"If someone is stirring up unrest over this incident, then clearly… they're a spy from another village."
Danzo's voice cut through the tense silence, his eyes narrowed with feigned suspicion.
Ironically, it was his hand behind the rumors that had spread like wildfire through Konoha after the death of White Fang.
And the Third Hokage?
He bore his own share of guilt.
Sakumo Hatake's prestige had grown too strong.Too respected. Too beloved. Too independent.
If Sakumo had been named Fourth Hokage, even the Sannin wouldn't have held as much sway.And if he had taken that seat, what would become of Sarutobi's quiet grip on power? Of Danzo's shadowy influence?
No — the Fourth Hokage had to be someone they could control.Someone like Shinnosuke. Or maybe even Danzo himself.
Naraku spoke again, calm yet razor-sharp:
"At that time, didn't Mr. Sakumo abandon a mission to save his comrades? That's what he was condemned for, right?"
He turned to Hiruzen.
"So tell me, Hokage-sama… which is more important — the mission or your comrades?"
Hiruzen hesitated.
"It… depends on the situation."
Naraku didn't let go.
"Then in Sakumo-san's case, did he do the right thing?"
The Third Hokage clenched his jaw, before finally forcing out:
"If one person's choice causes heavy losses to the entire village… then the mission must come first."
Wrong.
Kakashi flinched inwardly.
He had told himself those same words for years — but now, hearing them spoken aloud by the Hokage himself, they felt like poison.
If saving your friends made you a failure…If a ninja who valued life was shunned as weak…
Then what was the village really protecting?
"I see." Naraku nodded. "Thank you for the clarity, Hokage-sama."
He suddenly raised his voice:
"Then I ask once more — what is the Will of Fire?"
A strange stillness followed. The elders exchanged uneasy glances.
Was this boy… seriously asking that?
"The Will of Fire," Hiruzen answered, "is about self-sacrifice and dedication to the village."
Naraku nodded slightly.
"Then let me ask again — why did the First Hokage build this village?"
"For peace," Hiruzen replied. "To protect his comrades and ensure future generations could live without war."
"Exactly." Naraku's eyes sharpened. "And if the First Hokage were here today — in this situation — what would he do?"
No one could answer.
Would Hashirama Senju, a man known for mercy and conviction, offer up a loyal villager to save face? To avoid confrontation?
Would he sacrifice a child — Hinata Hyūga — for the sake of diplomacy?
"The times are different!" the Third Hokage finally snapped.
"Then are you saying the First Hokage wouldn't act the same way?" Naraku pressed. "Because he had power? Because he had strength?"
"If he didn't have that strength, would he surrender his people to the demands of another village?"
The Hokage fell silent.
Everyone in the room could picture it — Hashirama, smiling, but resolute. Even without power, he would have stood his ground.
Because that's what made him Hashirama Senju.
"I deeply admire the First and Second Hokage," Naraku said quietly. "They died protecting Konoha — not by asking others to die in their place."
"To me, the Will of Fire is not about demanding sacrifice. It's about standing with your comrades, no matter the cost."
"That's blasphemy!" Koharu shouted, slamming her cane.
"Am I wrong?" Naraku asked evenly. "If I'm to die for the village… I'd rather die fighting, not as a scapegoat to appease another nation."
"If no one else dares to stand up to Kumogakure, then I'll go alone!"
He swept his gaze over the room, landing on the elders, the ANBU, the clan heads.
"All of you who said you would give your life for the village — will you say the same thing to the Raikage's face?"
"Will you fight him for the sake of one loyal villager?"
"Isn't that what the Will of Fire demands?"
"Or is it just something you preach to the young, while hiding in these rooms, behind paper and titles?"
"Will you dedicate yourselves to your people?"
No one spoke.
"ENOUGH!"
The Third Hokage slammed his hand on the table, his pipe clattering to the floor. His knuckles trembled.
"Head of the Hyūga Clan," he barked, turning to Hiashi, "I don't know what your clan is scheming — but this will not continue!"
Hiashi stood, his eyes calm but steely.
"Naraku acted to protect my daughter. Whatever has happened, the responsibility lies with me."
Gasps filled the room.
Until now, everyone had been so caught up in the politics that they had almost forgotten how this all began.
The Cloud delegation tried to kidnap Hinata.Naraku stopped them. The kidnapper committed suicide.That was all.
There was no crime.
Only loyalty — and fear.
Hiashi's voice was clear.
"I would like to ask you something, Hokage-sama."
"If my daughter Hinata was kidnapped by the Cloud Village, and negotiations failed… would Konoha go to war to bring her back?"
Dead silence.
Because now… it wasn't just a Hyūga issue.
It was every clan's nightmare.
If the village wouldn't protect their heirs… what was loyalty even worth?
What did the Will of Fire mean, if it only burned for some?
The Third Hokage's face paled.
He couldn't answer.
Because if Konoha was willing to start a war to save a child — why were they demanding one die now to prevent a war?