Chapter 36: The Senju Legacy; A Dominant Hokage Speaks
"Are they certain it was us?"
Hiruzen gestured for Koharu and Homura to remain calm.
"The Cloud hasn't provided a shred of evidence, but their tone is absolute. They're pinning the blame squarely on us," Koharu replied quickly, handing the official Kumogakure scroll to the Hokage. "The other Great Nations and Hidden Villages are all holding their breath, waiting for our response."
Hiruzen scanned the scroll, a cold smirk spreading across his face.
"Sensei, should I take my leave? We can discuss my report later," Orochimaru said, standing up and offering a polite nod to the two Elders.
"No need. Stay. Read it yourself," Hiruzen commanded, waving his hand as he began packing fresh tobacco into his pipe with a slow, rhythmic motion.
"As you wish, Sensei," Orochimaru replied with a knowing smile.
A moment later, a frantic pounding sounded at the door.
The word "Enter" had barely left Hiruzen's lips before Danzo Shimura strode in. "Hiruzen! We need to prepare for total war! Mobilize the shinobi! We cannot let this provocation stand!"
Danzo stopped when he saw Orochimaru. He instinctively wanted to bark a reprimand—this was a high-level Council meeting, after all—but the sight of Hiruzen's calm posture made him swallow his words.
Danzo wasn't a fool. He could see Hiruzen was grooming Orochimaru as his successor to keep the pressure on him. But Danzo couldn't find it in himself to be truly angry. Hiruzen had been transparent with him: he had a chance to compete, but he wasn't being handed the hat.
Fairness had a power of its own. For the first time in his life, Danzo felt he was being treated like a peer rather than a shadow.
"Orochimaru, did your team leave traces?" Danzo asked, his face a mask of iron. "My Anbu teams were flawless. I checked the perimeter myself."
He wasn't just being petty; if there was a leak, someone had to be held accountable.
Orochimaru let out a sharp, cold snort. "My team was invisible. And Danzo... you should address him as Lord Hokage, not by his childhood name. Have some respect for the office."
The air in the room instantly crackled with friction. It was a classic "Stalemate of Egos."
"Since both of you claim there were no mistakes, I will take you at your word," Hiruzen said, tapping his pipe against the table to get their attention. "Gentlemen, do not fall into the enemy's trap. Don't let a bit of shouting make you lose your nerve."
Orochimaru and Danzo both huffed but turned their attention back to the Hokage.
"Lord Hokage," Homura asked, "do you think the Cloud is bluffing?"
"Almost certainly."
Hiruzen exhaled a thick cloud of smoke. "Look at the wording. They haven't officially stated that Blue B is dead. Their tone is aggressive and loud, but if you look past the posturing, it's nothing but pressure."
"Think like the Raikage for a moment. He's lost his Jinchuriki. His village has taken a massive blow. He has no targets to hit back at. What does he do? Hide? Go into seclusion?"
"No. If he hides, his enemies—specifically the Stone Village—will smell blood. They'll see the Cloud as weak."
"So, he does the opposite. He acts strong. He announces to the world that Kumogakure is still a superpower and that the Eight-Tails is ready for combat. He picks the 'softest' target he can find—Konoha, the village of 'Peace-Lovers'—and tries to bully us into a payout."
The room went silent as the weight of the logic settled.
Koharu and Homura felt their faces flush with a hint of shame. They had been so panicked by the threat of war that they hadn't seen the strategic desperation behind it. It reminded them of the last war, where they had been the primary voices pushing for a quick, "equal" peace treaty without demanding reparations.
"Times have changed," Hiruzen said, waving off their embarrassment.
"Don't dwell on the past. Your previous decisions were based on the circumstances of that era. But don't think war is the only answer, either. Our core advantages are our Technology and our Talent. Those things need time to mature into value."
"Being 'Hard' all the time is just as stupid as being 'Soft.'"
Danzo's expression was dark, but he nodded. "I agree with the Hokage's assessment."
He realized Hiruzen was "correcting" his impulsive demand for war. He felt a sting of regret; he hadn't actually wanted war yet, he just wanted to look tough and potentially pin a failure on Orochimaru.
"Sensei, your analysis is flawless," Orochimaru said, looking at his master with genuine admiration. This was the leader he had always wanted to follow.
"The Cloud's provocation is an opportunity for us to buy more time," Hiruzen said firmly. "We are going to use this moment to deter every other village simultaneously."
"For too long, the world has viewed Konoha as a 'Pacifist' nation. They think our kindness is weakness. This time, we show them our teeth."
"We will state that while Konoha upholds the First Hokage's dream of peace, we are not toothless. We will announce that if anyone dares to break that peace, Konoha will use every resource at its disposal to protect its home—including Forbidden Jutsus. We will make it clear that anyone who touches the Leaf will pay a price they will regret for a thousand years."
Hiruzen was playing his cards: On his left hand, the "Hashirama Peace Card." On his right, the "Tobirama Forbidden Jutsu Card."
In the eyes of the other nations, the Senju brothers represented two extremes. Hashirama was the saint you could reason with; Tobirama was the demon who would invent a new way to kill your entire bloodline if you annoyed him.
"Draft a response based on my words. The wording must be precise, lethal, and broadcast to every corner of the Ninja World," Hiruzen commanded. "Do it now."
Koharu and Homura snapped to attention. "Understood!"
The administrative duo rushed out to execute the order.
"Orochimaru, continue your report," Hiruzen said.
"Yes, Sensei. The first batch of 'Restoration Pills' is ready for mass production. The samples are prepared. The Nara and Akimichi clans outdid themselves."
Hiruzen nodded. Once they had established a dominant diplomatic position over the Cloud, negotiating with the Fire Daimyo would be child's play.
"And your other project?"
"The 'Concept' is sound, but the universal application will take time," Orochimaru said, his eyes flicking toward Danzo. "Specific cases might be ready sooner, but a 'Universal Vaccine' is a long-term goal."
He was referring to the Hashirama Cells. Orochimaru was being intentionally vague to keep Danzo in the dark.
"Take your time. I'll ensure the 'Base Materials' are ready for you," Hiruzen said, thinking of the Izuna clone in the vault.
"Thank you, Sensei. I'll get back to the lab," Orochimaru smirked at Danzo and walked out of the office.
Danzo ground his teeth. I'm going to kill that brat one day, he thought. The anxiety of being "out-worked" by Orochimaru was eating him alive.
"Danzo," Hiruzen said, patting his old friend's shoulder. "Your job is just as important as his."
"I want you to focus on internal security and the border outposts. I want a literal wall of eyes around this village."
Danzo felt a surge of relief. At least I have a mission.
"And prepare yourself. You'll be traveling with me to the Land of Fire's capital soon. I have a surprise for the nobility, and I'll need my Commander of the Anbu by my side."
Danzo's eyes lit up. A trip to see the Daimyo? A chance to stand beside the Hokage in front of the world's elite?
"I won't let you down, Hiruzen!"
Three Days Later.
Konoha's formal response reached the Five Great Nations. The world went into a frenzy.
The Hidden Leaf wasn't apologizing. They weren't explaining. They were threatening.
The message was clear: The Golden Era of Bullying the Leaf is over. The God of Shinobi has returned.
☆☆☆
-> 20 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you