Chapter 15: War Looms?
Yesterday, Konoha was filled with joy and celebration.
Because countless Konoha ninja had exchanged their lives for peace.
But today, Konoha was shrouded in gloomy clouds.
Because the leader of the Cloud Village delegation sent to Konoha was actually killed by the head of the Hyūga clan himself.
In response, the Cloud Village side believed Konoha had no sincerity in ceasing hostilities, demanding Konoha hand over the corpse of the culprit who murdered the delegation leader, threatening to declare war on Konoha again otherwise.
They had even begun assembling ninja at the border of the Land of Hot Water, ready to launch an attack on the Land of Fire at any moment.
This speed, this posture – any normal person could see that the Cloud Village definitely had premeditated evil intentions; this incident merely gave them a reason to start a war.
However, the fools who couldn't see the situation clearly cursed the Hyūga, while the smart ones who understood the situation just watched from the sidelines, adopting an attitude of 'it has nothing to do with me'.
After all, war means death, the death of many, many people.
And this time, it was purely the Hyūga clan's own doing. How could those shrewd operators possibly be willing to take responsibility for the Hyūga?
Moreover, one could imagine that once war broke out again, the weakened Konoha would surely become the target of concentrated fire from the other ninja villages.
Such consequences were something no one was willing to bear.
This led to a very tense atmosphere in the village currently, with public opinion overwhelmingly one-sided.
A cold wind, stirred by public sentiment, was blowing towards the Hyūga clan.
-- Sacrifice one person, avoid war, save ten thousand.
This wasn't just pressure from the higher-ups; it was pressure from the entire village, a choice the Hyūga could not refuse.
...
Inside the Hokage's Office, smoke lingered, the mood gloomy and bleak.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, face full of worry, took a drag from his pipe and asked: "Why isn't Danzō here yet?"
Utatane Koharu shook her head, while Mitokado Homura beside her wore a strange expression.
Seeing everyone looking at him, Homura said helplessly: "Let me repeat his exact words."
"Ahem!"
"I only wanted to teach the Cloud a lesson, but I'd definitely just get shut down by that guy Hiruzen in the name of the Hokage again. So, rather than go there and smell his second-hand smoke, I might as well stay in my Root."
As he said this, his expression and tone were dead serious, perfectly mimicking Danzō.
"That guy..."
Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled another puff of white smoke, earning a disgusted look from Koharu nearby.
"If he's not coming, then we won't wait for him."
Hearing this, Koharu took out a booklet and said: "According to the results of the previous Jōnin vote, the votes for a peaceful resolution were higher, while those for continuing the war were fewer, but..."
"But wanting us to hand over Hyūga Hiashi's corpse – the Cloud's way of doing things is too ugly, too fantastical," Homura interjected, his face showing displeasure.
Regardless of why the Cloud delegation leader actually died, the bottom line was that he died on Konoha territory, and moreover, the one who struck was the Hyūga clan head.
If the Cloud had proposed normal compensation, Konoha would absolutely have paid to avoid disaster without hesitation.
But, they actually wanted Hyūga Hiashi's corpse!
Hyūga Hiashi – he wasn't just the head of the Hyūga clan; those eyes in his sockets were the Byakugan!
A pair of complete Byakugan without the [Caged Bird] Cursed Seal!
The Konoha leadership was fully aware that someone in the Mist Village had transplanted a Byakugan; the Hyūga main family had even come to them demanding an explanation.
But hampered by Konoha's current weakness, they could do nothing but issue condemnations.
And now the Cloud, those wild dogs that bite anyone they see, seemed to have spotted a bone.
They actually put a new spin on the old kidnapping trick, wanting to come and take advantage too...
"What a joke! Do they really think Konoha is made of clay?"
Homura's tone was extremely firm: "This time, I agree with Danzō. If they press their advantage unreasonably, then even if it means war, we absolutely cannot let the Cloud obtain the Byakugan!!"
They were just fence-sitters, not idiots.
The value of the Byakugan was too high, definitely not as simple as '35 million ryō'.
Handing over the Byakugan might buy temporary peace, but in the long run, it would cause endless harm to Konoha!
"If Hiashi had captured that Cloud ninja alive, the situation might be much easier."
Homura couldn't help but nod at Koharu's comforting remark.
"No."
But Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke up: "Only a fool would attempt to infiltrate the Hyūga clan compound to steal the Hyūga main family heir."
"The Cloud's Fourth Raikage might be a brute, but that Mabui beside him is a smart woman. They absolutely wouldn't be so foolish."
Koharu frowned upon hearing this, pondering for a moment before her expression turned shocked: "Are you saying... that Cloud ninja never intended to leave the Hyūga grounds alive? The Cloud just wanted a pretext for war!!"
No wonder Hiashi said the man sought death, no wonder they suddenly proposed an alliance, no wonder they specifically chose today to come to Konoha.
"Vicious! Truly vicious! This is an overt plot (Yangmou), Hiruzen!"
Homura was also somewhat shocked by the viciousness of this scheme; they were completely determined to start a war, forcing Konoha to choose.
He even doubted if the Cloud Village's conservative faction truly existed.
Anyone with a shred of mercy couldn't employ such a scheme.
"The Fourth Raikage has gained a good strategist. He'll be even harder to deal with."
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head and sighed: "The Byakugan must not be lost. But regardless, the cause of this incident is the Hyūga. We need to discuss this with the Hyūga main family, see what their attitude is."
"First, dispatch troops to establish a defensive line, prevent those shameless Cloud ninja from launching a surprise attack."
Sarutobi stood up, glanced at the empty seat beside him, and sighed inwardly: "You were right. At a time like this, even I cannot remain indecisive."
...
Inside the underground Root base.
Shimura Danzō held a scroll, his tightly furrowed brow instantly relaxing, a hint of joy appearing on his face.
"That guy Hiruzen... looks like his blood hasn't gone cold yet!!"
Beside him, a man wearing a black cloak and dark sunglasses, with a purple mark tattooed on his right cheek, also saw the contents of the scroll.
Surprise showed on his expressionless face as he asked: "Lord Danzō, are we going to war with the Cloud?"
How many years has it been since the war ended? Is it really starting again now?
"That's right, Ryōma! War is coming! This is how it should be!"
Danzō grinned ferociously: "If Hiruzen had decided earlier, why would I have needed to hide in the darkness, accumulating my strength?"
War in the ninja world will never cease. The end of each war is merely preparation for the next.
Konoha's strength is indeed somewhat weakened now, but that doesn't mean the Cloud can just walk all over Konoha.
Do they really think Teacher Tobirama's forbidden techniques are just for show?!
"Now, we just need to see if the Hyūga can seize this opportunity. If they can't grasp it, then we will give them a push!"