The Hokage's office was steeped in gloom.
An unprecedented sense of despair and suffocating tension weighed upon the four most powerful figures in Konoha.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado exchanged glances, sighing silently.
Danzo Shimura remained shrouded in shadows, his expression unreadable—but the bitterness in his eyes was unmistakable.
And then there was the most helpless of them all:
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage himself.
Pipe after pipe of tobacco burned between his fingers, filling the office with thick, acrid smoke.
They faced a problem unlike any before.
If dealing with Yoru and the Uchiha had once been a matter of politics, strategy, and manipulation…
Now, it had boiled down to a brutally simple truth:
They couldn't win.
Uchiha Shisui had been their strongest card.
And yet—he had fallen to Yoru. Killed by his own kin.
So now… who stood a chance?
Truthfully, Hiruzen had never feared the Uchiha clan as a whole.
If it came to war, his forces—the ANBU, the Sarutobi and Shimura clans, ROOT, and his other loyalists—could crush them without question.
But now, they faced something far worse:
A single man.
A man whose power defied reason.
Until he was dealt with, nothing else mattered.
Exhaling a slow, heavy plume of smoke, Hiruzen finally spoke.
"To think even Shisui died at that bastard's hands…"
"What are your thoughts?"
His gaze flicked to Danzo.
Silence.
Danzo had hoped to scavenge Shisui's Kotoamatsukami Mangekyō—maybe even Yoru's eyes—once the two weakened each other.
But that plan had crumbled to dust.
Hiruzen saw right through him. With a cold snort, he turned to the elders.
"Advisors? Your counsel?"
Koharu sighed. "We never imagined that man would grow so strong…"
"Even Shisui was…"
"After Minato's death, Shisui was meant to be the village's strongest."
Hiruzen's patience snapped. "Enough pointless lamenting."
"We need a plan!"
"Shisui is dead. That bastard won't sacrifice himself to appease Kumogakure. With the Raikage's temper, war is inevitable!"
"We're trapped between internal strife and external threats!"
Homura's voice was steady. "Calm yourself, Hiruzen."
"The situation is dire, but not hopeless."
"Kumo may posture, but they won't risk total war. Remember—the Third Shinobi World War left them with enemies on all fronts. If they throw everything at us, Iwagakure and Sunagakure will strike while they're vulnerable!"
"As for the Uchiha… their clan is still just that—a clan. They can't defy the entire village."
"In short, the real problem is one man alone:"
"Uchiha Yoru."
Hiruzen grimaced. "True. But that 'one man' is enough to give us all migraines!"
"How do we fight him? Who do we send?"
"Will you two go? Or shall I march out myself?"
Koharu frowned. "Don't be rash. No one doubts your strength, but you're not in your prime anymore."
"Without Shisui, only three people could possibly stand against Yoru…"
Hiruzen's chest tightened.
He knew exactly who she meant.
The Legendary Sannin.
His own students—Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru.
If even one of them were here, loyal and willing to fight, this crisis would vanish like mist.
"Tch. Orochimaru betrayed us. Tsunade wanders the world, drowning in grief. Jiraiya may love Konoha, but he won't take orders blindly—and he's just as hard to track down!"
Koharu pressed on. "Forget Orochimaru. But Tsunade and Jiraiya? They might return for you. You are their sensei, after all…"
"Send scouts. Try to persuade them."
After a long pause, Hiruzen gave a reluctant nod.
"Fine. I'll dispatch ANBU to find them."
"But don't expect miracles."
Then—Danzo finally spoke.
"Hiruzen. I can kill Uchiha Yoru for you."
The Hokage's laugh was ice.
"Spare me the bravado, Danzo. I know your limits better than anyone."
Danzo's face darkened further.
"Don't underestimate me!"
"And I'm not talking about fighting him now."
"Give me time, and I will end him."
"How much time?"
"Not long. But you must agree to one condition."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. He knew Danzo too well—the man's intentions were transparent.
"You want free rein. No interference from me, correct?"
Danzo smirked. "As sharp as ever, Hokage-sama."
"You plan to—" Hiruzen cut himself off.
"...Never mind. I won't ask. Just ensure your 'dirty work' stays hidden. Don't embarrass me like that fool Orochimaru."
"Dirty work?!" Danzo's voice dripped venom. "Need I remind you who those deeds serve?!"
Hiruzen's retort was merciless. "The village, wasn't it?"
Danzo had no rebuttal.
"Hmph. Regardless—stay out of my way. Two months… no, one is all I need. Uchiha Yoru will die."
Hiruzen knew this was his last lifeline. Swallowing his pride, he yielded.
"Fine. But Danzo… you'd better deliver."
"Or else—"
Danzo was already turning away.
"Rest assured. With your blessing, there's nothing in this world beyond my reach."
With that, he vanished into the shadows.
Koharu sighed. "Hiruzen… he'll contact Orochimaru, won't he?"
"You know their ties never fully severed…"
Of course Hiruzen knew. But desperation left no room for principles.
"Tch. If he kills Yoru without getting caught, I don't care what he does."
"And if he's exposed? Well… Danzo alone will bear the consequences."
A chill ran down the advisors' spines.
Yet they understood.
In Hiruzen's place… they'd have done the same.
Homura nodded. "Danzo isn't wrong. If he and Orochimaru join forces, no obstacle remains—not even Uchiha Yoru."
"Now, we focus on Kumo and the Uchiha."
Hiruzen took a deep, steadying breath.
"Relax. That man is the true threat. As for Kumo and the Uchiha…"
"I already have a plan."
"Oh?" Koharu's eyes sharpened. "What is it?"
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