"The situation on the Eastern Front is somewhat unfavorable. If the Hidden Cloud Ninja forcefully initiates a decisive battle, we might suffer greatly. Fortunately, Uchiha Yoichi has fiercely intimidated the Hidden Cloud Ninja recently, so whether they have the guts to start a war is still uncertain..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen crossed his hands in front of his chin and spoke to all the Jonin inside the room.
This time, the Jonin meeting had fewer Ninjutsu, as Kikyo Castle and the Eastern Front had dispatched quite a lot of Jonin, leaving those who were ready to head to the battlefield anytime.
The situation at Kikyo Castle has stabilized; even deploying the One-tailed Jinchuriki to attack Kikyo Castle hasn't secured victory. For the Hidden Sand Ninja, they have lost the initiative on the battlefield.
Though Uchiha Yoichi's summoned beast, Bear, is uncontrollable for battlefield deployment, at least it ensures the safety of Kikyo Castle. Next, Konoha will start the counterattack, and Danzo has already brought back information about the alliance between Hidden Rain Ninja and Konoha.
Next, as long as we win against the Hidden Cloud Ninja on the Eastern Front, Konoha can continue its status as the victorious nation in the Second Ninja World War, receiving numerous mission commissions and rapidly developing the village.
"Hiruzen, should the Two-tailed Jinchuriki be sent back to the village?"
Mitokado Homura asked, as the Two-tailed Jinchuriki is somewhat at risk on the front line. What if the Hidden Cloud Ninja takes it back?
Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated after hearing this but still replied, "Jonin Yoichi plans to personally oversee the Two-tailed Jinchuriki, and he will guarantee to deal with the AB combination. Sakumo also mentioned there's no problem, so...."
Everyone understood the implication of this sentence—it will not be returned.
Last time, when Uchiha Yoichi snatched the Six Paths Ninja Tools from Hidden Cloud Village, it was the same situation. Although it was clearly a strategic transportation tool containing much more than a storage scroll, the best choice was to hand it over to the village.
Yet Uchiha Yoichi had no intention of handing it over, nor even negotiating an exchange.
Utatane Koharu frowned and said, "He doesn't agree? This is the Two-tailed Jinchuriki. There's never been a regulation permitting individual custody. What's he planning..."
"Let's wait and see,"
Sarutobi Hiruzen interrupted Utatane Koharu. The following words were inappropriate, as if they reached the front lines, accusations of undermining the Konoha Hero could arise.
"Perhaps there will be sudden changes on the front lines, and then the Two-tailed Jinchuriki will come in handy."
This was considered an excuse for Uchiha Yoichi. However, after saying it, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a bit aggrieved. Uchiha Yoichi had already seized strategic weapons like the Two-tailed Jinchuriki, yet he still had to excuse his actions....
"The focus is on the Hidden Rock Ninja. Their hatred with the Hidden Cloud Ninja is quite significant. Recently, these two Ninja Villages have expanded their armaments most aggressively. I think we can..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to use alliance tactics with the Hidden Rain Ninja to join forces with the Hidden Rock Ninja against the Hidden Cloud Ninja. If it doesn't work, they must transfer the Hidden Rock Ninja's hatred to the Hidden Cloud Ninja.
An alliance can be attempted, but it's unlikely. The Hidden Rock Ninja isn't the Hidden Rain Ninja; they are one of the Five Great Ninja Villages. Unless utterly defeated, the Hidden Rock Ninja wouldn't ally with other Ninja Villages.
Yet, they could try transferring the Hidden Rock Ninja's hatred over.
In the end, after half a day of discussion at the Jonin meeting, they decided to retreat the Konoha Ninja at the border between the Land of Grass and the Land of Fire and hide them.
Create an illusion of withdrawing troops to fully confront the Hidden Cloud Ninja while the defensive ninjas remain; just pull back the front line a bit. If the Hidden Rock Ninja receives this news, there will only be three potential outcomes.
No changes, attacking alongside the Hidden Cloud Ninja against Konoha to gain a share, or while Konoha and the Hidden Cloud Ninja are fiercely fighting, attacking the Hidden Cloud Ninja to take revenge and gain a share.
After discussion, most Jonin believed the Hidden Rock Ninja would react in the third manner. Moreover, even if the Hidden Rock Ninja declared war on them, they could counterattack timely and provide support.
After deciding, Sarutobi Hiruzen sent people to execute the plan.
After the meeting concluded, Danzo finally spoke to Sarutobi Hiruzen, "Hiruzen, you should have been tougher earlier. Always retreating, now even the Two-tailed Jinchuriki cannot be recovered, allowing you to be Hokage was a mistake made by Teacher Tobirama!"
Bang!
Sarutobi Hiruzen slapped the table, his expression icy, and said, "Danzo, I am the Hokage. Your responsibility is only to fulfill your duties within the Root; you don't need to meddle in other matters!"
"Hiruzen, what does this mean? Are we not allowed to criticize if things are done poorly? What are we here for, then?"
Mitokado Homura snorted coldly after speaking, directly standing up and leaving the place.
Utatane Koharu also stood and sarcastically said, "You should argue in front of others anyways; you've done all the humiliating things."
Saying this, she also left the place.
After Utatane Koharu left, only Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen were left inside. However, Danzo didn't intend to stay longer and said to Sarutobi Hiruzen, "You're not as good as Teacher Tobirama."
Then he left the Hokage Office.
Throughout this period, Danzo was constantly tormented by nightmares of being beaten by Sarutobi Hiruzen. Even after waking up, he experienced muscle soreness, which continued even when he went to the Hidden Rain Village.
Danzo even tried barriers, yet they proved ineffective. After consulting many ninjas versed in illusion techniques or spiritual secret techniques, he confirmed he was indeed dreaming, and the dreams might reflect his subconscious consciousness.
Knowing it wasn't someone else's doing, Danzo grew increasingly displeased with Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was indecisive, always considering this and that—entirely unlike his conduct during the Second Ninja World War.
He even visited his dreams at night to beat him.