Danzo's words left Rasa's face ashen.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi flushed with anger.
For the first time, the Hokage was publicly criticized by his own people, and he had no retort.
What could he say?
That now wasn't the time to wage war with Sunagakure, so let it slide?
"Lord Kazekage," Hiruzen fixed his gaze on Rasa, voice taut. "Is this true?"
He could only hope Rasa would be wise enough to deny it immediately.
A simple excuse—Rasa hadn't brought an army—could frame this as a misunderstanding, a ploy by enemies, delaying conflict.
But Rasa was livid.
Danzo had all but spat in his face. As the Fourth Kazekage, swallowing this insult would shred his authority before his village.
"What does Konoha want?!" Rasa demanded, voice low and seething.
He'd come to issue Konoha a warning through his strength. If they pushed too far, he'd fight.
"Hmph," Danzo snorted coldly, raising a hand. "Bring them forward."
Bloodied, tortured figures were dragged out, their tattered Sunagakure garb unmistakable.
Fury surged among Sunagakure's ninja.
Hiruzen's eyes twitched, his own anger flaring at Danzo.
Was this man trying to spark a war between Konoha and Sunagakure?
He wasn't wrong.
Danzo had purchased 1,200 Level 2 King's Way cans from Shen Mo over time. He hadn't opted for Level 3, as Shen Mo deemed him unready to define his "kingly" path, meaning no fate-altering items were guaranteed.
Still, those Level 2 cans had broadened his horizons.
He realized two things were essential to surpass Hiruzen and other Hokage candidates: a radiant, heroic image and monumental contributions to Konoha.
The former meant no more overt misdeeds.
The latter demanded war.
Sunagakure's plot handed him the perfect opportunity.
"Though you stripped me of my advisor role, some loyal subordinates still trust me," Danzo declared, righteous indignation radiating. "They risked their lives to uncover Sunagakure's plot. Yet you ignored their intelligence, refused to act. So I had no choice but to capture these spies and interrogate them with genjutsu!"
Hiruzen's eyes widened, a surge of rage nearly making him choke.
When had he received such intelligence?
But facing Danzo, he knew no one would believe him if he denied it now.
The Anbu were his direct subordinates.
Who would believe Root operatives answered only to Danzo?
This blame was his to bear.
"We consulted Danzo before this," Mito Menma stepped forward, glancing at Rasa with a sigh. "We didn't agree at first, but he said if no plot was found, he'd take full responsibility for acting against an ally—even with his life. Hiruzen, Konoha owes Danzo for averting this disaster!"
His life?
Shen Mo, watching the spectacle, nearly laughed.
Danzo wielded Izanagi, an ultimate Uchiha ocular jutsu, capable of reversing fatal wounds. If no plot was confirmed, he'd stage a dramatic sacrifice.
And those captives? Likely pre-hypnotized with genjutsu to ensure his narrative.
The eternal scapegoat was learning to shift blame.
Shen Mo felt a flicker of pride.
He glanced at Rasa, no longer defeated, and Hiruzen, no longer aged. Each seemed to have gained what they sought.
But their destinies clashed.
Who would prevail?
Shen Mo conjured a bag of sunflower seeds, ready for the show.
Rasa, eyeing Danzo's righteous facade and Hiruzen's targeted position, finally grasped it: Konoha was divided. One side craved war; the other sought peace.
He wanted no war.
"Enough!" Rasa decided, his Kazekage robes billowing without wind. He glared at Danzo. "If we wanted war, where's my army? Where's Orochimaru? You're the one harming my ninja without cause, breaking our alliance, and provoking war!"
He'd deny everything.
Like the Cloud Village once did.
He hadn't acted on the plan.
No army was present—fact.
Orochimaru? Long gone, untraceable.
"Danzo, there may be a misunderstanding," Hiruzen interjected. "Perhaps it's someone else's scheme. Lord Kazekage shows no intent for war now. Let's sit and discuss."
He believed Danzo's accusation, at least mostly.
But war with Sunagakure was ill-timed.
Mito Menma and Koharu Utatane hesitated.
The plot might be real.
But Rasa's stance suggested he'd abandoned it upon exposure. Was war still necessary?
"Even if they failed this time, they'll try again!" Danzo pointed at Rasa, resolute. "As allies, the moment they considered attacking Konoha, they lost all trust. And to destroy our village, no army is needed—you alone might suffice."
Hiruzen's face shifted.
He'd nearly forgotten.
Rasa was a can opener. In this era, wars hinged on can openers.
Victory in the Fate-Witnessing Stage made armies irrelevant.
The crowd, unaware, exchanged stunned glances, questioning if they'd misheard.
One man could destroy Konoha?
Even Gaara stared at his father, awestruck. Was he that powerful?
Rasa's face darkened.
He knew what Danzo was about to do.
"Hiruzen," Danzo turned, his grim expression morphing into pained resolve. "That being said we all strive toward our desired fates. Do you still believe peace is possible? Without fighting, only destruction awaits. So—"
He drew his Membership Badge from his robes, raising it high.
"We have no choice! The Stage of Fate must begin!"