Hiruzen Sarutobi's killing intent was intense.
So intense that Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were both stunned.
Hadn't they just been discussing reform? How had the topic suddenly turned to war?
Moreover, Hiruzen Sarutobi had always been a traditional member of the Dove Faction, never particularly interested in war...
During the Second Shinobi World War, Sunagakure had clearly been at a disadvantage, yet Hiruzen Sarutobi had chosen equal peace negotiations in order to end the war as soon as possible, rather than demanding compensation or other terms.
At the time, that decision had sparked considerable controversy within the village.
Shimura Danzō's eyes immediately lit up upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words.
As Konoha's former leading figure of the Militant Faction, he had always been interested in war.
"Leave it to me!" Shimura Danzō said at once.
"Shouldn't we reconsider?" Mitokado Homura said thoughtfully. "Perhaps we should carry out this retaliation after the reforms have initially taken root?"
Utatane Koharu's expression was grave. "What if it provokes a war? Is the village prepared to deal with it?"
Shimura Danzō turned and snarled, "You two are always so conservative! Yielding gets us nowhere!"
"Danzō, you're being too rash!"
"War is no child's play. We need to consider everything carefully!" Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu shot back at Shimura Danzō.
"Stop arguing."
Hiruzen Sarutobi gestured for them to listen. "Retaliation is imperative. This isn't meant to start a war—it is meant to prevent one."
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu looked puzzled.
Killing the other side's Jinchuriki would prevent a war?
"Let me give an inappropriate example. Don't read too much into it."
Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed at Shimura Danzō. "Suppose Danzō took all authority over the Anbu, and I said nothing. What do you think he would do next?"
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu gave awkward smiles.
Was there even a need to ask?
He would proceed to hollow out your authority!
Shimura Danzō's expression stiffened.
Was that really the kind of example to use?
"He would come over and lecture me, reminding me that as Hokage, I should maintain centralized authority and fulfill my duties as his superior. But he would definitely focus on criticizing my weakness."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and patted Shimura Danzō on the shoulder. "Am I right?"
Shimura Danzō forced out a dry laugh. "Haha, of course."
Was Hiruzen really joking?
"Danzō is my good comrade. Even if I did something like that, he would still think I was weak..."
"But what if they were enemies? Enemies wouldn't come and remind me, remind you, or remind Konoha!"
"They would think we are weak and easily bullied, that we can yield even over something like a Jinchuriki!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a low voice, "Therefore, we must retaliate as soon as possible! When dealing with enemies, we must not give an inch. We must let them feel the harshness of Konoha Iron Fist!"
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura thought for a while before each expressing their views.
"If that's the case, I support it."
"Agreed. Do you have a specific plan, Hiruzen...?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi motioned for them to speak freely if they had any objections.
Based on his past memories and recent interactions,
there was fundamentally nothing wrong with these two old teammates who served as his advisors. Their thinking was simply too conservative.
People like them were actually quite useful, as long as they were assigned to the right roles.
"What about targeting their infrastructure? The Jinchuriki might not be a good target."
Mitokado Homura continued, "Or perhaps an important ninja, or a relative of the Raikage?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment.
"Judging from Kumogakure's abduction of Uzumaki Kushina, I suspect that there is most likely something wrong with their Jinchuriki."
"Danzō, do we have specific intelligence regarding the recent intensity of friction between Kumogakure and Iwagakure?"
"I've compiled the statistics. Over the past two years, Iwagakure has initiated most of the provocations, while Kumogakure has exercised considerable restraint," Shimura Danzō answered swiftly. "Root has the relevant data."
"Very good." Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Shimura Danzō an approving look.
"Kumogakure and Iwagakure have a longstanding feud. It is a historical issue determined by the makeup of their Ninja Clans and their geography. Given Kumogakure's style and temperament, the fact that they can restrain themselves most likely means they have a serious internal problem."
"Furthermore, the situation in the Shinobi World is becoming increasingly tense. The fact that they took the initiative to break the unwritten rules and target our Jinchuriki shows that their problem has reached a point where it must be resolved!"
There were no explicit rules in the Shinobi World.
But there were still certain unwritten rules that limited the intensity of their conflicts and prevented meaningless attrition.
Within the borders of various countries and near borderlines, clashes between Anbu were tacitly permitted. But when it came to important figures, especially matters involving the major concept of Tailed Beasts,
there was essentially little difference from a declaration of war.
"Kumogakure's actions do indeed reveal certain problems..."
"If they were truly strong and well-prepared, deliberately seeking to start a war, why would they take the initiative to reduce their conflicts with Iwagakure?"
Utatane Koharu analyzed, "That doesn't make sense. The conflict between Kumogakure and Iwagakure is not so easily suppressed, and doing so would affect the Raikage's prestige."
"Exactly..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice, "Therefore, when all these factors are considered together, Kumogakure's Jinchuriki is highly likely to be on the verge of collapse!"
The other three people's eyes lit up.
That logic was sound...
"Danzō, verify this conjecture as soon as possible."
Taking in the expressions of the other three, Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "My opinion is that we cannot kill him by force. We must secretly release the Eight-Tails within him without leaving any evidence behind."
"The current Konoha also cannot bear the reputation of having initiated a war and assassinated an enemy nation's Jinchuriki."
"Internally, it will be enough to let the key people know."
"As for Kumogakure, after suffering such a blow, they will naturally become frenzied and suspicious of everything. We need not remind them."
Shimura Danzō nodded in agreement.
He belonged to the Militant Faction, but he was not mindless.
He also did not want Konoha to use this as a pretext for an explosive war with the four Great Hidden Villages.
"Once you confirm the intelligence, we will hold a meeting as quickly as possible."
"We must make them pay in blood. This is also the small measure of compensation we must offer Lady Mito and the Uzumaki Clan."
"What do you think?"
At the mention of Mito Uzumaki and the Uzumaki Clan, the atmosphere in the room grew somber.
During the Second Shinobi World War,
Konoha had become mired in war and overwhelmed on all fronts.
It had neglected to look after its allies.
Although the tragedy of Uzushio Village had many causes,
such as Uzushio Village being located on an island between the Land of Fire and the Land of Water, and its unwillingness to relocate inland and join Konoha, greatly limiting the speed of reinforcements...
in the end, it was also a grave mistake by Konoha's upper ranks.
Especially after Uzushio Village's destruction, there had also been problems with their care of Uzumaki Kushina...
That was truly indefensible.
If they did not show their attitude, this matter would always remain a hidden danger!
"We must improve Uzumaki Kushina's treatment across the board. As for the surviving orphans of the Uzumaki Clan, we should search for them when the time is right."
Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed at Utatane Koharu.
"Koharu, you need to carry this out as soon as possible. You must make Uzumaki Kushina understand our apology and let her feel that this is her home, that the village cares about her. Understood?"
"The past cannot be changed, but it is never too late to correct our mistakes. We cannot wait any longer."
Utatane Koharu replied, "Understood, Third."
"Alright, go handle your respective tasks!" Hiruzen Sarutobi gestured that they could get back to work.
The three of them swiftly sprang into action.
With a Tobacco Pipe between his lips, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked down upon the village through the office window and narrowed his eyes.
In this village, if there was one ninja he could not afford to ignore...
Or rather, someone who had already surpassed the very concept of a ninja.
It was the First's wife, the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, Mito Uzumaki!
Whether in terms of the knowledge she possessed, her combat strength, or her status,
from every perspective...
as Hokage, he needed to find a way to clean up the old mess and regain the approval of this "Empress Dowager."
That would bring enormous benefits.
Continuing to feel guilty and avoid facing her as before...
was simply far too terrible.
"That child fused with First Hokage Cells may be a breakthrough..."
"An elderly Jinchuriki should be rather lonely, shouldn't she?"
"But before that, the preparations must be completed. I need to show my sincerity and remorse with results in hand."
Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a stream of smoke, yet he did not feel tired.
He greatly enjoyed this feeling.
First of all, I'm begging all you esteemed readers to cast a monthly vote, please!
A new book desperately needs data orz!!
There will be another update tonight, around six o'clock.
PS: Regarding Uzushio Village's destruction.
As for this part of the original work, Xiaofan searched through all the guidebooks and still could not find any explicit setting.
There was only the statement that "the various Hidden Villages feared Sealing Jutsu and joined forces to attack Uzushio Village"...
As for the timing of its destruction, I can only make up a secondary setting myself. The period falls between Kushina transferring into the academy and graduating at age twelve.
My setting places it during the Second Shinobi World War.
As for the reason, Xiaofan believes it was incompetence, not deliberate intent.
However, any secondary setting can be justified one way or another. Depending on the protagonist's Persona and the needs of the plot, every author will write it differently.
There is another timeline inferred from Karin and Karin's mother, but the timeline derived from that is completely wrong, so I won't use it.
Before you continue