Third Elder's Decision!

"No need. Let them go."

The Third Hokage sighed. In the span of a single night, he seemed to have aged several more years, and the silver-white in his hair had become even more pronounced.

Over the course of this day, the Third Hokage had been utterly exhausted. Tomorrow at noon was the deadline Hikaru had given them. If they could not settle this matter properly, Konoha would be in serious trouble. Compared to that, did members of the Shimura Clan secretly fleeing really matter?

It was not as serious, but it still dealt the Third Hokage a heavy blow. I wanted with all my heart to protect you, yet you fled without a care, afraid that I would ultimately choose Uchiha Hikaru.

What the Shimura clansmen had done was no different from carving two slashes into the Third Hokage's heart with a knife.

"Nara, do you think my choice was wrong? From your perspective, which clan is more important to the village, the Uchiha or the Shimura?"

The Nara Clan Head looked at the weary-faced Third Hokage. He opened his mouth, then answered helplessly, "In the Hokage Lord's heart, they are the same. Both are important to the village, both are part of Konoha. Although Danzo..."

At the mention of Danzo, the Nara Clan Head paused before continuing, "But at present, the Uchiha are more important. After everything that has happened, regardless of whether Minister Uchiha Hikaru takes action against the Shimura Clan, the Shimura Clan is destined to decline. Without Danzo, and with the aftermath he left behind, they will be targeted by the major clans and many villagers."

"The Uchiha are different. The Uchiha are currently flourishing, and under Minister Uchiha Hikaru's leadership, they will only grow stronger. Losing the Shimura Clan will damage Konoha, but losing