The conference room.
The atmosphere here was worlds apart from the busy and lively mission hall downstairs.
The heavy mahogany round table was polished to a mirror finish, yet it reflected little warmth.
The eyes of the high-ranking officials were fixed on the few people seated around the table, witnessing another critical discussion that could determine the future course of Konoha.
In the seat of honor, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi was dressed in his Hokage Robes, with his Hokage Hat placed by his side.
He held his familiar pipe in his hand, but it wasn't lit; he was just absentmindedly rubbing it.
There was an unmistakable exhaustion between his brows, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes seemed deeper than usual.
The news brought back by Jiraiya and Naruto undoubtedly added another heavy burden to his already weighted shoulders.
To his left sat the two Konoha Advisors—Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu.
Both were dressed in traditional Elder attire, their expressions stern and rigid. They were witnesses of the old era, accustomed to stability and order, and naturally cautious—even wary—of any "variable" that might break the balance.
To the Third's right, a bit further away, sat Danzo Shimura, who exuded a sinister and forceful presence even while seated.
Additionally, in the shadows of the conference room's corner stood an Anbu wearing an animal mask, responsible for recording the meeting's key points and ensuring security.
"Hiruzen," Utatane Koharu spoke first, her voice dry and direct, breaking the silence.
"Jiraiya and the others... returned empty-handed? Tsunade refused the position of Hokage?" Her tone wasn't one of questioning, but rather a confirmation of "just as I thought."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slowly and placed his pipe gently on the table with a soft clack.
"Yes, Tsunade... her mental block is deeper than we anticipated." He didn't go into detail about the bet or the specific process; that wasn't the point.
"Hmph!" Homura Mitokado snorted coldly and adjusted his glasses.
"To disregard the Village's future for personal grief! Is this the caliber of the First Hokage's granddaughter? Currently, undercurrents are surging in the Ninja World, and Sunagakure doesn't seem peaceful either, yet we can't even decide on a suitable successor for Hokage! This is outrageous!"
His words were filled with dissatisfaction over Tsunade's "irresponsibility" and revealed his anxiety about the current situation.
"Homura, watch your words," Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a low voice, a hint of warning in his tone.
"The pain of losing loved ones is not an obstacle easily overcome. We should be understanding."
"Understanding? What we need now is a Hokage who can lead Konoha forward!" Homura Mitokado retorted.
"Then, in your opinion, what should be done now?" Utatane Koharu looked at the Third, throwing the question back at him.
"Jiraiya has explicitly refused, Tsunade is unwilling to return, and Orochimaru defected long ago. In the Village, who else can shoulder this responsibility?"
Her gaze swept across everyone present, finally meeting Danzo's half-closed left eye for a fleeting moment.
Danzo remained silent, as if it were none of his business, but the slight tension in his jawline betrayed his inner turmoil.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath.
"There is indeed no candidate more suitable than Tsunade at the moment. Her strength, prestige, and Bloodline are enough to command respect. Especially her Medical Ninjutsu, which is vital for the Village's long-term development."
"But she is unwilling!" Homura Mitokado emphasized.
"Are we supposed to keep waiting until she has a change of heart one day? The Village cannot afford to wait! Hiruzen, you cannot be indecisive because of personal sentimentality!"
The atmosphere in the conference room grew even more solemn.
Just then, the long-silent Danzo finally opened his one eye slowly, his gaze sharp as a hawk's, piercing right through the Third Hokage.
"Hiruzen, your weakness is dragging Konoha into a dangerous situation." His voice was low and raspy, with a texture like metal scraping, accusing him without reservation.
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, meeting Danzo's gaze. "Danzo, what do you mean?"
"The meaning is clear. Your so-called 'Will of Fire' overemphasizes light and protection but ignores the fangs in the shadows."
"It is precisely because of this philosophy of yours that Orochimaru defected and the Uchiha Clan was led to destruction! Now, facing a mysterious and powerful enemy like the Akatsuki Organization and other predatory ninja Villages, Konoha doesn't need a Hokage who might be bound by the past or even suffers from Hemophobia. It needs a leader who is iron-fisted, decisive, and willing to protect the Village at all costs!"
His words were like a cold dagger, stabbing at the core of the Third's governing philosophy.
"Danzo! Mind your position!" Utatane Koharu shouted sharply, though her tone lacked conviction. To some extent, Danzo's words represented the thoughts of a segment of the radicals.
"My position?" Danzo sneered.
"I am the Root of Konoha, the foundation hidden beneath the light! I know the darkness of this world better than anyone! Hiruzen, you are old; your era should be over. Since none of the Sannin are available, then for the future of Konoha, it is the best choice for me to succeed as the Fifth Hokage!"
He finally revealed his true intentions, explicitly stating his ambition.
Silence filled the conference room; even the air seemed to have frozen. Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu looked at each other, not immediately taking a stance. No one knew the expression behind the Anbu's mask in the corner, but his recording movements paused for a split second.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at his longtime friend and rival with complex emotions. He knew Danzo's capabilities and his "loyalty" to the Village, but it was a twisted, unscrupulous kind of loyalty.
Handing Konoha over to Danzo would mean the Village heading towards a future of isolation, high pressure, and darkness, which ran contrary to the "Will of Fire" he had spent his life protecting.
"I object," Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was not loud, but it was exceptionally firm, carrying the authority of the Hokage.
"Danzo, your methods will only lead Konoha into an abyss of isolation and fear. The position of Hokage requires more than just strength and tactics; it needs someone who can unite people's hearts and provide direction."
Danzo snorted in derision.
"In the face of absolute power and iron-blooded rule, those ethereal things of yours are meaningless! Look at the First and Second Hokage; did they pacify the chaotic world with just those things? Hiruzen, you are too naive!"
"This is not naivety; this is conviction!" Hiruzen Sarutobi stood his ground.
"Wherever leaves flutter, fire shall burn... This is the very foundation of Konoha's existence!"
The two old men, representing two completely different philosophies for Konoha, clashed fiercely at this moment, neither giving an inch.
Caught in the middle, Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu looked uneasy; they were worried about Danzo's extremism but couldn't fully agree with the Third's seemingly "stubborn" persistence.
Just as the argument reached a stalemate, Utatane Koharu spoke up.
"Hiruzen, Danzo, set your argument aside for now. We old folks are still here; the sky isn't falling yet."
Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed the bridge of his nose, the exhaustion on his face deepening.
"Sigh... Regarding the candidate for the Fifth Hokage... I will continue to try and contact and persuade Tsunade. In the meantime, I will continue to serve as the Acting Hokage. All departments are to heighten their vigilance, strengthen patrols at the borders and within the Village, and especially monitor the movements of the Akatsuki Organization. Meeting adjourned."
His words carried an unquestionable decisiveness, temporarily suppressing all disputes.
Danzo gave the Third a deep look, said nothing more, stood up, and left the conference room silently with his cane, his retreating figure appearing even more gloomy.
Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu also left one after another, the worry on their faces unabated.
In the empty conference room, only Hiruzen Sarutobi remained.
He picked up his pipe again but didn't light it, simply gazing out the window at the prosperous and peaceful Konoha Village, remaining silent for a long time.
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