Konoha's Response Plan!
Konoha, Hokage Office.
Over the past few days, the rumor about the so-called Great Secret Treasure of the Sage of Six Paths had spread like wildfire throughout the village.
What began as whispers among shinobi had already turned into street gossip. Even children barely old enough to mold chakra had started chanting crude rhymes about it while running through the streets.
That alone showed how terrifying the speed of information spread had become.
Even as the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi found himself unable to suppress the growing storm of public opinion.
Because he knew very well
This was no longer just a Konoha problem.
The rumor had already spread across the entire shinobi world.
And if things continued like this, it was only a matter of time before greedy forces gathered at Konoha's gates.
After realizing the seriousness of the situation, Hiruzen summoned his old comrades to the Hokage office.
The atmosphere was heavy.
"Tell me," Hiruzen said slowly, exhaling a cloud of smoke.
"How should we deal with this?"
His gaze swept across the room.
Shimura Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura.
The old guard of Konoha.
Danzo narrowed his exposed eye and stared directly at Hiruzen.
"Hiruzen… tell us the truth."
"Do you actually possess the Sage of Six Paths' treasure?"
His tone was calm, but the suspicion was obvious.
After all, he had already received intelligence from Uchiha Itachi.
And more importantly
Every Root squad he sent to eliminate Itachi had failed.
Which meant one thing.
There were truths he did not know.
And Danzo hated being kept in the dark.
Hiruzen rolled his eyes slightly.
"What do you think?"
He didn't even bother hiding his disdain.
If such a treasure truly existed in Konoha's possession, the Senju and Uchiha would have long produced another legend rivaling Hashirama and Madara.
Would history have unfolded the way it did otherwise?
Yet Danzo actually believed such an absurd rumor.
Hiruzen couldn't even be bothered explaining.
He simply let silence answer for him.
"I"
Danzo's expression darkened instantly.
Being ignored by Hiruzen felt like a direct insult.
Just as he was about to erupt
"Enough, Danzo!"
Koharu slammed her cane lightly against the floor.
"Those details are irrelevant right now!"
"The real issue is how to make the outside world believe that Konoha does NOT have this so-called treasure."
"Instead of tearing each other apart here!"
Danzo snorted coldly.
After a brief moment, he forced himself to calm down.
Now was not the time for internal conflict.
The room fell silent again.
No one spoke.
Because all of them understood one thing
If this situation wasn't resolved, the wolves circling Konoha would eventually pounce.
And once they did…
The entire village would be dragged into chaos.
Konoha was their foundation.
Their roots.
Their legacy.
"Hiruzen… perhaps we can approach this differently."
A quiet voice finally broke the silence.
Mitokado Homura spoke.
The usually low-profile elder suddenly drew everyone's attention.
After organizing his thoughts, he continued.
"If the world believes we have the treasure… then we give them what they want."
A pause.
"Release a decoy."
"We publicly 'reveal' the treasure… and then allow it to be 'stolen.'"
"Once it leaves Konoha, their attention leaves with it."
The idea was rough, clearly formed on the spot.
Many details were missing.
But the core concept was sound.
The moment he finished speaking
The others' eyes lit up almost simultaneously.
No discussion was needed.
They all understood the brilliance of it.
"Haha… Homura, I underestimated you."
Hiruzen chuckled softly, the burden on his shoulders finally easing.
"At least we have a temporary solution."
But his expression quickly turned serious again.
"However… there is another issue."
His voice lowered.
"Uchiha Itachi."
"We must determine his true intentions."
"This time we can manage. But what about next time?"
"An enemy hiding in the shadows, with unknown motives… is far more dangerous than open war."
Koharu frowned.
"Could it be that mysterious Uchiha again?"
"The one who killed Konohamaru…"
Her voice carried lingering unease.
That incident had left a deep impression on her.
Danzo immediately sneered.
"A coward who hides in the shadows."
"How capable can he really be?"
"If he truly possessed such power, he would have acted long ago."
"In my eyes, he's nothing more than a manipulator preying on fear."
His words were sharp partly rebuttal, partly retaliation for Koharu's earlier reprimand.
"You!"
Koharu's face flushed in anger.
"Hiruzen, look at him! Danzo is becoming more and more lawless!"
"Does he even respect you as Hokage anymore?!"
Hiruzen rubbed his temples.
He had no intention of mediating their endless quarrels.
But when he heard the name Konohamaru…
A flicker of coldness passed through his eyes.
"That Uchiha…" he said quietly.
"Danzo."
"Find him."
"For Konoha's safety… eliminate him if necessary."
His tone was calm, but the killing intent behind it was unmistakable.
Danzo smiled faintly.
A cold, dangerous smile.
"As long as he dares to appear before me…"
"He won't escape."
His confidence came from the eye hidden beneath his bandages.
The ultimate genjutsu.
The power to rewrite will itself.
And deep within his heart, another thought surfaced
If Itachi truly possessed the other Mangekyō…
Then reclaiming it would complete Shisui's legacy.
Two eyes reunited.
A perfect power.
At that time…
Even Hiruzen would no longer stand above him.
And perhaps
Just perhaps
He could walk the same path as Madara Uchiha.
Standing alone…
At the summit of the shinobi world.
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