The highest authority beneath the Hokage in Konohagakure is the Elder Council. Traditionally, major clans and prominent families each maintain at least one representative among the elders. At present, the two most influential elder seats are held by Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, both of whom once served alongside the Sandaime Hokage.
After all clan representatives had gathered, Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped onto the platform. His expression was solemn, and his voice carried a heavy weight.
"I believe you have all heard," Hiruzen began, "that the leader of Root, Shimura Danzō, acted on his own authority. Together with a unit of Root operatives, he attempted to assassinate the so-called Peacock King of the Star Village. He was killed in the attempt."
Hiruzen concealed nothing. No excuses, no embellishment.
Around the hall, elders and clan heads exchanged knowing looks. The news had spread quickly, but none chose to speak first.
Homura and Koharu glanced at each other, then Homura rose, voice sharp with indignation:
"Lord Hokage, regardless of the circumstances, Danzō was a senior elder of this village as well as commander of Root. To be killed in this manner—this is no trivial matter. The Star Village must answer for this. At the very least, they should surrender the culprit responsible!"
When the clan heads heard this, many felt disdain tighten in their chests.
Assassination missions against foreign powers were common in the shinobi world. If you failed and died, the village usually swallowed the loss quietly. Yet here these two elders were—demanding "sanctions" simply because their ally had failed. Shameless.
Everyone understood:
Danzō chose to attempt a political assassination.
He brought elite Root operatives with him.
Not a single one survived.
This alone spoke volumes about the strength of the Peacock King.
And of course, no one believed Hoshigakure would hand him over. Even if their leadership wanted to appease Konoha, none would dare demand the Peacock King's surrender.
The clans had long been frustrated with Homura and Koharu. During the past years, the two had leaned on Danzō's influence to interfere in clan affairs and apply political pressure. With Danzō now dead, their backing was gone—and few in the room were inclined to support them.
Nara Shikaku was the first to speak, calm and analytical:
"If Konoha wishes to declare war on the Star Village, the Nara clan will comply. However… unless we are certain we can completely eliminate the Peacock King, I advise restraint. A shinobi capable of killing Danzō and an entire Root strike unit—without letting even one escape—likely possesses Kage-class strength. If he survives our offensive, retaliatory attacks on the village are inevitable. The risk is unacceptable."
Many clan heads nodded. A potential enemy of that caliber—especially one so young—was not something the village could afford to provoke rashly.
"Indeed."
"We cannot act impulsively…"
Low murmurs filled the room.
Hiruzen exhaled deeply. "Although Danzō and I were comrades for many years, what he did this time was reckless. He acted without authorization and cost many lives. Konoha holds no strategic advantage in this situation. I do not recommend any military action against the Star Village."
As Hokage, Hiruzen had to weigh the full consequences. The current Konoha was not the powerhouse of the Third Shinobi War. If they launched an invasion and suffered heavy casualties, the other Great Nations—especially the always-watching Kumogakure—would certainly pounce.
Homura and Koharu paled. Their last political shield was gone.
---
(Scene Shift — Chen Xing)
While the Konoha council convened in turmoil, Chen Xing had already crossed the Land of Bears at high speed.
Two days later, he returned to the Star Village with several followers.
Inside the Star Shadow's office, the Third Star Shadow and Natsuhoshi listened as Chen Xing spoke.
"Star Shadow-grandfather, now that the situation in Konoha has settled, I want to begin the migration plan we discussed earlier," Chen Xing said with a relaxed smile.
Star Village was simply too small. Hidden deep in Bear Country's ravines, with little trade and few resources, it lacked the population to grow. Relying forever on wandering rogues under Chen Xing's control wouldn't sustain long-term development. They needed new land and new citizens.
The Star Shadow nodded but frowned slightly.
"There is no problem with the plan itself. But Xing'er… you killed Danzō and an entire Root force. Konoha will not simply forget this. Will there truly be no consequences?"
Chen Xing waved dismissively. "Do not worry. Bear Country is neutral, and Konoha cannot risk a war. Even if they force themselves to attack the Star Village, they cannot afford the losses. Hiruzen is no longer the shinobi he once was. He won't gamble everything."
The Star Shadow exhaled, reassured though still uneasy. Chen Xing's survival instincts had proven frighteningly sharp—if he said it would be fine, it likely would be.
---
In the following days…
With the Star Shadow's approval, the migration plan officially began. Chen Xing left the logistics to the Star Village shinobi and returned to his hidden valley laboratory to study the Sharingan samples he had collected.
---
Meanwhile — Across the Five Great Nations
Sunagakure — Wind Country
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, sat stiffly as he reread the intelligence scroll in his hand. His expression turned darker with each line.
"Star Village… the Peacock King… I did not expect such a minor village to produce someone capable of killing Danzō. Impressive—and troublesome."
Beside him, the senior advisor Baki waited quietly.
Rasa closed the scroll.
"Summon the council. There is strategy to discuss."
His golden dust stirred faintly in the air.
---
Kumogakure — Lightning Country
High atop the mountain fortress, the Fourth Raikage A let out a booming laugh after reading the report.
"Hah! Looks like the old ape Sarutobi has trouble on his hands again!"
Samui, standing beside him, nodded. "According to Killer B-sama, he fought the Peacock King once. The young man is strong, but not yet at your level, Raikage-dono. Star Village cannot match our forces."
The Raikage crossed his arms. "Star Village is weak, yes. But the boy isn't tied to the village. If he flees after we crush them… do you really think Ōnoki or even Hiruzen could catch him?"
Samui blinked—then understood immediately.
---
Kirigakure — Water Country
In the Mizukage's office, the Fifth Mizukage, Terumi Mei, smirked as she read the report.
"So the little troublemaker turned out to be from Star Village. Interesting."
Ao, standing nearby, eyed her curiously. "Mizukage-sama, do you know this Peacock King personally?"
Mei shrugged lightly. "We met once. He's grown since then."
Her gaze drifted toward the rainy horizon.
"Bear Country is wedged between Earth and Wind… I wonder how he intends to break that cage."
---
Iwagakure — Earth Country
The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, crumpled the intelligence report with shaking hands and hurled it into the bin.
His face flushed with anger as he glared at the trembling Intelligence Division chief.
"Explain to me—how does a shinobi strong enough to kill Danzō exist without any of you noticing?! What is the point of our intelligence department?!"
"L-Lord Tsuchikage—Star Village is extremely closed-off. Our agents cannot infiltrate—"
Ōnoki slammed his fist against the desk, cutting him off.
"Useless! All of you!"
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