The Third Hokage's Oversight

"No, I don't get why the Third Hokage would make such concessions, but Minato, what are your thoughts?"

Li Ke set down the scroll in his hand, struggling to keep himself from shouting "exterminate the insects and shoot down the sun" at Minato Namikaze. After all, to Konoha Village, the Third Hokage was a good man, and staging an armed coup during wartime was a bit too extreme.

Minato Namikaze was clearly just as unhappy with all of this, but he still wore a smile and recited a rather official response.

"Well... this is a proposal that fully reflects our appreciation for peace."

Li Ke was so angry he nearly laughed.

Minato's words were as good as saying nothing, though given his position, speaking like this was already an expression of dissatisfaction.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have given the document to him in the first place.

"Is that so? Then why did you give this to me, Minato? But come to think of it, if I were willing to speak up, could this treaty be changed?"

Li Ke really didn't want to just hand the Three-Tails over to Kirigakure so easily. Although he knew that, for the time being, the Three-Tails had to be returned to Kirigakure—after all, Konoha needed a period of rest—he couldn't just accept nothing in return!

"If it's you, Qingtan..."

Minato hesitated. Although he knew that he was destined to be a transitional Hokage before he had even taken the seat, Li Ke's straightforward attitude about wanting to be the one calling the shots in Konoha still made him feel a sense of subtlety.

"...It is possible, but it is highly likely that it cannot be changed. Besides, this is only the Third Hokage's own intention. Danzo is quite dissatisfied with these terms and has likely already prepared to send people to Kirigakure to carry out a series of activities. However, based on my experience, the probability of his success is very low."

Hearing Minato mention Danzo, Li Ke pondered for a moment, seriously considering the idea of overthrowing Hiruzen Sarutobi now and letting Danzo take the seat.

Although Danzo's capabilities were even more lackluster than Hiruzen's, one had to admit that the man was truly ruthless and dark-hearted. As long as he was willing to abdicate, Li Ke wouldn't mind letting him have a taste of being Hokage.

The main point was that he certainly wouldn't last long in the Hokage position; it wouldn't be long before the major ninja clans of Konoha rebelled and pushed him out.

By then, it would be easy for him to push Minato, the transitional Hokage, into power.

But after thinking about it, he decided against it. With Danzo's personality, it would likely end with him believing everyone was coveting his position and going on a killing spree. Giving the Hokage seat to him was worse than giving it to a dog.

"In other words, most of the elders in the village also agree with the Third Hokage's stance?"

Li Ke asked, and Minato nodded again.

"Yes. After all, you know very well, Qingtan, that the village truly cannot spare any more ninjas right now. If that weren't the case, you wouldn't have been sent to the front lines. The two elders chose to support the Third Hokage only after considering these factors; we truly need someone to help us share the burden regarding Kumogakure and the Stone Village."

Konoha Village was actually relatively "humane," a point Li Ke didn't deny. After all, they, as graduates of the Ninja World, had spent two relatively stable years of the war just handling rear-guard patrols and the like. It was only when dealing with Kirigakure and the Stone Village that they were forced to deploy graduates to the front lines.

Before that, they hadn't really been forced to the front.

"Tch, still infuriating."

Li Ke frowned. He roughly understood the thinking of Konoha's top brass, but he was still very unhappy.

After all, this was a good opportunity.

But the Third Hokage had been truly good to him...

"I know you possess immense power, but most ninjas no longer wish to continue. Qingtan, although these terms are indeed excessive, if it can truly spare Konoha Village from further war, then most people will agree. Furthermore, the Daimyo's support... still hasn't arrived."

Minato gave Li Ke a subtle reminder.

Li Ke had been guarding the Three-Tails recently, so he wasn't very clear about the current situation in Konoha.

Public opinion in Konoha was currently very poor. Because the previous batch of rotated ninjas had returned, the large number of wounded and disabled ninjas had further fueled the village's desire for peace. None of the ninja clans wanted to keep fighting.

And most importantly.

The Daimyo's support still hadn't arrived; Konoha Village was truly out of money to fight.

"The Daimyo..."

Li Ke narrowed his eyes. A massive killing intent surged from his body, only to be quickly retracted by him.

Then, Li Ke performed a moment of self-reflection.

"There is no need to be angry at a dead man... that would be too uncomposed."

After a moment of silence, Li Ke looked at Minato Namikaze.

"Is the Hyuga Clan Head also on this front line? I've seen quite a few Hyuga ninjas at the front recently. If he isn't here, Minato, could you help me introduce him and bring him here? Also..."

Li Ke looked toward the Sealing Squad and spoke again.

"Also, help me dismiss the Sealing Squad for a while. I have some things to discuss with the Hyuga Clan Head and the Uchiha Clan Head."

Minato immediately became guarded.

"Qingtan... what are you planning to do?"

Li Ke was silent for a moment, then spoke.

"Just doing what I can, Minato. Otherwise, this is all too slow. I intend to have their two clans support me in pressuring this peace talk, and furthermore, ensure that it doesn't cause any damage to your or my rule over Konoha Village in the future."

Li Ke opened his eyes, a Sharingan and a Byakugan displayed before Minato, reminding him of the shock he felt when he first saw Li Ke in this state.

"Qingtan... are you trying to force Kirigakure to take another step back? But if they are forced to pay too much, they will indeed lean toward Kumogakure and the Stone Village. When that happens, the war will start all over again."

Minato hurriedly voiced his own concerns, which were shared by most of Konoha.

The reason was that the two of them had pushed Kirigakure too hard. Within a few days, all of Kirigakure's strongholds had been uprooted, their elite forces were almost entirely wiped out, and they had even lost the Three-Tails.

"I am not being that extreme. I just want to use this opportunity to make the Third Hokage, and this world, understand one thing."

Li Ke raised his head, looking at the motionless Three-Tails, and pointed out the greatest oversight in the Third Hokage's decision.

"The two of us are enough to destroy a Great Nation!"