In the winter of Year 49 of Konoha, even though the season had turned cold and snow was falling, temperatures in Konoha had not dropped below zero.
The Land of Fire lay in the center of the continent, giving Konoha a pleasant climate all year round.
On this day, Konoha was solemn and still. Outside the Hokage Building in the center of the village, shinobi from various clans and some civilian shinobi gathered, waiting for the village leaders inside to reach a decision.
In the Grand Conference Room of the Hokage Building, Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, sat at the head of the meeting, presiding over it. Beside him, Third Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in civilian clothes.
Below the dais sat representatives of the village's various clans, along with all the Jonin and shinobi of higher rank. They were the village's mainstay.
"Everyone here is a decision-maker for the village. Kumogakure has stationed troops along the border of the Land of Fire. Let's hear your thoughts."
With Minato Namikaze's opening remarks, the meeting officially began.
Shimura Ketsuzo was the first to speak. He rose from among those seated.
"Kumogakure's intentions are clear. If we hand over Shisui Uchiha, who killed the leader of their envoy, they'll withdraw immediately. So, for the sake of peace in the village, I propose handing him over to appease Kumogakure."
Shimura Ketsuzo's opening gambit was explosive. The moment he finished, several voices rang out from the crowd.
"What did you say? It seems your Shimura Clan really doesn't want to live!" The first to leap up was the fiery-tempered leader of the Hawk Faction, Setsuna Uchiha.
Then Kohaku Uchiha, an elder of the Uchiha Clan, chimed in. "If you want to lay a hand on Shisui, ask the more than forty Jonin of the Uchiha Clan