Based on this, Hiruzen Sarutobi remained relatively calm. Moreover, Fugaku's character was such that he was very easy to manipulate. Once Tsunade became assertive, he wouldn't dare to have any opinions because he wouldn't dare to offend Tsunade. Therefore, it was normal for the Uchiha Clan to compromise.
As for playing dirty tricks, does the Uchiha Clan even have the brains for that?
Some things don't need to be explicitly stated. Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that Danzo and the others would understand. They had been good friends for decades; how could they not understand?
"How Fugaku is, that's not important. What's important is Tsunade."
Danzo was certainly concerned about Tsunade, because her threat was too great. He could not allow her to gain greater military achievements, thereby accumulating more prestige.
This would be greatly detrimental, even the greatest threat, to his ambition of becoming Hokage. Therefore, Danzo absolutely could not let Tsunade affect his grand plan.
"What about Tsunade? Danzo, do you have any opinions?" Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff from his pipe, his eyes instantly sharpening as he questioned Danzo.
"I have no opinion. I am for Konoha, for the war. The front lines are currently tense; why is Tsunade suddenly interfering with the war? It's completely a personal vendetta. Do you think this can be tolerated? Hiruzen, you cannot continue to indulge her recklessness; this matter must be dealt with seriously."
Danzo, of course, had opinions, but he certainly couldn't state them directly. So he immediately changed his wording, stating that his actions were entirely for the greater good, and that the war could not be affected by Tsunade's actions.
You must know that the current war is very unfavorable for Konoha. The Land of Fire is already in peril, and we are forced to fight against multiple countries: the Land of Water, the Land of Earth, the Land of Lightning, and the Land of Wind.
And the pressure from Kumogakure and Iwagakure, in particular, can be said to be unprecedented. If you don't take it seriously, it means the failure of the war.
Once we fail, you... right, if we fail, wouldn't Hiruzen Sarutobi step down?
The more Danzo thought about it, the more tempted he became, but this thought was quickly suppressed. If the war effort failed, Konoha would easily be divided.
Kumogakure and Iwagakure are not to be trifled with. Once they fail, a large part of their territory will be easily swallowed, and the Village's interests will be harmed. This is something Danzo cannot tolerate.
What I want is a complete Konoha, not a Konoha that has been severely weakened. I cannot do this yet; I must wait until the war ends.
Given the current situation, even if the war ends, Konoha will not be well off. At that time, Hiruzen will still have to take responsibility, and his stepping down will be inevitable... Hmm, that's right, I don't need to rush. Why should I rush?
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi had some reservations and was displeased with Tsunade's recklessness, he ultimately chose to handle it leniently. As long as she returned, it would be fine. Even if she was unwilling to return to the Village, just leaving the front line would be enough.
"How else should it be handled? Tsunade is also doing this for the Village. This matter needs no further mention, and as for Tsunade…" Hiruzen Sarutobi, with his pipe in his mouth, said softly, "I will make her return."
Upon hearing this, Danzo truly wanted to curse. His handling of the situation was completely ineffective, even to the point of not being a resolution at all. However, he also knew that once Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke like this, it would be impossible to deal with Tsunade.
Of course, Danzo knew he couldn't deal with it, but this attitude had to be shown, so Tsunade couldn't act so recklessly.
As for Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado, they still supported Hiruzen Sarutobi on this matter, because as long as Tsunade returned, she wouldn't affect the front line's war efforts.
The Hidden Mist battlefield had the elite of the Uchiha Clan, plus Ninja from the Hyuga and other clans, as well as a portion of the Village's civilian Ninja. Their numbers were not small, and the elites, needless to say, the Uchiha Clan's combat power was unquestionable.
Furthermore, it was impossible for the Hidden Mist to deploy all its main forces in the Land of Whirlpools. They indeed wanted to invade through the Land of Whirlpools, but this was not easy to achieve.
Moreover, the Hidden Mist had already joined Kumogakure in the Land of Grass and Land of Rivers to wage war against Konoha. The Land of Whirlpools front was primarily for intimidation and threats; it was highly unlikely that they would truly break through here into the Land of Fire. The possibility was very low, almost impossible.
Just then, a knock on the door suddenly sounded.
Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes, scanned Danzo and the others, and then said, "Enter!"
The Anbu captain, who was also Hiruzen Sarutobi's eldest son, entered and directly presented a top-secret scroll, "Hokage-sama, urgent report from the front, top-secret intelligence, highest level!"
Highest level?
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened, and he put down his pipe, quickly taking the scroll to examine it.
Danzo on the side was restless, eager to know what the intelligence was, while Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado, though also anxious, were not as obvious.
After all, the bond between Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi was incomparable to that of the other two. Furthermore, although Danzo was dark and ambitious, when it came to ability... frankly, he was much stronger than them, so the two of them were very sensible and didn't show much expression.
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi grew more and more alarmed as he read, and a surge of anger also welled up in his heart.
This good disciple of his truly gave him a tremendous surprise.
No, not just a surprise, but also a fright.
Also, this young man from the Uchiha Clan… truly, he is not to be trifled with; he is by no means a benevolent person.
"Hiruzen, what happened?" Danzo knew Hiruzen Sarutobi too well, and seeing his visibly troubled expression, he immediately asked anxiously.
"Something happened, and it's a big deal. After Tsunade took over command, she, along with Bai Mu and two unfamiliar female Ninja who saved her, embarked on an exploration mission to investigate the Third Mizukage's presence on the front lines. Subsequently, they engaged in a fierce battle with the Third Mizukage and his Anbu, guards, and other Hidden Mist elites. The Third Mizukage, Kurotsuchi Raiga, and Biwa Jūzō, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, were all killed. The Hidden Mist has retreated from the Land of Whirlpools, and we have achieved a great victory!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed the top-secret intelligence recorded in the scroll, concerning the major events on the Land of Whirlpools battlefield. It was a complete victory on the Hidden Mist front, but problems followed.
The news was certainly good, but this good news also made Hiruzen Sarutobi even more troubled and uneasy.
Because Tsunade's contribution this time was truly too great, causing Hiruzen Sarutobi to be somewhat restless. That was a Mizukage, and he was killed just like that.
However, who actually killed the Third Mizukage was the most important matter.
Kurotsuchi Raiga and Biwa Jūzō, Tsunade claimed to have killed them herself. But the Third Mizukage was not killed by her, but by Bai Mu. There were bodies of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen as evidence, but for the Third Mizukage, there wasn't even a corpse, not a trace.
This... Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally had some doubts.
What kind of power leaves no trace of a corpse?
Uchiha, Uchiha, wait a minute, could it be the Uchiha Clan's legendary power, the Mangekyo Sharingan!