Konoha, Hokage Building office.
Konoha High Command had gathered.
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed away on his pipe. The smile on his face made it clear he was in a good mood.
Across from him sat two Hokage Advisors—
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.
The two advisors were clearly not in as good a mood as the Third Hokage.
Utatane Koharu frowned and was the first to speak.
"Sarutobi, why did you suddenly postpone the campaign against Kumogakure?"
Mitokado Homura looked just as grave.
"The ninja forces have already been deployed. Changing plans so abruptly will introduce a lot of uncertainty. Sarutobi, as Hokage, you must know what retreating at the last moment would do to morale, don't you?"
Faced with his old friends' questions, the Third Hokage still smiled and gestured for them to sit.
"What's the rush? Sit down. We can talk."
Seeing how unconcerned the Third Hokage seemed, the two exchanged a glance. Neither had any idea what he was up to.
Hiruzen Sarutobi got straight to the point.
"Tsunade will be returning to Konoha soon."
"That's good news for the village, but..." Utatane Koharu still didn't understand. "With Tsunade in Konoha, we won't have to worry about the Uchiha causing trouble during the war. But, Sarutobi, her return isn't a reason to change your decision."
Mitokado Homura agreed.
"Tsunade's return is a good thing, but she can only serve as a strategic deterrent. Given her condition, she can't take part in the war against Kumogakure."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took his pipe from his mouth and smiled.
"The Uchiha have thrown their full support behind this campaign, proving their loyalty in every way. We should stop saying things like 'causing trouble'—it only undermines unity."
Mitokado Homura frowned at once.
"It was an Uchiha who controlled the Nine-Tails. They're