Five days later, inside the command tent.
The Third Mizukage's handwritten letter was passed around among everyone. The parchment still carried the distinct sea scent of Kirigakure.
Everyone's expressions were grim. Judging solely by the letter's content, they suspected the Mizukage had gone mad.
The letter's gist was that Kirigakure was willing to negotiate peace, even willing to release some captives to show sincerity. For the greater good of the Ninja World, they hoped Chiaki Setsuna would also come alone to Kirigakure for negotiations.
The malice in the letter wasn't even concealed. Kirigakure's intentions were utterly transparent.
"Has that old bastard Mizukage been floating at sea too long? Did water get into his brain?" Jiraiya slammed a palm onto the tea table, shattered wood fragments flying everywhere. "He actually thinks he can lure Setsuna there with a piece of paper?"
"What does the old man think? Why didn't they just tear up such an absurd letter immediately? Why specifically have Minato deliver it?" Tsunade was very displeased.
"The Hokage has sternly rejected Kirigakure's request. The letter was only sent so we can be cautious, careful that Kirigakure might use the greater good of Ninja World as a bargaining chip." Minato explained with a bitter smile.
"Greater good?" Orochimaru laughed upon hearing this. "Heh, such high-sounding rhetoric. Will anyone actually believe it?"
Even the usually calm Shikaku was angered by Kirigakure's arrogance: "The three-party allied forces from the western front will arrive in a few days. In my opinion, we should temporarily ease our offensive against Kumogakure, concentrate our forces to move south..."
"Indeed. I heard Kumogakure has been thoroughly harassed by that monster recently. They likely won't have the energy to concern themselves with us for a while." Jiraiya's tone was full of schadenfreude.
The noise in the tent grew louder and louder. Only Setsuna remained silent.
If he remembered correctly, the current Third Mizukage should be under Madara's control.
;Where did Uchiha Madara get the confidence, thinking Kirigakure's bunch of rotten fish and shrimp could threaten me? Or was Uchiha Madara planning to act personally?'
'But Uchiha Madara was already aged to that state, without Mangekyo or Rinnegan...'
Thinking of this, Setsuna suddenly paused, 'The missing Uchiha Fugaku… didn't he have a brand new pair of Mangekyo Sharingan?'
Due to preconceived notions, he had been focused on Obito.
Although Obito was prone to losing his mind, he was still normal now. As friends, Setsuna couldn't just watch Obito fall into Madara's clutches.
But now it seemed Madara had set his sights not on Obito, but on Fugaku?
'If Uchiha Madara 'borrows' Uchiha Fugaku's Mangekyo, with his arrogance, he might genuinely believe that Mangekyo alone could control me.' The corners of Setsuna's mouth lifted slightly.
Actually, it wasn't surprising Madara thought this way. After all, the Mangekyo Sharingan could even control Perfect Jinchuriki, controlling both the person and the Tailed Beast simultaneously.
But the monster inside Setsuna was no match for a mere Tailed Beast. If Madara could even control Don Slime, Setsuna could only say he admired it.
'Since Madara wants to sacrifice himself to promote me, I have no reason to disagree.' Setsuna suppressed his smile, speaking in a compassionate tone: "If my attendance can prevent the sacrifice of thousands of Ninjas, then I'm willing to take this risk."
The conference room abruptly fell silent. Everyone looked at Setsuna in disbelief.
Jiraiya's mouth opened and closed several times, finally squeezing out one sentence: "Are you serious?"
Tsunade said gravely: "Setsuna, I know your strength is formidable. But Kirigakure also knows. They dared to invite you despite knowing you defeated Sunagakure. They must have some kind of confidence."
"I know. But I also know the pain of losing a family." Setsuna slowly stood up. Sunlight cast a sacred halo around him. "If the little risk I take can ultimately save thousands of families from destruction, then it's worth it!"
Tsunade's eyes widened, as if she saw her grandfather's shadow in Setsuna.
Jiraiya patted Setsuna's shoulder: "In my life, I've never truly admired anyone. You're the first!"
…
With Setsuna's intentional promotion, news of him attending alone quickly spread throughout the entire Ninja World.
Many nobles of the great nations treated this news as a joke. They never thought there could be such a naive Ninja. Previously, when they learned of Setsuna's power, they were somewhat worried, afraid he would disrupt the order.
Now they were all relieved.
Turns out he could be manipulated just by using the so-called 'greater good'. That was too simple.
Among the middle and lower echelons of Ninjas and civilians, Setsuna's reputation soared like the midday sun. They never thought a high-ranking figure would take risks for them.
Kumogakure.
Hearing this news, A felt it was unbelievable: "Is that Chiaki Setsuna a fool? Can't he see such an obvious trap?"
Dodai took a deep breath: "He knows it's a trap, but he's still going to attend."
But the Third Raikage laughed heartily: "What's there to fear about a trap? Fearing traps just proves you're not strong enough."
A nodded: "Yeah. After all, you're called the [Second Chiaki Setsuna], Dad. Of course you have that confidence."
"What? Who said that?" The Third Raikage's eyes bulged in anger. Previously, he was the benchmark for Taijutsu Masters in the Ninja World.
"Everyone says that."
"Bastard! I'm going to find Chiaki Setsuna for a duel right now!"
…
Konoha Village, Hokage Building.
The Third let out a long sigh, the embers in his pipe flickering: "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have had Minato deliver that letter."
Homura sighed: "That child is too impulsive. How could he fall for such a trick?"
Koharu surprisingly showed a gentle expression: "No, this is precisely the inheritance of the Will of Fire."
Danzo watched coldly from the sidelines. Seeing the three of them worrying about and praising Setsuna, he inwardly sneered. He refused to believe that little devil was so noble.
Judging others by himself, he believed Setsuna must have absolute confidence to agree to go to Kirigakure.
'If he successfully returns this time, he'll undoubtedly gain immense prestige. The position of Hokage will no longer be contested.' Danzo felt his future was utterly dark.
If the Hokage were still Hiruzen, he'd still have confidence to compete.
But if the Hokage were that born-evil Chiaki brat, he suspected that if he showed even a hint of desire to contend for Hokage, that brat would order his execution under the pretext of plotting against the Hokage.
At that moment, Hiruzen suddenly said: "Danzo, you go to the front lines to support Setsuna."
"What? Me?" Danzo pointed at himself, his expression stunned.
Hiruzen said without hesitation: "Of course you. You are the commander of the southern front army. You've been recuperating for so long. It's time you went to the battlefield."
Danzo's heart turned cold. He felt that if he went to provide support, he might not return.
"Cough, my injuries aren't fully healed yet. Homura is the deputy commander. Have Homura go in my place." Danzo evaded.
"What kind of talk is that? Isn't it only you who can mobilize your Root?" Hiruzen was very displeased.
"Eh? This?" Danzo looked troubled, 'Would I have to abandon Root?'
Hiruzen made the final decision: "Alright, no more discussion. Set off immediately."