For a long time, silence gripped the Hokage's conference room.
No one dared to speak.
Everyone present was a seasoned leader — heads of powerful clans, elders, and councilors — and all of them understood one simple truth:
No matter what they said, they would offend someone.
If they sided with the Hyūga clan and refused to offer a scapegoat, war with Kumogakure would become inevitable. Their clans would be the first to be drafted into the frontline, sacrificed in the name of loyalty.
But if they agreed to hand over the so-called "killer," it would mean betraying one of Konoha's most powerful families — and surrendering to a foreign demand, turning victim into criminal.
How could they say that out loud?
How would the rest of Konoha view them?
Cowards? Traitors?
Worse.
The tension was unbearable. The Third Hokage quietly took a deep drag of his pipe, his weathered gaze drifting to the silent village outside. Midnight had fallen. The once-bustling streets of Konoha were now still.
He finally broke the silence.
"The village has suffered enough from war. We are all tired."
His voice was hoarse, burdened by years of loss.
"It's been nearly forty years since my sensei entrusted this village to me. I can't watch it collapse. I can't watch more comrades die."
He paused, then recited a phrase the village had heard countless times:
"Wherever the leaves dance, the fire will burn. The fire will continue to illuminate the village… and allow new leaves to sprout."
"The fallen leaves don't disappear… they become the foundation of the tree — and their will is inherited forever."
"For Konoha's future, we must be prepared to sacrifice everything — even our lives."
His eyes now turned to a young man seated among the clan heads — Hyūga Naraku.
"Naraku," he said gently, "I've watched you since your academy days. You were always a remarkable child — bright, compassionate, respected by your peers."
"Konoha has bled for too long. You lost your friend Uchiha Obito to the war. If war breaks out again… even more will die."
"Naraku... the future depends on your choice."
Naraku's expression remained neutral, but inwardly, he sneered.
Hokage made it sound like he was the one starting the war — not Kumogakure.
Mitarashi Koharu spoke next.
"This issue began with the Hyūga clan… for the sake of peace, we have no choice but to make hard decisions."
Homura Mitokado followed, voice laced with false sympathy.
"Yes, no one wishes to do this… but it's for the sake of the alliance between the two villages."
Naraku glanced toward Danzō. Strangely, the old warhawk remained silent.
Of course. Danzō had a different agenda. The suppression of powerful clans was something he always favored. If this incident had been left to him, he would've demanded the Hyūga submit entirely — perhaps even forcefully conscripting their ninja into his Root organization.
If he then led them to victory over Kumogakure, his prestige would eclipse even Hiruzen's.
But this time, he was overruled. The other three had already made their decision.
The Third Hokage resumed, voice calm.
"We don't wish to sacrifice anyone. But peace… must be preserved."
"If surrendering my own life would guarantee peace, I would do so without hesitation."
Naraku almost laughed out loud.
Kumogakure would never dare to demand the Hokage's head. That's why he could spout such righteous nonsense.
But these words had put Naraku in an impossible position.
What could he say now?
"If this incident were because of me," someone else suddenly spoke, "I would also be willing to die for the sake of the village."
Naraku turned to see the speaker — Sarutobi Shinnōsuke, the Hokage's son and an elite ANBU operative.
The air grew heavier.
Shinnōsuke repeated resolutely:
"If my sacrifice could bring peace and protect the lives of my comrades, I would gladly give it."
More voices followed, as if a dam had broken.
"Me too! For the village, I'd give my life!"
"A true ninja doesn't fear death!"
"If I were him, I would've ended it already!"
Naraku's gaze moved from one face to another.
Sarutobi clan.
Intelligence division.
Shimura clan.
Interrogation corps.
Mitokado family.
Each speaker had ties to the power structure — political or military.
He slowly spoke.
"Hokage-sama… there's something I don't understand."
The room quieted.
"If so many of us are prepared to sacrifice our lives for peace… why is no one prepared to fight for it?"
His voice grew sharper.
"If the war does come, I'll be the first to step onto the battlefield. I'm ready to lead a unit myself against Kumogakure!"
The silence was absolute.
Those same elders, just moments ago professing their willingness to die, now looked away.
None of them would risk their own necks on the frontlines.
The Third Hokage finally responded, tone somber.
"We no longer have enough capable shinobi to command a war effort."
"Kumogakure has two powerful Jinchūriki — the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails. The Raikage and Killer B, the Ay-Bee brothers, are a legendary combination."
"Even if we somehow won, the casualties would cripple the village."
"Konoha… no longer has the high-level combat strength to endure another war."
And so, their choice was made.
Sacrifice the Hyūga — or sacrifice the village.