"How is Danzo?"
After sealing the Seven-Tails within the barrier, Hiruzen Sarutobi rushed to the hospital as soon as possible.
Beside him, Minato Namikaze also looked deeply concerned.
Standing before them, responsible for Danzo's treatment, was one of the Sannin who had just recently regained consciousness — Tsunade.
Facing the gazes of the two Hokage, Tsunade's expression was not optimistic.
"Elder Danzo's body has suffered severe damage from consecutive battles."
"But that's not the main reason for his coma."
Hearing Tsunade's words, both Minato and Hiruzen frowned.
"Then what is the reason?" Hiruzen asked his student in confusion.
Tsunade paused for a moment before answering:
"I suspect it's due to excessive consumption of life force."
"Elder Danzo first engaged in a prolonged battle with Madara Uchiha, then assisted in sealing the Nine-Tails and defeating the Seven-Tails."
"Such high-intensity battles consume a tremendous amount of chakra. When Elder Danzo exhausted his chakra but still wanted to continue fighting, the only thing he could do was desperately squeeze the cells in his body."
"In other words, what we commonly call..."
"Burning his life force."
As she spoke these words, Tsunade's tone was heavy.
Minato's heart sank, and he clenched his fists, his face filled with regret.
Noticing the change in Minato's demeanor, Hiruzen immediately asked: "Minato, what's wrong?"
Minato lowered his head, his face shadowed.
"Senior Danzo overdrew his life force to save Kushina after she lost the Nine-Tails." Minato's voice was low, filled with guilt.
Senior Danzo had once said that the reason jinchūriki die after losing their tailed beasts is primarily due to the exhaustion of their life force.
Therefore, to save a jinchūriki, a large amount of life force must be reinfused into their body.
Given the current situation, it seemed likely that Danzo had used his own life force to save Kushina!
Hiruzen, the "Professor," quickly realized this as well.
He opened his mouth slightly, momentarily at a loss for words.
He couldn't help but recall the final test that the Second Hokage, Tobirama, had given the six of them during the First Shinobi World War.
During that test, it was his own resolve that earned him the position of Hokage.
Meanwhile, Danzo, due to a moment of hesitation, missed his chance to become Hokage.
Now, after all these years, he hadn't expected Danzo to possess such resolve.
Hiruzen closed his eyes, admitting to himself that he might have underestimated his old comrade.
When he reopened his eyes, he patted Minato's shoulder and said solemnly:
"Don't feel guilty, Minato."
"It is our duty as the older generation to shield you, the new sprouts."
"Only in this way can the Will of Fire continue to be passed down, right?"
Hearing Hiruzen's words of comfort, Minato was momentarily stunned.
Then he nodded firmly at Hiruzen, his voice resolute:
"I understand. Kushina and I will never let down Elder Danzo's expectations!"
Hiruzen nodded and turned back to Tsunade: "How long will it take for Danzo to wake up?"
Although both he, the Third Hokage, and Minato, the Fourth Hokage, were still worrying, and the village's operations were temporarily stable.
Danzo, with his dazzling performances in consecutive battles, had become the undeniable hero of Konoha.
If something were to happen to him, it would be a devastating blow to the already precarious state of Konoha!
Tsunade also seemed troubled by this question.
"Coma is a protective mechanism of the human body."
"Theoretically, as long as the cells in his body recover to a certain level of activity, Elder Danzo should wake up on his own."
"But as for how long that will actually take, I can't predict."
Hearing this conclusion, Minato's expression turned disappointed.
If something were to happen to Danzo, he would never forgive himself!
Just as Hiruzen and Minato, the old and new Hokage, were discussing Konoha's next steps, a figure appeared—
It was Shisui.
"Are you here to visit Senir Danzo?" Minato asked instinctively.
But soon, he noticed the serious expression on Shisui's face.
The latter shook his head and said straightforwardly:
"I believe my teacher will be fine."
Although he said this, Minato keenly noticed that Shisui had sneaked a glance into the hospital room while speaking.
But he quickly regained his composure and continued:
"I came here to report urgent military intelligence."
"The Kumogakure troops stationed at the border have begun large-scale mobilization, showing signs of preparing to attack the Land of Fire."
"The Third Raikage, A, is leading a rapid strike force of five hundred ninja into the Land of Fire's border and israpidly moving south."
"Additionally, Kumogakure's diplomatic department has formally issued a notice to Konoha, demanding ten billion ryō in reparations and two members of the Hyūga main family as conditions for peace."
"Otherwise, their Raikage will lead Kumogakure's force to crush Konoha."
As Shisui relayed this information, his face remained expressionless, and his voice was calm.
But both Minato and Hiruzen could sense the terrifying killing intent emanating from him.
Hearing the report, Minato's expression immediately turned serious.
He first looked at Tsunade and said, "Then I'll leave this to you, Lady Tsunade. Let me know if you need anything."
After that, he turned to his side and ordered:
"Immediately convene a high-level meeting. I'll be waiting for them in the Hokage's office!"
——————
The other two advisory elders quickly received the news and hurried to the Hokage's office for the meeting.
Koharu Utatane immediately made her stance clear.
"Minato, Konoha has suffered heavy losses, with a significant reduction in our ninja numbers, and the tailed beast issue hasn't been resolved."
"With internal and external troubles, we absolutely cannot go to war with Kumogakure!"
Homura Mitokado expressed the same view.
With Konoha's headquarters in such a state, how could the troops possibly be in the mood to fight abroad?
Not to mention the lack of manpower and logistical support, what if the tailed beasts within the village caused problems again?
Minato was not surprised by the words of these two conservative elders.
The young Hokage sat in his chair, frowning as he said:
"So, the two elders are suggesting that Konoha should obediently hand over ten billion ryō and two Hyūga main family members to Kumogakure?"
Faced with this interrogation, Homura and Koharu naturally didn't admit to it outright.
Instead, they said:
"Since it's a peace negotiation, we naturally can't comply with Kumogakure's demands just like that!"
"The amount of reparations can be negotiated, and the Hyūga main family issue can also be discussed!"
These two were all about negotiation and delaying.
As long as they could avoid war, that was enough.
Because Konoha simply couldn't afford any more turmoil!
Minato's expression darkened. He was filled with extreme resentment toward Kumogakure's opportunistic behavior.
Burning with anger, he wanted nothing more than to immediately engage in a full-scale war with Kumogakure.
But he also knew that, as theHokage, he couldn't afford to be reckless).
Even if they were to go to war, it had to be carefully considered.
Seeing Minato remain silent, the two advisory elders quickly turned their gazes to Hiruzen.
They hoped he could persuade this younger Hokage not to act on impulse.
Otherwise, Konoha might face catastrophe!
But Hiruzen, who had always been on the same page as them, remained silent, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.
Seeing this, Koharu stepped forward and said: "Minato, if you feel it's difficult to handle this matter, leave it to me!"
"Including the Hyūga clan issue, let this old woman bear the infamy alone!"
"After all, what Konoha needs now is stability."
Koharu's heartfelt words left Minato feeling uneasy.
Since when did the strongest village in the ninja world need an old woman to bear such a responsibility?
Just as he was about to stand up and say something, the secretary outside knocked on the door and announced:
"The Kumogakure envoy has arrived!"
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