The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat silently in his chair, his heart heavier than it had been in years.
He didn't regret failing to convince Hyūga Naraku to offer his life for the sake of peace.
What he truly regretted… was that Naraku had spoken too much.
A few pointed questions—seemingly naive, perhaps even childish—had disrupted everything. They exposed the fragile contradictions buried deep within the village's so-called principles.
And now, the man who had ruled the Hidden Leaf for nearly four decades… found himself cornered by a single boy.
If he claimed the village wouldn't go to war for the sake of a single kidnapped girl—Hinata Hyūga—then what would the Hyūga clan think?
What would the other clans believe?
Would they still trust the village to protect their own?
But if he declared that Konoha was prepared to go to war over Hinata… how could he justify having once demanded that Naraku give up his life for peace?
How could he reconcile both stances?
No matter how he framed it, something had to break—his principles, or his power.
In Hiruzen's mind, this situation should have played out very differently.
Moved by the Will of Fire, Naraku should have voluntarily offered to die for the sake of the village.
The Hokage, noble and wise, would then refuse Naraku's offer publicly—preserving his benevolent image.
Naraku would insist again, proudly and selflessly, that he was ready to sacrifice himself for the sake of peace.
Only then would the Hokage, reluctantly, agree.
The people would cheer the harmony. The clans would nod in approval.
It would all be so simple.
But instead… Naraku said nothing pleasing.
He questioned everything—openly, boldly.
He even asked what the "Will of Fire" truly was.
And worse… he said he was running away from that fire.
How ridiculous! How infuriating!
"You've got a sharp tongue for a coward," sneered Hiruzen's son, Sarutobi Shinnōsuke, stepping forward. "You're just too scared to sacrifice yourself. All this speech is just your excuse."
"I've said all that needed to be said," Naraku replied coldly.
"What? You're just trying to run from your duty!"
"If the village formally decides that I must die to preserve peace," Naraku said calmly, "then I will accept that decision."
"But I will not kneel. I will not commit suicide just because it's convenient."
"I will fight. And I will carve my path with my own hands—all the way to the gates of Kumogakure."
The words rang like thunder through the conference hall.
Alone? To the Village Hidden in the Clouds?
The silence that followed was filled with shock—and a trace of awe.
Fugaku Uchiha's eyes gleamed. Those words… they echoed the ideals of his clan.
A shinobi does not trade death for honor.
The Uchiha had never feared war.
Even Fugaku, who had long chosen the path of tolerance, felt his warrior blood stir.
And it wasn't just the Uchiha.
Among the patriarchs, several eyes lit up.
Nara Shikaku crossed his arms, deep in thought.
Naraku had never refused the village's authority—he'd simply demanded that the village make the choice itself.
No manipulation. No hollow theatrics.
It was a checkmate.
If the village still wanted peace, then it must act. It must decide.
Shikaku sighed internally.
If things continued this way… maybe they should rename the village after the Hokage himself.
Because clearly, only one voice mattered.
Seeing the tension reach its peak, Hiruzen finally raised a hand and said tiredly:
"…It's getting late. This meeting is adjourned. We will discuss the matter again tomorrow."
He needed time. Desperately.
If things went on, he feared the clan heads might begin to question whether he was truly fit to lead.
—
Only the Hokage and his three advisors remained in the silent council room.
As soon as the last door shut, Mitokado Homura slammed the table with his palm.
"This Naraku brat is too arrogant!"
"He shows no respect to you, Hiruzen. Nor to us elders," Koharu added bitterly.
"He dared to question the Hokage in public," Homura said, his voice seething. "He puts himself above the village!"
Their criticisms poured out, full of bruised pride.
Normally, they'd happily undercut Hiruzen for their own gain. But Naraku had insulted all of them—equally.
Yet the Hokage's face remained grim.
"…More than arrogance," Hiruzen muttered. "He… completely misunderstood the Will of Fire."
Homura and Koharu nodded, though none of them believed that was truly the problem anymore.
Danzo, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
"So. What do we do next?"
The question cut through the air.
"How do we explain to Kumogakure that there will be no sacrifice? No apology? No death?"
None of them had an answer.
Danzo's voice dropped an octave.
"If Naraku takes matters into his own hands… the clans may follow. They may force war upon us."
The words landed like steel weights on the table.
Homura frowned deeply. "That boy humiliated the Hokage. And us. We can't let this stand."
"But we have no cause to punish him," Koharu added. "He broke no law."
"No cause is necessary," Danzo said flatly. "If Naraku is dead, no one will argue over a corpse."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. But he didn't reject the idea.
"If word spreads… that the Hidden Cloud's agents killed him in revenge for their leader," Hiruzen said slowly, "no one will question it."
Homura and Koharu exchanged glances.
It was simple. It was clean.
And it would protect their power.
Danzo stood, his single eye gleaming.
"Leave the matter to me."