Chapter 7: Their Respective Stances
From the moment Sakumo Hatake died, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Konoha leadership had already prepared for the consequences. But even so, the response from the other Hidden Villages was far swifter—and more aggressive—than anticipated. Kumogakure and Kirigakure practically looked ready to declare war on the spot. And once Konoha clashed with those two villages, it was inevitable that Iwagakure and Sunagakure would follow suit.
Looking back at the last two Great Ninja Wars, while it was true that the other major villages often fought each other, they more frequently united against a common enemy—Konoha. After all, Konoha had always been the strongest and most prosperous village. As far as the other hidden villages were concerned, it only made sense to bring down the one sitting at the top—unless, of course, they were too fractured or distrustful to cooperate.
Back during the First Great Ninja War, after Tobirama Senju's death, Konoha had teetered on the brink of collapse. But they survived those darkest days.
Compared to that time, today's situation didn't feel nearly as dire.
"Just a bunch of insects," Danzo Shimura scoffed. "Hiruzen, don't hesitate. If they dare to move, crush them. If Kumo and Kiri want to bare their fangs, we should be the ones to cut them off!"
True to his reputation as Konoha's ultimate hawk, Danzo's bloodthirsty tone was anything but subtle. To him, Konoha and its interests came before all else—no matter the cost.
"Danzo, you're being far too aggressive," Mitokado Homura interjected, shaking his head. "So far, all we've seen from Kumo and Kiri are troop movements. They haven't declared war or crossed the border. If we make the first move, we'll lose the moral high ground. More importantly, we risk losing the initiative. Iwagakure and Sunagakure haven't even reacted yet."
"Cowardice," Danzo snapped, nearly glaring.
Ever since their beloved teacher, the Second Hokage, had died, Danzo had grown increasingly critical of his fellow advisors. Perhaps their caution had made sense back then—Konoha had been weak. But now?
Now, Konoha was stronger than ever. And yet these so-called elders still wanted to play it safe?
Danzo had already been furious when, after the Second Ninja War, they let the other villages off without punishment. That kind of softness was exactly why the others dared to provoke Konoha again.
"Hiruzen," Danzo snarled, his voice low and sharp, "this is why they think we're weak!"
Hiruzen didn't respond immediately. Instead, he puffed calmly on his pipe, letting the smoke swirl around him. Then he turned toward two people sitting quietly nearby—his two most talented disciples.
"Orochimaru, Jiraiya. What are your thoughts?"
During the last war, Orochimaru and Jiraiya had only just begun to make their names known. But now, they were world-famous—the legendary Sannin of Konoha. Though the title carried a touch of irony and humiliation, the three of them had nonetheless become Konoha's pillars.
And to many in the village, one of them was destined to be the next Hokage.
Once, there had been four potential successors. Now, only three remained—and one of them was already gone.
As the two men sat in silence, their expressions subtly shifted. To them, this emergency meeting should have been avoidable—or at least delayed. It was all because of that accident.
Even now, Jiraiya struggled to accept the truth.
Still, the village came first.
"I agree with Homura-sensei," Jiraiya finally said, steeling himself. "The current situation is volatile. We shouldn't act rashly."
Protecting the village—that was Jiraiya's highest principle.
Hiruzen nodded slowly. That answer didn't surprise him. Of all his students, Jiraiya was the one who most resembled him in spirit. But the one he had always favored was Orochimaru.
That being said, Orochimaru had begun to drift in unexpected directions.
"I agree with Danzo," Orochimaru said at last, his golden serpent-like eyes glinting faintly with a cold light. "We need to show strength. Otherwise, they'll only press further."
It was a rare moment of agreement—one that made Hiruzen's brow furrow while Danzo's grim face twisted into a faint smile of approval.
"Exactly!" Danzo said, his voice rising. "We need to teach them a bloody lesson. Only then will they understand that Konoha's authority is absolute. If we continue to tolerate their provocations, it'll only feed their ambitions. Next, it'll be Suna and Iwa testing our borders!"
To Danzo, there was no world where Konoha didn't dominate the ninja world. All others were merely obstacles to be crushed.
In his eyes, Konoha's stagnation was the direct result of Hiruzen's weak leadership. Back in the Second Ninja War, Konoha could have—and should have—extended its supremacy. But instead, they chose appeasement, and now they were paying for it.
To be fair, Danzo did have a point.
Peace was never something you begged for.
It was something you fought for.
Danzo's brutality was extreme. Hiruzen's tolerance was dangerously unlimited. And in between those two extremes, the current crisis had taken root.
BANG!
"Hiruzen!"
Danzo slammed his cane into the table, his voice laced with frustration.
But Hiruzen remained calm.
"This matter requires caution," he said solemnly. "We need more information before we act. Orochimaru, you'll investigate Kirigakure's true intentions. Jiraiya, you'll handle Kumogakure. Find out what they're planning before we make any moves. The situation is urgent—but that's all the more reason we must tread carefully."
Danzo clenched his jaw, clearly dissatisfied—but said no more.
And just like that, the meeting moved forward, wi
th war on the horizon and the shadows of ambition creeping closer from all sides.