"Send word to the Hokage. In two days, at Kannabi Bridge, we exchange the hostages." By then, the Four Kage had returned to their respective camps and immediately issued their orders.
"Lord Raikage, we already received the Hokage's request for a hostage exchange. It is also set for Kannabi Bridge in two days," the Four Kage's aides reported.
"Hmph, it seems the Third Hokage has already figured out our intentions. We should never have let him use the Utatane Clan, Mitokado Clan, and Shimura Clan as hostages," Ōnoki said angrily.
"If it were only ten Sarutobi Clan Jonin, he really would not have hesitated to sacrifice them." The Third Mizukage realized he had been tricked as well.
"Damn old fox. We grew careless because we held too great an advantage," the Third Kazekage said irritably.
"Send word to the Third Hokage. Agreed." The Third Raikage smashed another desk.
And so, they had looked as though they were about to launch the Third Shinobi World War.
In the end, Kirigakure, the Uchiha Clan, and the Four Kage's allied forces fought a brutal battle, then fell into the calm of a full-scale standoff.
Meanwhile, the air in the conference hall of the Hokage Building was so heavy it seemed one could wring water from it. Hiruzen Sarutobi stood on the podium, his body beneath the Hokage's cloak seeming more stooped than usual. Slowly, he removed his Hokage hat, revealing his wrinkled face.
"Everyone..." His voice was hoarse and heavy. "I must admit to a grave error in judgment."
Nearly a hundred Jonin below raised their heads in unison, their gazes sharp as blades. The clan heads sat in the front rows with solemn expressions, while the civilian Jonin stood in the back, complicated emotions flickering in their eyes.
"Because of my mistake