" Hiruzen, you still haven't said how we can make use of it..." Shimura Danzō asked impatiently.
It was like listening to a storyteller, only for the storyteller to take a sip of tea and deliberately refuse to continue...
It was such a tease!
"See? You're always so impatient..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped several documents on the table. "You should both take a look as well."
"You two Konoha Committee Members need to get used to participating in village affairs. It isn't enough to hold the title—you need to actually get involved, pool your wisdom, and offer suggestions and ideas."
These were diplomatic statements sent by the Major Hidden Villages.
Their wording was relatively uniform.
They mainly condemned Kumogakure's provocative actions, while lavishly praising Hiruzen Sarutobi. Of course, this was not out of goodwill; they simply hoped to further worsen the relationship between Konoha and Kumogakure.
Hizashi naturally picked them up.
Tenzo was reading them too, but lingering fear remained in his heart.
Between tightening and loosening his grip, the Hokage had already made it clear that he was not merely capable of preaching about the Will of Fire...
Perhaps he did not use other methods simply because he did not wish to, not because he could not.
"I don't know much about the Kaguya Clan."
"I've only heard that they were once called a battle clan alongside the Uchiha Clan?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked. "From these documents, they do seem quite belligerent..."
Hyuga Tenzo steadied himself and replied, "Lord Hokage, they aren't throwing up a smokescreen. That is simply the nature of their clan."
"Battle and slaughter seem to be carved into their bones, though not every one of them is like that..."
"As for being mentioned alongside the Uchiha Clan..." Hyuga Tenzo had to admit that Shimura Danzō's earlier words fit perfectly here.
Stop riding someone else's fame!
The Kaguya Clan was indeed formidable in combat, but had they ever produced a figure like Uchiha Madara?
"Their temperament may be fiercer, and their combat strength more balanced, but they have relatively fewer outstanding elites." Hyuga Tenzo provided Hiruzen Sarutobi with intelligence.
"If that's the case, then I roughly understand." Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered.
They could be vaguely understood as a "Kirigakure version" of the Uchiha, only even less welcome.
Their legal standing was also inferior to that of the Uchiha Clan.
Uchiha Madara had once pacified the chaotic era alongside Senju Hashirama and captured the Tailed Beasts with him. He was also one of the largest original shareholders.
Even if he had made mistakes.
During the First Shinobi World War, the Uchiha had paid no small Blood Tax.
There were too many entanglements to explain in a sentence or two. Any casual look through old affairs would reveal something about the original shareholders, while the relationship between Hashirama and Madara was absurd enough to resemble a pulp novel.
That was also why the relationship between Konoha's upper ranks and the Uchiha was so delicate.
"Then let's add some fuel to their fire..."
"The Kaguya Clan clearly can't be persuaded, and there's no need to persuade them."
"The Third Mizukage wants to establish the legitimacy of the Bloody Mist Village, so we'll give it to him. Let him properly struggle with Kirigakure's Kekkei Genkai ninja clans."
"We should also provoke him and make the fire in his heart burn even hotter."
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke up, "Danzo, make a note of this. Circulate it to Koharu and Hono for polishing, then make it public to the Shinobi World."
Shimura Danzō picked up pen and paper.
"Thank the Major Hidden Villages for their support. Emphasize Konoha's regard for peace and its unwavering resolve to strike back against provocations."
"As for the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki incident they mentioned, Konoha has reason to believe that the Third Raikage's faction was conducting an unscrupulous internal military arms race, seeking to imitate Kinkaku and Ginkaku's case of devouring Tailed Beast flesh and blood."
"Point out that Kumogakure's provocation stems from its illegitimate rise to power. It seeks to stir up sentiment through war and conceal the fact that it once colluded with Kinkaku and Ginkaku's faction, attacked the Second Raikage, and seized power."
"Instead of thinking about how to live their own lives well, they treat their own ninja as tools. When problems arise, they shamelessly shift them onto other countries. They are truly a cancer upon the Shinobi World."
"Because of Kumogakure's existence, Konoha advocates that the other Hidden Villages make appropriate preparations for war. We also hope that the Major Hidden Villages can inherit the aspirations of their previous Kage, manage their villages well, and refrain from trying to divert internal conflicts through war."
Shimura Danzō scribbled away.
Hyuga Tenzo's eyes lit up.
It seemed as though every sentence was aimed at Kumogakure, but in truth, they struck straight at Kirigakure's heart...
The Third Raikage's rise to power was illegitimate?
That was not actually the case, but in a war of words, saying anything was normal.
Besides, Kumogakure really did have ninja who had died because of the Eight-Tails. At the very least, this could stir up some suspicion.
Conspiracy theories did not require a complete chain of logic. They only needed a suitable angle of attack.
But the problem was that the Third Mizukage's rise to power really was illegitimate at present.
The old Mizukage faction of the Hozuki Clan remained stubbornly entrenched.
Although Hozuki Gengetsu had not been a qualified Mizukage, he possessed traits that greatly suited Kirigakure's tastes.
He was strong, combative, and forthright...
He had countless supporters.
No one knew how he, a defeated man, had returned to the position of Mizukage.
But as long as they emphasized the stigmatizing label of "illegitimate rise to power," Kirigakure's internal opposition would naturally make a move, and the Third Mizukage, already on the brink of madness, would naturally grow even angrier.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi had also offered the idea of "supporting preparations for war," giving the Third Mizukage the external voice he wanted, in hopes that the Bloody Mist Village would be implemented with even greater fervor...
Shimura Danzō chuckled. "The Third Mizukage is inheriting Hozuki Gengetsu's aspirations?"
Even he could not help wanting to laugh when he imagined the Third Mizukage's complicated expression upon seeing that response.
This was another knife handed to Kirigakure's opposition.
"Tenzo, when I said earlier that you'd made some small mistakes, you didn't deny it. That means there were some."
Hiruzen Sarutobi raised a hand, signaling that he need not rush to explain. "Let bygones be bygones, but don't make the same mistakes again."
"Maintain communication with the Kaguya Clan and learn more about the reactions of Kirigakure's other Kekkei Genkai ninja clans. If the Third Mizukage drives them into a corner..."
"Then it wouldn't be impossible for us to provide humanitarian aid based on the Will of Fire."
"This is an important mission! If you complete it well, I will personally commend you for it!"
Hyuga Tenzo's heart rose, then fell.
He quickly understood Hiruzen Sarutobi's thinking.
What Kekkei Genkai ninja clan would not be coveted?
Wasn't Kumogakure raiding everywhere precisely to give its village a few more Kekkei Genkai?
If they could use the Third Mizukage's hand to produce a group of Kirigakure ninja who genuinely wished to flee Kirigakure and embrace the Will of Fire, it would indeed greatly benefit Konoha.
"Lord Hokage, from now on, Hizashi and I will jointly open and archive all incoming and outgoing correspondence."
Hyuga Tenzo said solemnly, "I will devote my full strength to completing the task you have entrusted to me for the village!"
Giving him such an important job meant that the past was behind them, and everyone could look forward together.
At that moment, Shimura Danzō suddenly felt that something was off.
He gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a meaningful look and coughed lightly.
This talk of illegitimate succession... why did it seem like it could also be twisted onto Hiruzen?
Was this confidence that his position could no longer be shaken? Still, this was indeed inviting trouble...
"What's wrong, Danzō?" Hiruzen Sarutobi turned and met his gaze.
The old brothers looked at each other for several seconds, and the unspoken riddle was solved.
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled faintly.
He took out the necklace hanging on his chest. "Lady Mito gave it to me. Lord Hashirama gave it to her back then, and thanks to her care, I was fortunate enough to receive it."
Shimura Danzō froze, then said stiffly, "Beautiful... very beautiful!"
No, when had this happened? Hiruzen had actually gained such recognition from Lady Mito...
Who would dare say that Hiruzen Sarutobi's rise to power was illegitimate after he had reconciled with Mito Uzumaki?
Go tell the Empress Dowager herself!
Shimura Danzō fell into gloomy silence, but soon perked up again.
He needed to find an opportunity to visit the old lady too...
If nothing else, he could help plant crops, carry water, and build some rapport...
A few days later, at the Ninja Academy.
Kakashi wore an oddly serene expression as he held the Sword Technique Notes his father had given him and read them attentively.
Asuma, Shisui, and the others who were fairly close to him could not help gathering around curiously.
Where had that genius Little Cool Guy, who always looked so impatient, gone?
Hadn't he said he planned to graduate early?
He had clearly been preparing to say goodbye upon graduation before...
New Year's bonus chapter, second update! There will be another update around noon, though it may be a little late.
Wishing all esteemed readers a happy New Year, great success in all things, and good health!
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