After giving Danzo Hiruzen Sarutobi a deep look, and clearly seeing the resolute glint in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, Danzo slowly nodded and said, "Very well, Hiruzen, I hope you won't regret this!"
After saying that, Danzo slammed his wooden staff heavily on the ground, then turned and strode away, the chilling aura emanating from his body so clear and intense!
"The matter of Danzo must be suppressed for now. Torifu, Shikaku, when you return, please tell your three clans to pay extra attention to issues both inside and outside the village during the coming period. Understand?!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Shikaku, who was sitting to one side, and said...
As a disciple of the Second Hokage and a senior member of the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans, Torifu Akimichi was already considered one of Konoha's high-ranking figures. Torifu had attended previous important meetings, but this time he had a last- Torifu mission to Kyoto, the capital of the Land of Fire, and had not yet returned.
That's why Shikaku was chosen as the representative to attend the meeting.
It's not that Shikaku would have gained much trust from Hiruzen Sarutobi during this period. Rather, it's that the Ino-Shika-Cho of this generation hadn't yet made a name for themselves. The Third Shinobi World War was the stage for these 'youngsters' to showcase themselves!
"Yes, Lord Hokage, I understand!"
Shikaku himself was aware of this, so he remained silent throughout the meeting, attending with his ears open, unless Hiruzen Sarutobi actually asked something, which was obviously a low-probability event at this stage.
Shikaku hasn't even shown his abilities yet, so how could Hiruzen Sarutobi Shikaku consult him on such an important matter?
"As for the Daimyo, I'll personally go and communicate with him. I'll leave the rest to you to follow up on. Koharu, although the chances are slim, I still want to try. We can have peace talks with the Mist Ninja, even if it comes at a price!"
We must do everything in our power to avoid war.
Especially the war that Konoha initiated—this is absolutely unacceptable!
This is Hiruzen Sarutobi's bottom line.
Konoha is located in the heart of the continent, surrounded by other ninja villages, and is a place of Fourth Shinobi World War. As the Hokage of the village, Hiruzen Sarutobi has always been on tenterhooks when implementing various policies. This is an influence that stems from the situation when the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, had just died in battle, and Konoha was in a state of internal and external troubles.
"Yes, I understand. Don't worry, Hiruzen!"
Utatane Koharu, who shared the same ideals as Hiruzen Sarutobi, nodded without hesitation at that moment.
"Let's get started! Hopefully, it's not too late!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a very determined expression.
"Um!"
"Yes!"
Whether it works or not, we'll only know after we try!
Even if it's highly likely to be a futile effort, this Third Hokage won't give up until the final result is in!
This was after Hiruzen Sarutobi issued the corresponding order.
Several more hours passed.
The Root dispatched by Danzo, as well as the Anbu led by Jiraiya, all returned to the ninja village one after another. Some of the Root members returned on their own, while others were escorted back by Jiraiya and the Anbu.
With the return of these people, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō received the latest firsthand information!
The group of Mist Ninja being chased.
Ultimately, they did not manage to kill them all as Danzo had hoped. Although they killed more than three-quarters of the Mist Ninja, Goro and Otokaze, the two Jonin, also died in the pursuit of the Root forces. However, Kei, Mei Terumi, Kisame, Shingetsu, and Ao all managed to escape!
This was clearly not the outcome Danzo wanted to see.
After all, judging from their performance in the Chunin Ninja Exams, it is clear that the people in front of them are all geniuses of the current generation in Kirigakure. Kei and Shingetsu are from prestigious ninja clans in Kirigakure, and the latter is the son of the current head of the Hozuki Clan!
Danzo really wanted to kill these people to completely enrage Kirigakure!
The outcome was not what Danzo had hoped for, and this Darkness of Konoha naturally felt extremely regretful and furious.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, on the other hand, had a completely different mindset from Danzo. Despite the heavy casualties suffered by the Mist Ninja Danzo, the fact that none of the most crucial figures had perished meant that it wasn't the worst possible outcome.
In any case, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt that this outcome made it more likely he would return later, so he acted even more swiftly and decisively.
Not only did they intensify their contact with the daimyo of their own Land of Fire, but they also used this daimyo to contact the daimyo of the Land of Water.
Then, we will resume separate peace negotiations with Kirigakure!
As the situation escalated further, some people in Konohagakure learned some general information about Root's pursuit of the Mist Ninja delegation, which caused quite a stir within Konohagakure!
In particular, the leaders of the powerful ninja clans, such as the Hyūga, Uchiha, Aburamezuka, and Kurama, were all on high alert.
In their view, given this situation, the Third Shinobi World War might just break out!
On the other side, Ao, Mei Terumi, and the others who also escaped successfully were also seriously injured, just like Kei. They needed to find a place to rest and recover, so they were unable to return to the village immediately to report the information to their village's Mizukage.
But just because they can't report doesn't mean Yagura isn't receiving intelligence.
The Third Hokage acted extremely quickly this time. After communicating with his own Daimyo of the Land of Fire, he directly contacted Kirigakure through official channels.
It can be said that...
When Yagura Karatachi received the official letter from Konoha, delivered in the name of Hiruzen Sarutobi, he was completely dumbfounded upon reading its contents.
The 'misunderstanding' that Hiruzen Sarutobi was trying to express was somewhat beyond the comprehension of the Fourth Mizukage.
"A misunderstanding? This could be considered an accident? Is this Konoha's stance?"
A cold Yagura Karatachi appeared on the baby-faced man, and the slight exertion in his hands was enough to show that the Fourth Mizukage's anger had already surged wildly.
"Hmph, besides this document, has Konoha sent any other messages?"
"Yagura Karatachi, looking at the one who had come to report below. He asked in Mist Ninja voice.
"No, Mizukage, there's no further news!"
The Mist Ninja quickly lowered his head and replied.
He didn't know what the intelligence record in his Mizukage's hands contained, but he could clearly sense that his Mizukage was on the verge of extreme anger, and he had to be even more careful with his words!
The closer one is to their master, the clearer they are of the immense power and authority of their Mizukage!