After the cheers subsided, the Third Hokage led Setsuna and the assembled Jonin back to the meeting room.
No sooner had they sat down than the Third couldn't resist asking the question that concerned him most: "Setsuna, how did you escape?"
Setsuna replied frankly, "I just flew back right in front of them."
The Third was surprised. "You can fly?"
Setsuna nodded. "It's a martial arts technique."
"Oh, I see," The Third said, seemingly understanding. Although he wasn't sure what kind of martial arts allowed flight, it did explain how Setsuna managed to escape.
The Third pressed further, "Didn't Onoki and Rasa try to stop you? Magnet Release should have techniques similar to flight, right?"
"No, they just watched."
"Ah, why?"
"Probably because I destroyed Sunagakure, so they didn't dare to intervene."
Setsuna delivered the most shocking answer in the calmest tone.
The meeting room fell deathly silent.
The Third wondered if he had heard correctly. "You said... you destroyed Sunagakure?"
"To be precise, I only destroyed all the buildings in Sunagakure," Setsuna added considerately, "I had them evacuate the people beforehand, so you needn't worry about Sunagakure's Ninjas launching suicide attacks against us."
The Third still couldn't quite believe it. "When you say 'all the buildings', you mean...?"
"Just what the words mean." Setsuna said thoughtfully, "With this act of deterrence, Sunagakure probably won't dare to attack us again."
As his words settled, audible gasps rippled through the conference room.
"The power to destroy an entire Ninja Village... can someone really achieve such a feat?"
"He probably isn't lying, right? This is something that can be verified with a little investigation."
"So... he really destroyed Sunagakure?"
The Jonin all looked at Setsuna with incredulous eyes, 'Did that body truly contain such terrifying power?'
Minato suddenly understood, 'No wonder I couldn't sense my Flying Thunder God's marks.'
Danzo broke out in a cold sweat, feeling as though he had narrowly escaped death's door. This was followed by a deep sense of sorrow.
'This brat's power keeps growing. Is there anyone left in the Ninja World who can kill him? Will I have to live under his shadow from now on?'
Although he didn't dare to openly criticize, Danzo decided to pour some cold water on the mood. "I don't believe this is a good thing. At this critical juncture, if the other three great Ninja Villages learn of Sunagakure's destruction, they will undoubtedly feel fear. Then, those three villages might unite against us."
Hearing Danzo's argument, some of the Jonin indeed showed concern on their faces.
No matter how powerful Setsuna was, he was still just one person. He couldn't possibly handle enemies from three different fronts simultaneously.
If the three great Ninja Villages joined forces to attack Konoha, it would indeed be very dangerous.
Setsuna didn't refute this. His current strength was indeed sufficient to defeat any single Kage, but unless they were as recklessly headstrong as the Raikage, it would be difficult for him to kill a fighter of that caliber.
After all, once the news of the Sunagakure battle spread, anyone with a modicum of sense would avoid close combat with him.
The Third Hokage thought for a moment and then asked, "Setsuna, are there limitations to using the power you used to destroy Sunagakure?"
Many Ninjas present felt a jolt of alarm, 'Was Hokage-sama considering something so extreme?'
'If we used this method to destroy another village, the remaining two might simply disband and then infiltrate every corner of Konoha in small, scattered groups.'
'That could lead to a state of perpetual conflict with no end in sight.'
Setsuna explained, "To destroy Sunagakure this time, I used an ability similar to releasing the Yin Seal. If I use it again in a short period, the power might only be a quarter of this time's, though the charging time would also be correspondingly shorter."
"Charging time?"
"Yes." Setsuna nodded, "This time at Sunagakure, I charged for twenty minutes. Under normal use, charging would take five to ten minutes."
Everyone was inwardly shocked, 'Did this mean Setsuna had held out for twenty minutes while being besieged by the Tsuchikage and other powerful foes?'
The Third said gravely, "If we needed you to use this power against Iwagakure or Kumogakure, could it be done?"
"It would be troublesome." Setsuna shook his head slightly, "Sunagakure was different because their One-Tail's Jinchuriki didn't seem capable of using the Tailed Beast Bomb effectively. But Iwagakure and Kumogakure are different. Both villages have two Jinchuriki each, and they can use Tailed Beast Bombs. If I launch an energy ball from the sky, I'd easily become a target."
The Third suggested, "What if you acted at night, or had Minato teleport you there after you finished charging?"
"Theoretically possible," Setsuna said. "But the people of Iwagakure and Kumogakure aren't fools. Once they get the news, they'll likely have their sensory units patrolling day and night."
The wrinkles on the Third's face smoothed out a little. "That would be sufficient. If we can tie down their sensory forces without spending a single soldier, we already have the initiative."
Utatane Koharu smiled. "Not just that. They would have to keep at least one top-tier combatant in the village at all times. Otherwise, even if they detected Setsuna's attack in advance, no one could stop it."
The Jonin also began to smile. Setsuna's existence was a deterrent to the other villages.
"Since we're already on the topic of war, let's extend the discussion further." The Third tapped his pipe on the table.
Mitokado Homura nodded. "If the Third Great Ninja War is inevitable, then the key to this war lies in two points. First, logistics. We must prepare for a protracted war. Second, reinforcements. The Land of Iron, the Land of Rain, and the Land of Waterfalls are considered powerful among the smaller nations. If we can persuade them to join us, it might have an unexpected effect."
The Third shook his head. "Forget about the Land of Iron. They have always maintained neutrality and won't join any side."
"Ah, I have a plan!" Danzo raised a finger.
"Oh? You have a plan too?" The Third looked at him with encouragement.
Danzo spoke unhurriedly, "My operatives have learned that a force opposing Hanzo the Salamander has emerged within the Land of Rain. Hanzo is quite troubled by it. If we can help him eliminate that force, we might be able to secure Hanzo's support."
Setsuna's expression remained wooden, 'I just finished blowing up Sunagakure, and now you want to provoke Nagato into awakening so he can blow up Konoha, is that it?'
The Third Hokage hesitated upon hearing this. If this force was troubling Hanzo, didn't that indicate its strength? He didn't want to end up failing to recruit Hanzo and instead digging a pit for themselves.
"I object." Setsuna opposed it clearly and unequivocally.
"You think my plan is no good?" Danzo's face darkened.
Setsuna, of course, couldn't say he had meta-knowledge, so he simply stated, "No matter how strong the Land of Rain is, it's still just a powerful nation beneath the Five Great Nations. Why don't we try to recruit one of the Five Great Nations directly?"
The Third guessed, "Are you referring to Sunagakure?"
"Precisely, Sunagakure."
Danzo couldn't resist another sarcastic remark. "Have you forgotten that you just destroyed Sunagakure?"
Setsuna said calmly, "Sunagakure conspired to harm us. I did not kill them all, and merely destroyed their village. They should be grateful for my mercy. If they fail to understand this gratitude, I will destroy them again."