Sarutobi Hiruzen's killing intent was substantial.
So much so that Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were stunned.
Weren't they just discussing reforms? How did the topic suddenly shift to war?
Moreover, Sarutobi Hiruzen was traditionally a dove and had never been keen on war...
During the Second Ninja World War, although Iwagakure was clearly at a disadvantage, Sarutobi Hiruzen opted for peace negotiations on equal terms rather than demanding reparations to end the war as soon as possible.
At that time, this approach caused quite a bit of controversy within the village.
Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's words, Shimura Danzō's eyes instantly lit up.
As the former head of the biggest hawk faction in Konohagakure, he had always been interested in war.
"Leave it to me!" Shimura Danzō said immediately.
"Should we reconsider?" Mitokado Homura pondered and spoke: "Wait until the reforms are initially implemented before carrying out this act of retaliation?"
Utatane Koharu looked solemn: "What if it provokes a war? Is the village ready to respond?"
Shimura Danzō turned his head viciously and shouted: "You two stop always being so conservative! Tolerance is useless!"
"Danzō, you are too arbitrary!"
"War is not child's play; we must consider everything!" Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu retorted against Shimura Danzō.
"Don't argue."
Sarutobi Hiruzen signaled them to listen to him: "Retaliation is imperative. This is not to provoke a war, but rather to prevent one."
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu looked confused.
Killing the opponent's Jinchūriki prevents war?
"To use an inappropriate analogy, don't overthink it."
Sarutobi Hiruzen pointed at Shimura Danzō: "Suppose Danzō took away all the power of the Anbu, and I didn't say a word. What do you think he would do next?"
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu smiled awkwardly.
Does that even need to be said?
Continue to make you a figurehead!
Shimura Danzō's face froze.
Wait, is there such an example?
"He would run over and lecture me, reminding me, the Hokage, to pay attention to centralization and fulfill my duties as an assistant, but he would definitely emphasize criticizing my weakness."
Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed and patted Shimura Danzō on the shoulder: "Am I right?"
Shimura Danzō forced a dry laugh: "Haha, of course."
Is Hiruzen really joking?
"Danzō is my good partner. Even if I do this, he would think I'm weak..."
"But what if it's the enemy? The enemy won't run over to remind me, remind you, remind Konoha!"
"They will think we are weak and easy to bully, that we can even yield on matters concerning Jinchūriki!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen said in a deep voice: "Therefore, we must retaliate as soon as possible! Treating enemies, we must not yield an inch, letting them feel the harshness of Konoha's iron fist!"
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura thought for a while and expressed their views respectively.
"If that's the case, I approve."
"Agreed. Is there a specific plan? Hiruzen..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen signaled them to raise any opinions.
Based on past memories and recent contacts.
These two advisor teammates of his essentially had no problems, just overly conservative thinking.
Such people, if used in the right place, are actually very useful.
"How about starting with infrastructure? A Jinchūriki might not be a good target."
Mitokado Homura further said: "Or an important ninja, a relative of the Raikage?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered:
"From the fact that Cloud Village abducted Uzumaki Kushina, I speculate that there is a high probability of a problem with their Jinchūriki."
"Danzō, is there specific intelligence on the intensity of friction between Cloud Village and Rock Village in recent years?"
"I have statistics. In the past two years or so, Rock Village has mostly been the provocateur, while Cloud Village has restrained itself a lot." Shimura Danzō answered quickly: "Root has relevant data."
"Very good." Sarutobi Hiruzen cast an approving look at Shimura Danzō:
"Cloud and Rock have a generational feud. This is a historical problem determined by their ninja clan composition and geography. Given Cloud's style and temperament, for them to restrain themselves, there is a high probability of a huge internal hidden danger."
"Coupled with the increasingly tense situation in the Ninja World, actively breaking the unspoken rules to attack our Jinchūriki shows that their problem has reached a point where it must be solved!"
In the Ninja World, there are no explicit rules to speak of.
But there are still some unspoken rules to limit the intensity of mutual struggle and avoid meaningless consumption.
Within each country, near the borders, Anbu killings are tacitly allowed, but for important figures, especially when involving the major concept of 'Tailed Beasts'.
Essentially, it is not much different from declaring war.
"Cloud doing this indeed explains some problems..."
"If they were strong and well-equipped, deliberately provoking war, why would they actively reduce friction with Rock?"
Utatane Koharu analyzed: "This is unreasonable. The conflict between Cloud and Rock is not so easy to suppress; this will have an impact on the Raikage's prestige."
"That's right..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said in a deep voice: "So, combining various situations, Cloud's Jinchūriki is extremely likely to be on the verge of collapse!"
The eyes of the three people present lit up.
This logic is reasonable...
"Danzō, verify this conjecture as soon as possible."
Sarutobi Hiruzen took in the expressions of the three and continued: "My opinion is, we cannot use force to kill forcefully. We must secretly release the Eight-Tails within his body without leaving evidence."
"Konoha today cannot bear the image of actively provoking war and assassinating enemy Jinchūriki."
"Internally, we let key figures know, that's enough."
"As for Cloud, suffering such a blow, they will naturally suspect everything frantically without our reminder."
Shimura Danzō nodded, expressing approval.
He was a hawk, but not a mindless one.
He also didn't want Konoha to be used as a pretext for an explosive war with the four great hidden villages.
"After you confirm the intelligence, we will hold a briefing meeting as fast as possible."
"We must make them pay the price in blood. This is also a trivial compensation we must make to Lady Mito and the Uzumaki Clan."
"What do you say?"
Mentioning Uzumaki Mito and the Uzumaki Clan, the atmosphere became gloomy.
During the Second Ninja World War.
Because Konoha was bogged down in the quagmire of war, all aspects were in a state of desperation.
Neglected the care of allies.
Although the tragedy of Uzushiogakure had various reasons.
For example, Uzushiogakure was located on an isolated island between the Land of Fire and the Land of Water, and was unwilling to move inland to join Konoha, leading to severe restrictions on the speed of support...
But in the final analysis, it was also a major mistake by Konoha's high level.
Especially after the destruction of Uzushiogakure, there were problems with the care of Uzumaki Kushina...
This was really indefensible.
Without showing an attitude, this matter would always be a hidden danger!
"Regarding Uzumaki Kushina's treatment, we must improve it in all aspects. For the orphans of the Uzumaki Clan, we must also search for them at the appropriate time."
Sarutobi Hiruzen pointed at Utatane Koharu:
"Koharu, you must implement this matter as soon as possible. Make sure Uzumaki Kushina knows our apology, let her feel that this is home, and the village is watching over her, understand?"
"Past events cannot be changed, but it is never too late to correct mistakes. We can't wait any longer."
Utatane Koharu responded: "Understood, Third."
"Alright, go do your respective tasks!" Sarutobi Hiruzen signaled that they could get busy.
The three moved quickly.
Clenching his pipe, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked down at the village through the office window, narrowing his eyes.
In this village, if there was still a ninja he couldn't ignore...
Or rather, someone who had transcended the concept of a ninja.
That was the First's wife, the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Uzumaki Mito!
Whether from the knowledge she possessed, her combat power, or her identity.
From every aspect...
As the Hokage, he needed to find a way to clean up the original mess to regain the recognition of this 'Empress Dowager'.
This would have great benefits.
Avoiding facing her with guilt like before...
Was simply too terrible.
"That child fused with the First's cells might be a breakthrough point..."
"Being old and a Jinchūriki, she should be quite lonely, right?"
"But before that, preparatory work must be done well. I must bring results to show sincerity and remorse."
Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke, but he wasn't tired.
He enjoyed this feeling very much.
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