"Hiruzen, as the saying goes, the way the higher-ups act sets an example for those below. If you get to eat meat, of course everyone else expects to have some soup.
"What Senju Clan is there to speak of? Wasn't it assimilated into Konoha long ago?"
Shimura Danzō raised an eyebrow slightly and sneered.
He didn't want to keep taking the blame. Sarutobi Hiruzen's opening words had made him realize the danger.
It was very possible that Hiruzen would make him and his Shimura Clan stand in for the Senju Clan and become expendable pawns in this war.
If Hiruzen tried to pin the blame on him, he would produce that corpse and fight back with everything he had.
Senju Nawaki's actions in the City of Wood had successfully made Shimura Danzō suspicious of Sarutobi Hiruzen. The seed had been planted; now all that remained was for it to bear fruit.
The two men could no longer get along as harmoniously as before.
Shimura Danzō's hardline attitude left Sarutobi Hiruzen frozen in place.
It seems Danzō won't take the blame for me this time, he thought.
Without enough incentive, people lost heart, and the team became impossible to lead.
More and more things were slipping out of his control.
"Let's part on good terms. Consider this Konoha's final act of leniency toward the Senju Clan.
"However, even though the Senju Clan has rendered great service to Konoha, Senju Nawaki's actions have dragged Konoha into the vortex of war.
"I hereby issue an order: Senju Nawaki is forbidden from setting foot in Konoha."
Sarutobi Hiruzen gritted his teeth and spoke helplessly. His gaze swept over the shinobi present, but he didn't dare pursue the matter any further.
He could only give Senju Nawaki a punishment that would have no real effect.
His gaze fell on those who had lowered their heads or wore strange expressions. Clearly, they had done the same thing he had.
The Sarutobi Family had used only legal means to seize most of the Senju Clan's assets, hoping to slowly wear them down while still letting them see a glimmer of hope.
But while he had let his guard down, someone had carried off the pot in which the Senju Clan was being boiled.
The Senju Clan's awakening had caught him completely unprepared.
He cursed those people inwardly for ruining his plan.
His actions and those of Konoha's clans had been exposed to the Ninja World, making them symbols of ingratitude.
No matter how they tried to dress it up, there was no justification for continuing to move against the Senju Clan.
Now, what worried him most was his son, who was still missing.
Even now, he couldn't understand where his plan had gone wrong or what had caused such a drastic change in Senju Nawaki.
The trouble kept mounting, and his original plan had been ruined. No matter what, he had to become the greatest Hokage.
He would surpass his teacher, Senju Tobirama, and the God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama.
Those two Hokage were his nightmares, and they were also the reason he had covertly, and sometimes not so covertly, opposed the Senju Clan.
With the Senju Clan gone, he could only choose another Konoha clan to serve as expendable pawns in this battle. The thought gave him a headache.
"Forbidden from entering?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's order left many people bewildered.
They looked at the white Hokage robe, their eyes taking on a different hue. It no longer seemed so pure; it now bore Sarutobi Hiruzen's colors.
They had not believed the information that had come from the Senju Clan. Now, it seemed they needed to reconsider.
Did Sarutobi Hiruzen truly harbor such ambitions? Had he repeatedly tried to assassinate Senju Nawaki and plotted against the heirs of the shinobi clans?
This concerned their interests. They didn't want their own clan heirs to die through a conspiracy while on the battlefield.
The Senju Clan's reputation was too good, and Senju Nawaki's reputation was too foolish. No one believed that he had fabricated these accusations.
Was a Hokage like this really fit to continue leading them?
Sarutobi Hiruzen noticed that the people's gazes were no longer as respectful as before.
He swept his eyes over them, relying on the prestige he had built over the years to suppress the thoughts stirring in their hearts.
Then he turned his gaze toward the Ino-Shika-Cho clans, who were absolutely loyal to him.
He gave them a look: they had to resolve the problem.
He also realized that war was imminent. This was a crisis, but it was also an opportunity.
Konoha had to win this war if he was to keep his position as Hokage.
If they were defeated, he would no longer be able to keep the shinobi clans in check. His most treasured reputation and his clan's influence would both suffer a devastating blow.
"Lord Hokage, the situation on the battlefield in the Land of Rain has deteriorated again. We've lost several bases, and the flames of war will soon reach the Land of Fire's defensive line. We must assemble a shinobi force and send it to reinforce them."
Nara Meikyu, the head of the Nara Clan, noticed Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze and spoke up.
He sighed inwardly. The Ino-Shika-Cho clans had long since boarded the Sarutobi Family's ship. When one prospered, they all prospered; when one suffered, they all suffered.
Over the years, the Ino-Shika-Cho clans had indeed developed by leaps and bounds.
There was no turning back now. They could only follow the path Sarutobi Hiruzen had laid out and keep moving forward.
Silence fell over the conference room.
Everyone acted as if it had nothing to do with them, pretending they hadn't heard.
The Senju Clan's fate had made them understand that only by preserving their clan's strength could they secure their own interests within Konoha's larger community.
"Danzō, what do you think?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's brows drooped, his heart filled with disappointment.
I've done so much for Konoha. Why can't I earn their recognition? Why can't they understand how hard I'm trying?
"What do I think? Of course I'll follow the Hokage's orders. You're the leader of this village."
Shimura Danzō's lips parted, but resentment churned within him.
Whenever there was something to gain, I'm told to step aside. But when it comes to offending people, I'm expected to stand in front.
He saw Sarutobi Hiruzen's true nature even more clearly now.
"Hiruzen, you're the Hokage. Konoha is facing a tremendous crisis, and all of us support your decision."
Utatane Koharu frowned, unable to understand what was going on. Still, she tried to ease the tension and make her position clear: she supported Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"This is already a war. All shinobi must obey your orders."
Nara Meikyu's firm voice rang throughout the conference room.
The others were moved.
Those words brought them to their senses. No matter what, Sarutobi Hiruzen was the Hokage. In the current circumstances, especially in wartime, they had to obey his orders.
Everyone couldn't help straightening up in their seats.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, his confidence returning. During wartime, no matter how grave a mistake he made, no one could strip him of his supreme position. This was his last chance.
His gaze swept over everyone in the room before settling on the young Uchiha Fugaku. Behind him stood Kagami Uchiha.
[Uchiha Fugaku was five years older than Senju Nawaki, and the Uchiha Clan had many precocious members.]
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