The next day, early in the morning.
Just as the Uchiha faction was quietly preparing, Utatane Koharu also rushed back, covered in dust.
Seeing the authorization from the Daimyo, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally showed a slight smile, and then began to prepare for the Jonin Council meeting that afternoon.
"Koharu, Homura."
"This matter is very important to us."
"The current Uchiha faction is too tight-lipped; it's hard for us to understand their intentions. So, at this afternoon's Jonin Council meeting, all of us must be vigilant to prevent Uchiha Jin from causing trouble."
"I've secretly recalled all qualified guardian Ninja from the border."
"I've temporarily promoted some of the elite Chunin from our clan to Jonin."
"You two settle these people. Their votes of confidence will be our trump card in this afternoon's Jonin Council."
"Go."
After speaking.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took out three thick stacks of Jonin promotion orders from his desk drawer and handed them directly to Utatane Koharu.
And, in response.
Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado naturally didn't hesitate, taking the promotion orders and leaving.
Clearly.
They also knew that the success of this matter determined whether they could continue to control the Village's power in the future. So, they naturally had no doubts and cooperated almost 100% with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Immediately after.
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly. After pondering for a long time, he directly summoned an Anbu.
He wrote a letter on the spot and handed it to the Anbu, then spoke in a very serious tone: "Deliver this letter to the Village's Root Ninja, and have him contact Danzo as quickly as possible."
"Also, tell Root that this juncture is extremely important. Danzo himself doesn't have to return."
"But the power of the Anbu must be at my disposal, of course, only for this afternoon's Jonin Council."
"Go!"
The Anbu took the letter, bowed, and retreated.
Only after this Anbu truly left the Hokage Office did Hiruzen Sarutobi finally let out a complete sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Jiraiya leaned against the window with his arms crossed, watching Hiruzen Sarutobi issue various orders. However, his eyes were filled with helplessness and sadness.
He didn't agree with such underhanded tactics.
He even secretly looked down on Hiruzen Sarutobi, because in his opinion, his teacher's methods were not as open and honorable as Uchiha Jin's.
But, alas!
Thinking about the situation he was about to face, Jiraiya couldn't help but let out a helpless sigh.
It was this sigh that drew Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was grim, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. Then he pulled out a new pipe, lit it, and after exhaling a cloud of smoke, he spoke faintly to Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya, don't blame me!"
"Desperate times call for desperate measures. My methods may not be honorable, but everything is for the continuation of the Village."
"I will bear these dark and dirty deeds. You know nothing about this; just rest assured and wait to become Hokage."
"I will leave you a clean Village!"
His words were heartfelt and sincere.
It was as if Hiruzen Sarutobi truly preferred to shoulder all sins, just to leave Jiraiya a clean Village.
But it must be admitted that Jiraiya actually took it seriously.
He looked at his teacher with gratitude: "Teacher, you have suffered."
"Everything is for the Village!" Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was calm, tinged with a hint of solemnity: "I promised Teacher Tobirama, so I naturally must protect the Village well."
"Where the leaves dance, the fire burns on."
"The firelight will continue to illuminate the Village and allow new leaves to sprout."
"Teacher has now reached the point of burning himself to light the way for you, Jiraiya, a new leaf."
"Don't worry about anything else!"
As soon as he spoke these words, Jiraiya became deeply moved.
Yes!
Even if his teacher's methods were a bit dirty, everything was to illuminate the future of the Village, which made Jiraiya's heart pound with excitement.
After taking a deep breath, he said with a solemn tone.
"Teacher, don't worry."
"I will definitely protect the Village and not let your efforts go to waste."
"The evil Uchiha, I will not let them succeed!"
Jiraiya's face was serious, his eyes carrying a hint of killing intent.
Before, he couldn't quite understand why his teacher and the others were always wary of the Uchiha.
Now, he understood!
It wasn't a big deal, and he had personally gone to persuade them, but those damned Uchiha still refused to reconcile.
They truly were the evil Uchiha!
And, in response.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was naturally very satisfied, and then he sent Jiraiya off to prepare.
However.
After Jiraiya truly left, Hiruzen Sarutobi relaxed, leaning back in his chair, and took another deep drag from his pipe.
Completely relaxed, he watched Jiraiya leave, a cold smirk playing on his lips... Two o'clock in the afternoon.
The Jonin Council officially began, and many Jonin arrived.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Konoha High Command were on high alert, their minds frantically trying to figure out how the Uchiha would break through this time.
This silent contemplation continued until the meeting began.
Then.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was instantly dumbfounded.
Because neither the Uchiha nor the other major Ninja Clans showed up at all.
Yes!
Not even a representative came, which instantly left him stunned.
"Where are the Uchiha?"
"Where are the other major Ninja Clans?"
"Why didn't they come?"
At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was a little unable to hold it together.
Because he knew very well that if these Ninja Clans didn't participate, even if Jiraiya was forcefully promoted, he would feel somewhat illegitimate in his position in the future.
However.
Facing Hiruzen Sarutobi's anger, the meeting hall was dead silent.
Especially – the Hyuga Clan!
Because besides the Four Sarutobi Clans and civilian Ninja, only the Hyuga Clan chose to participate, which naturally made everyone in the Hyuga Clan feel quite awkward and uncomfortable.
No choice.
All the other Ninja Clans had banded together, making them seem very special, like a crane among chickens.
But, what could they do?
Because the Hyuga Clan had the Bird in a Cage, Danzo didn't care for the Hyuga Branch Family, and there were only a few people in the Main Family, so it was impossible to send them into Root!
So, under these circumstances, the Hyuga Clan had no need to defect to the Uchiha.
Not to mention.
The Hyuga Clan and the Uchiha Clan inherently had a competitive relationship, so they naturally wouldn't actively defect.
But, damn it.
Looking at this strange situation, Hiashi Hyuga was really a bit embarrassed!