The moment Sarutobi Hiruzen returned to the Hokage Tower, he immediately convened a high-level council meeting.
Within less than half an hour, Shimura Danzō, Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and others had arrived.
Danzō, in particular, had already gathered partial intelligence from his Root operatives on the way here.
In his view, Konohagakure was now in the weakest state it had ever been.
The Fourth Hokage had sacrificed himself, the Uchiha Clan was stirring restlessly, and the village could not deploy Naruto, the jinchūriki, onto the battlefield.
At such a time, going to war with Kumogakure was undoubtedly the worst possible choice.
Therefore, sacrificing Hyūga Hiashi and handing over his corpse to the Cloud was, from his perspective, the most optimal solution.
Yes, it would be a sign of weakness to Kumogakure—but everything would be for the sake of the village.
A temporary concession, in exchange for a better tomorrow.
Once the Uchiha issue was resolved and he took the Hokage's seat, everything lost today would be reclaimed in double measure in the future.
Yet to his surprise, Sarutobi Hiruzen had suddenly dismissed this course of action.
Monkey, this is all because of your weakness and incompetence.
Danzō inwardly cursed Hiruzen's brand of mercy, but for now, could only keep his criticism in his heart.
When he entered the council chamber, he sat silently in his seat without saying a word.
Aside from Konoha's senior officials, even the daimyō of the Land of Fire was present at this meeting.
"I trust everyone here is already aware of the events that have unfolded in the village over these past days," Hiruzen began.
"Kumogakure, under the pretense of forging an alliance and hosting a celebration, was in truth aiming to obtain the Byakugan of the Hyūga Clan."
"Fortunately, thanks to the pursuit by the Anbu and Hiashi, the Cloud's leader failed to succeed."
"But…"
Suddenly, Hiruzen's tone sharpened.
"This behavior is shameful beyond question. They have broken faith and treated our alliance agreement as a child's toy. As the Third Hokage of Konohagakure, I cannot forgive such treachery!"
With this forceful opening, he placed the mantle of villainy squarely upon Kumogakure's shoulders.
This immediately stirred a round of quiet discussions among the daimyō's entourage.
"And, as you may have heard," Hiruzen continued, "Kumogakure has issued an outrageous demand—hand over Hyūga Hiashi to exchange for a new alliance agreement. Otherwise, they claim they will 'seek justice' for their fallen leader."
"I am well aware that among those present, some have considered substituting Hiashi's brother from the branch family, Hyūga Hizashi, to quell this conflict."
"But!"
Hiruzen cleared his throat, letting the noise in the chamber subside, then raised his voice once more.
"Endless compromise will never lead to good results. On the contrary—such concessions, such weakness, will only stir the enemy's desire to attack further, allowing them to take inch after inch until we are completely on the defensive."
"Even the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, once said—"
At the mention of that name, the expression of every person present shifted.
Though the First Hokage had founded the village, it was Tobirama who had refined its systems and shown remarkable political insight and an iron hand.
Even the daimyō of the Land of Fire knew his name well.
As for Danzō—there was no need to mention it. He had been Tobirama's direct disciple and was the inheritor of his ideology.
So when Hiruzen invoked their teacher's name, Danzō was taken aback.
"We desire peace. But if we seek peace through struggle, peace will endure. If we seek peace through compromise, peace will perish!"
As Hiruzen's words rang out, Koharu and Homura exchanged looks, both with faintly darkened expressions.
Danzō, however, was stunned.
Did the Second Hokage really say this? Why don't I remember…?
He frowned deeply. Of all people, he revered Senju Tobirama the most. Such a wise and powerful saying—there was no way he should have forgotten it.
"That is why I will not compromise—not on Kumogakure's attempt to seize the Byakugan, nor on the matter of the Uchiha Clan," Hiruzen declared.
"The Uchiha Clan?"
Danzō immediately seized on the point. "Hiruzen, how can you compare these two issues? The Uchiha Clan—"
"Danzō!"
Hiruzen's voice cracked like a whip as he shot to his feet.
The sudden move startled even the daimyō, and Danzō froze mid-sentence.
What's gotten into Hiruzen today?
Normally, when the Uchiha were mentioned, he would hem and haw, reluctant to take a strong stance.
"I have said before—the Uchiha are also part of the village. I will find a way to resolve the rift between them and the rest of Konoha. And now, I have found that way!"
"What?!"
Gasps erupted around the chamber.
The senior Konoha councilors were particularly shocked. The Uchiha had already once planned a coup; it was only the death of Shisui that had caused them to abandon it.
But no one could guarantee they would not try again.
Danzō, ever the hawk, had always wanted to eliminate this destabilizing force, but Hiruzen had continually stood in his way.
Even so, Danzō did not believe Hiruzen could produce any clever solution.
And yet…
"No one understands the Uchiha Clan better than I do," Hiruzen said firmly. "I believe we should seize this opportunity—use their strength to fight Kumogakure. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."
"In doing so, we will weaken the Uchiha's military power while preserving peace within the village."
"Most importantly, the Uchiha will be fighting for Konoha, and the villagers will see this. They will come to understand the Uchiha, and the clan will rediscover their place within our home, restoring their sense of belonging."
The council chamber erupted into an uproar.
Koharu and Homura stared at Hiruzen's profile in disbelief.
The plan sounded simple on the surface—but it was undeniably brilliant.
Danzō straightened unconsciously, eyes wide, staring at Hiruzen as though seeing him for the first time.
By this strategy, the Hyūga could be saved, Kumogakure countered, and the Uchiha weakened—all at once.
Yes, the village might take some damage, but the Hokage's authority would be all the more secure.
Win, and all would rejoice. Lose, and the Uchiha would be crippled, never again able to threaten Konoha.
A threefold victory!
Is this really the Sarutobi Hiruzen I know? How has his hand suddenly become so ruthless…?
"I call this policy: shifting internal conflict to external conflict."
Hiruzen swept his gaze across the room, watching each person's expression. His voice was low and weighty.
Inside, he exhaled a long breath. Senju Haruto had not yet grown into his full strength—if anyone learned this plan had originated from him, it could bring the boy grave trouble.
Especially the Uchiha; if they knew the truth, they might come to hate Haruto.
As the Third Hokage, it was his duty to protect the village's children.
For Konoha's sake, he would bear this burden himself.
"Who is in favor? Who is opposed?"