Before Sakumo Hatake arrived alone at the palace of the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning, the naturally dignified daimyo had already gone a full day and night without food or sleep.
Although his status and the established order of the ninja world within the Land of Lightning and its Hidden Cloud Village gave him little reason to fear for his personal safety—supported as he was by hundreds of Guardian Ninjas—the deep sense of inner unease broke free from the constraints of refined upbringing and noble composure, turning hysterical.
Upon receiving news of the total annihilation of Kumo's Ninja Force headquarters, the Daimyo learned that Konoha's forces were now surrounding the city like tigers lying in wait. His emotions became increasingly volatile.
He first beat to death dozens of eunuch attendants whose very breathing had disturbed him. Then he berated the courtiers supporting open warfare. Finally, even the noblewomen inside the inner palace suffered collateral damage [like fish caught in a burning pond]. The only group left untouched were those Guardians originally treated as disposable tools for dirty work—the very same ninjas the Daimyo now realized were his last useful asset in this crisis.
The Courtiers fully understood that these highly abnormal actions stemmed from the Daimyo's deep anxiety about the current situation. However, these physically weak elites—who spent their days reciting poetry and admiring plum blossoms—could offer no solutions whatsoever. They could only silently endure their ruler's wrath while secretly praying to survive this catastrophe.
As for noble bloodlines, leadership qualities, and aristocratic dignity—all such meaningless concepts vanished under the intimidating pressure of four thousand Konoha Ninja Forces. As long as they could stay alive, everything else could be discussed later!
Yet the panic within the Daimyo's court wasn't limited to just the nobles. The city's residents who once prided themselves on being superior subjects of the daimyo also faced great misfortune.
The soaring prices immediately following the siege brought them unbearable hardship. When Kumo utterly collapsed and Konoha's forces approached the gates, the proud samurai who previously acted high-and-mighty fled instantly upon hearing wind of danger. With external pressures rising and internal security collapsing, the city quickly became a paradise for criminals overnight—as evidenced by the frequent smoke columns rising from sudden fires breaking out across the city, exposing its chaotic state.
In response to all this, the nobility showed neither concern nor desire to restore calm. Instead, each of them worked desperately to gather uncertainly loyal samurai or ronin ninjas, hoping to increase their own slim chances of safety.
Thus, under such circumstances, Hatake Sakumo encountered absolutely no obstruction when arriving alone at the city gate. When he revealed his identity beneath the walls, trembling Noble Officials hurriedly appeared atop the battlements, quickly threw open the gates, and rushed down personally with bows and flattery to welcome Sakumo Hatake.
Sure, the noble officials might have lacked real ability—but they sure knew how to survive in a crisis, especially one this dire. Despite their usual air of superiority, these officials knew exactly when to switch sides—when survival was on the line.
After all, wasn't it just another day of bowing, flattery, and shameless groveling? Things they had perfected long ago!
However, Sakumo Hatake felt slightly out of place. So when the noble official nodded and bowed repeatedly, inviting him into the city, Sakumo awkwardly raised his hands to stop such excessive courtesy, gently saying that he had come in the name of peace and urging the daimyo, courtiers, and all officials not to be overly formal.
Yet despite these words, the noble official welcoming him at the city gate didn't take them seriously. If anything, his already flexible posture became even more subservient, and the flattery on his face was obvious.
"I deeply regret allowing the people within the city to become frightened."
Although he had already known before entering the city that the daimyo's court had become chaotic, when Sakumo saw the smoke rising from fires spreading everywhere in broad daylight, he couldn't help but sigh.
This was the first time he had witnessed firsthand a complete collapse of morale from top to bottom within a national capital. After all, throughout his ninja career, this was the first time he visited another country's ruling court as commander of the ninja forces.
"Unruly mobs within the city have begun causing chaos. We ordinary folk find them difficult to control—it's truly embarrassing for Lord Sakumo to witness this."
The noble official immediately flashed a smile while bowing apologetically.
"If needed, I can allow the ninja forces outside the city to enter and help maintain order. How does that sound?"
Sakumo immediately suggested.
"Eh..."
The noble official's hurried steps paused briefly; he nearly stumbled over from fright.
"If it causes any inconvenience, forget about it then."
Sakumo also showed understanding.
"Still, as a member of the ruling aristocracy, you should ensure your samurai take responsibility for maintaining order and calming the civilians."
"Absolutely correct!!"
The noble official immediately nodded repeatedly. He waved his hand and summoned a trembling guard samurai who had been following closely behind him, directly relaying Sakumo's suggestion without altering a single word.
Sakumo showed some surprise but remained outwardly expressionless. However, the slight curve of his lips did not escape the careful observation of the noble official, who secretly relaxed a little. At least through the test, he confirmed that Sakumo indeed carried at least some measure of goodwill.
After walking together for a short while, they soon arrived at the palace gate, where the central gate stood wide open and courtiers lined up in formation to greet him.
Sakumo also felt somewhat overwhelmed by this grand reception. Especially after the courtiers bowed respectfully, he quickly stepped sideways to avoid receiving such obviously excessive honor.
"Honorable Lord Sakumo, His Highness the Daimyo has prepared a banquet indoors to welcome you. Please follow me inside."
The Minister of State, wearing splendid robes and a ceremonial hat, personally came forward to lead Sakumo into the palace compound.
Sakumo's personal visit to the daimyo's court originated from a message sent via a ninja hawk dispatched by Konoha Village. From that report, he learned that Danzo, the negotiator appointed by Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, was already en route to the Lightning Daimyo's court.
Initially, he hadn't paid special attention to this seemingly routine notice received from the Hokage Tower. After all, communication with the daimyo and courtiers was the privilege of the village's leadership. Therefore, he casually shared this information with his supporters, making a light-hearted promise that they would return to Konoha within a month and bring back the precious peace to their village.
However, what Sakumo Hatake had not anticipated was that the firm supporters who rallied around him immediately reacted with great intensity. The moment the news broke, it caused an uproar within the camp.
Based on their respective positions and affiliations, the Konoha ninja from different factions started arguing fiercely among themselves. In an instant, the previously harmonious and united Konoha Ninja Forces split into separate camps with conflicting interests.
Sakumo Hatake's supporters unanimously believed that the Top Leader's intervention at this critical moment was like snatching food right from their hands. Especially provocative was the decision to send Danzo—already a controversial figure known for his questionable methods—as the negotiator. This act undoubtedly ignited the fury of many senior Jonin who were well aware of Danzo's true nature.
Except for the Third and a handful of martial faction ninja who favored Danzo, practically no one in Konoha held any goodwill towards this man often referred to as "the maggot of darkness." Few believed that someone who adhered to the philosophy of "zero-sum game" like Danzo would leave them even a shred of benefit.
By then, Sakumo Hatake was surprised to realize that those who had gathered around him—united by shared ideals and beliefs—seemed to have become a group with its own will and clear demands. This transformation happened so naturally that even Kakashi himself hadn't fully noticed it.
This realization momentarily left Kakashi utterly stunned.
Although Kakashi had no intention of directly opposing the Hokage, the village leader, nor did he genuinely wish to place factional interests above those of the village as a whole, he also could not ignore the voices of his supporters—he couldn't afford to ignore what his supporters were saying, after all, they were the ones who stood behind him.
To stop an internal conflict from breaking out, Kakashi had no choice but to step in himself, mediate the disputes, suppress extreme actions among his subordinates, and actively listen to the opinions of his supporters.
Thus, after an emergency Jonin meeting was convened, a consensus was finally reached: Sakumo Hatake, serving both as Jonin Unit Leader and Supreme General, should act decisively without waiting for formal approval, taking initiative to contact and negotiate with the courtiers of the Land of Lightning ahead of schedule to safeguard the benefits of the participating ninja.
Even the Hokage's most loyal followers, including Orochimaru, could not ask for more than this.
"Sigh…"
Thinking about this, Sakumo Hatake—who had arrived at the hall led by the Minister of State from the Land of Lightning—couldn't help letting out a sigh, an unusual look of melancholy briefly appearing on his face.
This immediately made the noble courtiers, already filled with anxiety, tense up again—the fragile calm they had just regained now shattered.
"How utterly amusing,"
After receiving reports from both the Uchiha Clan and the Kinai region, Hyuga Soushu—who hadn't contacted the village since the end of the war—couldn't help but remark sarcastically, "No wonder these high-ranking officials hold their prestigious positions—masters at dodging danger in battle yet leaping ahead of everyone else when it comes to rewards! Such audacity certainly earns them their high rank!"
His subordinate Jonin passed the intelligence reports around, their expressions plainly showing their dissatisfaction.
Yet they still possessed decent perceptiveness, so before Hyuga Soushu officially expressed his stance, none of them spoke rashly. Instead, they appropriately showed dissatisfaction through subtle facial expressions—a delicate way of conveying their feelings toward Soushu.
"Maybe Sakumo acted out of necessity for now. Before we have the full story, I suggest everyone hold back from making assumptions."
Hyuga Soushu set aside the intelligence report and spoke slowly, "Besides, right now we control the major cities in central and southern Land of Lightning. As long as we don't approve, no one can take away what rightfully belongs to us!"
Although Soushu's words seemed like a conciliatory statement, those sharp-minded Jonin still picked up key phrases such as 'maybe' and 'temporarily.'
"Honorable Soushu, we—"
One Jonin straightened up but didn't quite know what to say.
Though all Jonin regarded Hyuga Soushu and Hatake Sakumo as de facto allies, officially they still maintained a superior-subordinate relationship — the supreme commander of Northern Expeditionary Ninja Force had always been Hatake Sakumo. Additionally, diplomatic affairs were under the jurisdiction of Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi — these were undisputed facts. Therefore, whether it was Third Hokage dispatching Danzo as envoy or Sakumo directly entering Daimyo's court for secret talks, there was technically nothing wrong with it if made public.
The real issue lay with Soushu's subordinates who also had their own interests to protect.
Especially since not long ago they had taken enormous risks drawing attention from four thousand Kumo Ninja Force troops, allowing Sakumo's elite forces to march unchallenged toward Land of Lightning's Kinki region, then under Soushu's command achieving decisive victory against Kumo — these Jonin had high morale and an unprecedented level of unity at this moment.
"I already said, remain calm for now."
Waving his hand dismissively, Hyuga Soushu signaled this standing officer to sit back down, "I understand everyone's urgency, but precisely at critical moments must we maintain composure."
The Jonin exchanged glances, finding it rather unusual for such words to come from the reputedly nitpicking-precise Hyuga Soushu.
"Then according to your opinion, should we temporarily ignore these people?"
A Border Forces Jonin cautiously raised his hand, "But you know exactly how difficult it is for us to trust those others to handle things impartially."
"We have our own matters to attend to!"
What pleased Hyuga Soushu most was hearing that subconscious 'we' in his subordinate's question — along with evident distrust toward outsiders — plus seeing other officers around him nodding in agreement. For someone whose authority remains fragile, this subtle shift marked his mere-by-duty subordinates unconsciously forming factional consciousness!
"Currently Sakumo, that verminous shadow Danzo, even our exalted Hokage himself — all want to snatch the juiciest slice from Lightning Daimyo's pie!"
Hyuga Soushu got straight to the heart of the conflict: "Where interests are concerned, there will always be those who lose their heads to greed!"
The room fell into a heavy silence as the Jonin waited for further explanation and orders from Hyuga Soushu.
Indeed, whether it was Sakumo acting first and thinking later, or Danzo rushing over without delay, they were both after one thing — benefit; particularly now when Kumo, having lost six thousand ninja troops in one blow, had become a spent force already.
So naturally, the next step was to divide the spoils.
But if they didn't take part in the talks and the loot-sharing meeting, how were they supposed to get their fair share?
You can't really expect the village's Top Leader to play fair, can you?
"Now that Kumo has been defeated and Ronin Ninjas are rising everywhere, the common folk in the Land of Lightning are suffering terribly. As Konoha ninja, we must fight the strong and protect the weak, upholding justice (kuangfu zhengyi)."
When Hyuga Soushu said this, the Jonin assembly under his command became even more confused.
The Land of Lightning was an enemy nation! The fact that they, as ninja from the Land of Fire's Konoha, hadn't already taken advantage of the situation spoke volumes about their strict discipline. How could they possibly go there to "uphold justice"? And what did that phrase even have to do with ninjas, who charged exorbitant fees for every little thing?
"What I mean is, we should raise the heavens by three feet (an idiom suggesting righteous transformation) in the Land of Lightning!"
Hyuga Soushu had to patiently explain.
Yet all the Jonin, including Mahiru Uchiha, still looked puzzled.
"I'll just say it plainly! Our previous plunder wasn't nearly thorough enough; our resource collection lacked sufficient detail. Now, various districts in the Land of Lightning have practically no defensive forces left. It's the perfect opportunity to strip them clean!"
Soushu sighed and put his plan into plain words: "As for how the negotiations at the Daimyo's court go, don't worry about that for now. Anyway, over a dozen districts in central and southern Land of Lightning are already in our hands. But if they dare disregard our interests, they can forget about reclaiming this fertile land spanning a thousand miles!"
"Honorable Lord Soushu is indeed wise!"
It finally clicked for the Jonin assembly.
So *this* was what he meant by upholding justice and raising the heavens by three feet!
The upper ninjas all expressed that they had truly learned something new today.
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