When Uchiha Akihito finished speaking, the room fell briefly silent.
The gazes directed at him were filled with admiration and respect.
Measured yet bold—undaunted and resolute.
"Flame Oni" Akihito truly lived up to his reputation as the Uchiha Clan Head renowned across the shinobi world.
Yet no one was quick to declare their stance.
Almost in unison, they turned toward the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Akihito had ignited their fighting spirit—but being the first to openly commit was never an easy role. These seasoned clan heads were waiting for someone else to take the lead.
Hiruzen shot Danzō a subtle look for support.
The war hawk seated in the corner merely snorted coldly and remained silent.
Danzō had always despised Hiruzen's compromising policies. If not for the two advisors backing the Hokage, he might already have spoken up.
Now that Akihito was pushing for war, it was precisely what Danzō wanted.
His prestige had always lagged behind Hiruzen's. War was the fastest way to accumulate reputation.
Hiruzen sighed inwardly.
Danzō was clearly useless here.
From across the room, Danzō studied Akihito with deep wariness.
First reshaping public opinion. Now seeking glory through war.
The Uchiha were calculating.
Was this a move for the Hokage's seat?
Seeing that no one had stepped forward yet, Akihito decided to add fuel to the fire.
He had already made the issue explicit.
Surely no one still wanted a humiliating peace?
If they remained silent, it was only to avoid offending the Third Hokage.
Akihito declared firmly,
"The Uchiha will never abandon a single clan member!"
"Even if it means war—if necessary, we will stake the entire clan and tear a piece of flesh from the enemy!"
His eyes shifted toward Hyūga Hiashi.
He had done what he could. If the Hyūga still would not speak, then their branch family would truly be sacrificed in vain.
His words had already won considerable goodwill among the clans. Even if this failed, that was acceptable.
As for offending the higher-ups? The Uchiha and Konoha's leadership were already at odds. A little worse made little difference.
After a moment's silence, Hiashi finally responded.
"Akihito is right."
"The Hyūga will not abandon our own either."
"Lord Hokage, the Hyūga request to fight!"
As he spoke, he cast Akihito a grateful glance.
Whatever Akihito's intentions, he had undeniably helped the Hyūga today.
"Cough."
Nara Shikaku cleared his throat.
"The Nara clan… supports war."
He had little choice.
Akihito had made the stakes plain.
To remain silent would imply a willingness to abandon clan members—something no clan head could accept.
"Yamanaka stands ready."
"Akimichi stands ready."
The Ino–Shika–Chō alliance had always moved as one. With Shikaku's declaration, Inoichi and Chōza naturally followed.
Soon after, the Aburame and Inuzuka clans voiced their support as well.
One after another, the hall tilted toward war.
Watching the tide turn, Hiruzen and the two advisors knew peace was no longer possible.
What could have been resolved by sacrificing a single life had now escalated into the rekindling of war.
They were unwilling—but forced to smile regardless.
Akihito's sudden move had shattered their control of the situation.
Hiruzen glanced at Akihito discreetly, deep wariness flickering in his eyes.
Was the Uchiha seeking to break their impasse through war?
Akihito was no simple hothead.
The elite shinobi of Konoha now fixed their eyes upon Hiruzen, anticipation in their gaze.
Everything was prepared.
All that remained was the Hokage's final word.
After a long pause, Hiruzen nodded solemnly.
"You are correct."
"Konoha will not abandon any comrade."
"If Kumogakure insists on arrogance, then Konoha will respond in kind."
Just like that, the conciliatory Hokage transformed into a pro-war leader.
He understood timing well.
To continue advocating compromise would severely damage his prestige.
If the Uchiha wished to stir things up—so be it.
War, too, could serve as a means to weaken the Uchiha.
If the entire Uchiha clan marched to the battlefield, internal strife would at least subside.
With the course set, Hiruzen stood.
"This meeting is adjourned."
"This afternoon, I will personally negotiate with Kumogakure."
"Return to your clans. Prepare for war."
As the meeting ended, Hiruzen intercepted Hiashi with a cordial expression.
"My earlier proposal was also for the sake of the village. I hope you understand."
His political instincts were sharp.
Since the Hyūga would no longer be sacrificed, the negative fallout needed minimizing.
The Hyūga's influence was too great to alienate completely.
Hiashi forced a thin smile.
"You honor me, Lord Hokage."
But the distance between them was unmistakable.
A crack had formed—and it would not be easily mended.
After soothing the Hyūga, Hiruzen inwardly cursed the Uchiha.
Had Akihito not interfered, he would not have been placed in such an awkward position.
He had offended the Hyūga—while the Uchiha gained their gratitude.
This sudden upheaval had caught him entirely off guard.
Hiruzen's eyes flickered.
He would need to find an opportunity to "discipline" that young man.
Soon, the crowd dispersed from the Hokage Tower.
Left behind in the conference room were the Konoha F4—and Nara Shikaku, who had been asked to remain.
Homura Mitokado glared at him.
"Shikaku, did you not see Uchiha Akihito's ambition? Why would you support him?"
The plan to sacrifice a substitute for peace had been decided overnight—with Shikaku's prior agreement.
Yet Akihito's intervention had shifted everything.
How could they not be angry?
Shikaku gave a wry smile.
"Advisor, I had no choice."
Akihito had framed the matter as one of clan loyalty.
The Uchiha declared they would never abandon their own.
Could the Nara say otherwise?
As clan head, he bore responsibility for his people.
If word spread that the Nara were willing to sacrifice their own for peace, internal turmoil would follow.
Of course, he could not say this outright.
Instead, he offered a more diplomatic explanation.
"Akihito invoked the legacy of past Hokage and stirred the will to fight."
"With the Uchiha and Hyūga advocating war, had we persisted in surrendering a man for peace… it would have harmed the Third Hokage's prestige."
Though he left it unsaid, the implication was clear.
If Konoha's leadership insisted on compromise in the face of unity for war—
It would appear incompetent.
And incompetence had no right to lead Konoha.
The two advisors fell silent.
They inwardly cursed Akihito—
Yet felt a trace of relief.
Moments earlier, they had nearly condemned him for inciting war out of selfish ambition.
Fortunately, Hiruzen had adapted swiftly.
Otherwise—
They might have fallen straight into the trap Akihito so carefully laid.
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