I Really Couldn't Hold It In

Seeing that the situation seemed to be spiraling out of control, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed deeply, his tone involuntarily softening:

"Dodai Tsuchikage, please don't be hasty. How can we start a war over a mere disagreement? That won't do. I believe that Kumogakure has always been a peace-loving ninja village."

"No, our Kumogakure is actually a war-loving ninja village. To be honest, it's been a while since we've had a war, and my hands are itching to fight."

These words came out from behind the Dodai at just the right time. The Konoha people took a closer look and, sure enough, it was another hot-blooded young man from the Kumogakure delegation.

While the remark was somewhat impolite, it certainly came at a very opportune time.

This young man, who casually talks about fighting and killing all the time, constantly mentions war and his love for fighting. This gives you an idea of the atmosphere inside the Kumogakure.

No wonder this village is known for its militant faction; they start fighting at the drop of a hat. They're just a bunch of crazy lunatics who only know how to recklessly fight!

Realizing this, the people of Konoha became even more wary. They really didn't want to fight a village like this, especially since Konoha was currently very weak.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo were alright; they didn't show their apprehension. But Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were much worse; they were visibly hesitant and fearful.

This is what's most feared in many diplomatic situations. Even if you're extremely wary inside, you can't show it directly. You have to appear tough enough to intimidate your opponent. If you show weakness, everything is over.

At this moment, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura greatly violated this taboo.

Sitting on the opposite Dodai, he could immediately see the state of Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura. He was secretly delighted and prepared to press his advantage.

Maintaining this domineering and inflexible stance, Dodai coldly issued his final ultimatum:

"Lord Hokage, and the three elders of Konoha, you don't need to waste any more words. Our attitude in Kumogakure has always been the same."

You must hand over the murderer of our Kumogakure ninja Hyuga Hiashi, or something terrible will happen that neither of our villages wants to see!

Please consider this carefully; this is our bottom line! Hyuga Hiashi must be handed over!

Hiruzen Sarutobi and the three Konoha elders looked extremely grim. They had once again been forced into a humiliating situation by the people of Kumogakure, which was truly disgraceful.

But at this moment, Shimura Danzō expression was feigned.

Danzo was thinking to himself, "If Hiruzen Sarutobi really can't hold on any longer, just hand over Hyuga Hiashi. That way, we can quell the anger of Kumogakure, solve this problem, and weaken the Hyūga Clan with one stone?"

That bastard! I really want to slap his face into the ground!

How could someone with such a crooked perspective become an elder of Konoha and even aspire to Hokage? Was the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, blind, or did his eyes grow crooked and turn inwards?! That's why he would even consider someone like Danzo!

Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't hold back any longer; his temper seemed to be flaring up, and his expression turned angry.

"Dodai envoys, don't be so unreasonable, don't go too far. Anyone with eyes can see what your true purpose is. Isn't your real goal the Byakugan of the Hyūga Clan?!"

Dodai smiled slightly, refusing to admit it, or rather, he wouldn't admit it even if it meant tearing off all pretenses.

"How could that be? Lord Hokage, you've misunderstood. How could our Kumogakure be so shameless? How could we covet the bloodline limit of another village?"

Suddenly, Dodai's expression changed, becoming dangerous and somewhat cold:

"Perhaps our Kumogakure does covet the bloodlines of other villages, but even if we do, we will openly seize them, for example, through war!"

Hmm, thinking about it that way, I'm actually a little tempted. The Byakugan of the Hyuga Hyūga Clan Konoha and the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan are both exceptionally good bloodline limits. How about we, the two ninja villages, have a fight? That way, we can get our hands on these bloodstains!"

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi just wanted to slam the door and leave in anger.

All they talk about is war. Is this how the Kumogakure negotiates? How can any negotiations possibly continue?

Unable to bear it any longer, Hiruzen Sarutobi stared coldly at the Dodai:

"Dodai Tutai, please watch your words. Don't push your luck. We are currently in negotiations, and I can take your words as a provocation against Konoha!"

Dodai stood up abruptly, even slamming his hands on the table, showing no respect whatsoever to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"I'm provoking Konoha! I'm tearing your face off! What can Konoha do to me?"

These words shocked everyone present. They stared at the Dodai, dumbfounded, at this arrogant person.

While the four old men stared in disbelief, Dodai embodied the word "arrogant" to the extreme, turning the Hokage's office into a stage for his own personal performance.

"Endless negotiations all day long are really meaningless. Our time in the Kumogakure not infinite, and our patience is also limited!"

Lord Hokage, and the three elders, let's not delay any longer. Make your choice quickly.

Will you hand over the murderer, Hyuga Hiashi, or will Konoha remain unrepentant and wait for our Kumogakure to launch an attack, so we can fight another Shinobi World War?

These are two paths; you must choose one. There is no third path to choose from.

Hurry up and make your choice. No matter which path you choose, we in Kumogakure will be happy to see it happen. It's just a matter of war, fighting to the very end, and seeing which of our ninja villages will be destroyed in the end.

Anyway, we in Kumogakure aren't afraid of fighting, hehehehehe..."

At this point, Dodai directly issued an ultimatum, making it clear that negotiations could not continue. He was forcing Konoha to make a choice; how could they possibly negotiate under such circumstances?

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura pale and sat in their seats, almost at a loss.

Shimura Danzō's face remained grim. He inwardly urged Hiruzen Sarutobi to make a choice quickly and hand over Hyuga Hiashi, then the matter would be over, wouldn't it?

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was extremely grim. He knew he had to make a decision; it was an incredibly difficult moment.

It seems that the Dodai has given them only two paths in Konoha, but in reality, the situation is more complicated than those two paths.

Because, in fact, it wasn't Hyuga Hiashi who killed that Morui; in that respect, Hyuga Hiashi was implicated, and he was very unlucky.

The one who truly killed Morui was Yun Yan, a fact that Hiruzen Sarutobi never forgot.

Therefore, for Hiruzen Sarutobi, the current choices or decisions are as follows:

First, they could simply choose to go to war with Kumogakure. If all else fails, they can have a real battle between the two sides.

Secondly, handing over Hyuga Hiashi, but the Hyūga Clan and Hyuga Hiashi would certainly be unwilling, since they weren't the murderers. At that point, the various political measures he, as Hokage, would be needed to force and subdue the Hyūga Clan Hyūga Clan would eventually compromise.

Third, Yun Yan was provided.

That's right, it's about revealing Yun Yan, not handing over Yun Yan.

Even in such a critical moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi remained relatively clear-headed. He knew he didn't have the ability or capacity to hand over Yun Yan. No matter what, that kid would definitely not obediently submit, so the most he could do was to give up Yun Yan.

Tell Dodai the truth, let them know that the murderer was not Hyuga Hiashi, but Uchiha Yunyan.

He even stated helplessly that he couldn't do anything to the Uchiha Clan or Uchiha Yunyan. He told them that if they were so capable, they should go to the Uchiha Clan and find Uchiha Yunyan themselves, and see if they could take revenge on the spot or capture him and take him to Kumogakure. It was up to them.

This option sounds appealing and could solve the current problem, but the long-term consequences are far too great.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi did that, he would practically be pushing Uchiha Yunyan out of the way, and this Kage Level ninja would likely betray the village on the spot.

Considering his reckless and unruly personality, what will he do after betraying the village on the spot? Will he directly attack Konoha? If so, can Hiruzen Sarutobi stop him? Could he even destroy Konoha?

Hiruzen Sarutobi must have anticipated this worst-case scenario.

Three paths, none of them easy to choose. Hiruzen Sarutobi was extremely conflicted. It seemed he could only choose the lesser of three evils.

Torn by intense thought, just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was slowly making a choice, the scales beginning to tip in one direction, considering whether the Hyūga Clan would have to suffer this time...

With a bang, Yun Yan kicked open the door to the Hokage's office!

"I just can't take it anymore! You four old bastards are really too much to bear! Konoha keeps going like this, it's doomed!"