"Cough, cough."
Sarutobi Hiruzen coughed twice, trying to ease the tension.
"Stop coughing. If you've got something to say, just say it. What's with all these habits?"
Mitokado Homura had completely lost it today.
It couldn't be helped—anyone forced to keep running around begging for money would go crazy.
Hidden Rain Village, Hidden Stone Village, Hidden Cloud Village—
He, Mitokado Homura, had already gone to the daimyō's residence three times.
And now he had to go again.
You can't keep asking for money like this—he had his dignity too.
"Homura, calm down. What Danzō did isn't important right now. There is some good news—the Third Kazekage of the Hidden Sand Village has likely run into trouble. This time, the Hidden Sand Village should be much easier to deal with than before."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said.
"Yeah, and isn't that all thanks to our Lord Danzō? Silently getting rid of someone else's Kazekage. Maybe we should wait a few more days—who knows, maybe the Third Raikage and Third Tsuchikage will suddenly drop dead too."
Mitokado Homura said with heavy sarcasm.
"I've said it already—I didn't do it! Mitokado Homura, do you have any proof? How dare you slander me!"
Shimura Danzō stood up and shouted back.
The atmosphere grew tense once again.
"Enough!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen slammed the table in anger.
Only then did the two sit back down.
"We can't let enemy-released intelligence throw us into chaos. It's possible the Hidden Sand Village is pretending to be weak. The Third Kazekage might actually be hiding, waiting to deliver a fatal blow to the Hidden Leaf Village."
Sarutobi Hiruzen proposed a more plausible explanation.
Utatane Koharu stepped in at the right moment to smooth things over.
"The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss how to respond to the Hidden Sand Village. If you keep arguing, they'll already be at Konoha's gates."
"Hmph."
"Hmph."
The two snorted coldly at each other, but their expressions visibly eased.
"Send the Inuzuka clan. Last time they fought the Hidden Sand Village, they performed quite well. If they go, the Sand shinobi won't even make it past the Land of Rivers, let alone reach Konoha."
Mitokado Homura spoke first.
"I will lead the troops myself and crush the Hidden Sand Village completely."
Shimura Danzō added.
But the moment he finished speaking, Mitokado Homura exploded again.
"What are you going for? Are you afraid this war will be too easy for Konoha? If you show up, the Sand shinobi will see the man responsible for their Kazekage's disappearance right in front of them—won't they go completely berserk? Shimura Danzō, do you just hate seeing Konoha do well?!"
"I'll say it again—I didn't do that. Besides, other than me, who else in Konoha can lead the army?"
"Hatake Sakumo. Hasn't he been locked up at home ever since that incident? Let him go. I refuse to believe that one failed mission made him unable to pick up his blade again."
Mitokado Homura shouted.
"Hatake Sakumo…"
Shimura Danzō couldn't argue. In every regard, Hatake Sakumo was indeed more suitable than him.
Seeing that Danzō fell silent, Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly made the decision.
"Hatake Sakumo will lead the Inuzuka clan and an additional five thousand shinobi to the Land of Rivers to engage the Hidden Sand Village."
Once the Hokage's order was issued—
Utatane Koharu left to prepare the mobilization.
Mitokado Homura once again headed to the daimyō's residence to secure war funds.
Damn it, how many times have I walked this road already? Am I going to keep doing this forever?
Shimura Danzō also prepared to leave.
Just as he was about to go—
"Danzō, there's no need to keep hiding things from us. We're all on the same side."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice came from behind.
Shimura Danzō: Hiruzen… even you don't believe me.
He didn't explain. He believed the truth would reveal itself in time.
...
"This is youth, Guy! You must understand—even if you can't use ninjutsu or genjutsu, relying solely on taijutsu, we can still become the strongest shinobi!"
Might Duy, dressed in his green jumpsuit, earnestly lectured his son.
However—
At this point, Might Guy simply couldn't accept it.
He still couldn't forget how, just days ago, his father humbly begged others to let him join their team for missions.
But he didn't have the heart to openly reject his father.
"Okay, Father. I'll train hard."
Might Duy could see through Guy's insincerity.
But he had no choice.
The Might family truly had no way to become powerful through ninjutsu or genjutsu. Their only path was taijutsu.
But how could he say that to his son?
Watching Guy force himself to train, tears welled up in Duy's eyes.
"A person who has never seen fireworks will never understand their brilliance. What do you think of that, Duy-san?"
Aburame Shiken suddenly appeared behind Might Duy.
"I'm just a mere genin. I don't dare accept being called -san."
"Why belittle yourself? The energy hidden within your body surpasses even the Hokage's."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Might Duy shook his head repeatedly.
Anything involving the Hokage was something he dared not touch lightly.
"Duy-san, you want to watch Guy grow up. But you'll have to teach him the most important lesson—and the price of that lesson is your life. What a tragic fate."
Might Duy fell silent. He knew the Aburame clan member before him seemed to know something.
"One who can't give up anything can't gain anything. Duy-san, think about it—would you rather stay by Might Guy's side as he grows up, or let him…"
Aburame Shiken paused, then shook his head.
"No need to say more. You probably understand better than I do."
After speaking, he turned to leave.
"Oh, right. In a child's eyes, the son of a failure and the son of a hero are very different. Duy-san, if you have any thoughts, come find me at the Aburame clan grounds. Though you probably won't find me—just shout a few times."
Might Duy clenched his fists tightly.
Hero… or failure?
Guy… what should I do?
His gaze toward Guy was filled with complexity—deep reluctance, and endless hope for the future.
Aburame Shiken walked away slowly, feeling completely at ease.
He knew this would succeed without a doubt.
Never underestimate what a father is willing to do for his child.
However—
Now the problem shifted to Aburame Shiken.
With such a "nuclear weapon" in his hands—
Where should he throw it?
Hidden Mist Village?
Seven Ninja Swordsmen: No, absolutely not. We've already been wiped once. Do it again and the audience won't like it.
Hidden Cloud Village?
Cloud shinobi: What are you doing? Last time there was already a cheat that sealed our Eight-Tails once—now again? That's just bullying regulars!
Hidden Sand Village?
Rasa: Please no. We're already incredibly weak this season. If you send him here, we're done for.
Hidden Stone Village?
Ōnoki: Actually, we could discuss cooperation. I do think the Hidden Cloud Village needs a beating. How about we work together? I'll personally lead the army.
Hidden Rain Village?
Forget it. Not worth it.
Aburame Shiken let out a sigh.
"Ah… what a delightful problem to have."