The crowd subconsciously turned their gazes toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen's face flushed red before turning a sickly, iron-grey. Noticing the stares of the crowd, a flash of coldness flickered in his eyes.
The clan heads immediately lowered their heads, staring at their noses and minding their own business, firmly deciding not to get involved in the political struggle between Fugaku Uchiha and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"It was my oversight," Hiruzen finally said, taking a deep breath and forcing the words out of his throat with difficulty. "Danzo will be dealt with exactly as Clan Head Fugaku suggested."
'Hiruzen is actually backing down?' A wave of shock crashed through the hearts of the clan heads. For Hiruzen to willingly concede meant that the Uchiha clan would become the true uncrowned kings of Konoha.
'I need to send someone to visit the Uchiha clan tonight. We must establish good relations with them,' many of the clan heads thought to themselves.
They were all old foxes; their thoughts couldn't be hidden from Hiruzen. His expression immediately darkened.
However, with Fugaku Uchiha glaring at him like a tiger watching its prey, Hiruzen didn't dare act rashly. He took a deep breath and spoke coolly, "There is one more matter to discuss in this meeting. How should we handle the Kumogakure delegation? Do we execute them, or let them go?"
Since it concerned the village's safety, the clan heads immediately dropped their guarded acts, their expressions shifting to shrewd contemplation.
The Kumogakure delegation might have used the title of diplomats, but they were acting as spies. Not only had they attempted to steal the Kekkei Genkai of both the Hyuga and Uchiha clans, but they had also been caught red-handed by the Uchiha.
Currently, aside from Karui—who had fought to the death to cover their retreat from the Uchiha's pursuit—the rest had been captured alive and were being held in Konoha's Interrogation Division. Deciding what to do with these prisoners was a massive headache. If handled poorly, Kumogakure could launch a full-scale invasion of Konoha at any moment.
As the room fell into deep thought, Fugaku Uchiha scoffed.
"What Kumogakure delegation? They're clearly a pack of spies," Fugaku stated, his tone freezing. "We should just kill them, send their corpses back to Kumogakure, and demand an explanation from the Raikage."
Since these Kumogakure ninja dared to target Sasuke, Fugaku had no intention of letting them live.
"Please calm down, Clan Head Fugaku."
"Think twice, Fugaku."
Hearing his murderous declaration, the others broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly tried to dissuade him. If they were ordinary spies, killing them would be a simple matter. But this group of Kumogakure ninja were nominally a diplomatic delegation. They represented the Fourth Raikage and the entirety of Kumogakure. If they were executed just like that, Kumogakure's army would likely be marching on Konoha by tomorrow.
Then, something completely beyond everyone's expectations occurred.
Upon hearing Fugaku's words, Hiruzen actually nodded in agreement.
"Indeed. They claim to be envoys, yet they act as spies. They absolutely should have been executed on the spot," Hiruzen said approvingly. "During the Great Ninja War, Konoha emerged victorious even when fighting four against one. Now, it's just a trifling Kumogakure. They are a defeated foe, so how can we allow them to trample over Konoha and do as they please? The Kumogakure spies must be killed, and the Raikage must provide an explanation. We need to let them know that while Konoha does not desire war, we do not fear it."
Smack!
Hiruzen slammed his hand on the table as he spoke, his impassioned demeanor showing flashes of his youthful prime as the God of Shinobi.
However, looking at the battle-hungry Hokage, the entire conference room fell into an eerie silence.
Inoichi Yamanaka's eyes were filled with confusion as he shot Shikaku Nara a meaningful look. As members of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio and longtime comrades in arms, Shikaku immediately understood Inoichi's silent question.
'Is the Hokage under a genjutsu? Why else would he actively provoke a war?'
Shikaku couldn't figure out Hiruzen's intentions either. Although he possessed a genius-level intellect and served as Konoha's chief strategist, he couldn't read the Hokage's mind. He subtly shook his head at Inoichi, indicating his own bewilderment, before sinking into deep thought.
Fugaku Uchiha also wore a puzzled expression. He had no idea what kind of game Hiruzen was playing by publicly supporting his suggestion in such a setting. Fugaku certainly didn't believe that a single battle last night would make Hiruzen abandon his schemes against the Uchiha clan. Hiruzen was definitely hiding a plot targeting them; Fugaku just hadn't uncovered it yet.
Just as Fugaku was pondering where the trap lay, Hiruzen spoke up again.
"Is everyone's silence meant as agreement? Since that's the case, Clan Head Fugaku, I will leave the Kumogakure spies in your hands. I will also prepare the letter of condemnation for the Raikage. However, the Anbu have been incredibly busy with missions lately, so I will have to trouble Clan Head Fugaku to send someone to deliver the materials to Kumogakure."
Hiruzen stared at Fugaku, speaking rapidly. As soon as he finished, he didn't give Fugaku a single opportunity to object. He turned and marched straight out of the conference room with his Anbu guards.
'So that's what the Hokage is planning.' Watching Hiruzen's swift departure, Shikaku finally realized the ploy, a sudden chill running down his spine.
"What did you figure out, Shikaku?" Inoichi hurriedly whispered, noticing his reaction.
"Having the Uchiha clan deliver the corpses of the diplomatic delegation and the condemnation letter to Kumogakure... the Raikage will be furious," Shikaku muttered. "Given his temperament, war is inevitable."
Thinking of the brutality of war, Shikaku swallowed hard and continued. "Once the war starts, the Uchiha clan—the ones who killed the Kumogakure ninja—will be marked as the Raikage's primary targets. As the strongest clan currently in the village, the Uchiha will undoubtedly bear the brunt of the frontline combat. Between the old grudges and the new hatred, no matter if we win or lose the war, the Uchiha clan will suffer catastrophic losses. It's even possible that the tragedy of the Senju clan will repeat itself."
"What?!"
Hearing Shikaku's analysis, Inoichi felt a wave of horror wash over him, subconsciously glancing toward the direction Hiruzen had left.
Fugaku Uchiha had also realized Hiruzen's intentions by this point, and his brows furrowed tightly. The Uchiha clan never feared war, but being used as a weapon—especially by their own political enemies—left a vile taste in his mouth.
However, Hiruzen's plan was an open conspiracy. Even though Fugaku saw right through it, there was absolutely no way to counter it. Unless he released those Kumogakure ninja. But if he did that, the Uchiha clan's reputation would be swept into the dirt. Furthermore, Fugaku felt certain that Hiruzen would never give him the chance to backtrack anyway.
Putting himself in the other's shoes, Fugaku knew that if he were Hiruzen, he wouldn't let such a perfect opportunity slip by either.
Looking up toward the doorway Hiruzen had exited through, Fugaku couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Indeed, ginger only gets spicier with age.
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