War Is Not an Option

At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi became even more indignant and angrily slammed his fist on the table, as if everyone knew how to do that.

"Dodai, this is the truth. It was clearly that Morui who was at fault first, harboring ill intentions towards Konoha by giving us the Byakugan."

How dare they kidnap the eldest daughter of our Hyūga Clan and commit such a grave crime! Even if he was a member of your Kumogakure delegation, it would be understandable that he was killed on the spot.

Therefore, everything was Morui's own fault; he brought it upon himself!

Hmm, that was quite a forceful statement.

However, the Dodai remained unmoved by these arguments and instead resorted to blatant sophistry and unreasonable arguments.

This is what he said when he looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi:

"Is that really the case? Lord Hokage, you're saying that Morui's death was his own fault?"

But I don't believe it, Lord Hokage. What you just said is only one side of the story, just your opinion. Who knows if what you said is the truth?

What if there's some other conspiracy involved? What if our comrade Morui from Kumogakure is innocent, and everything you just said was just a lie to deceive us?

Therefore, our delegation from Kumogakure Lord Hokage not believe the explanation you just gave, Hokage-sama, not under any circumstances.

Looking at this Dodai and listening to his words, Hiruzen Sarutobi could hardly believe it:

This... this is an envoy from a prestigious ninja village? Are they blatantly lying? To this extent?

I've clearly explained the situation, and they're clearly in the wrong, yet they choose to deny these facts outright and are being so aggressive!

Hiruzen Sarutobi was getting angry, genuinely angry.

"Dodai Tsuchikage, isn't this a bit inappropriate? Do you think I, the Third Hokage, would lie to you about something like this? You just don't want to admit it!"

As a diplomatic mission from the prestigious Kumogakure Village, I have great respect for you, the Raikage's deputy. However, your performance has greatly disappointed me, and has also made me very disappointed in the Kumogakure.

Dodai, I hope you can face reality, examine the true factors that led to this incident, and carefully consider who bears the responsibility.

As for that Morui, I can only express my deepest regret.

Who told him to do something wrong? Doing wrong things comes at a price, even the price of one's life. That's what a ninja is.

Afterwards, I will hand over Morui's remains to you, and you can take them away later. This is one of the few acts of mercy and leniency that Konoha has shown him."

These words were reasonable, well-founded, and neither humble nor arrogant, but the local Dodai simply wouldn't listen!

The Dodai remained shaking its head, its attitude as arrogant and unreasonable as ever.

"Lord Hokage, I'll say it again: what you've said is all just your side of the story, your one-sided account. We, the Kumogakure, will not believe these so-called truths."

Our demand from Kumogakure remains the same: we demand that Konoha hand over the murderer, Hyuga Hiashi, and allow us to bring Hyuga Hiashi back to Kumogakure for trial!

This is our bottom line, and it absolutely cannot be changed!

What utter nonsense! Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to curse him out loud! This blatant lying is just too much!

Unable to contain his anger any longer, Hiruzen Sarutobi also stood up from his chair, staring coldly at the Dodai in front of him:

"Dodai Tutai, there's a limit to your unreasonable behavior. You're a legitimate envoy from Kumogakure, not some thug. Can't you even face simple reality?"

Dodai smiled coldly, his imposing manner in no way diminished:

"Of course I dare to face the real reality, but only if the reality you speak of, Lord Hokage, is truly real. We do not agree with this so-called reality. We believe our comrades would never do such a thing. This must be your Konoha's excuse and conspiracy!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was speechless; he understood what Dodai had said.

What does this mean? The meaning is actually quite simple: the reality we accept is reality, and the reality we don't accept is not reality!

So damn realistic! So damn useful! So damn right!

When the envoys of a respectable village delegation start to act completely shamelessly, blatantly lie, distort facts, and engage in unreasonable and domineering behavior, what can Hiruzen Sarutobi do?

Hiruzen Sarutobi was at a loss for the time being. He was good at political intrigue and tactics, but when it came to dealing with this situation, he was like a scholar trying to reason with a soldier – he couldn't win.

However, the real trouble was yet to come. Dodai's face turned cold, and he began to exude murderous intent, directly escalating his threats:

"Lord Hokage, I hope that Konoha will demonstrate its sincerity towards our Kumogakure, especially regarding this negotiation."

I demand that you immediately hand over the murderer, Hyuga Hiashi, and give him to us for disposal so that we can bring him back to Kumogakure for trial.

If you don't do this and hand it over, it will be tantamount to a direct provocation against our Kumogakure!

I'm not sure how our Fourth Raikage react after I report this to him.

But I can tell you in advance that there's a very high chance of war breaking out immediately. After all, that's the style of our Fourth Raikage and our Kumogakure, isn't it?

"At that time, the two villages will be devastated, and war will rage everywhere. Once the great war begins, one of the ninja villages will surely fall completely, and we, the Kumogakure, will be victorious. Your Hidden Konoha Village will surely be defeated!"

Hearing these words, Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at him coldly:

"Always talking about war, this familiar feeling is definitely from your Kumogakure."

"But Dodai, aren't you being a bit too confident? You start a war just like that? Anyone who didn't know better would think you were the Fourth Raikage. And do you really think you're a match for Konoha?"

The Dodai then laughed, a laugh that was extremely arrogant and smug:

"I have the same question for the Third Lord Hokage: Is Konoha really a match for our Kumogakure?"

To be honest, we have investigated the overall situation of Konoha. Right now, Konoha is at its weakest point since its founding.

Konoha may appear powerful and prosperous, but in reality, you are all show and no substance. Once war breaks out, you will be no match for our Kumogakure.

If the Lord Hokage is not satisfied... then let's start a war! Let's really fight and see what happens. Some things you only know after you've fought, right?

At this point, Dodai even revealed a eager smile, his expression as if he were really ready to go to war at any moment.

Looking at this Dodai, Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart immediately turned cold, and his mood calmed down considerably, or rather, he was forced to calm down.

What? War? Are we really going to fight Kumogakure?

No, no, absolutely not. War must not be started under any circumstances.

Those who are family know their own situation. Although Dodai is arrogant, he is right about one thing: Konoha is indeed in an unprecedented period of weakness. Konoha may seem prosperous and powerful, but in reality, it is very weak.

In this situation, if Konoha were to actually fight Kumogakure, Hiruzen Sarutobi's chances of winning would probably be low.

Moreover, there are countless other smaller ninja villages in the entire Shinobi World, in addition to the Five Great Shinobi Villages. It's not just Kumogakure that covets the rich resources of the Fire Country Konoha; many other ninja villages are also eager to acquire them.

Even the Sunagakure, which always followed Konoha as its Konoha, occasionally harbored treacherous ambitions and would take a bite out of Konoha at any time.

Therefore, the current situation is like being surrounded by wolves; if Konoha is not careful, it could face utter destruction.

If war were to break out between the Hidden Cloud Village and the Kumogakure at this time, other ninja villages might not be able to resist the temptation to get involved. At that point, the Kumogakure alone might not be able to defeat the Hidden Konoha, which would be in real danger!

If something were to happen to Konoha, how could he continue to serve as the Third Hokage?

Ah, no, it's that he'll be too ashamed to face the previous Hokage, even after death. He will become a sinner of Konoha!

So ultimately, war with Kumogakure cannot begin under any circumstances; this war must not be fought.

As expected, Dodai's threat of war effectively intimidated the corrupt and weak Hiruzen Sarutobi.

No matter how old-fashioned or shameless a tactic may be, if it works, it's a good tactic.

Seeing the hesitation on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face, Dodai knew that he had officially gained the upper hand this time.

Dodai, well-versed in negotiation psychology, knew that he couldn't push the Third Hokage too far at this moment. Although the old man was corrupt and weak, he really couldn't be pushed too far, or who knew what the old man would do.

Therefore, what he needs at this time is to temporarily withdraw, but maintain a firm stance, giving Hiruzen Sarutobi some time, and also giving Konoha some time.

This brief period of time has allowed Konoha to become even more chaotic, causing them to lose their composure and disarray. This Kumogakure a chance to take advantage of the situation and achieve their own goals.