Inside the Hokage's Office, in addition to the Third Hokage, the Hokage Advisor Danzō Shimura and the two Elder Councilors, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, were all present.
Homura Mitokado looked surprised. "Hiruzen, what's so important that you've gathered all of us today?"
Koharu Utatane frowned and asked, "Is a war about to break out?"
"There are indeed some rather severe developments," the Third Hokage nodded, clapping his hands together. "Minato, please come in."
Minato Namikaze walked into the room and greeted them, "Lord Hokage, esteemed Elders."
The Third Hokage instructed him, "Minato, tell the Elders about the mission you just completed and everything you encountered."
"Yes." Minato began recounting the mission. After omitting minor details, he quickly reached the ambush part.
Hearing that the Hidden Cloud had devised a way to restrict his Flying Thunder God Technique, the three Elders' expressions turned grim, bringing back painful memories.
"After all these years, the Hidden Cloud still only resorts to these underhanded schemes," Danzō said ominously.
The others gave Danzō a look of silent incredulity. They felt his statement was incredibly unconvincing coming from him.
Koharu Utatane cleared her throat and asked, "Was our teacher ambushed with a similar method when he died?"
"Something close to it," the Third Hokage nodded slightly and said in a low voice, "I've been sending spies into the Hidden Cloud for years to investigate the inner workings of that coup."
"The reason the teacher couldn't use the Flying Thunder God to escape must have been that he was poisoned with a sensory-dulling substance at the alliance ceremony. The Second Raikage was also affected by this poison, which is why he couldn't react at all to Kinkaku and Ginkaku's surprise attack."
"So it was poison," Homura Mitokado nodded. The Second Raikage might not have been as strong as the Third Raikage, but he was a top-tier Taijutsu master. It made no sense that he couldn't even fight back when ambushed by his own subordinates.
"It's possible the teacher never imagined his own Flying Thunder God Technique could be restricted like that," Koharu sighed. It seemed your greatest enemy was often the one who knew you best.
Minato continued, "After our narrow escape, we quickly returned to Yugakure and found the Jashin Cult preparing a blood sacrifice. They had hired Raiga Kurosuki, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and offered the Second Hokage's Thunder God Sword as a reward..."
"What! The teacher's Thunder God Sword?"
All four men were moved. Given their status, few missions required their personal attention, but the Thunder God Sword was more symbolic than practical. It was the Second Hokage's relic, making it, in a way, a symbol of legitimacy.
Minato knew Setsuna intended to keep the sword, but he couldn't skip this part entirely. He tried to steer the conversation by saying, "It's a fake, of course. I know the real Thunder God Sword is safe here in Konoha."
The expressions of Danzō and the others were rather complicated. Did they not know whether the Thunder God Sword in Konoha was real or fake?
Conversely, they felt that the other Thunder God Sword mentioned by Minato might actually be genuine.
While they considered the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist to be insignificant, they trusted their expertise when it came to assessing blades and ninja tools—they were professionals, after all.
The fact that Raiga Kurosuki would prize it meant that sword was highly likely to be the real one.
Danzō asked directly, "Where is the Thunder God Sword now?"
Minato hesitated. "Naturally, the person who defeated Raiga Kurosuki has claimed it as a spoil of war."
"Absolutely not," Danzō declared firmly. "The Thunder God Sword must not fall out of our hands again."
Minato tried to argue, "It's just a fake..."
"I can tell you right now, the Thunder God Sword we have in the village is the fake one."
Seeing Danzō be so upfront, Minato could only sigh. "I understand. I will talk to Setsuna and ask him to hand the Thunder God Sword over to you."
"Who did you say that person was?" Danzō was startled, his face changing color.
"Huh? His name is Setsuna Chiaki," Minato was slightly confused. Danzō-sama's bandage covered his right eye; was his left ear failing now too?
"Setsuna Chiaki? The Genin that Hiruzen promoted exceptionally?" Homura Mitokado frowned slightly. "That's ridiculous! Such a precious ninja tool cannot be held by a child. I think Danzō is right..."
However, Danzō suddenly coughed violently, then changed his tune entirely: "But then again, if a child from the village recovers the Thunder God Sword that the teacher lost, isn't that a true passing of the torch? If it is the guidance of destiny, let the sword remain in his hands."
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane stared at Danzō in shock, as if seeing their old friend for the very first time.
Did those words truly come from Danzō's mouth? Or was he plotting something?
Feeling their stares, Danzō's old face flushed. He quickly changed the subject. "Ah, right. You mentioned earlier that you were surrounded by hundreds of Cloud ninja, including the prospective Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki. How exactly did you escape the encirclement?"
Minato repeated the description he had given to Kakashi's team a few days prior.
Danzō's mouth twitched. He yelled internally, "That kid is definitely getting more and more twisted."
At the same time, he felt a mix of relief and fear. He was thankful he hadn't truly forced Minato to pressure Setsuna.
Given the strength the kid had shown, he really might have been capable of killing Danzō outright.
Most crucially, that boy's mental state was clearly not normal.
While the Hidden Cloud initiated the ambush, there was no formal war yet. An ordinary person, even with a chance to kill Ay, would have to consider the far-reaching consequences.
But according to Minato's description, that kid didn't consider the bigger picture at all and nearly massacred the Raikage's son.
If a young ninja with such an extreme mindset felt he was being treated unfairly, it was entirely possible he would kill Danzō and then defect from the village.
Predictably, Homura Mitokado frowned upon hearing this: "His actions were slightly reckless. Killing so many Cloud ninja and one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Raiga Kurosuki, could escalate our conflict with the Hidden Cloud and Hidden Mist. The better approach would have been to bring back prisoners, so the village would have more leverage in international negotiations."
Danzō coughed again. "Homura, I think your thinking is too conservative. We were attacked and bullied; are we still supposed to worry about their feelings? Let them start a war! When has Konoha ever not fought against multiple enemies in a Great Ninja War?"
Homura Mitokado was dumbfounded. Was this really Danzō? Was he impersonating someone?
Danzō sighed internally. He was just desperately trying to save himself.
The Third Hokage smiled slightly. "Danzō is right. Constant compromise will only make our enemies think we are weak and easily bullied. I intend to leave the Hidden Cloud with a painful memory, one that will keep them from bothering us for quite some time."