Ninja thods of transmitting information ca in many forms.
From the most basic hand-delivered ssages, to trained communication hawks and other flying birds—of course, the fastest and most imdiate thod involved intelligent summoned animals like cats and dogs.
Every village had similar systems, and Kumogakure's delegation was no exception.
At this point, stopping or killing them was aningless. The intelligence had almost certainly already been sent back through so covert channel. And even if no report had been transmitted, that in itself was information—Kumo would act regardless.
So after issuing the order to assemble the jōnin squads, Hiruzen turned to another ANBU and said, "Imdiately relay my orders to the northern front. Have them prepare to defend against a potential Kumo offensive."
"If the enemy proves too strong, they are not to make pointless sacrifices. I authorize a tactical withdrawal. The village will dispatch reinforcents as soon as possible."
"Yes!" The ANBU acknowledged and vanished to carry out the order.
"Let's go, the two of you. We'll head to the jōnin eting and discuss this further." Hiruzen called to the Hyūga brothers, Hiashi and Hizashi, then glanced at Makoto. "Makoto, you co as well."
"? I'm not a jōnin."
The old man sighed helplessly. "Didn't you say you were the one who killed him?"
"…Alright, I get it."
Perhaps the Third Hokage had already guessed who the killer was—but did that matter? Not at all.
After all, this wasn't the dire situation of the original tiline. The Nine-Tails incident hadn't dealt Konoha a devastating blow. Minato and Kushina were still alive and well.
And more importantly, they had a weapon like Makoto.
Right now, Hiruzen had the confidence—and the strength—to confront Kumogakure head-on.
...
Soon, all available jōnin and clan heads gathered in the eting room.
On the dais, the Konoha leadership stood together, with Minato seated beside the Third Hokage.
Hiruzen looked over the assembled crowd and decided to handle everything he had planned in one go.
He took a deep drag from his pipe before speaking. "Everyone, just monts ago, the leader of Kumogakure's delegation… died. Died within Konoha."
"What?!"
"How is that possible?!"
"He was just at the banquet hall earlier—how could he be dead?!"
The room erupted. The news had spread too quickly—most hadn't even had ti to learn the details before hearing that the Kumo envoy had died during peace talks.
This was no small matter. Everyone knew Kumogakure's aggressive and unreasonable style. They would never let this go.
Did this an war would break out again—right as the new year approached?
Koharu asked, "Hiruzen, what exactly happened? Who killed him?"
"Makoto, explain the situation briefly to everyone."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Makoto spoke calmly, "The Kumo delegation leader was pretending to be drunk at the banquet. After leaving to 'rest,' he coordinated with his subordinates, used so tricks to deceive the ANBU surveillance, and infiltrated the Hyūga clan. He attempted to abduct the heir of the main family."
"I witnessed the entire process. For such a shaless act—stealing Konoha's bloodline limit—I naturally couldn't stand by and do nothing. So I killed him."
"How despicable."
"Bastards."
"Kumo really hasn't changed—still acting like bandits."
"They need to be taught a lesson. If they want war, then we'll give them war."
At this mont, no one thought Makoto had done anything wrong. The enemy had practically spat in Konoha's face—killing him was the least they deserved.
Hiruzen nodded, satisfied with the reaction. "We all know this is just an excuse on Kumo's part. Regardless, war could break out at any mont. Now, let's discuss troop deploynt."
Makoto interrupted, "Hokage-sama, there's no need to mobilize the entire village over this. I can go to the front alone."
"Makoto, are you certain? By yourself?"
"Not exactly. Isn't the front-line rotation unit scheduled to return to the village for the New Year? I'll take them with ."
After the giant incident earlier, no one doubted Makoto's strength. Most imdiately agreed.
Even Higashino Jirō, Gekkō Kumomi, and Uzuki Yūya—though sowhat concerned—did not object.
At this point, overwhelming strength was the best way to crush the enemy's ambitions.
Hiruzen said, "Very well. With your strength, I have no concerns. However, I want you to prioritize de-escalation. Avoid unnecessary killing that would deepen hatred between the two sides."
"I understand, Hokage-sama."
...
At that mont, after a brief discussion, Hyūga Hizashi stood up.
"Hokage-sama, since the Kumo envoy died because of matters involving the Hyūga clan, I will act as Makoto's deputy and lead a portion of our clan into battle."
Hiruzen nodded. "Very well. Then it's settled. Next, the second purpose of today's eting."
He paused, then declared: "I have decided that after this year ends, I will officially retire and step down from all positions in Konoha. From then on, I ask that you all support the Fourth Hokage and continue ensuring the village's stable developnt."
There were no objections. In fact, many believed the Third Hokage should have stepped down long ago.
Only Danzō opposed it.
"Hiruzen, this cannot be. Minato is still too young—"
"Danzō…" Hiruzen sighed. "Minato is not young. After these years, he has gained sufficient experience. It is we who are old. And when one grows old, one should step down and pass the burden to the younger generation."
"So not just —you as well. After the New Year, dissolve Root's curse seals and rge your personnel into ANBU. Retire with . Koharu and Homura may remain for a couple more years."
"As for the two vacant advisor positions—whether to eliminate them or expand the council—that will be for the Fourth Hokage to decide."
Minato bowed slightly. "Please rest assured, Third Hokage-sama."
As long as he placed his own people in those positions, he would hold the majority in high-level decisions.
Without Hiruzen and Danzō backing them, the remaining elders might not oppose him as before.
And those two vacant positions were like entry tickets to Makoto's dojo—huge political assets.
The jōnin were more than happy to see Danzō lose power. Many of them knew his thods—and none liked him.
anwhile, their minds were already on the advisor positions.
Only a few jōnin who had once followed Orochimaru voiced objections.
Danzō glanced at his old comrades, hoping for support—but both Koharu and Homura lowered their heads, pretending to study their feet.
Furious, Danzō snapped, "Hiruzen! Root is an indispensable force protecting the village from the shadows. Everything I've done has been for Konoha. I oppose this decision!"
"Hmph. As long as I am still Hokage, this is an order. It will not be disobeyed."
"You'll regret this!"
Danzō stord out.
As if he would hand over power so easily.
...
Late at night, Konoha stirred like a beast awakened, rapidly assembling rotation troops to head for the northern front.
The Kumo delegation was also maintaining contact with their village through special ans.
Before long, Hiruzen concluded his instructions.
"Makoto, Hizashi—everything is in your hands."
"Don't worry, Hokage-sama. I won't let war break out."
An ANBU suddenly appeared and handed over intelligence. "Hokage-sama, they've also sent sothing to the Hyūga clan."
"I see." Hiruzen skimd the report and shook his head. "The Fourth Raikage… quite greedy."
At that mont, a Hyūga elder arrived with several clan mbers.
"Hokage-sama, if Kumogakure only wants Hiashi's corpse, perhaps we can resolve this. There's no need for war between two nations over our clan."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Are you suggesting handing over Hiashi?"
"No. The main family's Byakugan must never be lost. But the branch family exists to protect the main family. Hizashi and Hiashi are twins—their appearances are nearly identical…"
The implication was obvious.
Sacrificing a branch family mber to avoid war was a small price—after all, their lives were considered expendable.
Hizashi's expression remained calm. "Elder, where is my brother? Why isn't he here to tell this himself?"
"Hmph! Hizashi, mind your place. This is a decision made by the entire main family. You have no right to question it as a branch mber."
So Hiashi had refused—and had been restrained by the elders.
Makoto couldn't hold back anymore.
"Elder, this may be your clan's internal matter, and I shouldn't interfere—but I have a question."
"If you use Hizashi's corpse to fool them this ti, what about the next ti Kumo tries the sa trick? Who do you hand over then? And the ti after that?"
"You?"
"If that's the case, then no need to wait—let's hand you over this ti. Don't worry, I can completely destroy your bloodline so Kumo gets nothing. So tell —are you willing to sacrifice yourself for peace?"
The elder trembled with rage. "You… you ignorant brat!"
"I may be ignorant," Makoto snapped, "but at least I know compromise doesn't bring peace. And I will never accept peace bought with Hizashi's corpse."
"If that's the kind of peace you want, then why do we even train? To beco cowards? If you want to hide in your shell, don't drag into it."
"You… you… you—!"
The elder nearly fainted from rage, his blood pressure spiking.
But he didn't dare attack. He wasn't foolish—he knew his entire clan combined wouldn't match Makoto.
Hiruzen stepped in. "Enough. This matter has already been decided. The Hyūga need not interfere. Return—and do nothing unnecessary."
Watching the elder leave, trembling with anger, Hiruzen felt irritation rise.
Konoha wasn't weak.
If they followed the Hyūga's proposal, they'd beco a laughingstock of the ninja world.
And what would that do to his reputation after retirent?
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