Toji's Guidance... Was This Enough?

Karui sat in the conference room, looking utterly sure of herself.

Her understanding of Konoha was still rooted in the era of the First Hokage, many years ago.

The prevailing view in the Shinobi World was that a village's character was deeply shaped by its first Kage. Later Kage would look to their predecessor's principles when making major decisions.

Having witnessed Hashirama Senju's fierce devotion to peace, Karui was certain that even if the Second Hokage, Tobirama, did not bow to her, he would not do anything to her. That was why her threats had been so brazen.

She was certain Konoha would make concessions to Kumogakure, just as it had back then, and agree to some of their demands. Most important of all, it would tacitly allow Kumogakure to send ninja squads into the Land of Fire to investigate on their own.

Then the mission her village had given her would be complete.

Toji rested his chin on his interlaced fingers and gazed calmly through the window at Hokage Rock. The more arrogant Kumogakure became, the better it suited his plans. He was in no hurry.

The others, however, were another matter.

As members of the Shadow Guard, the young duo Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō had no right to sit. They could only stand behind Tobirama's chair and glare at the insolent Karui. If the other senior officials had not held them back, they might have attacked her.

Hiruzen Sarutobi muttered, "Those shameless bandits!"

Who would have guessed that the two men who would one day pursue a policy of appeasement had once been hot-blooded youths?

Just then, Toji sensed something. Three of his hosts had appeared in the Hokage Building.

Why had Tobirama summoned the three of them now?

Has he grown suspicious?

*But it's no use.