Jiraiya was relatively clear-headed and raised his concerns.
With the emergence of the new Konoha, the situation was very unfavorable for their village. Apart from the four ninja clans of the Sarutobi and other higher-ups, the Hyuga was the only remaining ninja clan in the village.
Although he also inclined towards supporting civilians, he had to admit that in real battles, those from ninja clans were stronger than civilians, and it was an all-round crushing strength.
If the Hyuga clan were really forced away, the village would instantly degenerate into a second-rate village.
As for—the four Sarutobi clans?
He hadn't paid attention to this aspect before, but after becoming the Fifth Hokage this time and truly seeing the ninjas of these clans, even Jiraiya, the Hokage, couldn't help but shake his head.
Too poor!
First of all, these four ninja clans had no Kekkei Genkai, and secondly, their families had no secret techniques. Even though they were well-fed by the four old guys like Sarutobi, their combat power was quite weak, not even as good as the elites among civilian ninjas.
With these four weak ninja clans plus civilian ninjas, let alone comparing with the other four great ninja villages, they were almost incomparable to the Hidden Rain Village and Hidden Waterfall Village.
Did he, the Fifth Hokage, still qualify to be called 'Kage'?
So the current Jiraiya, although he might not want to start a war, and taking a step back in the confrontation with the Cloud Village was fine, he absolutely did not agree with retreating without a bottom line.
"Jiraiya, you worry too much."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the worried Jiraiya, took a puff of his pipe, and then said slowly: "The new Konoha will not allow the rules of the main family and branch family. Just this point alone will prevent the Hyuga clan from defecting to the other side."
His eyes were very firm.
Yes!
If the Hyuga clan wanted to defect to the new Konoha, they had countless opportunities to escape in the past two years, but the Hyuga clan did not do so, which was enough to prove his point.
They hadn't pushed the Hyuga clan to a desperate situation, just made them pay a small price.
What's the big deal?
Jiraiya opened his mouth to say something, but in the end, he sighed, shook his head, and didn't bother to say more.
Perhaps Sarutobi Hiruzen was right; the current village indeed couldn't fight a war!
...
Nothing happened overnight, the next morning.
After the Cloud Village envoy arrived at the Hokage's office, he immediately put forward their demands, wanting Hyuga Hiashi to pay with his life for their Cloud Village, and also wanting to take away Hyuga Hiashi's corpse.
Hiss!
With the Cloud Village's offer, everyone gasped.
Jiraiya immediately slammed the table: "Absolutely impossible, don't even think about it!"
"Hmph, doesn't matter!" The Cloud Village envoy didn't panic at all.
He just looked at everyone disdainfully and said in a very cold tone: "This is the final decision of Lord Raikage. You have to know that the ninja who died last night was Lord Tetsumaru of our Cloud Village. He was one of the elite Jonin of the Cloud Village, and a possessor of the very rare Storm Release Kekkei Genkai."
"If your Konoha doesn't even agree to this request, then the so-called peace talks are meaningless. Your Konoha just wait for war."
"Our Cloud Village delegation only gives you one day. If there is no result by this time tomorrow morning."
"Then—hmph!"
After speaking.
The Cloud Village delegation didn't argue with Konoha, snorted coldly, and left directly.
All major ninja villages knew about the new and old Konoha. After all, everyone had spies in other ninja villages. The new Konoha with two Mangekyou powerhouses and major ninja clans joining, the Cloud Village might not dare to provoke easily...
Old Konoha?
Hehe, what the hell?
I am blatantly bullying you. If you have the ability, start a war with my Cloud Village!
After the Cloud Village envoy left, Jiraiya immediately slammed the table: "The Cloud Village bullies me too much. Storm Release Kekkei Genkai, Hiashi killed him with 30% strength?"
"This is blackmail!"
On the other side.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was smoking constantly, waved his hand and called for an Anbu: "Go ask Danzo if that guy is a Storm Release ninja!"
"Yes!" The Anbu bowed and left.
Not long after.
The Anbu returned to the Hokage's office, knelt on one knee, and said respectfully: "The Cloud Village's Tetsumaru is indeed a Storm Release ninja, but this person was found to have a bloodline disease two years ago. According to the intelligence of Root spies in the Cloud Village, under normal circumstances, he would also die within this year."
Almost in an instant.
With the Anbu's words, you could hear a pin drop in the entire Hokage's office.
The so-called Storm Release ninja was actually damn true?
Now, it's trouble!
Jiraiya slammed the table angrily: "Using a Storm Release ninja with a bloodline disease to exchange for the clan head of my Konoha's Hyuga clan, the damned Cloud Village really made a good calculation!"
"Who doesn't know that bloodline diseases are incurable and have no other use except waiting for death?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes flickered.
His brain began to spin rapidly, and after pondering for a long time, he coughed.
"Jiraiya, don't be angry."
"Anger doesn't solve any task. Even if the other party has a bloodline disease, we can't say anything."
"Because he indeed died at Hiashi's hands, and this is enough to give the Cloud Village an excuse to start a war, and our Konoha absolutely cannot give the other party this excuse. The current Konoha can no longer afford such a war."
With his words, Jiraiya became decadent.
If Uchiha Jin hadn't created the new Konoha, and the major ninja clans were still in the village, he would absolutely not tolerate such humiliation.
But... sigh!
They had already gone to create the new Konoha, which made him very helpless: "Old man, what do you think?"
"Hyuga Hiashi cannot die; there is no doubt about this."
Sarutobi Hiruzen first determined the bottom line, then thought for a moment and spoke again: "Tell the Hyuga clan this news first, and test the reaction of the Hyuga clan."
"If they can solve this matter on their own, it will be a good thing for the village."
After speaking.
He asked the Anbu to notify the Hyuga clan without asking for the opinion of Jiraiya, the Hokage.
In response to this.
Hearing this, the Anbu bowed and left.
As an Anbu, he certainly understood who the real power holder in the village was.
Even though he preferred to listen to the command of Jiraiya, the Hokage, he also knew that Jiraiya had no power in the village, and it seemed that Jiraiya himself had never thought of seizing power...
So, forget it!
He was just a small Anbu and dared not get involved in such things.
He was afraid that if he pledged allegiance to Jiraiya, he would be cleaned up by Sarutobi Hiruzen right after.
He didn't think Jiraiya, the Hokage, could go against his teacher Sarutobi Hiruzen for a small Anbu like him.
<><><><><
Read Advaned Chapters on : patreon.com/Kaizo247
~ Evey 150 PS = Bonus Chapter!
~ Push the Story forward with your [Power Stones]