Release Technique that doesn't require hand seals feels like a scam," Utatane Koharu chimed in.

"It's true, I saw it with my own eyes." The Third Hokage tapped his pipe. "However, the principle is still unclear, and it's impossible to say exactly how it was done. Perhaps it's related to the Uzumaki Clan's bloodline. Anyway... don't let your imagination run wild, and don't get any ideas you shouldn't have, Danzo."

The words were directed at Danzo, but they may also have been intended as a warning to the other two.

Having been partners for many years, the Third Hokage knew very well that none of his comrades were easy to deal with. Although they were all committed to fighting for Konoha to the death, they still had differences in the specific methods of implementation. Among them, he and Danzo had the biggest differences, while the other two stood in the middle, and their relationship was quite delicate.