"Outrageous! Our predecessors worked so hard to bring the Shinobi World out of the chaotic Warring States era and into the current order, where nations ruled within their own borders. Are you really going to drag the entire Shinobi World back into the abyss of war just to satisfy your ambition, with no regard for what's right!?"
The Third suddenly slapped the table and roared at Danzo.
At that moment, the Third was actually sidestepping the issue and changing the subject. He reduced Danzo's entire plan to nothing but personal ambition, while invoking the will of the previous Hokage as a shield. It was a form of "political correctness" that left people unable to argue back.
After all, it was the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, who had established the policy of founding ninja villages under the authority of each nation to maintain peace in the Shinobi World. As Konoha's spiritual symbol, Hashirama's will made any conflicting plan difficult for the people to accept from the outset.
The Third had always cultivated a kind and approachable image in the village. Now that he had lost his temper, he seemed all the more imposing, leaving everyone present too intimidated to speak. Even Danzo, a man of his stature, was briefly stunned, his momentum completely suppressed by the Third.
Danzo's one eye widened, and his throat went dry. He wanted to argue back, but when he saw the Third's narrowed eyes fixed on him, a trace of fear—long absent—rose in his heart. Every word caught in his throat.
Seeing that he had already cowed Danzo, the Third turned his gaze across all the Konoha High Command members present and continued in an even tone. "Konoha is the center of the entire Shinobi World. Any action we take will have repercussions throughout it. That's why everyone here must exercise the utmost caution when weighing an issue!"
"Any approach that carries extreme risks, goes against what is right, and threatens the stability of the Shinobi World is unacceptable!"
With that final statement, the Third had effectively passed judgment on Danzo's proposal, condemning it as utterly worthless.
When Danzo came to his senses, his face had turned red. Part of it was from anger, and part from the humiliation of being reprimanded by the Third in front of everyone.
Seeing how readily the Konoha High Command members deferred to the Third, Danzo knew there was no chance of putting his plan into practice. He had no confidence in challenging the Third now. He had no choice but to back down.
"Sarutobi, if you keep hesitating over every little thing, the village will be destroyed under your watch sooner or later!" Danzo sneered, shoved his chair aside, and stormed out.
Danzo left the council chamber with a heavy heart. It wasn't just that his ambitions had been thwarted; he also grieved over the once-in-a-lifetime chance for war that had slipped right through his fingers.
He glanced back at the council chamber and silently swore, One day, I'll become Hokage and show everyone that only I can lead Konoha back to its peak!
After Danzo left, the Third immediately decided to send support to Sunagakure as soon as possible. None of the Konoha High Command members present raised any objections.
"Elder Chiyo of Sunagakure mentioned in her letter that Kumogakure's army has assembled its elite forces. Not only has the Third Raikage entered the fray in person, but Dodai, the Two-Tails' Jinchuriki Yugito, and the AB Duo, whose fame has surged in recent years, have also appeared on the battlefield."
"In war, speed is vital. Our allies can't wait any longer!"
After reiterating how difficult and urgent the mission was, the Third looked expectantly at the Konoha High Command members, hoping someone would volunteer to take it on.
Hearing him list the renowned Kumogakure shinobi, the Konoha High Command members furrowed their brows. A few considered volunteering, but after thinking it over, they shook their heads and gave up.
They weren't afraid of dying. They were worried they weren't up to the task. If they took on this responsibility recklessly, their own deaths would be one thing, but the Konoha shinobi sent with them to support Sunagakure would likely suffer heavy losses too.
The Third's gaze swept across the Konoha High Command members. Among them were many outstanding figures. Aside from the experts of the Uchiha and Hyuga Clans, there were also plenty of excellent jonin from smaller clans like Ino-Shika-Cho and the Inuzuka.
But apart from Uchiha Fugaku, the Uchiha Clan's head, none of them had personal strength that could be considered top-tier.
Unfortunately, Fugaku could not take this risk, whether because of his own position or the Uchiha Clan's fractured relationship with the village leadership.
Ninja battles depended heavily on top-tier fighters. Without a powerful shinobi to lead the team, Konoha's support force would be going up against Kumogakure's elite and might well end up as a meal delivered to their door, with no one returning.
The Third felt a measure of regret. Back then, he had allowed the village's public opinion to attack the White Fang of the Leaf over the failure of a mission, eventually leading him to take his own life.
Otherwise, the White Fang of the Leaf would surely have taken on this arduous mission without hesitation, and the Third and the rest of the Konoha High Command would have been able to entrust it to him with confidence.
"White Fang, I only wanted to take away your chance of becoming Hokage. I never imagined you'd be so resolute as to... Sigh." The Third sighed to himself.
Just then, Namikaze Minato stood up again and addressed the Third solemnly. "Third, I'm willing to go to Sunagakure. Please give me your permission."
The Konoha High Command members all brightened at the sight of Minato. This young man was not only exceptionally capable but also had the courage and sense of responsibility to take on a difficult task. He was indeed the ideal candidate to lead the force supporting Sunagakure.
The Third had already favored Minato for the task. Seeing him volunteer, he nodded with an approving smile.
"Minato, whether we can stop Kumogakure's ambitions is in your hands!"
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