Danzo's approach had indeed achieved its intended effect.
If he had insisted on handing Seiki over to Sunagakure for execution as atonement, the jonin present would naturally have opposed him—they wouldn't allow Danzo to cripple Konoha at such a critical time in the war.
However, an apology seemed like something they could accept.
After all, it might be good for the young man to experience some setbacks and learn some humility.
Just then, a commotion erupted from outside.
"Seiki, you can't go in right now—the jonin meeting is still ongoing!"
"It's fine. I'm also a jonin; coming to attend the jonin meeting is only appropriate."
"B-but you're with…"
Before the voice could finish, Seiki and Pakura lifted the door curtain and walked side by side into the room.
Seeing the "unrelated person" accompanying Seiki, Tatsuma Aburame slammed the table and stood up. "Seiki Shimaseki, you're getting more reckless by the day! How dare you bring outsiders into a jonin meeting!"
"Special Envoy Pakura isn't an outsider," Seiki smiled. "Or perhaps, we'll soon become comrades-in-arms!"
"Pakura?" Many jonin exclaimed in surprise. "The Scorch Release expert known as the Hero of Sunagakure?"
Meeting their curious gazes, Pakura nodded gracefully. "I have come here today to formally negotiate the details of our joint military deployment."
"A joint military operation?" Some were confused—wasn't Elder Danzo supposed to have declared negotiations broken off?
Tatsuma quickly caught on. "No wonder Danzo-sama managed to secure cooperation even under these circumstances!"
Danzo's supporters immediately chimed in with flattery.
"So this was all part of Danzo-sama's plan!"
"The mighty Danzo, who won Sunagakure's military support, is surely being hailed as Konoha's hero!"
Yet Danzo himself looked rather confused—Rasa hadn't mentioned any cooperation!
"Ah… So this must be his repayment for my 'waiver' of their mission reward!"
Realizing this, Danzo perked up proudly. "It was just a small thing—nothing worth mentioning, really."
At this moment, Pakura suddenly interjected, "Wasn't the entire arrangement clearly orchestrated by Seiki from beginning to end?"
The room fell silent. The truth seemed different from what Elder Danzo had claimed.
Danzo narrowed his eyes and chuckled. "Haha, what you witnessed was just the surface. For the truth, I'd suggest asking your Kazekage in person."
But Pakura shook her head bluntly. "Before I left, the Kazekage told me directly that he succeeded in convincing the village to join the war thanks entirely to Seiki."
"As for Elder Danzo…" Pakura paused thoughtfully, "Sorry, but the Kazekage didn't mention your name at all!"
Hmph!
At this point, several people couldn't help but burst into laughter.
So everything was just a figment of Elder Danzo's imagination!
Danzo shot an icy glare around the room before picking a lucky participant. "Fugaku Uchiha, do you think this is funny?"
Fugaku shook his head repeatedly. "I just remembered something amusing—my son turned two years old today."
Then, Pakura added with a flair for the dramatic and no fear of shocking the crowd, "Furthermore, Kazekage Rasa specifically mentioned to me that Sunagakure only trusts one man—Jonin Seiki. Therefore, our official condition for joining the battle is that Jonin Seiki must serve as the supreme commander of the allied forces!"
The meeting room fell silent for a moment before erupting into heated debate.
"Isn't this decision rather hasty?"
"While Jonin Seiki is undoubtedly exceptional, can he really command the respect required to lead both sides' armies?"
"I actually think it's a great idea. Haven't you all said the one who can unite us with Konoha is none other than Konoha's own hero?"
Seiki understood perfectly well that Rasa's suggestion was anything but innocent—it was meant to further inflame tensions between himself and Danzo.
But he didn't care.
Hadn't this very situation proven that doing nothing wouldn't make Danzo abandon his schemes? As the saying went: "You can't stay on guard forever when the enemy only needs a second to strike!"
Since conflict was unavoidable, better to seize control of the initiative himself.
So instead of declining, Seiki simply smiled at Danzo.
"For the sake of Konoha, some sacrifices are inevitable. I'm sure our esteemed Elder Danzo wouldn't let personal power stand in the way of duty!"
Danzo slammed the table in outrage. "What did you say? Are you suggesting I relinquish command?"
The gathered jonin all widened their eyes as they watched Seiki begin seizing authority right from the start.
This was brutal!
That was Danzo—the Darkness of the Shinobi World they were talking about!
Their fear of Danzo came not just from his strength, but more from his notorious disregard for rules.
In any world, unpredictable people who broke the rules always inspired fear because their actions couldn't be predicted by normal logic.
Shaking his head slightly, Seiki continued: "Actually, I have little interest in this position. But after hearing your words outside just now, I suddenly saw the truth.
'Some sacrifices are indeed necessary for Konoha.' So I'll have to sacrifice some of my precious personal time."
Danzo's chest heaved violently, as if he might explode any moment.
How infuriating!
This brat had the audacity to use his own words against him!
Tatsuma Aburame, Danzo's top lieutenant, quickly spoke out: "Seiki Shimaseki, you're being unreasonable. Just because Kazekage offered you command doesn't mean you should accept so readily. Do you even understand what it means to be part of Konoha..."
"Enough!" Seiki interrupted sternly. "Are you trying to provoke discord and sabotage our cooperation?" He accused pointedly, "Or perhaps... you're actually a spy bought off by Iwagakure?"
Tatsuma swallowed hard, his rage caught in his throat.
How maddening!
Wasn't that exactly the excuse they themselves used before? This kid learned fast!
Watching Danzo and his men fuming silently, Fugaku felt as if he'd gulped down a cold drink on a sweltering summer day—utterly refreshing.
"So even Danzo, who has always suppressed the Uchiha, is nothing more than this!" A bold thought formed in Fugaku's mind, though he quickly dismissed it.
Seiki could afford to be so bold and fearless, but he couldn't.
After all, behind Seiki stood most of Konoha, while behind him stood only the Uchiha clan.
"Guess we just have to keep enduring. It'll get better… someday."
Danzo also calmed down from his rage. "For the sake of Konoha, I certainly won't hesitate to use my power, but I want to test whether you have the capacity to lead Konoha forward! Otherwise, handing over power without thinking could drag Konoha into chaos!"
Seeing that Danzo had passed the buck back, Tatsuma Aburame and the others felt admiration within their hearts.
No wonder Lord Danzo is so revered; he effortlessly found a counterargument!
Seiki smiled gently. "Then how does Elder Danzo intend to test me?"
Danzo let out a cold chuckle. "The simplest way, naturally, is to put your strength to the test. As Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, losing badly to Iwagakure would crush the alliance's morale."
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>