In the past, it was always the Konoha higher-ups who decided the sacrifices of those below. Today, it should be their turn to sacrifice and contribute...
Actually, the Hokage made this decision without consulting Shimura Danzo or the two advisors at all. But since he dared to say such words, it proved he had the courage to do it.
He had decades of camaraderie with these people. Now, to abandon them so easily, this ruthlessness seemed directed at the other Konoha higher-ups, but in reality, it was also directed at himself.
'Precisely because he is the Hokage, he must maintain a ruthless attitude.' This was the Second Hokage's ninja way, and it was now deeply engraved in the Third Hokage's heart.
After a moment of surprise and emotion, Ryun did not nod in agreement as the Hokage had expected. Instead, he fell into a long silence of contemplation.
The calmer he was now, the more apprehensive the Third Hokage felt inside.
Watching Ryun lower his head in thought, Jiraiya instinctively looked toward Kushina.
Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly caught on and also subtly shifted his gaze toward Kushina.
The pleading looks from the master and disciple made Kushina feel very awkward and helpless.
She originally really didn't want to pay attention to this pair, but after hearing the Third Hokage's言论 about 'self-sacrifice', most of her resentment toward Konoha had dissipated.
Moreover, and more importantly, Konoha had stood up against four nations to protect her this time. Regardless of the Hokage's ultimate motives, Kushina felt she should be somewhat grateful.
"Ryun... So many Anbu saw the Hokage enter our home. If he goes back tonight and commits suicide to atone, people might think we forced the Hokage to his death... And the four nations' target is me. Konoha, after all, protected me for..." Kushina actively held Ryun's hand, her tone cautious.
She wanted to ask Ryun to help Konoha out of this bind within his capabilities, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted it...
She had always seen Ryun as her sole reliance. Now, saying these words for outsiders to ease her own psychological burden made her feel even more weighed down, filled with guilt toward Ryun...
'No, what if Ryun doubts my loyalty? I didn't want to influence Ryun; he's suffered enough these years working hard outside... Damn Hokage! Damn Jiraiya!'
Kushina suddenly glared fiercely at the two of them. This glare left both master and disciple confused; they didn't understand why Kushina was suddenly angry.
Ryun was unaware of her complex psychology, and even if he knew, he wouldn't care.
Kushina speaking up for them was just about repaying a debt, since Konoha had indeed withstood great pressure and not handed her over.
The girl he liked had always been clear about gratitude and grudges, not some selfish ingrate.
"You're right. So many people saw you come in. If you go back and kill yourself, what will those tools think? Can Kushina continue living in Konoha? Isn't this purely disgusting me?" Ryun's tone was full of dissatisfaction.
"No..." Sarutobi Hiruzen opened his mouth to explain, but the next moment, Ryun waved his hand impatiently.
"No need to explain, and stop putting on an act here... Sacrificing yourself to quell my anger? Do you know where my anger lies?"
"Stop being so self-righteous. Let me be blunt: your life, Danzo's life, are worthless to me. I can kill you anytime I want. Don't think a few words can change my view of Konoha. Do you really think I can't see through your little schemes?"
Ryun's one gray and one black eyes seemed to see through people, making Sarutobi Hiruzen's scalp tingle.
"I'm not killing you out of mercy, but because I have my own plans. What I want to do, you will never guess and can never stop. I hope you remember that!"
Ryun's scolding left Sarutobi Hiruzen speechless for a long time.
"Ryun, you're going too far..."
Seeing Ryun scold his teacher like a grandchild, Jiraiya, who had endured for a long time, wanted to salvage some dignity for his teacher. But the next moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his hand to stop him.
"Considering you had the courage to take responsibility and protect Kushina, I can step in to help Konoha out of this bind. At 3 PM, you will convene another Five Kage Summit. I will personally appear then to resolve Konoha's troubles."
Ryun coldly stated the solution.
"!!!"
"!!!!!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen first thought he misheard. But seeing the serious look on Ryun's face, he couldn't help but feel troubled.
The four nations would love to kill Uchiha Ryun. Now he wants to have a summit with them... Isn't this a joke...
And if Ryun holds the summit with the four Kage in Konoha's communications room, wouldn't that mean Konoha is truly bound to this calamity...
Most importantly, where does Uchiha Ryun get the confidence that one summit can solve the problem? How could the four nations possibly compromise obediently?
Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't figure out what Ryun intended to do. But before he could ask, Ryun had already stood up and directly saw them out.
Seeing that further questions wouldn't yield answers and might even anger the other party, Sarutobi Hiruzen could only bite the bullet and leave with Jiraiya.
Ryun's decision was crucial for Konoha, even concerning its survival. The Hokage could only adopt an infinitely humble posture before him and follow his lead.
'At this point, we can only wait until tomorrow afternoon to see what he does...' Sarutobi Hiruzen thought to himself.
Ryun not following his expected script surprised and discomforted him.
Things had clearly slipped beyond his control. A powerful figure he couldn't manage was prone to variables. Whether these variables were good or bad was hard to predict, and the分寸 could only be handled by Ryun himself...
The moment the Hokage overturned the table, Konoha's fate was already placed in Ryun's hands.
Did the Hokage regret overturning the table? Certainly not, because he truly had no choice.
Not overturning the table meant no way out for Konoha. Overturning it at least offered a sliver of hope. And the one who held this sliver of hope wasn't actually Uchiha Ryun, but Konoha's Uzumaki Kushina!
It was precisely because he understood this back then that the Third Hokage dared to flip that table and turn against the four great nations.
"Teacher, that kid Ryun doesn't really want your life. Please don't do anything rash..." At the crossroads, as master and disciple parted, Jiraiya finally couldn't help but speak up.
He was afraid his teacher would really go back and commit suicide to atone. After all, the teacher's attitude back at Ryun's place seemed very serious, not at all like an act.
"You fool... always so naive and simple." Sarutobi Hiruzen patted his arm, scolding with a laugh.
"Go back, get some sleep early..."
"Oh, oh, teacher, you rest early too..." Jiraiya said this and left without looking back. Sarutobi Hiruzen watched his retreating figure for a long time without moving. Only when the tobacco in his pipe completely burned out did he lower his head and silently turn to leave.
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