The border was still in chaos, both sides struggling to gain control.
However Hiruzen was quite pleased. This was the perfect opportunity to quietly spread Konoha's new reform ideals to the foreign students that's will be coming in.
All four of the other great ninja villages had agreed to send their people to Konoha for training and exchange. It was a clear sign that Konoha's influence was growing and Hiruzen wasn't about to ignore such a valuable chance.
"Konoha is honored by the trust that the other Kage have shown," he said thoughtfully, "But we've just undergone a major internal reform right now as the village is overwhelmed with responsibilities. We may not be able to properly host the exchange students you plan to send to the village. Perhaps... it would be better to wait a year or two, until things settle down?"
In truth, Konoha was still on shaky ground. Several of the smaller clans had been left out of the reform's benefits, and the tensions were rising. If foreign shinobi entered the village now, it could ignite serious trouble.
Delaying the exchange program would buy Konoha time to stabilize and it might even make the other great ninja villages want it more. After all, people always value what they can't have right away.
As Hiruzen was trying to gently deflect, one of the Kage spoke up with a smile. "Surely the Hokage isn't trying to keep it all to himself? It seems your reforms are exactly what we hope to learn from."
"I believe it would be best if, in addition to sending exchange students, we also dispatch a team of ninja to Konoha specifically to study your reform results," one of the Kage added with a calm smile.
As always, the Third Raikage was the first to jump in with his bold, unfiltered, and not at all subtle personality. If the students were coming with the goal of learning, then this so-called "reform study team" clearly had another agenda: stirring the pot.
Hiruzen could almost sigh. 'What are you even thinking? Ay, your intentions are written all over your face—how can I possibly agree to this?'
It was like inviting a guest to your home, only for them to start poking around your private rooms under the pretense of helping. A visit between friends still requires respect and boundaries.
Honestly, you're this close to just saying outright that you're here to cause lots of problems.
Then, right on cue, the ever-prickly Ōhnoki joined in. "It looks like the Raikage is getting ahead of himself. If Konoha doesn't mind, I'd also like to send people to study—after all, Iwagakure could benefit too."
No surprise there. Those two loved nothing more than stirring up chaos together.
The other two Kages, the Third Kazekage and the Mizukage remained silent. They weren't getting involved in the squabble.
Seeing where this was headed, Hiruzen gave a calm smile. "It appears Konoha's reforms have caught everyone's attention. Since you all think so highly of what we've done, then we have no reason to hide anything."
He turned to Danzo and said, "There's no need to send anyone. Danzo, prepare additional copies of our reform documents and share them with the Kages. Let them see the path we've chosen for themselves."
'Let's see if you two will still go through with it once I throw the answers right in your face', Hiruzen thought while feeling amused. 'Go ahead and copy it if you dare.'
He wasn't worried about them imitating Konoha's reforms. Simply copying someone's "answers" without understanding the reasoning behind them was a recipe for disaster.
There's an old saying, "Those who walk the path I've paved with understanding will endure but those who mimic without insight walk blindly toward their own ruin."
As Hiruzen gave the order, both Ay and Ōhnoki exchanged confused glances. He's just handing over the documents like that? What's his game? Is this some kind of trap?
Ōhnoki quickly waved his hand. "No need, no need! Really, there's no rush," he said with a forced chuckle. "We just wanted to observe how Konoha's reforms were progressing that's all. The Hokage's suggestion makes perfect sense and I agree with Raikage's earlier idea. Maybe waiting a year or two sounds perfectly reasonable."
He turned toward Ay and added with a nod, "Besides, only the elite will be chosen for this exchange. We'll need time to select the right people. A year and a half, give or take."
Ay crossed his arms, grunted, and finally relented. " Very well, then one year from today, when our next summit convenes, we shall revisit this matter with clearer minds and steadier ground."
Even he knew not to push too hard, at least not this time.
Time moved forward, slowly but steadily, as one issue after another was settled through careful negotiation.
Then, out of the blue, the Third Tsuchikage, Ōhnoki, brought up a new subject. "There's something I'd like to raise," he said. "The leader of the ninja organization from the Land of Demons approached me recently. They're hoping to join the Five Kage Association."
The Third Raikage, A, slammed his hand down. "Absolutely not! Land of Demons wants to join in? This is the Five Kage Association. It's called that for a reason where only the one who has the title of Kage are allowed to be members. If they don't even have a Kage, they have no place here."
The Third Kazekage, Takumi, leaned forward, expression serious. "Tsuchikage… do you really believe that the leader of the Land of Demon's ninja organization is on the same level as those of us here? Every Kage seated at this table is a figure of strength and renown in the ninja world. We came together at the Hokage's invitation and each of us committed to maintaining peace. What role would the Land of Demons possibly play in that?"
Then the Third Mizukage, Kazawa, narrowed his eyes coldly at Ōhnoki.
"To compare a mere ninja leader to the same level as a Kage is an insult," he said sharply. "I expect a formal apology from the Tsuchikage for such disrespect."
The Third Raikage, Ay, had always been known for his fiery temper, and he rejected the idea without hesitation or tact.
Then came the Kazekage. Sunagakure had long been the weakest of the five great hidden villages. Now, with the leader of the Land of Demons requesting to join the Five Kage Association, a question lingered in the back of his minds 'Could they one day try to replace Sand Village altogether?'
Takumi, remained calm on the surface, but his words carried a subtle weight which almost showed a veiled threat, meant to rally the other Kage to his side. It was hard to not see that he was being cautious, even a little defensive.
As for a Kazawa, the Mizukage… his view of things was, frankly, a bit off.
He seemed personally insulted, as if Ōhnoki had equated the Land of Demon's leader with him. That sting to his pride has made him lash out.
However to Hiruzen, it all felt overly sensitive. In the end, status isn't something that is handed out easily but it's earned through their own strength. Additionally, power creates authority and without power, a title means little.
The Mizukage might wear the title of Kage, but even within his own village, his grip on power was fragile. Deep down, Hiruzen suspected he knew this too, which is why he reacted so sharply. His insecurity has made him overly defensive.
After all, the authority of a Kage rests on two pillars which is their personal strength, and their ability to command others. In both areas… Kazawa was lacking.
After Takumi's explanation, Kazawa began to take things more personal. His gaze now held a quiet resentment as if he was measuring himself, the Mizukage, against the leader of the Land of Demons. The comparison clearly stung.
In Hiruzen's eyes, the Land of Demon's leader was anything but foolish. Seeking to join the Five Kage Federation at this moment shows a good foresight but it was not enough for them to step into the federation. That kind of political instinct was quite rare and valuable.
Hiruzen actually supported the idea of expanding the federation by including more nations since it would only enhance its legitimacy and influence. The broader its reach, the more authority it would command. From his perspective, this was all gain and no loss.
Concerns that such inclusion might undermine the status of the existing Kage? Hiruzen didn't want to waste time on that. Konoha's strength and influence were already unmatched. When it came to his own power… well, 'aside from an old man hiding in remote places, an immortal being sealed underground, and mysterious figures in the Pure Land or up on the moon, there weren't many who could truly rival his strength.'
But even with all that confidence, Hiruzen understood politics.
Now wasn't the right moment since three of the Kages already voicing strong opposition, stepping out in support would only isolate him and risk cracking the fragile unity of the newly formed Five Kage Federation.
He had no intention of being the one to break the alliance before it had even taken the root. First, he would let the federation grow stable. Once it matured, he could slowly begin integrating other countries using his own terms and timeline.
If he spoke up now, the backlash could be enough to tear the whole thing apart.