The killing intent rolling off Hiruzen Sarutobi was unmistakable.
So much so that Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were caught off guard.
Weren't they just discussing reforms a moment ago? How had the topic suddenly shifted to war?
The Hiruzen they knew had always leaned toward peace. During the Second Shinobi War, even when the Hidden Sand had fallen into a disadvantage, he had pushed for equal negotiations just to end the conflict quickly. He had not demanded reparations or imposed harsh terms.
That decision had stirred no small amount of controversy within the village.
The moment he heard Hiruzen's words, Danzo Shimura's eyes lit up.
As Konoha's longtime hawk, he had never hidden his interest in war.
"Leave it to me," Danzo said at once.
"Should we reconsider?" Homura Mitokado asked slowly. "Perhaps wait until the reforms are implemented before carrying out retaliation?"
Koharu's expression was grave. "If this provokes war, are we prepared to handle it?"
Danzo whipped around. "Stop being so cautious! Restraint doesn't solve anything!"
"You're being reckless, Danzo."
"War isn't a game. We need to think it through," Homura and Koharu shot back.
"Enough."
Hiruzen raised a hand.
"Retaliation is inevitable. This is not about starting a war. It's about preventing one."
Both advisors looked puzzled.
Killing an enemy Jinchuriki to prevent war?
"Let me use a slightly inappropriate analogy. Don't take it too seriously."
Hiruzen pointed at Danzo.
"Suppose Danzo took all authority over the Anbu, and I said nothing. What would he do next?"
Koharu and Homura forced awkward smiles.
Wasn't that obvious?
He would start hollowing you out.
Danzo's expression stiffened.
Is that really the example you're going with?
"He would come lecture me," Hiruzen continued lightly, patting Danzo's shoulder. "He'd remind me that as Hokage, I must safeguard centralized authority and that as an aide, he must fulfill his duty. But he would certainly criticize my weakness."
"You agree, don't you?"
Danzo let out a dry laugh. "Of course."
Was he joking?
"Danzo is my comrade. If I behaved that way, even he would see me as weak."
"But an enemy won't come and warn me. They won't warn you. They won't warn Konoha."
"They will see weakness and think we can be bullied. They will believe even our Jinchuriki can be touched without consequence."
Hiruzen's voice dropped.
"That is why we must retaliate swiftly. Against enemies, we cannot yield an inch. They must feel the iron fist of Konoha."
Koharu and Homura exchanged thoughtful glances.
"If that is the logic, I agree."
"I support it as well. Do you have a concrete plan, Hiruzen?"
Hiruzen nodded for them to continue if they had suggestions.
From both memory and recent interaction, he knew these two old teammates were not flawed in principle. They were simply overly conservative.
Used properly, that caution could be valuable.
"What about targeting infrastructure instead? A Jinchuriki might not be the best target," Homura suggested.
"Or perhaps a key shinobi. A relative of the Raikage?"
Hiruzen fell silent for a moment.
"From the fact that the Hidden Cloud Village attempted to seize Kushina Uzumaki, I suspect their Jinchuriki has issues."
"Danzo, do we have concrete intelligence on the intensity of recent clashes between the Hidden Cloud and the Hidden Stone?"
"I've compiled statistics," Danzo replied promptly. "Over the past two years, provocations have mostly come from the Hidden Stone. The Hidden Cloud has shown unusual restraint. Root has detailed records."
"Excellent."
Hiruzen gave him an approving look.
"The Hidden Cloud and the Hidden Stone have a deep historical feud. It stems from clan composition and geography. Given the Hidden Cloud's temperament, the fact that they've restrained themselves suggests serious internal trouble."
"Combine that with the increasingly tense atmosphere across the shinobi world. If they're willing to break unspoken rules and target our Jinchuriki, it means their internal crisis has reached a point where it must be resolved."
The shinobi world had no written laws.
But it did operate under certain unspoken boundaries.
Clashes between Anbu within borders or near frontiers were tolerated. But once key figures were involved, especially those tied to Tailed Beasts, the act was scarcely different from a declaration of war.
"So the Hidden Cloud's move does imply something," Koharu murmured.
"If they were strong and preparing for war, why reduce friction with the Hidden Stone?" she continued. "Their conflict isn't easy to suppress. That would damage the Raikage's authority."
"Exactly."
Hiruzen's voice was steady.
"Taken together, it strongly suggests the Hidden Cloud's Jinchuriki is on the brink of collapse."
All three of them felt their eyes sharpen.
The reasoning held.
"Danzo, verify this hypothesis as quickly as possible."
Hiruzen watched their reactions closely.
"My opinion is that we must not assassinate by brute force. We should secretly release the Eight-Tails from within its host. Leave no evidence."
"Konoha cannot bear the reputation of initiating war or assassinating another nation's Jinchuriki."
"Internally, it is enough that the key people know."
"As for the Hidden Cloud, once they suffer such a blow, they will descend into paranoia on their own. We won't need to nudge them."
Danzo nodded.
He was aggressive, but not foolish.
He had no desire to hand the other four great villages an excuse for open war.
"Once your intelligence is confirmed, we'll convene immediately."
"They must pay in blood. It is the least we owe to Lady Mito Uzumaki and to the Uzumaki Clan."
"What do you think?"
At the mention of Mito Uzumaki and the Uzumaki Clan, the atmosphere grew heavy.
During the Second Shinobi War, Konoha had been mired in conflict on all fronts.
In that chaos, they had failed to properly safeguard their allies.
The tragedy of the Hidden Eddy Village had many causes. Its island location between the Land of Fire and the Land of Water, and its refusal to relocate inland and integrate fully with Konoha, had slowed reinforcements dramatically.
But at its core, it was still a grave failure by Konoha's leadership.
And even after the Hidden Eddy Village's destruction, there had been lapses in their care of Kushina Uzumaki.
There was no excuse for that.
If they did not take a clear stance, this would remain a festering danger.
"Kushina Uzumaki's treatment must be comprehensively improved. At the right time, we must also seek out surviving members of the Uzumaki Clan."
Hiruzen pointed at Koharu.
"Koharu, see to this immediately. Make sure Kushina understands our apology. She must feel that this is her home, that the village cares for her. Do you understand?"
"We cannot change the past. But it is never too late to correct a mistake. We cannot delay any longer."
"I understand, Third," Koharu replied.
"All right. Go attend to your duties."
The three of them departed swiftly.
Hiruzen remained behind, pipe between his teeth, gazing out over the village through his office window. His eyes narrowed slightly.
In this village, there was one person he could not afford to ignore.
Someone who had already surpassed the concept of an ordinary shinobi.
Mito Uzumaki, wife of the First Hokage, the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki.
In knowledge, in strength, in status, she stood apart.
As Hokage, he needed to clean up the old mess and regain the approval of that formidable matriarch.
The benefits would be immense.
Continuing to hide behind guilt, as he had before, was unacceptable.
"That child fused with the First's cells may be a breakthrough…"
"An elderly Jinchuriki must be lonely."
"But before that, preparations must be flawless. I need results in hand when I present my sincerity and remorse."
Hiruzen exhaled a slow stream of smoke.
He did not feel tired.
If anything, he relished this feeling.