036 The Senju Brothers' Reputation Points, an Extremely Tough Hokage and Konoha!

"Can we be sure it was us?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi motioned for the two of them not to panic.

"Kumogakure didn't mention any evidence, but their attitude is extremely forceful and resolute. They insist that we are highly suspicious..." Utatane Koharu replied quickly, handing Kumogakure's condemnation to the Hokage.

"The major nations and hidden villages are all waiting for our response!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi read it carefully.

A moment later, he gave a cold laugh.

"Sensei, shall we continue our discussion another day? There are still some matters I need to report to you." Orochimaru stood and nodded to the two Advisors.

"No need to leave. You should read it too." Hiruzen Sarutobi waved a hand, put his Pipe between his lips, and slowly began packing it with Tobacco.

"Then I'll do as you say, Sensei." Orochimaru smiled knowingly.

A moment later, hurried knocking sounded at the door.

The instant Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Come in," Shimura Danzō strode inside. "Hiruzen, we need to prepare for all-out war. Mobilize all the shinobi!"

Seeing him arrive, Orochimaru naturally handed the document to Shimura Danzō with one hand.

Shimura Danzō frowned. Faced with this rival, his instinct was to suppress him.

This was a meeting of Konoha's upper ranks!

But seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi beside him, Shimura Danzō let it go.

He was no fool. Of course, he could see that Hiruzen Sarutobi was supporting Orochimaru to compete with him...

Yet Shimura Danzō could not bring himself to feel angry.

Because Hiruzen Sarutobi had made things clear to him beforehand.

He was ensuring that Danzō had the "qualifications," not confirming him as the next Hokage.

Usually, he would also intentionally or unintentionally teach him how to be a Hokage. He was not playing favorites...

Fairness held power.

Even for Shimura Danzō, that was true.

"Orochimaru, did your side leave behind some trace?" Shimura Danzō asked sternly. "There's absolutely no way there's a problem with the Anbu. I've checked repeatedly!"

This was not deliberate targeting. Since intelligence had leaked, they had to find the source and hold someone accountable.

Orochimaru snorted coldly. "There's no way my side has a problem either. Also, you should address him as the Third Hokage, not call Sensei by his name!"

The smell of gunpowder instantly filled the air between them.

Like needle against wheat awn, neither was willing to yield!

"Since you both say there's no problem, then I believe there is no problem." Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped the table, signaling the two to calm down, then said evenly:

"Gentlemen, don't fall into a trap of thought and grow guilty just because the enemy bluffed you..."

Orochimaru and Shimura Danzō each gave a cold snort as they considered Hiruzen Sarutobi's words.

Mitokado Homura spoke thoughtfully. "Third, you mean Kumogakure is bluffing us?"

"Most likely."

"Did you notice? They never said the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki was dead. Though their wording conveys anger and roughness, if you look past the surface to the core, they are merely applying pressure."

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a disdainful puff of smoke. "Put yourselves in their place. Kumogakure has currently lost its Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, and the village has suffered a severe blow, yet they cannot find the culprit..."

"What should they do? Lie low? Clearly not."

"Hiding would only make their enemies—and those who might become their enemies—think they are weak!"

"That is why they need to become even more forceful."

"They need to declare to the entire shinobi world that their village is still strong, that the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki can deploy at any time..."

"And Konoha has always been known as a pacifist in the shinobi world—the so-called 'soft persimmon.' As long as we back down, their objective will be achieved."

"They might even extort a sum from us."

The room fell silent as everyone considered Hiruzen Sarutobi's words.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's faces grew slightly hot.

On one hand, it was because their earlier anxiety and rashness did not suit the image of Advisors.

On the other, during the last Shinobi World War, the two of them had been leading members of the Dove Faction, strongly advocating for minimal reparations and an early end to the war.

"Times have changed..."

"Past decisions were also made in consideration of the circumstances at the time. You needn't dwell on them too much." Hiruzen Sarutobi waved a hand.

"And don't start thinking about war at every turn. Our core advantages are technology and talent, and both require time to accumulate value."

Blindly being hardline was not necessarily a good thing.

The so-called Dove Faction and Hawk Faction merely viewed matters from different angles. Neither was inherently better than the other.

Shimura Danzō's face darkened, but he still spoke up in agreement. "I agree with the Hokage's view!"

This was a jab at him...

Shimura Danzō felt some regret. He had not actually intended to start a war immediately; he had merely wanted to make the situation sound more severe, then shift the blame onto Orochimaru...

"Teacher, I believe your analysis is correct." Orochimaru looked at his smoking teacher with an appreciative gaze.

This was what a Hokage should be like in his mind...

Remaining calm at all times.

"Kumogakure's provocation is an opportunity to buy time for Konoha. We must recognize that."

"We must use this opportunity to intimidate the other Hidden Villages as well."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice:

"For a long time, there has been a consensus in the shinobi world that Konoha is 'inclined toward peace.' It is highly unlikely that the other Hidden Villages will believe Kumogakure."

"This time, we must display sufficient strength. We must make it clear that while Konoha upholds the First Hokage's belief in peace, we are not weak. We simply hope that the other Hidden Villages will share the same attitude."

"If anyone dares to destroy the peace, then Konoha, which has already suffered once before, will use everything at its disposal to defend its home—including, but not limited to, forbidden jutsu. By carrying on Lord Tobirama's will, we will make our enemies pay a price they will regret for the rest of their lives!"

A Hashirama Peace Card in his left hand, a Tobirama Forbidden Jutsu Card in his right.

Among the outside villages, the Senju brothers' reputation scores were practically at opposite extremes—one positive, one negative...

But who said a negative reputation had no value?

The Lord Hokage intended to make ruthless use of it, cashing it in to bolster his own prestige!

"Draft a statement according to my intent. The wording must be precise. Notify the entire shinobi world!"

"As quickly as possible!" Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered in a tone that brooked no argument.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura immediately replied, "Understood!"

The two from the Administrative Department sprang into action.

"Orochimaru, continue with the matter of the project," Hiruzen Sarutobi said. "There is no need to wait for another day."

"Yes, Teacher."

Orochimaru reported, "The medicines modified earlier can now be produced on a preliminary scale. The samples are ready, and the Nara Clan and Akimichi Clan have put great care into their work."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly.

Once they established a diplomatic advantage through Kumogakure, negotiating with the Land of Fire and the Daimyo would become much easier.

"Also, your concept is very good, but completing it will take time."

"In certain specialized cases, it may be faster, but to achieve universal applicability..." Orochimaru shook his head. "It will not be easy."

He was referring to the Deactivated Hashirama Cells.

With Shimura Danzō present, Orochimaru's wording was deliberately ambiguous.

He was doing it on purpose...

He wanted this adviser to know that he was working on something, without knowing what exactly he was working on...

Let the anxiety eat you alive!

"Take it one step at a time. This is a long-term project. I understand."

"I will prepare the materials for you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said this, but something stirred in his heart.

Specialized cases would be enough...

Judging from the notes, Izuna Uchiha and Senju Tobirama had astonishing compatibility.

"Thank you for understanding, Teacher. Then I'll get back to work!" Orochimaru glanced at Shimura Danzō, smiled, and walked out of the office.

Shimura Danzō silently ground his molars.

The Darkness of the Shinobi World would remember this grudge!

And just as Orochimaru had expected, when Shimura Danzō realized that he was working on something...

A wave of anxiety rose from the depths of his heart.

But Orochimaru reported directly to Hiruzen Sarutobi. Forget interfering—Shimura Danzō could not even easily spy on him...

Though the Anbu under his command obeyed him as their minister...

They also obeyed their respective Squad Captains and Deputy Ministers!

They were all Hiruzen Sarutobi's people.

If he tried to use them as Root's private troops like before, Hatake Sakumo—the man who had impeached him in the past—alone would be enough to give Shimura Danzō a massive headache...

"Danzō, lately you need to keep a firm grip on the village's internal security."

"Also send out several scout squads and station them along the borders to prevent enemy infiltration."

Hiruzen Sarutobi patted his shoulder. "Your task is no lighter than Orochimaru's!"

Shimura Danzō was instantly delighted.

As long as there was work to do, that was enough. As long as he got to be seen...

But on second thought, Shimura Danzō found it somewhat strange.

"For anything involving public appearances, I wouldn't leave you out..."

"Get the work assignments in order and prepare to head to the Land of Fire with me. I'll give you a surprise when the time comes."

Once Hiruzen Sarutobi said that, Shimura Danzō completely stopped dwelling on the source of that faint unease...

"Don't worry, Hiruzen!"

Shimura Danzō complained again, "You should keep Orochimaru in line too. I've called you by your name for so many years, yet that junior actually dares question it? He's utterly lawless!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with a smiling expression.

Without saying a word...

Without competition, where would the motivation to work come from?

And taking Shimura Danzō to the Land of Fire had indeed been his true intention.

After all, his reputation as the Darkness of the Shinobi World carried considerable weight among the Daimyo and the Nobles...

Three days later.

Konoha's response spread throughout the entire shinobi world, throwing the Major Hidden Villages into an uproar.

They were actually being this forceful?