The Hokage's temporary office was tense, and Shizune served tea with slightly trembling hands, so the sound of the ceramic cup touching the wood of Tsunade's desk was too loud. Tsunade was tapping a finger on the tactical map of Konoha, right over the civilian district where the ambush had taken place, and her youthful face showed controlled anger.
Jiraiya stood with his arms crossed by the window, his back to the room as he looked out at the village, while Kakashi stood silently near the door.
"I still think this is a mistake, Tsunade," Jiraiya said, finally breaking the silence. "It's a huge blunder and we should be kicking in Danzō's door right now, not preparing a stage play for the Jōnin!"
Tsunade stopped tapping the map. "And I keep telling you to shut up, Jiraiya. You think I don't want to do it and that I don't want to drag that bandaged old man out and demand answers."
"Then do it!" Jiraiya spun around, his usual jovial demeanor replaced by the harshness of a Sannin in wartime. "Why are we here arguing about lies? Four Root agents are dead! They tried to kidnap the kids, to kidnap Naruto! What more do you need?"
"I need proof, Jiraiya, something that didn't dissolve in a dead agent's stomach," Tsunade replied, her voice flat and sharp. "Don't look at me like that. Which door do we kick in? The one guarded by Root ANBU pretending to be regular ANBU?"
"With what proof?" she continued, her voice rising a notch. "The word of two Genin who survived an attack that Danzō is already actively covering up? The word of two Jōnin, as elite as they may be, who only arrived at the end?"
"Kakashi and Shizune saw the agents kill themselves!" Tsunade shouted, slamming the table, which made the teacup rattle. "We have no bodies, we have no witnesses who aren't on our side, we have nothing that a council tribunal can't dismiss as 'paranoia from the new Hokage'!"
"I'm a Sannin!" Jiraiya retorted, stepping forward. "My word should be enough!"
"Your word means nothing against the Council if Danzō denies everything!" Tsunade finally looked at him, her golden eyes burning. "Politically, Jiraiya, your word is worth less than his, because you're the perverted hermit who abandons the village whenever he wants and he's the 'Hidden Patriot' who stayed in the shadows protecting it. That's how they'll see you, and that's how they'll see him."
The Sannin clenched his fists. "Hiruzen sensei never should have let him..."
"I don't care what Sensei should or shouldn't have done!" Tsunade cut him off. "I'm dealing with the mess he left, and if I accuse Danzō now without irrefutable proof, they'll remove me for treason before lunch. And guess who becomes the interim Hokage? That bastard is provoking us because he's waiting for us to make a mistake. He wants me to react just like you are: with rage."
Kakashi stepped forward from the shadows. "Jiraiya sama, Tsunade sama is right."
Jiraiya turned to him. "You too, Kakashi? You saw what they did?"
"I saw it, and because I saw it, I know she's right," Kakashi said, his single visible eye closing for a moment. "Danzō won the political battle the moment his agents bit down on those suicide pills, which wasn't a tactical error on his part, but the final move. He was willing to sacrifice four of his best men to create this very situation."
"Won?" Jiraiya growled. "He lost four of his best men! That's a loss!"
"And he doesn't care," Kakashi said calmly. "Those men were expendable to him, so he discarded them. He wants us to accuse him, because he knows we'll look irrational and power hungry, especially after the Third is still recovering from his injuries. He expects us to react with emotion, but we must react with strategy."
Kakashi walked over to the map. "He knows that we know, and he knows we can't do anything, so he has us trapped. If the Hokage accuses him, the council and the civilians will panic. An internal war between the Hokage and the leader of Root? The village would be torn in two, and that's not even counting the external threats."
"The village can't withstand a civil war right now," Kakashi concluded. "And that's exactly what would happen if the Hokage accuses the leader of Root without proof. Orochimaru would attack our division the next day, and Iwa or Kumo could take advantage of the weakness. We would lose Konoha."
Jiraiya ran a hand through his white hair and let out a long sigh, as the rage dissipated leaving only bitter frustration. "So... that old fossil gets away with it. He tried to kidnap the kids, he failed, and now he hides while we clean up his mess."
"Exactly." A grim, almost dangerous smile appeared on Tsunade's face as she sat down and picked up the now cold teacup.
"And we're going to clean up his mess in a way he won't expect."
Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Shizune looked at her.
"Danzō planted the rumor that it was Orochimaru," Tsunade said, turning the cup in her hands. "He used ANBU with stolen uniforms to cover his tracks, which is a good cover story. It's plausible, and the Jōnin are already nervous about Orochimaru."
"He thinks he's cornering us," she continued. "He thinks he gave us a problem we can't solve, a lie we have to disprove without evidence. He thinks we're trapped between calling him out and looking weak, or staying quiet and looking incompetent."
"But we've accepted his gift."
Shizune, who had remained silent processing the political situation, finally spoke. "But, Master... lie to the Jōnin? To Asuma san and Kurenai san? To Gai? Tell them it was Orochimaru when we know it was Danzō?"
"That's precisely why we're lying to them, Shizune," Tsunade said, her voice softening a fraction as she addressed her apprentice. "We're lying to them to lead them."
"Lead them?" Shizune asked.
"The village is scared," Tsunade explained. "The rumors are crazy: Orochimaru is back, the invasion never ended. If we tell them the truth about Danzō, the village descends into chaos, but if we say nothing, panic and distrust will fester."
"So we'll give them an enemy they can hate," Tsunade said, her eyes hardening. "We'll give them an external enemy, because the village needs to unite against a threat, not break apart over an internal one we can't prove. They need a strong leader to give them a target."
She slammed her palm on the desk. "Today, we'll give them Orochimaru and we'll give them the Sound! I'll use that threat to justify the emergency defense budget that the Council already approved thanks to this 'attack', and I'll use that budget to train our strike team, improve our defenses, and prepare for the real threat: Akatsuki."
A slow smile formed on Jiraiya's face as he finally understood the scope of the play. "So... we use Danzō's lie... the lie he created to cover his own failure..."
"To fund our secret war against Akatsuki," Tsunade finished. "Danzō wanted to scare the council into giving Root more power, but instead, they just gave me all the money and authority I need."
"That's... twisted," Jiraiya said. "And completely brilliant. I like it."
"Ibiki is on our side," Tsunade said, turning completely professional. "He met with me this morning and he hates Danzō almost as much as we do, so he will present the 'official' Intelligence report corroborating the Sound's infiltration. That gives the story credibility, and nobody questions Ibiki."
"Good," Jiraiya nodded. "The attack on the Genin is the excuse. Orochimaru is the official reason. And Akatsuki?"
"Akatsuki..." Tsunade said. "You're a Sannin, so your word gives weight to the Jinchuriki threat."
Tsunade stood up and grabbed the white Hokage robe that was hanging on her chair, putting it on over her battle uniform.
"Shizune, convene the Jōnin council. Immediately."
"It's already done, Master," Shizune said, now more firm. "They're waiting."
"Good. Kakashi, Jiraiya, with me. Show no doubt. We are the authority."
"Now, let's go. It's showtime."
*******
The Jōnin meeting hall was packed, so much so that there was no room to breathe, and it was the first time a full war council had been convened since Orochimaru's invasion. The squad commanders, elite Jōnin, and department heads were murmuring.
Asuma Sarutobi was leaning against a wall, an unlit cigarette between his lips, as smoking wasn't even allowed here.
"ANBU fighting Genin in the streets?" he said quietly to Kurenai, who was next to him. "This stinks and something isn't right. ANBU don't fight Genin, and if they do, there isn't a 'fight', they just... disappear. This was loud and it was public."
"Be careful what you say, Asuma," Kurenai replied, her arms crossed as her red eyes scanned the crowd. "But yes, people are scared. I heard Naruto's team was the target. Is it true that Orochimaru...?"
"That's the rumor they want us to hear," Asuma hissed. "They're using Orochimaru to scare us. It's convenient, too convenient. My father... he always said the internal enemy was the most dangerous. And now his successor calls us all here after an incident that looks completely like an 'internal operation'?"
"Do you think she's involved?" Kurenai whispered, shocked.
"No. I think she's cleaning up a mess," Asuma muttered. "The question is, whose?"
"NONSENSE!" Might Gai's voice boomed louder than necessary, causing several nearby Jōnin to turn and look at him with annoyance. "If Orochimaru were here, my flame of youth would have detected him! His withered presence is impossible for a heart burning with vigor to ignore!"
"Gai, for the love of..." Asuma sighed.
"It must be a test from our new Hokage!" Gai continued, clenching a fist. "A test of our indomitable spirit! She wants to see if Konoha's fire still burns brightly after the invasion! And we will show her that it burns brighter than ever!"
"Gai, keep your voice down," Asuma sighed, rubbing his temples. "Not everything is a test of spirit, people are on edge. Your shouting doesn't help."
"My shouts demonstrate confidence," Gai said, though he lowered his voice to an enthusiastic rumble. "Someone has to."
In another corner, Shikaku Nara stood with his eyes closed, looking half asleep, and next to him, Inoichi Yamanaka and Choza Akimichi kept a stoic guard.
"This is troublesome," Shikaku murmured, without opening his eyes.
"What is, Shikaku?" Inoichi asked.
"The summons, 'War Council', those are strong words," Shikaku said. "A regular Jōnin summons is to discuss resources or assignments, but a 'War Council' is to identify an existential threat. The Hokage wouldn't use that term lightly, which means she either has proof of a new war, or she wants us to think there is one."
"And the incident?" Choza asked.
"It's the bait," Shikaku said. "It doesn't matter what happened a few days ago, but rather the story they're going to tell us about what happened. Pay attention to the narrative, because that will tell us what she really wants."
The double doors at the front of the room burst open.
Tsunade entered and the silence was immediate, completely stopping the murmur of a hundred anxious conversations.
She was flanked by Jiraiya on her right and Kakashi on her left. Shizune and two ANBU guards (whom Kakashi recognized as loyal to the Hokage, not to Root) stayed by the door.
Tsunade's presence dominated the room. She looked young, powerful, and with no sake bottle in sight, and she walked with deliberate purpose to the front, stopping before the great Konoha seal.
Jiraiya looked grim and serious, and Kakashi was... Kakashi, but his presence there, next to the two Sannin, sent a message of unity in command.
Tsunade swept the room with her gaze, her golden eyes landing on every face she could see, and she let the silence stretch on until it became uncomfortable.
"Shut your mouths."
Her voice was rough, blunt, and it echoed in the silent room.
"I know the rumors that have been circulating, and I know you're scared, confused, and angry about the incident in the civilian district. I'm going to be clear, so there are no more stupid whispers in the hallways."
She paused, her gaze stopping on Asuma, then on Gai, then on Shikaku.
"It was a direct attack by the Hidden Sound Village."
A murmur of shock and anger ran through the room, as it was the rumor everyone had heard, but hearing it confirmed by the Hokage made it real.
"Hokage sama!" Asuma shouted, stepping forward because he couldn't help it. "The Sound? Again? How did they get past our defenses? The village is supposed to be on high alert!"
"A good question, Asuma," Tsunade said coldly. "Ibiki."
Ibiki stepped forward from a corner where he had been waiting. His face full of scars was impassive, and his mere presence made several Jōnin straighten up.
"Hokage sama. Jōnin." Ibiki's voice was gravelly. "My Intelligence department has been analyzing the scene and the witness reports, and my report corroborates this. The agents were using stolen ANBU uniforms and Sound infiltration techniques designed to evade our current sensory barriers. They weren't ordinary thugs, but an elite team from the Sound, specializing in infiltration and capture."
"And what did they want?" someone shouted from the back.
"Their objective was a specific genin: Uzumaki Naruto. The attack failed thanks to the rapid response of Team Seven and ANBU intervention."
"Hokage sama! This is unacceptable!" Kurenai shouted, her voice clear and strong. "Orochimaru in our streets, so soon after the invasion! It means our defenses are useless!"
"That snake!" Gai clenched his fists, his face contorted with genuine anger. "Attacking Konoha's youth! It's unforgivable! We should launch a counter invasion now!"
"Exactly, Kurenai!" Tsunade's voice cut through the growing hysteria. "And it's only the beginning."
The room quieted, confused. The beginning?
"You think this was it?" Tsunade asked, her voice sarcastic. "You think Orochimaru sent his best team just for one Genin? That he would risk so much just to kidnap a kid?"
Shikaku Nara opened his eyes, thinking: There it is. The narrative.
"The invasion failed," Tsunade continued, "and now Orochimaru is desperate, which makes him dangerous. But he isn't the only threat, he's just the first one who has come to attack us."
"This is bigger." She turned towards Jiraiya.
Jiraiya stepped forward, and his usual perverted grin was gone.
"There's an organization of S Rank criminals known as Akatsuki."
A chill ran through the room.
"They aren't common rogue ninjas," Jiraiya said, his voice grave. "They are monsters, Kage killers, and village traitors. Each member is an S Rank in their own right, and now they are systematically hunting all the Jinchuriki."
The word "Jinchuriki" silenced any remaining murmurs, as everyone in that room knew what that meant.
"Are you saying they're here?" Inoichi Yamanaka asked, his face pale.
"Two of its members," Jiraiya continued, "Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki, the Monster of the Hidden Mist, are already at our borders. They were spotted recently."
"Itachi?" Asuma whispered, loud enough to be heard, as Itachi's name held special meaning for those of his generation.
"They think we're weak from the invasion," Jiraiya said, his gaze sweeping over everyone. "They think the Sound's attack on Naruto is proof that we're divided and ready to be conquered. Orochimaru, Akatsuki... all of them see Konoha as an easy target."
"The 'Sound Attack' was a test," Tsunade said, taking control again with a firm voice. "Akatsuki is the war that's coming, and Orochimaru is the symptom of our perceived weakness. And I will not be the Hokage who allows Konoha to be perceived as weak."
She stood tall. "The emergency defense budget I requested from the Council has been approved, in light of Orochimaru's attack."
Tsunade looked at Ibiki. "Ibiki, I want total control of Konoha's exterior: border control, entry control, and exit control. I need new interrogation protocols for any suspicious person entering or leaving the village, I don't want any more infiltrations. Have them give you the resources you need from my new budget."
"Yes, Hokage sama." Ibiki nodded sharply.
She turned to the Jōnin. "Asuma, Kurenai, Gai. Your teams are elite rapid response units, so from now on, you will increase border surveillance. Double the shifts, or triple them if necessary. I want daily reports on anything, no matter how small, and you will report directly to me."
"You can count on me, Hokage sama!" Gai shouted, this time with a deadly seriousness under his enthusiasm. "We will protect Konoha with the power of youth!"
Asuma and Kurenai just nodded. "Understood."
"Shikaku," Tsunade said, and the strategist looked at her. "Your Jōnin logistics department will reorganize all patrol schedules. I want our best sensors on the walls and our best trackers in the woods. Work with Inoichi and Choza, and coordinate a new defense network. I want it on my desk tomorrow morning."
"It will be troublesome," Shikaku murmured. "But it will be done, Hokage sama."
"Orochimaru hit us and Akatsuki is watching," Tsunade said, her voice filling every corner of the room. "We will not show weakness again, nor will we be the prey. As of today, Konoha is officially on a war footing."
"You will receive your new assignments from your department commanders. Do not talk about this with the Chūnin or Genin, and do not spread panic, but determination. I want every ninja in this village to be ready to fight."
"Go."
For a second, nobody moved, but then, acting as one, the Jōnin straightened up. The fear and confusion had been replaced by a grim purpose, and they left the room in disciplined silence, heading for their posts.
Asuma said to Kurenai on the way out, "Damn, she's right. She's strong."
Kurenai nodded. "Maybe she's the Hokage we need."
In a matter of minutes, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Kakashi were left alone in the empty room, and the sudden silence was overwhelming.
Tsunade slumped into the main chair, looking tired for the first time all day, and rubbed the bridge of her nose.
"Phase one, complete," she murmured.
"They bought it," Jiraiya said, leaning against the wall. "The whole story: the Sound attack and the Akatsuki threat... although that part is true."
"They bought the threat," Kakashi corrected, watching the door they had left through. "I'm not sure they all bought the story about the Sound, not completely, because I saw Shikaku san watching you, Tsunade sama. And Asuma... he's too cynical."
"I don't need them to buy it," Tsunade said, without lifting her head. "I just need them to obey, and they will obey if the enemy is Orochimaru or Akatsuki. They won't obey if the enemy is Danzō, at least not right now."
"You gave them a target and you unified the Jōnin," Jiraiya said. "It was a good move."
"It was the only move," she said. "Now the real work begins, because the budget is real and the threats are real. The lie only buys us time."
Jiraiya nodded. "Right. I'll go find the brats, especially Naruto. If Danzō tried it once, he'll try it again, and with Akatsuki looking for him..."
"What are you going to do?" Tsunade asked.
"What I should have done a long time ago," Jiraiya said, heading for the door. "I'm going to train him. And I'm going to find a way to keep him safe."
He stopped at the door. "You handle Danzō. I'll handle Akatsuki. And Kakashi..."
Kakashi looked at him.
"Keep the other Uchiha kid safe," Jiraiya said. "I have a feeling Danzō isn't finished with him either."
Jiraiya left.
Tsunade and Kakashi remained in silence.
"Do you think it will work, Hokage sama?" Kakashi asked.
Tsunade raised her head, and her eyes were clear and hard.
"It has to work. Now, go and watch Danzō, I want to know every time he breathes and every time he goes to the bathroom. Use your old ANBU contacts, because we can't afford another surprise."
"Understood," Kakashi said, and he disappeared in a swirl of leaves.
Tsunade was left alone in the enormous meeting room, carrying the responsibility of the lie and the future of the village.
"What a mess," she whispered to herself. "I barely get here and I'm already lying to the entire village."
She stood up and straightened her Hokage robe. "Right, enough self pity. I have a budget to spend."
***
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