Utane Koharu had not become head of Konoha's Medical Department purely through connections. Her medical ninjutsu ranked among the village's best.
Mito Menma had merely suffered a surge of anger—it was nothing life-threatening.
Under Koharu's treatment, he regained consciousness quickly.
After a flurry of activity, his condition stabilized. Refusing to be sent to the hospital, Menma insisted on returning to the main seat.
This jōnin assembly was too important.
The Fourth Hokage candidates and election procedures had to be finalized today.
If he left, Koharu alone might not withstand the pressure.
Gradually, everyone resumed their seats.
The meeting continued.
Koharu exchanged a glance with Hiruzen.
Receiving his signal, she spoke:
"The matter of the Daimyō's subsidy being entrusted to the Uchiha clan is of enormous importance. Even if it has… the recognition of two elders and the Daimyō himself, that does not necessarily mean it has the recognition of the entire village."
"The Hokage is the village's leader. Without the Hokage's approval, such a major decision cannot truly be implemented."
"Therefore, why don't we revisit this issue after the Fourth Hokage has been elected?"
She looked directly at Uchiha Jin.
The ball was in his court.
Jin shrugged lightly.
"That is reasonable. Naturally, the Hokage should acknowledge such matters."
"Though I imagine any Hokage would find it difficult to object."
"After all, the funds belong to the Daimyō."
"Whether he gives money, how much he gives, and to whom he entrusts it—that is entirely his decision."
"Surely the Hokage would not attempt to rob the Daimyō?"
His tone was casual.
But his confidence was unmistakable.
Hiruzen and the others thought Jin's trump card was the Daimyō.
They had no idea—
His true card was Namikaze Minato.
Once Minato ascended, everything would be laid bare.
If they wanted to stall—
Let them stall.
Koharu's eyes flashed with cold intent.
She shifted topics immediately.
"Very well. Let us continue the matter of Hokage candidates."
"Uchiha Jin has recommended Elder Shimura Danzō."
"And Hiruzen Sarutobi—jōnin—has raised objections, seeking accountability for Danzō's actions in the Battle of Kikyo Fortress."
She turned to Hiruzen.
"Jōnin Sarutobi. Please elaborate."
No detours this time.
No openings for distraction.
Straight to the point.
"No problem."
Hiruzen responded instantly.
"The Battle of Kikyo Fortress—yes, we won."
"Yes, Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure all suffered heavy losses."
"But we cannot ignore grave mistakes simply because the victory was bloody."
"This war—was initiated entirely by Elder Shimura."
"He misjudged the enemy's response."
"He planned to lure in a small Kumogakure force and crush it."
"He did not foresee their surprise strike on Kikyo Fortress."
"He mobilized troops for encirclement."
"He did not foresee that Kumogakure had already coordinated with Iwagakure and Sunagakure."
"His actions created gaps in our border defenses."
"The result was the complete collapse of our frontier lines."
"If not for Uchiha Jin and the Military Police, together with the Hyūga clan, holding Kikyo Fortress and buying time—"
"The Three-Village Alliance would already have been at Konoha's gates."
"If not for our shinobi fighting to the death—"
"The village would have fallen."
Hiruzen's voice hardened.
"The blame for this war lies entirely with Elder Shimura."
"And yet the victory had nothing to do with him."
There was no mercy in his words.
He even praised Jin deliberately.
Pulling one up.
Pressing one down.
An attempt to drive a wedge between Jin and Danzō.
But what he said—
Was fact.
This disaster had begun with Danzō.
In the past, when their alliance remained intact, Hiruzen might have scolded Danzō privately and buried the matter.
Now?
It was raised before the entire jōnin assembly.
If Danzō failed to give a convincing explanation—
He would not merely lose face.
He might lose everything.
Danzō's single eye gleamed.
He had anticipated this.
His earlier diversions were meant to buy time.
Now, under hundreds of gazes—
He finally spoke.
"War," he said coldly, "always brings casualties."
"You claim I initiated this war."
"I admit it."
He paused.
"And I will say it openly before all of you."
"I intended to start this war."
A ripple spread through the hall.
Many looked at him as though he had grown horns.
Konoha valued peace.
Those who sought conflict were viewed as aberrations.
Danzō continued, unwavering:
"Let me clarify."
"Starting a war does not mean I enjoy war."
"If peace were possible through patience alone, I would not provoke conflict."
"But this world is not so kind."
"In the First Shinobi War… the Second… and the Third just concluded—"
"Which of those did Konoha initiate?"
He slammed his palm on the table.
"Not one."
"We have always been the ones attacked."
"Even when we won—"
"They retreated, rebuilt, and came back."
"Why?"
His voice rose.
"Because our restraint taught them that losing to Konoha carried no unbearable cost."
"They learned that even in defeat, they would survive intact."
"That is why they dared to return."
His gaze swept the chamber.
"If we want lasting peace—"
"We must strike first."
"We must make them bleed."
"We must make them fear."
"Only then will peace endure."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Everything I have done—"
"Was for Konoha."
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