Water Can Carry a Boat, but It Can Also Sink It
"Uchiha Kō Lord Hokage, is this appropriate?" Upon hearing this, Shimura Danzō and Sarutobi Hiruzen taken aback, and Tsunade's heart skipped a beat.
"Actually, Owl, you don't have to be so blunt." Tsunade swallowed and thought to herself, then tugged at the hem of Uchiha Kō's sleeve.
Uchiha Kō turned his head and gave Tsunade a look, indicating that she could rest assured.
Sarutobi Hiruzen silent. "Owl-kun, you also think I should ask them for compensation, right?" His eyes suddenly fixed on Uchiha Kō.
Uchiha Kō took a deep breath. "That's right, Lord Hokage." Uchiha Kō's voice was neither humble nor arrogant, his initial nonchalance replaced by complete focus.
"I remember at the beginning, you told me, what does Sunagakure have besides sand? We'll surround them but not attack, right?" Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled.
Uchiha Kō was taken aback, then replied, "Lord Hokage, strategy is strategy, not a reason to avoid reparations after the war." He was truly speechless; how could the Third Hokage ask such a question?
"But my Konoha relies on the Land of Fire, which is vast and rich in resources. Why should we ask the Sunagakure of the Land of Wind for resources as compensation?" The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, asked, leaving half a sentence unsaid.
If the other party is willing to sign a peace agreement, he wouldn't mind giving Sunagakure some more resources as aid.
This is like saying, "If you win, I'll pay you compensation; if you lose, I'll give you a subsidy. What? Are you the Song Dynasty? So generous?"
Uchiha Kō knew Sarutobi Hiruzen's thoughts all too well; he simply wanted to obtain the mandate of benevolence and gain the recognition of the Ninja World. Unfortunately, his choice was wrong; by constantly making concessions, he only emboldened the other side to take advantage of him.
Uchiha Kō agreed with conquering other countries by force; if Hashirama represented the ideal, then Uchiha represented reality.
What about Sarutobi Hiruzen? He inherited Hashirama's benevolence, but not Hashirama strength. He inherited Tobirama's political skills, but used them internally.
They don't inherit the good things, but they learn all the bad ones!
Uchiha Kō cleared his throat and said, "Lord Hokage, the village's ninjas are either dead or wounded. What else were they fighting for besides peace? Resources."
"You are the Hokage, you have everything, but what about those small clans? They don't have any. After winning, everyone should share the spoils, but you, Lord Hokage, are going to give them up."
"Excuse my bluntness, but is the name of benevolence really that important? So important that the compensation and resources right in front of us don't matter?" Uchiha Kō spoke very bluntly, almost as if to say, "You, Sarutobi Hiruzen, are so great, but you're using our rightful resources to exchange for your reputation for benevolence."
Please, if you keep doing this, we really don't want to send anyone into battle anymore.
Sarutobi Hiruzen fell into deep thought. He was no match for the First in strength, nor for the Second Hokage in strategy. He harbored his own ambition: to surpass the First and Second Hokage and become the strongest Hokage.
He thought about it for a long time, and finally came up with this: fame! He would rely on his reputation to surpass the two previous Hokage and achieve the title of the strongest Hokage.
"Anything else?" Sarutobi Hiruzen closed his eyes and exhaled. Shimura Danzō; he understood what Uchiha Kō meant. "Hiruzen, what's wrong with you?"
Uchiha Kō was taken aback. Wasn't I clear enough? But when he looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression, he clearly saw no change in her. In other words, Sarutobi Hiruzen knew the outcome, but he still chose to handle it this way.
It seems there's a reason behind the pursuit of fame and fortune, with fame taking precedence.
Since that's the case, Uchiha Kō is preparing to take drastic measures. "Lord Hokage, while you are indeed benevolent, have you considered that this approach doesn't demonstrate the National Style? Instead, it will make everyone think that Konoha is easy to bully?"
"You don't want compensation, yes, Sunagakure will be grateful for your benevolence, but how long will that gratitude last? When the next Ninja World War breaks out, do you believe they'll bite us back?" Uchiha Kō said.
Sarutobi Hiruzen silent, but showed no intention of speaking.
Uchiha Kō sighed, "If we win, we don't have to pay reparations; if we lose, nothing happens. Don't you think other countries will come and kick us while we're down?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen opened his eyes at this moment. He gave Uchiha Kō a deep look, and then began to think. Yes, if he were the Kage of another country, he would probably do the same.
If you win, you gain; if you lose, you don't lose. Who wouldn't take a gamble?
"Yes, the Lord Hokage can gain a reputation for benevolence, such as saint, benevolent person, Shinobi Hero, but then what? His own village suffers continuous losses without receiving compensation. Sacrificing benefits for empty fame might work in the short term, but what about in the long run?"
"Each family has suffered heavy losses and gained nothing. Why should anyone continue to send troops? Who would be willing to send their elite forces to the battlefield in the next war?"
"Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. The various clans believe in the Lord Hokage, and that under his Lord Hokage, Konoha will become stronger and more prosperous. However, once you start this behavior of nurturing enemies at your own expense, there is no turning back."
"Would everyone be willing to continue with your benevolence?" Uchiha Kō said such a long thing that Shimura Danzō wanted to stand up and applaud. That was what he wanted to say too, but he couldn't come up with so many logical things.
"Of course, my Uchiha Clan will definitely support you, but Konoha is not something that one or a few clans can decide." Uchiha Kō took the opportunity to beautify the Uchiha Clan's position.
Sarutobi Hiruzen. "Lord Owl, if you were the Hokage, what would you do?"
Here comes the tricky question; Uchiha Kō needs to answer it carefully.
He pondered for a moment, then said, "Lord Hokage, I am merely a soldier under your command, possessing a little cleverness that may be of some use to you."
Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand. "Speak, say whatever comes to mind, just treat it as casual conversation."
Uchiha Kō rose and bowed, saying, "Currently, only the Uchiha Clan, Hyuga Clan, and Ino-Shika-Cho are aligning themselves with the Lord Hokage; the other clans are still observing."
"If the Lord Hokage could secure the benefits the village deserves this time, I think more clans would side with Lord Hokage. But since you've given up on seeking benefits for the village, not only will other clans remain silent, but even those that have already pledged allegiance to the Lord Hokage will be dissatisfied."
"Of course, I, Uchiha, will not," Uchiha Kō said calmly, having explained the pros and cons to Sarutobi Hiruzen; now it was up to him to choose.
Shimura Danzō patted Sarutobi Hiruzen on the shoulder, then squeezed it, thinking to himself, "Hiruzen, don't let me down, don't let everyone in the village down. Make the choice a Kage should make."
Shimura Danzō gave Uchiha Kō a look that said, "You're right. Don't worry, I'll protect you."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes were dark and unfathomable. He glanced at Danzo, then at Uchiha Kō, who was frowning and Torifu Akimichi his fists in the distance, and remained silent, observing the Yamanaka Unkai and the Nara Rokumei.
Finally, he sighed and said, "I understand, Lord Owl, Danzo. In this negotiation, I will do my utmost to secure resources and compensation for Konoha!" Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed.
Yes, he's being too attached to appearances. What is Hokage? He is the leader who fights for the Land of Fire and for the benefit of Konoha. If he can't even do this most basic thing, what kind of Hokage is he? How can he talk about surpassing his predecessors!
At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes gleamed with a sharp light. He slowly rose and said, "Danzo, Owl-kun, thank you for teaching me a lesson!"
After speaking, Sarutobi Hiruzen bowed, and Uchiha Kō and Tsunade quickly returned the bow. Shimura Danzō arrogantly, "It should have been done a long time ago!"
However, Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't angry. Instead, he punched Danzo in the chest and yelled, "You bastard!"
Shimura Danzō coldly, ignoring him. "I'm so angry!"