"Sarutobi, have you gone senile?"
At Shimura Danzo's accusation, Sarutobi Hiruzen furrowed his brow, a flicker of displeasure in his eyes. Outwardly, however, he maintained his scholarly composure. "Danzo, watch your tongue. Calm down first."
Danzo snorted and stepped closer. "Calm down? The village is facing one crisis after another, and you're still being softhearted."
"The Uchiha Clan is restless, yet you're still thinking of appeasing them. If that isn't senility, what is? You even released Setsuna, that rebel who defied his superiors. The teacher himself locked him up in that little black—Konoha Prison!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen replied firmly, "The Uchiha are also part of Konoha. Resorting to force will only throw the village into chaos. Besides, I believe Tianxian, the Uchiha Clan's elder, and his son Fugaku will lead their clan well."
"Finally, as you said, our most pressing concern is still discussing how to defend against the great nations' attacks."
Danzo laughed in anger. "Hmph. Your blind trust in them will bring Konoha to ruin sooner or later. As for defending against the great nations' attacks, what brilliant plan do you have?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was just about to reply when an Anbu Ninja hurried in and knelt on one knee. "Reporting, Lord Hokage. We've just received word that the Third Kazekage sent Ebizo with an elite squad into the Land of Rain. They're now heading toward the Land of Fire's border. Their intentions are unclear for the time being."
Danzo's eyes turned cold. "See? This is the result of your indecision. You've made the other villages think they can walk all over Konoha."
Sarutobi Hiruzen ignored Danzo's taunt and quickly considered their options. "Dispatch some ninja to reinforce the border defenses at once, and send someone to find out the Sunagakure squad's exact situation."
Danzo crossed his arms. "Will that be enough to stop Sunagakure's attack? I say we strike first and teach them a lesson, so the other villages won't dare look down on us."
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned deeply, weighing the pros and cons of attacking first versus defending. A fierce debate over Konoha's future seemed to have only just begun.
"Third, I believe Danzo is right. If we don't show them what we're capable of, and let Sunagakure—the weakest of the great nations—throw its weight around in front of us, the other great nations will think Konoha is weak and easy to bully. In the end, they'll bare their fangs and unsheathe their claws against us!"
Mitokado Homura pushed up his glasses and spoke earnestly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Mitokado Homura and slowly replied, "Attacking first may show Konoha's strength, but it could also spark an all-out war. Konoha is still unsettled internally, so we shouldn't casually start a conflict."
Utatane Koharu chimed in from the side. "Third, Sunagakure is coming at us aggressively. If we only defend, we risk emboldening them."
While everyone was arguing, another message came from Anbu. "Lord Hokage, the Sunagakure squad has reached the Land of Fire's border. They claim they're responding to Amegakure leader Salamander Hanzo's declaration of war."
Danzo snorted. "Hmph. Who can guarantee they don't have ulterior motives? This could well be a plot."
Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a moment. "Whatever the case, send people to gather intelligence and learn their true intentions. Also, recall all ninja currently away on missions. Konoha is now at Level One alert."
After giving the orders, he sent several experienced jonin to negotiate with the Sunagakure squad. Shimura Danzo grew increasingly dissatisfied with Sarutobi Hiruzen, but still spoke calmly. "Sarutobi, my Root has suffered heavy losses gathering intelligence on Amegakure, and we urgently need new recruits. Hand over Uzumaki Qi Luna and that little brat Namikaze Minato. I'll train them into capable ninja. And give me Yakushi Nonō too. I'll train her to become an excellent intelligence operative!"
"Impossible. Uzumaki Qi Luna is the best candidate for the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. There's no way I'm handing him over to you!" Sarutobi Hiruzen rejected Shimura Danzo's demand without a moment's hesitation, the words leaving his mouth at once. His resolute refusal made Danzo grind his back teeth in fury.
"Then give me the other two brats, along with Uzumaki Kushina!"
"Danzo, even though Uzumaki Qi Luna, who's male, is the best Jinchuriki candidate, we can't put all our eggs in one basket. To be safe, Uzumaki Kushina is absolutely off-limits." Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu stepped in to advise him.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze remained firm as he rejected Danzo just as sternly. "Danzo, Kushina is also being trained as a Jinchuriki, while Minato, Nonō, and the others are important bonds tying Qi Luna and Kushina to the village. I won't hand over a single one of them. Give up on it!"
Danzo trembled with rage. "Sarutobi, you're deliberately making things difficult for me! Root risks life and limb for the village, and I can't even recruit a few talented people to replenish our ranks?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned. "Danzo, we both know how Root operates. Don't think I don't know what you're planning. I have no objection to Root recruiting new members, but I won't let you take those few!"
The veins on Shimura Danzo's left hand bulged as he crushed the cane in his grip. "Sarutobi, you'll regret this!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was also furious. "Danzo, I'm the Hokage!"
Just as the two reached an impasse, the jonin sent to negotiate with the Sunagakure squad reported back. Konoha and Sunagakure's ninja had broken into battle as soon as they met. Their claim that they had entered the Land of Rain to suppress Salamander Hanzo had been nothing but an excuse. Their true aim was still the Land of Fire's abundant resources and fertile land!
Meanwhile, Qi Luna, Hayama, and Nonō were resting and waiting for the right moment when a Ninja Hawk suddenly appeared above them, circling and crying out as if it were sending a signal.
In the dim forest, the oppressive atmosphere felt like the calm before a storm. Qi Luna, Hayama, and Nonō were quietly discussing whether to abandon the mission and return to Konoha at once.
Suddenly, a tall, straight-backed figure appeared before them. It was Hatake Sakumo, who had left earlier.
He wore a dark-patterned combat uniform. His silver hair stirred in the wind, and his cold face showed no hint of emotion.
"The plan has changed."
His voice was low and forceful, like a heavy hammer falling on their hearts. "Complete the mission immediately, then return to Konoha as quickly as possible."
Hayama's eyes sharpened at once. He gripped the long sword strapped to his lower back and nodded without hesitation.
A flicker of worry crossed Nonō's eyes, but she clenched her fists. She knew there was no room to back down now.
Qi Luna could only scratch his head helplessly.
Doesn't that mean all my planning was for nothing? Our chances of success won't be great if we sneak in at this hour...
But seeing how determined his teammates were, he could only accept it.
"Yes, Sensei!" The three answered in unison, their voices echoing through the silent forest.
Hatake Sakumo gave a slight nod and looked over the three of them. His eyes held both trust and a hint of worry. "This mission will be difficult. Be careful."
Then he turned and disappeared into the trees.
Qi Luna took a deep breath and began revising their plan.
"Your assignments are unchanged. We're just moving up the schedule, so it'll be more difficult. If anything unexpected happens, signal me immediately. We'll switch from assassination to a frontal assault!"
Nonō carefully checked her medical supplies, while Hayama loosened up, ready to move at any moment.
The three exchanged glances and nodded. Then they hurried off in different directions toward their targets, their figures soon disappearing into the mysterious forest.
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