Meanwhile, at the Ninja Academy, on the second-floor corridor of the school building, the air seemed to suddenly drop to freezing point. The familiar smile on Kazuma's face had completely vanished.
"May I ask," he demanded, "since when has the Sarutobi Clan learned the Adamantine Sealing Chains belonging to the Uzumaki Clan?"
"..." Sarutobi Hiruzen's lips moved a few times, but he couldn't utter a single syllable. Only an expression of acute embarrassment remained on his face.
Even with his vast experience and a skin hardened by years in politics, being caught red-handed in a lie made him feel a searing sting of mortification.
"Lord Hokage."
Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen speechless, Kazuma's brow furrowed tightly, his disappointment and anger undisguised: "If you mistrusted the Lord Daimyō from the start, or were unwilling, or perhaps, worried about sending Konoha's students to the Daimyō's estate for training, you could have been open and direct about it!"
"I believe the benevolent Lord Daimyō would never take offense over such a minor matter or impose his will, but..."
Here, his tone took an abrupt turn, becoming sharp: "Why did you use such a clumsy lie to deceive me and insult the sincerity of the Lord Daimyō?"
Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had been trying to find words to defend himself, was instantly choked, all words trapped in his throat, his face turning from pale to crimson.
Wouldn't take offense? Wouldn't impose his will?
Are you kidding me!
If he truly believed such nonsense and admitted directly that he "was reluctant to lose talent" or "didn't trust the Daimyō," that would make him the real idiot!
Given the Daimyō's personality, all the aid clauses they had just painstakingly negotiated would instantly be voided, possibly even leading to a severe crisis of trust!
With the current turbulent and chaotic situation in the Ninja World, and facing various external threats, Konoha desperately needed the Daimyō's aid and support.
If a rift formed with the Daimyō and the resources were withheld, Konoha would struggle to act freely.
However, with his lie exposed on the spot, the situation became even more awkward and passive!
This made him look exactly as Kazuma had described: an insidious politician—narrow-minded, full of suspicion towards the Daimyō's estate, and even willing to resort to lies to procrastinate!
But his genuine predicament, the highly confidential status of Naruto as the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, was something he could not possibly disclose to Kazuma.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression flickered, embarrassment, anger, and helplessness intertwined, leaving him momentarily speechless, unable to find a reasonable explanation to break the deadlock.
Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen's predicament, Kazuma's last shred of courtesy completely disappeared, replaced by grimness.
"Hmph!" He snorted coldly, his voice laced with chill. "The Lord Daimyō proposed this suggestion with great sincerity, intending to foster closeness with Konoha and deepen the bonds and communication between the two sides."
"To that end, he was even willing to send the future Daimyō, his eldest son, to Konoha to live and study. Yet, Lord Hokage seems particularly resistant and full of suspicion toward this goodwill."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present before fixing on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face. He said, syllable by syllable: "Since Konoha has no such intention, why force it?"
"The cooperation matters we previously discussed shall be temporarily put on hold. Allow me to report back to the Lord Daimyō for further deliberation!"
With that, Kazuma gave Sarutobi Hiruzen no further chance to explain. He flung his wide sleeve forcefully and turned to leave, his stance resolute, without the slightest hesitation.
That flick of the sleeve felt like a slap across the faces of all the Konoha higher-ups, signaling that the urgently needed reconstruction aid for Konoha might dissolve into nothingness.
"This is really troublesome..."
Nara Shikaku felt a headache coming on. He opened his mouth, about to call Kazuma back...
"Please hold! Kazuma-dono!"
A calm, aged voice spoke first, stopping the departing Kazuma.
The person who spoke was Mitokado Homura.
Kazuma halted but didn't turn around, clearly still enraged.
"Kazuma-dono, you have misunderstood," Mitokado Homura said sincerely. "We absolutely do not mean to slight the Lord Daimyō's sincerity, nor was Hiruzen trying to deceive you."
"That child is indeed the orphan of a hero, and his father was from the Uzumaki Clan."
He glanced at the silent Sarutobi Hiruzen beside him and continued to explain: "His parents sacrificed themselves for Konoha, entrusting the child to Hiruzen's care before their death. This is absolutely true."
"Hiruzen has been with the child for years. Although not related by blood, they share a relationship like grandfather and grandson. It is precisely because of this that Hiruzen is particularly worried."
"Because the child lost his parents at a young age, his personality is somewhat withdrawn and he dislikes socializing. Hiruzen feared that if the child suddenly entered the strictly regulated Daimyō's estate..."
Here, Mitokado Homura sighed, a perfectly timed look of worry crossing his face: "Should his words or actions be inappropriate and inadvertently offend the Lord Daimyō or other nobles in the estate..."
"His concealment just now was not due to a lack of trust in the Lord Daimyō. It was truly out of a protective heart, fearing he might cause trouble for the Daimyō. He never intended to deceive."
Hearing this explanation, Kazuma's shoulders relaxed slightly. He slowly turned around, the icy expression on his face thawing a little as he frowned slightly. "Is that truly the case?"
Mitokado Homura nudged the rigid Sarutobi Hiruzen in front of him with his elbow, barely perceptible.
Startled out of his complex emotions by the nudge, Sarutobi Hiruzen saw his old friend's meaningful glance and instantly understood his intention.
He took a deep breath, suppressed the frustration in his heart, and followed Mitokado Homura's lead, slowly nodding with an expression that conveyed a blend of helplessness and worry.
"What Homura said is precisely my concern," he sighed. "That child's personality is indeed somewhat withdrawn..."
Upon hearing this, Kazuma's tightly furrowed brow relaxed. The anger on his face finally dissipated, replaced by a trace of understanding.
"I see." He gave a slight bow. "It was rude of me. I failed to appreciate Lord Hokage's profound paternal love."
"If that is the reason, then I can understand Lord Hokage's apprehension."
Then, he changed the subject and said: "However, this matter is not without a solution."
"If Lord Hokage is truly worried, you could very well dispatch a reliable and steady subordinate to accompany the child to the Daimyō's estate."
"On the one hand, they could look after and guide the child up close, preventing any inappropriate behavior, and on the other hand..."
He looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, his tone meaningful: "As we previously discussed, Konoha was already going to dispatch some elite ninja to assist in guarding the capital's security."
"Wasn't that the case?"
This was a deliberate concession, allowing Sarutobi Hiruzen to place an 'eye' in the Daimyō's estate.
But Sarutobi Hiruzen's face involuntarily stiffened again.
He hadn't expected the other party to value Uzumaki Naruto so highly...
No, perhaps it no longer concerns Naruto, but rather establishing the Daimyō's authority.
—I've spent so much money and given you so many people, yet all I asked for was one person, and even after repeated concessions, you still won't agree. How am I supposed to save face?
"What?" Kazuma's expression instantly darkened again, his tone carrying clear impatience and tightly suppressed anger. "Lord Hokage, do you have other concerns?"
Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen found himself in an impossible position, Hyūga Kawa, who had been standing silently behind and to his side, tightened his hand on the hilt of his ring-pommel sabre.
An invisible flow of chakra quietly entered the blade, then spread out with extremely subtle fluctuations.
—Cognitive Dominance.
Utatane Koharu, the advisor standing nearby, her eyes flickered slightly, as if she had realized something. A look of deep thought flashed across her face.
Immediately, she stepped forward and whispered into Sarutobi Hiruzen's ear: "Hiruzen, it may not be impossible."
Sarutobi Hiruzen turned his head slightly, his brows tightly knitted, giving her a confused look.
"Have you forgotten that the Akatsuki organization's target is the Tailed Beasts?"
Utatane Koharu lowered her voice even further, analyzing: "They failed in their frontal assault last time and might resort to more covert methods!"
"Our barrier cannot be reset quickly, and they already know that the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki is Uzumaki Naruto. If they strike in secret, we will be completely unprepared, and the risk is too great!"
She paused here, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes: "But if Naruto is sent to the heavily guarded Daimyō's estate, protected by the Fire Temple's barrier..."
"He might actually be safer there than staying in Konoha."
Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes flickered, and he suddenly recalled the threat of the Akatsuki organization, his expression gradually turning serious.
"But..." he whispered, "if Naruto's chakra goes berserk again and his Jinchūriki identity is exposed..."
"Let Tenzo accompany him," Utatane Koharu immediately suggested. "His Wood Style, inherited from the First Hokage, has a natural suppressive effect on Tailed Beasts."
"With him constantly monitoring and guiding Naruto, he can suppress any signs of losing control immediately."
"At worst, once the Daimyō's aid arrives and the Akatsuki threat is eliminated, we can have Tenzo bring Naruto back. It will only be a year or two at most."
In the original story, they had essentially done the same thing to ensure Naruto's safety.
First, they kept Naruto in Mount Myōboku during Pain's invasion, and later, after Tobi declared the Fourth Great Ninja War, they kept Naruto and Killer B on Turtle Island in the Land of Lightning.
It should be noted that the Hidden Cloud Village (Kumogakure) and Konoha were mortal enemies. Yet, faced with the threat of Akatsuki, they dared to entrust Naruto to Kumogakure, let alone the Daimyō, with whom their relationship was actually quite good.
Therefore, Utatane Koharu had no suspicion as to why this thought had appeared in her mind.
She genuinely felt that this was her own idea, and it was the correct course of action.
Sarutobi Hiruzen also fell silent, engaging in a fierce internal struggle.
If these words had come from Hyūga Kawa, he definitely wouldn't have agreed, but they had come from Utatane Koharu...
Sarutobi Hiruzen was easily swayed by his three old friends; otherwise, he wouldn't have tolerated Danzō's subtle machinations so many times.
And Utatane Koharu's analysis was not without merit. Placing the most dangerous target in a place the enemy would least expect could sometimes be the best strategy.
Furthermore, with Tenzo's Wood Style, the risk of Naruto going berserk would indeed be greatly reduced.
If he wanted to ensure Naruto's safety and receive aid from the Daimyō, this seemed to be the only available option right now.
"Kazuma-dono, before I make a decision, I have one more question."
After a long silence, Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly raised his eyes and looked at Kazuma, asking: "Why are you so insistent on that child?"
This question clearly caught Kazuma off guard.
He was stunned for a moment, frowning again, and asked in confusion: "I, too, am curious. Sending a child to the Daimyō's estate for training has no drawbacks, whether public or private."
"Lord Hokage, why are you so resistant?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen did not answer the counter-question, simply watching Kazuma with a profound gaze.
Kazuma held Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze for a moment. He seemed to realize from the other's firm attitude that without a reasonable explanation, it would be difficult to achieve his goal.
"Very well."
He sighed, his expression softening somewhat, and said with a hint of resignation: "Since Lord Hokage asks, I might as well tell you."
"The reason, in fact, lies in the Jutsu the child displayed today: the Adamantine Sealing Chains."
"Adamantine Sealing Chains?" Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes narrowed, and numerous conjectures instantly flashed through his mind.
"Precisely." Kazuma nodded, his tone becoming serious. "Lord Hokage should be well aware that the capital of the Land of Fire, as the nation's center, is densely populated and a mixed bag of people."
"In recent years, the proliferation and invasion of 'Hollows' has become increasingly frequent. These monsters are formless and immaterial, and ordinary samurai swords can barely cause effective damage to them."
"We must rely on Sealing Jutsu or traps to restrain their movement and then find a way to shatter their masks to eliminate them completely."
Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen showed a touch of embarrassment. After all, protecting the peace and stability of the Land of Fire was also Konoha's duty, and they had clearly failed to do so well.
Kazuma continued: "However, people proficient in Sealing Jutsu are already rare, and most are employed by the major Hidden Villages. Those permanently stationed in the capital are extremely few."
"Every time a 'Hollow plague' occurs, we need to temporarily issue missions to hire them, often delaying the opportunity and causing much loss and panic."
"The Lord Daimyō is greatly troubled by this matter."
Kazuma couldn't help but sigh again, looking down at the figure of Uzumaki Naruto: "And the 'Adamantine Sealing Chains' that child wields is a powerful secret sealing technique of the Uzumaki Clan."
"Its effect in binding and suppressing creations like Tailed Beasts and 'Hollows' is unparalleled in the Ninja World. If he can come and help us eliminate the Hollow plague, it would greatly alleviate our pressure."
At this point, Kazuma's true motive seemed to be revealed.
He was not interested in Uzumaki Naruto himself, but in the Adamantine Sealing Chains he could deploy.
This explanation was entirely plausible, and Sarutobi Hiruzen did not doubt it.
After all, Konoha and the Daimyō's estate were not enemies. Compared to the relationship between the Land of Wind's Daimyō and Sunagakure, the relationship between the Land of Fire's Daimyō and Konoha had always been quite close.
The reason he was reluctant to let Naruto go was the fear of exposing his Jinchūriki identity, not worry that the Daimyō would harm Naruto.
And now, there seemed to be no reason to refuse.
So, after a moment of hesitation, he turned to scan the few people behind him, especially the strategist Nara Shikaku.
Nara Shikaku's brows were slightly furrowed, his eyes flickering rapidly, clearly weighing the situation in his mind.
He met Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze and gave an almost imperceptible nod, his eyes conveying the meaning, This plan is feasible.
The few higher-ups who knew Naruto's true identity, in this moment, tacitly and "coincidentally" thought of the potential threat of the Akatsuki organization.
Konoha had just suffered a severe blow, and its defense system needed reconstruction. Temporarily moving the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki outside Konoha might genuinely serve as protection.
Seeing their expressions, Sarutobi Hiruzen gained confidence. He took a deep breath, turned back to Kazuma, and was about to begin negotiating the specific safety precautions and escort personnel...
"I object."
A low voice suddenly rang out, breaking the recently eased atmosphere.
Everyone was startled, subconsciously looking toward the sound, and were surprised to find that the speaker was none other than Hyūga Kawa.
Hyūga Kawa, who had been silent all this time, now had a slightly solemn expression.
"I understand your considerations," he said gravely, meeting the surprised, puzzled, and even slightly scrutinizing gazes of the others. "But I believe we should at least ask for his personal wishes first."
"That decision involves him leaving the village he is familiar with and going to a completely strange environment."
"He has the right to know about this decision and the right to express his thoughts."
"If he himself is unwilling, how can we, as elders, force this arrangement upon him? This would likely also go against the Lord Daimyō's benevolent and generous intentions, wouldn't it?"
Unexpectedly encountering resistance to his plan, Kazuma's brow instantly furrowed, and he cast a cold gaze at Hyūga Kawa.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was momentarily stunned, then his eyes suddenly lit up.
That's right! Personal wishes!
He had been so preoccupied with weighing the pros and cons that he subconsciously ignored Naruto's own wishes. Only now, after Hyūga Kawa's suggestion, did he suddenly remember.
Kazuma had personally promised to respect the child's wishes!
Given Naruto's dependence on him and his affection for Konoha, how could that child possibly be willing to leave the village for the strictly regulated, friendless Daimyō's estate?
"As long as Naruto refuses himself, this Kazuma guy will have no reason to make a fuss."
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt excited, but quickly calmed down. Looking at the slightly sullen Hyūga Kawa, the thread of suspicion deep within his heart was plucked again.
Was this guy genuinely opposing out of respect for Naruto's wishes?
Or, was Danzō instructing him from behind?
What scheme was Danzō planning now?
Was he trying to keep Naruto in the village so he could secretly manipulate things, still coveting the power of the Nine-Tails?
For a moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt his mind spin. He couldn't distinguish whether keeping Naruto or sending him away was the better choice.
"Kazuma-dono, what Kawa says is indeed reasonable."
Ultimately, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned back to Kazuma, saying sincerely: "This was also the consensus we reached earlier—the child's personal wishes must be respected."
"How about we call the child over now and ask for his opinion?"
Kazuma's eyes flickered continuously, but he couldn't think of any excuse.
He hadn't expected that the words he'd casually spoken during the meeting to dispel Sarutobi Hiruzen's suspicion would now leave him in a dilemma.
Now, he could only find a way to offer terms to get the little brat to agree.
If that failed, he'd have to resort to "stealing" him. At worst, he'd just pin the blame on the Akatsuki organization afterward.
Thinking this, Kazuma met Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze and nodded, smiling, "Of course, that is the Lord Daimyō's original intention as well."
Seeing this, a faint, fleeting smile crossed the depths of Hyūga Kawa's eyes.
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