"Hiruzen, you still haven't explained how we're supposed to make use of this…" Danzo Shimura pressed impatiently.
It felt like listening to a storyteller who suddenly paused to sip tea right at the climax.
Infuriating.
"You're always in such a rush…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped the stack of documents on the desk. "Take a look yourselves."
"As Konoha Commissioners, you need to get used to participating in village affairs. It's not just a title to hang on your chest. You need to be involved. Offer ideas. Provide direction."
These were diplomatic messages sent by the major hidden villages.
Their wording was surprisingly consistent.
Most of them condemned the Hidden Cloud Village's provocation. At the same time, they praised Hiruzen in flattering terms, though the intent was anything but kind. They clearly hoped to drive a deeper wedge between Konoha and the Hidden Cloud Village.
Hizashi Hyuga picked one up naturally.
Tenzo Hyuga read as well, though unease lingered in his chest.
Between the tightening and loosening of the Hokage's tone, it was clear he was capable of far more than preaching the Will of Fire.
If he refrained from other methods, perhaps it was because he chose not to use them.
Not because he couldn't.
"I don't know much about the Kaguya Clan," Hiruzen said. "I've only heard they were once considered a fighting clan on par with the Uchiha Clan. From these reports, they seem… rather combative."
Tenzo steadied himself before replying. "Hokage-sama, they're not throwing up smoke screens. That clan truly is like that."
"Battle and slaughter seem etched into their bones. Though not every member is extreme."
"As for being compared to the Uchiha Clan…" Tenzo paused, recalling Danzo's earlier words. They fit perfectly here.
Stop trying to ride someone else's fame.
The Kaguya Clan was formidable, yes.
But had they ever produced someone like Madara Uchiha?
"Their temperament may be fiercer. Their overall strength is more balanced, but fewer individuals truly stand at the peak," Tenzo added.
"I see." Hiruzen fell into thought.
In vague terms, they were like the Hidden Mist Village's version of the Uchiha Clan, only far less welcome.
They also lacked the same legitimacy.
Back then, Madara Uchiha had pacified the chaotic era alongside Hashirama Senju. Together, they captured the tailed beasts. He was one of Konoha's earliest founders.
Even after his mistakes, the Uchiha Clan had paid heavily in blood during the First Great Ninja War.
Their history was tangled beyond simple explanation. Dig through old records and you'd find countless traces of their founding contributions. The relationship between Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha read like something out of a legend.
That was why the dynamic between Konoha's leadership and the Uchiha Clan remained so delicate.
"In that case… let's add a little fuel to the fire."
"There's no need to dissuade the Kaguya Clan. And frankly, they can't be dissuaded."
"The Third Mizukage wants to legitimize the Blood Mist Village purge. Then we'll give him that legitimacy and let him exhaust himself dealing with those Kekkei Genkai clans."
"And we'll stir him up. Make the flames burn hotter in his heart."
Hiruzen turned to Danzo. "Write this down. Circulate it to Koharu and Homura for polishing, then release it publicly across the shinobi world."
Danzo picked up his brush.
"Express gratitude to the major hidden villages for their support. Emphasize Konoha's commitment to peace and its firm stance against provocation."
"Regarding the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki incident, Konoha has reason to believe it was an internal move by the Third Raikage's faction, attempting to replicate the Ginkaku and Kinkaku case of devouring tailed beast flesh as part of an unrestrained military escalation."
"Point out that the Hidden Cloud Village's provocation stems from a flawed succession. That it seeks to stir war to inflame public sentiment, covering up its past collusion with the Ginkaku faction in attacking the previous Raikage to seize power."
"Instead of improving life for its own people, it treats its ninja as tools. When problems arise, it shamelessly shifts blame onto other nations. It is nothing less than a cancer upon the shinobi world."
"Given the Hidden Cloud Village's behavior, Konoha encourages the other hidden villages to prepare for possible conflict. We also hope each village will inherit the will of their predecessors, govern responsibly, and refrain from using war to deflect internal contradictions."
Danzo's brush moved swiftly.
Tenzo's eyes lit up.
On the surface, every word targeted the Hidden Cloud Village.
In truth, it stabbed straight at the Hidden Mist Village's heart.
The accusation of flawed succession against the Third Raikage was questionable at best.
But in a war of words, that hardly mattered.
After all, the Hidden Cloud Village did have ninja who died in connection with the Eight-Tails. That alone could spark suspicion.
Conspiracy theories didn't need airtight logic.
They just needed the right entry point.
The problem was, the Third Mizukage's own succession was far more questionable.
The old faction loyal to Gengetsu Hozuki remained stubborn.
Gengetsu had not been an exemplary Mizukage. Yet he embodied the traits the Hidden Mist Village admired. Strength. Ferocity. Boldness.
He had many supporters.
How the Third Mizukage had reclaimed the position after defeat remained murky.
But once the label of flawed succession spread, internal opposition would stir on its own. And a Mizukage already teetering on the edge would only grow angrier.
At the same time, Hiruzen had publicly supported war preparedness, giving the Third Mizukage the external validation he needed to push the Blood Mist Village purge further.
Danzo let out a soft chuckle. "Inherit Gengetsu Hozuki's will, huh?"
Even he found it amusing to imagine the Third Mizukage's expression upon reading that.
Another blade handed to the Hidden Mist Village's opposition.
"Tenzo," Hiruzen said calmly, "earlier, when I mentioned you had made minor mistakes in the past, you didn't refute it. That means there were mistakes."
He raised a hand before Tenzo could speak. "The past is written off. But don't repeat them."
"Maintain communication with the Kaguya Clan. Gauge the reactions of the other Hidden Mist Village Kekkei Genkai clans. If the Third Mizukage pushes them to the brink…"
"Then humanitarian assistance guided by the Will of Fire would not be out of the question."
"This is an important task. Do it well, and I'll personally commend you."
Tenzo's heart lifted, then settled.
He understood immediately.
Who wouldn't covet bloodline clans?
The Hidden Cloud Village raided constantly for exactly that reason.
If they could use the Third Mizukage's purge to attract Hidden Mist Village ninja who truly wished to escape and embrace the Will of Fire, it would greatly benefit Konoha.
"Hokage-sama, from now on, any correspondence will be opened and archived jointly by Hizashi and myself," Tenzo said firmly. "I will devote myself fully to carrying out your instructions."
Entrusting him with such a task meant the past was buried.
They would move forward together.
At that moment, Danzo felt a flicker of unease.
He shot Hiruzen a meaningful look and cleared his throat.
This talk of flawed succession… didn't it also brush uncomfortably close to Hiruzen himself?
Wasn't this courting trouble?
"What is it, Danzo?" Hiruzen asked, turning to meet his gaze.
They held each other's eyes for several seconds.
No words were needed.
Hiruzen smiled faintly.
He drew out the necklace resting against his chest.
"Lady Mito gave this to me. What do you think? It was originally a gift from Lord Hashirama Senju to her. I was fortunate enough to receive her care."
Danzo froze. "It's… very nice."
Since when had Hiruzen earned Lady Mito's recognition?
With Mito Uzumaki's support, who would dare question his legitimacy?
Go argue that with the matriarch yourself.
Danzo fell silent, brooding.
A moment later, his spirits lifted.
He should find an opportunity to visit the old lady as well.
If nothing else, he could help tend her garden. Carry water. Get on her good side.
A few days later, at the Academy.
Kakashi sat quietly, an unusual calm in his eyes, carefully reading the kenjutsu notes his father had given him.
Asuma and Shisui, who were fairly close to him, edged nearer in curiosity.
What happened to that perpetually impatient prodigy?
Wasn't he planning to graduate early?
He had even seemed ready to say his farewells…