Hokage Building.
Inside the high-level conference room, four high-ranking Konoha officials were discussing the war in the Land of Grass.
"This Grass Village actually dares to interfere in our Konoha's war. They're simply bold beyond measure. We should immediately gather the Ninja troops to attack Grass Village, giving them a profound lesson!" Danzo said with a sinister expression.
In his view, it was unthinkable for an ordinary Ninja Village like Grass Village to participate in their Five Great Ninja Villages war, and they must hit hard.
"Danzo, the intelligence from the front line doesn't definitively say that Grass Village is involved, just that it's suspected," Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head and said.
Directly gathering Ninja troops without complete confirmation would make Konoha seem too domineering, and the current situation in Konoha does not allow for such actions.
Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't possibly send most of the Ninjas out to battle. Otherwise, if Hidden Mist Village or other Ninja Villages took advantage of the situation, Konoha would be left defenseless.
"Obtaining concrete evidence is just a matter of time; what we need to do is display a strong attitude!" Danzo continued to enforce his opinion.
"If Konoha doesn't employ swift thunderous measures immediately, then today it's Grass Village; tomorrow it will be Rain Village or Waterfall Village, and the prestige of Konoha as the foremost Ninja village will be utterly lost." Danzo tapped the table, indicating the gravity of the situation.
Sarutobi Hiruzen rubbed his temples.
Actually, what Danzo said wasn't without reason; maintaining the prestige of the Five Great Ninja Villages is necessary.
But Danzo exaggerated the situation; even if Grass Village truly was involved, it was likely because Hidden Rock promised some benefits that were advantageous. How could other Ninja Villages idle around and provoke Konoha?
"Then Danzo, you take the Root to attack Grass Village." Sarutobi Hiruzen said indifferently.
Danzo was speechless; many Root Ninja were responsible for intelligence work on the battlefield and were few in the Root in Konoha's village. Otherwise, given his cautious nature, he might have sent a Root member to monitor Yamato's daily life.
Although Grass Village is not one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, it is among the stronger batch of Ninja Villages below them. There's no way he can handle it with just a few Root members.
"If you bring back Orochimaru to Konoha and let Mokgetsu join me, then I'll take the Root to attack Grass Ninja." Danzo mused and then said.
With Orochimaru and Mokgetsu joining hands with him, even if surrounded by thousands of Grass Ninjas, they could easily break through.
"Bringing Orochimaru back, who will deal with Hidden Cloud?" Sarutobi Hiruzen thought Danzo was daydreaming.
Having both Orochimaru and Mokgetsu as his deputies made it seem like they were preparing to counterattack one of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
"How about letting Minato Namikaze investigate this matter? Minato Namikaze happens to be on the battlefield in the Land of Grass; he's fast, and his capabilities are strong enough." Mitokado Homura intervened to mediate.
He was more in favor of Sarutobi Hiruzen's idea; Danzo's approach was too aggressive and might cause issues.
"Letting Minato Namikaze investigate would be a waste of time. He should be sent to interrogate the Leader of Grass Village instead." Danzo believed that the other officials were too lenient in their approach.
They were the strongest Ninja Village. While Hidden Cloud and Hidden Rock were also among the Five Great Ninja Villages, Grass was a small fry daring to provoke Konoha.
"Right now, on the Land of Grass battlefield, our forces and the Hidden Rock Ninja Squad have reached a delicate balance. Minato's departure might break this balance." Sarutobi Hiruzen reluctantly agreed with Danzo this time.
Though not agreeing with Danzo's extreme measures, Sarutobi Hiruzen also didn't think sending Minato to investigate was a good plan.
"Mokgetsu might be suitable." Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a moment and thought of a good candidate.
Mokgetsu's Anbu training session's second phase was nearing completion, ending it early wouldn't cause much issue.
If Mokgetsu leads several elite Ninja to investigate Grass Village, and once it's confirmed that Grass Village colluded with The Hidden Rock Village, they can take immediate action.
Even if Konoha's intelligence was incorrect, and Grass truly wasn't involved in the war, Mokgetsu's elite squad could act as a surprise force and launch a sudden attack on Hidden Rock.
"Let Mokgetsu lead a Jonin Squad to investigate Grass Village. If there are anomalies, take immediate action against Grass Ninja, or they can assist Jiraiya's forces and help Jiraiya gain advantage." Sarutobi Hiruzen explained his idea.
Danzo was about to object but changed his tune upon hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen choose his loyal subordinate:
"Compared to Minato Namikaze, Mokgetsu is more suited to execute this mission."
Danzo believed Mokgetsu would complete this task perfectly since Mokgetsu had inherited the will of the Root Ninja.
"Habu Mokgetsu, indeed, is a suitable choice." Mitokado Homura stroked his small beard and nodded in approval.
Compared to Minato Namikaze, who was carrying out important tasks, Mokgetsu was indeed more fitting for Konoha.
Moreover, Mokgetsu, a new generation's strongest in Konoha, was no less capable than Minato Namikaze.
Seeing everyone agree on Mokgetsu, Utatane Koharu also followed suit.
Regarding the specific team members, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't discuss with others about it. There's not much to debate—Konoha currently had few Jonin within the village.
When the notification Ninja dispatched by Sarutobi Hiruzen arrived, Mokgetsu was still lecturing.
"Lord Mokgetsu, the Third Hokage says there's an important mission for you. Please proceed to the Hokage Office immediately; the training can end early." The notification Ninja said to Mokgetsu.