Why could Tsunade always let Sasuke stay outside in the original story? Apart from Naruto being the most important reason, there was another relatively important reason: Sasuke hadn't posed much of a threat to the Hidden Leaf at that time.
But Menma in this life was different.
During his defection, he had already killed multiple Hidden Leaf ninja. Even though a considerable portion were from Root, they were ultimately Hidden Leaf ninja. And now Menma was posturing for revenge with great fanfare. coupled with his special identity...
Tsunade could no longer continue to tolerate it.
As the Hokage, she had duties she needed to fulfill.
Even if she felt sorry for Naruto, sorry for Jiraiya, and sorry for the Minato couple, this was a stance Tsunade had to take.
She couldn't watch the Hidden Leaf be destroyed, could she!?
Even the slightest trend and sign wouldn't be allowed.
Do not be misled by some plot scenes in the original story. Tsunade was a genuine strong woman. When necessary ruthlessness was needed, she wouldn't lack it at all.
Gentleness? Tolerance?
That was for her own people.
Enemies must be dealt with thunderous means. Didn't even the so-called "nice guy of the ninja world," Jiraiya, attack directly after finally confirming that Nagato and Konan definitely wouldn't turn back?
Ultimately, in the hearts of people like Tsunade, the greater good of the Hidden Leaf absolutely came first. This was undeniable.
"Yes, I understand, Lord Tsunade!"
After a moment of daze, Shizune nodded silently.
Then, in less than ten minutes...
Tap tap tap tap!
From outside the office door.
A series of footsteps could be heard.
Creak!
The door was pushed open directly.
The first to step in were Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and Danzo Shimura. Behind them, besides Shikaku Nara, the person in charge of the Jonin Council, there were also Jonin in charge of important departments like the Intelligence Division and the Defense Division.
Inoichi Yamanaka, Choza Akimichi, Raido Namiashi, and others were all among them.
These people could be considered part of the current high-level officials of the Hidden Leaf.
They all controlled relatively important departments with real power.
"Tsunade, calling us over so urgently, is there something important? Is it the Cloud ninja, or is there a problem with the Mist ninja?"
After everyone took their seats successively, Homura Mitokado asked directly.
There was also a look of doubt and worry on his face.
After Tsunade gradually took control of the real power in the ninja village...
Although Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane couldn't be said to have become completely powerless, regarding information acquisition, they couldn't compare to before. There would be some delay.
Including Danzo as well.
The current Root couldn't go out to execute missions at will anymore.
"Can't say it's completely unrelated, but the person to be discussed in today's meeting is the rogue ninja Menma Uzumaki. Shikaku, introduce the situation to the three elders and the others."
Tsunade said directly with a solemn face.
"Yes, Lord Fifth."
Shikaku nodded, took a step forward, and then concisely explained the information their ninja village had obtained previously to Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, Danzo, and others present. He also stated some of his high-probability speculations.
Listening to Shikaku's exposition.
The faces of everyone present changed individually.
Especially the expressions of Danzo, Homura, and Koharu became visibly gloomy.
Until Shikaku completely finished narrating.
"Hmph, this old man said long ago that we couldn't continue to leave Menma Uzumaki and Orochimaru alone. Now, in just a short year, that brat has already become a force to be reckoned with, possessing strength that threatens our Hidden Leaf!"
Danzo snorted coldly, attacking first.
He didn't state anything directly, nor did he name names, but the meaning revealed inside and outside these words was understood by everyone present.
The corners of Tsunade's eyes couldn't help twitching twice.
But Tsunade still endured it.
Because regarding this matter, if one must say, she, as the Hokage, indeed had an unshirkable responsibility. Don't say things like once the order was given, Menma could definitely be captured back 100%.
This was originally a question of whether the attitude was clear and direct from the beginning.
It was a very normal operation for Danzo to use this to strike at Tsunade's prestige. It should even be said that not doing so wouldn't be Danzo's style.
Danzo, whose goal had always been the Hokage position.
Must bring Tsunade down so he could become the next Hokage. Naturally, Danzo wouldn't let go of such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Shikaku, Inoichi, and others in the lower seats changed their expressions slightly upon hearing Danzo's words.
As diehard supporters of the Third's faction, they absolutely didn't want to see Danzo become Hokage. This could be seen from the original story where Tsunade was seriously injured and unconscious; Shikaku strongly supported Kakashi to become the proxy, or even directly take office as the Sixth Hokage. These people really didn't trust Danzo.
They always felt this person wasn't the correct leader.
It was just that Danzo intended to bring down Tsunade, but one person's strength was still too weak. More importantly, besides himself, no one else would support him, including his friends of many years, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.
Almost just as Danzo's accusatory words were spoken, before he could say more radical words...
"Cough cough, alright. It's meaningless to pursue past matters now. The key is to look at the subsequent handling. Tsunade, since you called us over so urgently, you must have made a decision in your heart, right?"
Homura Mitokado, sitting upright on the upper left side, coughed lightly, directly interrupting Danzo's follow-up words, forcefully changing the topic, and looked at Tsunade to say.
Don't look at how the two advisors indeed had some dissatisfaction with Tsunade, but Tsunade's bloodline identity was ultimately the most direct lineage in the Hidden Leaf Village. Both advisors still highly recognized Tsunade's status as Hokage.
Unless it was a truly very dangerous problem.
Otherwise, under normal circumstances, both advisors would still choose to stand on Tsunade's side and wouldn't easily let Danzo shake Tsunade's position.
This was a matter of principle.
Koharu Utatane on the side also nodded slowly.
She didn't say anything, but everything was understood without words.
Shikaku, Inoichi, and other diehard Tsunade supporters relaxed their expressions upon hearing and seeing the attitude of the two advisor elders. In the current high-level political environment of the Hidden Leaf Village, as long as the three elders didn't unite to suppress Tsunade together...
Then Tsunade's position was unshakable.
In fact, even if the three united, Tsunade's Hokage position would still be relatively stable, but in that case, the village would inevitably fall into infinite internal strife. Even if Tsunade wanted to issue any order, she would face heavy obstruction, and it would make some ninja in the village who didn't know the truth feel worried.
From this point of view, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane were existences who understood the big picture, which was really very important for the Hidden Leaf.
Others relaxed.
Danzo's expression stagnated accordingly.
A burst of nameless fire rose in his heart again.
This wasn't the first time.
Danzo really had the impulse to explode directly on the spot, but in the end, this Darkness of the Ninja World forced himself to endure.
The timing was wrong; the occasion was wrong.
For his great cause, he must choose to endure.
Danzo persuaded himself inwardly.
"Mhm, Elder Mitokado is right. I indeed intend to completely resolve the matter of Menma Uzumaki. As our Hidden Leaf's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, he has vital significance and value to our Hidden Leaf. The previous indulgence was indeed my personal consideration out of respect for the previous Hokage's contribution to the village. I admit there were inappropriate places, but everything was for the stability of the village. Now forced by the situation, we must immediately solve the problem brought by Menma Uzumaki. Even Menma Uzumaki alone poses an increasing threat to the Hidden Leaf day by day, let alone the issues of the Hidden Grass Village and Hidden Waterfall Village derived now. My meaning is to negotiate peace with the Cloud ninja immediately, share all obtained intelligence with them, and use the Cloud ninja to fight the vanguard battle. Since the Hidden Cloud Village values those Cloud ninja who died in battle so much, I believe that Fourth Raikage will definitely not be able to endure it, not to mention it also includes the possible Six-Tails Jinchuriki, as well as Menma Uzumaki, this Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!"
Tsunade took a deep breath, crossed her hands on the table, and said word by word.
Acting alone.
That was absolutely impossible.
Let's not talk about the success rate first.
Just the threat brought by the covetous eyes of other ninja villages was not something the Hidden Leaf Village could bear.
Not attacking Menma Uzumaki with full force before.
This part of the reason was also somewhat related.
The ninja world environment was too complex.
Their Hidden Leaf's situation had become very dangerous since the Third Great Ninja War. One careless move could lead to overturning. The current Hidden Leaf completely lacked the courage and confidence to challenge the entire ninja world alone.
"Using the Cloud ninja?"
Everyone present could easily understand the deep meaning in Tsunade's words.
But as the steady faction, the two elders Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane frowned subconsciously. They didn't quite like this risky behavior because the uncertainty was too great. If not controlled well...
Their Hidden Leaf would inevitably have to pay a greater price.
"Doing so indeed carries corresponding risks, but this is the most appropriate approach at the moment. We must also consider the attitudes of other ninja villages. If we simply act on our own, it's easy to become the target of public criticism. Our Hidden Leaf cannot accept such a situation now."
Tsunade could also understand the worries of Homura Mitokado and the other, so she continued directly.
"On this aspect, I can still understand. But the premise is, will the Cloud ninja really act first so honestly? If the intelligence we share fails to mobilize the Hidden Cloud Village, it might easily put us in an disadvantageous situation instead, right?"
Homura Mitokado shook his head gently and replied.
Although the old guys were a bit stubborn and appeared very foolish in some places, they had lived for decades and witnessed many storms in the ninja world after all. They could still judge which practices were correct.
But diplomatic relations in the ninja world...
Were not simulation games where everything could unfold according to the player's wish. Many times, accidents were prone to happen.
Now it even involved the Hidden Cloud Village.
To rely on the Raikage, known as the most violent and unreliable among the Five Kage, to make judgments—heaven knew what he would do?
Not to mention much, even if he maintained a wait-and-see attitude, that was a situation their Hidden Leaf couldn't accept.
Homura Mitokado's words made Tsunade's brows furrow slightly as well. She also realized somewhat that her idea seemed a bit wishful. In international interactions, one cannot subjectively guess the actions of other national ninja village forces unilaterally.
Once a specific situation was used as a fixed judgment benchmark, huge deviations and errors were prone to occur.
"Regarding this aspect, the probability cannot be said to be 100%, but as long as the intelligence can be confirmed, there is a high probability that the Fourth Raikage will still take action against Menma Uzumaki, and subsequently at least against the Hidden Waterfall Village. Previously the identity wasn't clear, but now it can be ascertained that the Cloud ninja who died in the Land of Spring were almost all from the most elite troops of the Hidden Cloud Village. The leader, named Darui, was a trusted subordinate of the Fourth Raikage, and there are rumors he is the strongest candidate for the next Raikage of the Hidden Cloud Village. Moreover, since long ago, that Fourth Raikage has been very persistent about the Hidden Waterfall Village's Seven-Tails. With these things added together, as long as we handle it properly, it is very likely that the Hidden Cloud Village will be the first to act."
Seeing Tsunade seemed a bit stuck, Shikaku on the side immediately stepped forward, looking at Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane with a solemn face and said.
"Handle it properly? What do you mean, Shikaku?"
Homura Mitokado leaned forward slightly, asking with a look of inquiry.
Even though he far exceeded Shikaku in seniority, status, and identity, Homura Mitokado still gave a certain degree of respect to this head of the Nara clan. This was because Shikaku could now almost be regarded as the common external spokesperson for the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, and also because he was the Hidden Leaf's strategist.
In the past decade or so, Shikaku had already demonstrated his value and presence. Didn't you see that Danzo had already tried to recruit Shikaku into Root several times!?
For capable people, and especially those with the most loyalty...
Homura Mitokado would still attach great importance to them.
Being accepted as a disciple by the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, and later becoming a high-level elder of the Hidden Leaf, Homura Mitokado naturally couldn't really be a fool.
"That is for our Hidden Leaf to actively seek cooperation with the Hidden Cloud Village. We can use the Six-Tails, or even the Seven-Tails together as bargaining chips for negotiation, to urge the Hidden Cloud Village to act against the Hidden Waterfall and Hidden Grass alliance with us!"
Shikaku took a deep breath, his gaze burning as he said in a deep voice.