In Sarutobi Hiruzen's understanding, Uchiha Ryun indeed had two fatal weaknesses.
The first was naturally his mother, the deceased Asuka. The departure of this woman caused a tremendous change in Ryun's temperament. He transformed from a cheerful, sunny youth into the black-clothed Asura who made the entire ninja world tremble in fear.
The loss of an important emotional bond caused this young dragon to rapidly grow into a man-eating evil dragon within just a few years.
If Uchiha Ryun were to lose this last weakness... Sarutobi Hiruzen dared not imagine what kind of storm this ferocious evil dragon would unleash. Perhaps the Five Great Nations, or even the entire ninja world, would be buried along with him.
Moreover, if something happened to Kushina Uzumaki, the first to face this evil dragon would definitely be Konoha.
Uchiha Ryun did not owe Konoha anything. The debts that needed repaying had long been settled. Overall, Konoha was really no different from other villages to him.
Uchiha Ryun could destroy the ten thousand strong military port of the Land of Earth, he could destroy the Hidden Mist Village of the Land of Water. Was there any major nation in the ninja world he wouldn't dare to provoke?
Moral bottom lines, order, rules, these things could no longer restrain him.
If it weren't for the fact that Kushina, this weakness, was still a person of Konoha Village, he, the Third Hokage, would probably lie awake at night like the other Kage.
Kushina was not only Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, but she could also be considered a major safeguard for Konoha Village.
With her here, no matter how crazed Uchiha Ryun acted outside, he would not target Konoha Village. This was something Sarutobi Hiruzen was certain of.
The four Kage targeting Kushina were not only touching the reverse scale of that ferocious evil dragon, but also touching the reverse scale of everyone in Konoha. Sarutobi Hiruzen could not accept this no matter what.
"Lord Daimyo, this meeting can be concluded."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's words were polite, but his tone carried an undeniable authority.
Although the Kage ostensibly need to follow the orders of the Daimyo, when it truly involves matters of survival, the leader of a national military organization like the Kage holds power that absolutely supersedes that of the Daimyo.
"Alright... I am tired as well..."
The Daimyo of the Land of Fire said, putting down the feather fan in his hand.
"Hokage, it seems you intend to make an enemy of us all..." The Third Tsuchikage spoke coldly.
Third Kazekage: "I originally planned to sign a ceasefire agreement with your nation. Since the Hokage is so unappreciative, we can only continue fighting between us."
Fourth Raikage: "It's either him or us with Uchiha Ryun. Since the Hokage has chosen to stand on his side, then please prepare Konoha for a great war against our four nations."
Fourth Mizukage: "Since Uchiha Ryun won't let us have peace, then no one will have peace."
All four great nations issued declarations of war towards the Land of Fire.
Hearing the war threats, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire did not dare to make any statement, only instinctively looking towards the Third Hokage.
"You people..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen trembled with anger, his sharp, knife like gaze sweeping over everyone. These shameless individuals, unable to handle Uchiha Ryun themselves, wanted to drag Konoha down with them. This was clearly treating him, the Hokage, as weak and easy to bully.
"I will say this clearly here today. We of Konoha will absolutely not hand over Kushina Uzumaki. If you want war, then bring it on. Konoha loves peace, but we have never feared any war."
These people have repeatedly threatened and intimidated the Land of Fire... The Third Hokage had completely had enough.
Faced with the choice between war with the four nations or war with Uchiha Ryun, Sarutobi Hiruzen would rather directly confront the four great nations than face Uchiha Ryun.
The reason for this was simple: Sarutobi Hiruzen knew that even if they captured Kushina as bait, Uchiha Ryun would not obediently take the hook as everyone imagined. The Third Tsuchikage thought too simply, or perhaps he simply did not understand Uchiha Ryun.
Sarutobi Hiruzen could guarantee that if he truly dared to use Kushina to take such a risk and set a trap, then mushroom clouds named 'Tailed Beast Bomb' would likely rise within the Land of Fire within minutes.
The five great nations have vast territories and populations, and their geographical locations are always fixed. Uchiha Ryun is alone and unattached. If he truly goes mad and casts aside his moral bottom line, destroying any town or city, you cannot stop him.
After the Five Kage's defeat, Ryun's weight in Sarutobi Hiruzen's mind was clearly heavier than that of the four great nations. He had already gambled and lost once by personally dealing with Uchiha Ryun. If he were to continue recklessly provoking this evil dragon now, then even if Kushina pleaded for mercy, it would probably be difficult to save Konoha Village.
Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's resolute reply, the expressions of the four Kage and the Daimyo present all changed. But before they could say anything more, the Land of Fire side proactively cut off the communication network.
"It seems Konoha is determined to stand on Uchiha Ryun's side." The Third Tsuchikage said with a dark face and a cold voice.
"Rather than saying he stands on that side, it's better to say he doesn't dare to offend Uchiha Ryun..." The Fourth Mizukage spoke.
"At this point, there's no choice but to fight. The four nations unite, attack Konoha, and seize the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki for ourselves."
"If our lives are difficult, then no one will have peace."
The four nations did not retreat because of Konoha's forceful acceptance of war. The entire ninja world began to move towards an uncontrollable and dangerous situation.
"Relay my orders. Konoha must prepare for full scale war with the four great hidden villages."
After leaving the communication room, the Third Hokage decisively began war mobilization. All clans within Konoha Village were summoned to the Hokage Building to discuss war matters.
Late at night.
The sleepless Hokage came alone to a certain small house and knocked on its iron door.
"Who is it... knocking so late at night..."
An irritated voice came from inside the house. The girl, whose sleep was disturbed, was clearly angry.
"It's me... Kushina..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said with an awkward laugh.
"Lord Hokage? In the middle of the night... what business do you have?" After seeing clearly who it was, Kushina subconsciously frowned.
"Can I come in and sit..." Sarutobi Hiruzen asked again with an awkward laugh, the ingratiating smile full of aged humility.
"Um... alright..."
Kushina welcomed him into her home, then poured him a cup of cold water.
Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen remain silent for a long time, Kushina finally couldn't help but get straight to the point.
"Speak... what matter brings you here? I need to rest after you finish..."
"I came here primarily to ask you to help me arrange a meeting with Ryun..." Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and stated his purpose after she spoke.
"Help you arrange a meeting with Ryun?"
Kushina frowned and repeated it. Then Sarutobi Hiruzen saw her gently shake her head. "Ryun will not see you. You should have known this long ago..."
"This time is different from usual. You should have received news of tonight's war mobilization, right? The four great nations want to force Konoha to hand you over. They want to use this to set a trap and kill Ryun. I disagree with this approach, and it's impossible for me to hand you over. So I need to have a good talk with that child..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen knew Kushina wasn't so easily fooled, so he directly confessed everything.
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