"Can they confirm it was us?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi gestured for the two elders to calm down.
"The Hidden Cloud Village didn't provide evidence," Koharu Utatane replied quickly, handing over the written condemnation. "But their tone is firm. They insist we are highly suspect."
"Every major nation and hidden village is waiting for our response."
Hiruzen read it carefully.
A moment later, he let out a cold chuckle.
"Sensei, perhaps we can continue our discussion another day? I still have matters to report," Orochimaru said as he rose, nodding politely to the two advisors.
"No need to leave. You should read it too."
Hiruzen waved a hand, setting tobacco into his pipe with unhurried ease.
"As you wish, sensei." Orochimaru smiled knowingly.
A short while later, hurried knocking echoed through the office.
The instant Hiruzen said, "Enter," Danzo Shimura strode in.
"Hiruzen, we must prepare for total war. Mobilize the shinobi at once!"
Orochimaru naturally handed him the document with one hand.
Danzo frowned. Faced with this rival, his first instinct was to press him down.
This was a high-level meeting of Konoha's leadership.
But one glance at Hiruzen was enough. Danzo restrained himself.
He was no fool. He could see that Hiruzen was supporting Orochimaru and encouraging competition.
Yet Danzo felt no anger.
Because Hiruzen had already made it clear. He was guaranteeing Danzo the qualification to compete, not naming him the next Hokage outright.
He even offered guidance, openly and subtly, on how to become a Hokage.
This was not favoritism.
Fairness carried its own power.
Even Danzo could not deny that.
"Orochimaru, did your side leave traces?" Danzo asked flatly. "There's no issue within the Anbu. I've checked repeatedly."
It was not deliberate hostility. If intelligence had leaked, someone would have to answer for it.
Orochimaru let out a soft scoff. "There's no issue on my end either. And you should address him as Third or Hokage, not by name."
The tension between them ignited instantly.
Like needle against blade, neither willing to yield.
"If both of you insist there's no problem, then there's no problem," Hiruzen said calmly, tapping the table to quiet them.
"Don't fall into a mental trap. Just because the enemy makes noise doesn't mean we should panic."
Both men snorted lightly, but they began to think through his words.
Homura Mitokado spoke first. "Third, you mean the Hidden Cloud is bluffing?"
"Most likely."
Hiruzen exhaled smoke slowly.
"Notice they never stated that the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki is dead. Their wording is rough and furious, but beneath that surface, it's pressure."
"Put yourself in their position. The Hidden Cloud has lost its Eight-Tails Jinchuriki. The village has taken a heavy blow. They have no clear target to retaliate against."
"What do they do? Hide? Of course not."
"If they retreat into silence, enemies and potential enemies alike will see weakness."
"So they must act tough."
"They must announce to the entire shinobi world that their village remains strong. That the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki can strike at any moment."
"And Konoha has long been known as the peace-minded one, the so-called soft persimmon."
"If we shrink back now, they achieve their goal."
"They might even squeeze compensation out of us."
The room fell silent as they absorbed his reasoning.
Koharu and Homura felt heat creep into their faces.
Part of it was embarrassment at their earlier haste. It did not suit their positions.
Part of it was memory. During the last great war, they had advocated limiting reparations and ending the conflict quickly.
"Different times, different circumstances."
Hiruzen waved a hand lightly.
"Past decisions were made based on the environment then. Don't overthink it."
"And don't jump straight to war. Our core advantage lies in technology and talent. Those require time to mature."
Blind toughness was not always strength.
Doves and hawks were simply perspectives. Neither was inherently superior.
Danzo's face remained dark, but he spoke in agreement. "I support the Hokage's assessment."
The message was not lost on him.
He regretted his earlier tone. He had not truly intended to declare war. He only wanted to heighten the urgency and perhaps shift some blame toward Orochimaru.
"Sensei, your analysis is correct."
Orochimaru looked at Hiruzen with open admiration.
This was what a Hokage should be.
Calm. Always.
"The Hidden Cloud's provocation is an opportunity. It buys us time."
"And we should use this chance to deter the other villages as well."
Hiruzen's voice deepened.
"Konoha is known for its inclination toward peace. Other villages are unlikely to believe the Hidden Cloud's accusations outright."
"This time, we respond with strength."
"We will state clearly that while Konoha upholds the First's ideal of peace, that is not weakness. It is an expectation that others share the same stance."
"If anyone dares to shatter that peace, Konoha, having already endured one great suffering, will use everything at its disposal to defend its home."
"Everything, including Forbidden Jutsu. By Tobirama Senju's will, we will ensure our enemies pay a price they can never undo."
In one hand, Hashirama's peace.
In the other, Tobirama's ruthlessness.
In the outside world, the Senju brothers' reputations stood at opposite extremes.
But even a negative legacy had value.
The Hokage intended to spend it.
"Draft a statement according to my intent. Choose the wording carefully. Inform the entire shinobi world."
"As fast as possible."
His tone left no room for objection.
"Understood," Koharu and Homura replied at once.
The Administrative Department moved immediately.
"Orochimaru, continue your report. No need to postpone."
"Yes, sensei."
Orochimaru straightened.
"The revised medicine can now be produced on a preliminary scale. The samples are ready. The Nara and Akimichi clans have been thorough."
Hiruzen nodded slightly.
Once diplomatic leverage was established against the Hidden Cloud, negotiations in the Land of Fire would become much smoother.
"And regarding your concept," Orochimaru continued, choosing his words carefully with Danzo present, "it is promising, but implementation will take time."
"In certain special cases, progress may be faster. But achieving general applicability… that will not be simple."
He referred to suppressing Hashirama Cells.
The vagueness was intentional.
Let Danzo know he was working, but not what he was working on.
Let him stew in it.
"Step by step," Hiruzen said calmly. "This is a long-term project. I understand."
"I will prepare the materials you need."
Inwardly, his thoughts shifted.
Special cases would be enough.
According to Tobirama's notes, the compatibility between Izuna Uchiha and Tobirama Senju had once been astonishing.
"Thank you for your understanding, sensei. I'll return to work."
Orochimaru cast Danzo a faint smile and left.
Danzo ground his teeth quietly.
He would remember this.
Just as Orochimaru intended, the moment Danzo realized he was moving behind the scenes, a flicker of anxiety took root.
But Orochimaru reported directly to Hiruzen. Danzo could neither interfere nor pry too openly.
Though the Anbu answered to him as minister, they also answered to squad leaders and vice ministers.
Those were Hiruzen's people.
If Danzo tried to treat them like the private forces of Root as before, Sakumo Hatake, who had once impeached him, would make his life miserable.
"Danzo, focus on internal security."
Hiruzen placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Dispatch scouting teams to the borders. Guard against infiltration."
"Your task is no lighter than Orochimaru's."
A spark of satisfaction flickered in Danzo's chest.
Having responsibility meant visibility.
Then a faint unease crept in.
"You won't be left out when it comes to public matters."
"Prepare your deployment. You'll accompany me to the Land of Fire. I have a surprise for you."
At that, Danzo forgot the unease entirely.
"Rest assured, Hiruzen."
He added with irritation, "You should rein in Orochimaru. I've called you by name for years. A junior questioning me like that, he's getting out of hand."
Hiruzen only smiled.
Without competition, where would motivation come from?
Bringing Danzo to the Land of Fire was no empty promise.
His reputation as the Darkness of the Shinobi World carried weight among the daimyo and the nobles.
Three days later.
Konoha's response spread across the shinobi world.
And every hidden village was stirred.
Such strength.
Such defiance.
Unyielding.