Caught Up in the Gossip

"I want you to immediately increase Root's funding and grant Root access to some ANBU authority!"

Shimura Danzō's voice echoed through the conference room, carrying an overbearing tone of entitlement.

Hiruzen Sarutobi abruptly rose from his chair.

"Danzō, don't push your luck!"

"The village's finances are already stretched thin. Where are we supposed to find extra funds for you?"

"ANBU answers directly to the Hokage. Root will never be granted any authority over it!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his palm onto the desk, making the teacups on its surface rattle loudly.

Just then, the conference room doors were pushed open from outside.

The two advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, strode inside.

"You two, with a powerful enemy at our gates, what are you arguing about here?" Utatane Koharu demanded sternly.

Mitokado Homura walked up to the desk and lowered his gaze to the battle map spread across it.

"Kannabi Bridge has come under attack. Both Hidden Cloud and Hidden Mist have launched large-scale operations."

"We are now fighting on three fronts. We must immediately coordinate the village's entire military force."

Shimura Danzō let out a disdainful sneer.

"Coordinate our forces? With what?"

"The casualty numbers on the front lines are still climbing, and our logistical supplies can't keep up at all!"

"If you had listened to my advice earlier and wiped out Sunagakure, would we be facing so much trouble now?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi glared furiously at Shimura Danzō across from him.

"Wipe them out? Does Hidden Leaf have the manpower to sustain a cross-border war of attrition on that scale?"

"All you know how to do is stand here and make empty remarks!"

Qian Ye stood in the corner of the conference room with his arms crossed, quietly watching the higher-ups argue.

He could not help grumbling inwardly.

The enemy's