Hiruzen knew precisely what Utatane Koharu had left unspoken.
Once the Uchiha began harboring ulterior motives, the moment Konoha and Kumogakure went to war would become their best opportunity.
If the Nine-Tails sealed within Kushina were to lose control—provoked or manipulated by the Mangekyō Sharingan—then Minato's greatest advantage, the Flying Thunder God, would be half-restrained by necessity. He would be forced to remain in the village, his mobility shackled.
In that chaos, as Konoha's forces stretched thin across every front, the Uchiha could seize their chance.
If they conspired with Kumogakure, even tacitly, the Hyuga clan's interests would be the first to be sacrificed.
And after that…
Phew…
The Third Hokage exhaled a long breath. His eyes, which had been closed in thought, slowly opened. "Let's go," he said. "We'll face Minato together."
…
In the Hokage's office, the tension was thick enough to choke on. The lamplight flickered against scrolls stacked high along the wall.
Namikaze Minato sat behind his desk, his normally calm face shadowed by deep lines of worry. Kakashi, who had arrived before Hiashi to deliver his report, stood silently near the window, his single eye downcast.
Hyuga Hiashi stood opposite the Hokage, posture straight, expression carefully neutral, though the weight of responsibility pressed visibly on his shoulders.
Between the Five Great Nations, there was no such thing as a minor diplomatic incident. Even the smallest spark could ignite an inferno. Both sides always handled such matters with restraint — because every village understood that once war began, there would be no victors.
Minato frowned, turning toward the open window. 'Was Yun's prediction right after all? Could this truly have been planned from the beginning?'
If they had captured the envoy alive from the start, perhaps… no, impossible. That would have shattered the alliance instantly. Konoha could not seize an envoy from an allied village; it would be betrayal.
After several seconds of silence, Minato finally looked back at Hiashi. "This situation is beyond what I could have foreseen." he said, his tone calm but heavy. "And it isn't entirely the Hyuga clan's fault."
Hiashi bowed. "If only we had captured him alive…"
Minato shook his head. "There's no need to blame yourself. Both of us know a Kumo ninja entrusted with a diplomatic mission would not fall to a single Air Palm unless he intended to die. That man was ready for this outcome long before he set foot in Konoha."
Hiashi inhaled deeply and lowered his head. There was nothing to argue.
'Fourth Hokage-sama is different from Third Hokage-sama.' he thought quietly.
If Sarutobi Hiruzen still sat in that chair, the Hyuga would not even need to come to the Hokage Building. The Third would simply decide — sacrificing one for the sake of the many — and that would be the end of it.
Hiashi's jaw tightened. He knew what kind of "sacrifice" that meant. His own life would be offered to appease the Land of Lightning, to preserve peace for the village.
Minato tapped the desk twice in thought before turning to Kakashi. "Activate the emergency alert at the border. At dawn, you and Uchiha Yun will escort the envoy's body and the two surviving Kumogakure ninja to the border. A detachment from the border troops will accompany you."
Kakashi's expression grew serious. "We'll negotiate?"
"Yes." Minato said. "Explain the situation clearly. Observe their attitude. If they make demands—any demands—send a Summoning Toad back to me immediately."
Kakashi hesitated, then asked carefully, "If their demand is…" He stopped, his eye flicking toward Hiashi.
Minato's hand clenched briefly. "We'll discuss it when the time comes. Right now, any speculation is meaningless."
"Yes, Hokage-sama." Kakashi bowed and left to make the arrangements.
The door had barely closed before it opened again.
Hiruzen and Koharu entered, the air around them heavy with political gravity.
The old Hokage's eyes swept the room, landing on Hiashi. He walked closer, resting a hand on the clan head's shoulder. "Hiashi," he said softly, "you were too impulsive."
The words were gentle — but their weight was crushing. Hiashi's heart sank.
Just one sentence, and the verdict was sealed.
It meant that, in their eyes, the responsibility lay squarely on him. The Hyuga clan would have to show contrition, a "gesture" to preserve Konoha's peace.
'As expected,' Hiashi thought bitterly.
"Sandaime-sama…" he began, but Minato raised a hand, halting him.
Minato looked directly at Hiruzen and Koharu. "The fault here doesn't lie with Hiashi," he said firmly. "This incident involves two great nations. Until Kumogakure declares its stance, we cannot draw conclusions."
Hiruzen's gaze hardened. "You fought in the Third Great Ninja War, Minato. You should understand what a war between great nations means."
Koharu stepped forward, voice sharp. "Homura has already ordered the Third Hokage's Anbu to monitor the Hyuga compound. The news won't leak tonight. That gives us leverage."
Her tone grew more forceful, words cutting like kunai. "If the Hyuga hand over the murderer and the treaty itself is reaffirmed at the border, the war can be avoided! That's the compromise Konoha needs!"
She leaned closer to the Hokage's desk, her voice rising. "If war breaks out now, Minato, with Konoha's strength as it is, if the other nations join in again—Konoha won't survive it!"
For a long moment, the room was filled with nothing but the faint crackle of the oil lamps.
Hiruzen exhaled slowly. His tone softened, but his words were heavier than before. "Minato… for peace, and for the village, you must learn to set aside hesitation. I know Hiashi acted out of duty, but once war begins, no one can predict its end."
Hiashi's fists trembled at his sides. He could no longer remain silent. He took a step forward. "I—"
Bang!!!
The sharp crash of wood echoed through the chamber as Minato slammed his palms against the desk, knocking it over.
For the first time, the Fourth Hokage's calm façade broke. His golden hair cast long shadows as he looked up at the three before him.
"All decisions," he said coldly, "will be made after Kakashi and Yun report back from the border."
The authority in his tone silenced everyone.
Hiruzen stared at him for several seconds, then sighed, the faintest hint of reluctant approval in his eyes. "The Hokage's duty is to protect the village — the entire Land of Fire." he said quietly. "Minato, I hope you will prove yourself worthy of that title."
Clang.
The sound of the door echoed as Hiruzen and Koharu left the office.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Hiashi turned back to Minato. His face was pale, but his voice was steady. "If Kumogakure's goal is truly the Byakugan," he said, "then I am willing to die. Have my body sent to them, and let this end here."
Minato's expression softened, but he said nothing. Hiashi bowed once, deeply, and turned to leave. The sound of his footsteps faded down the corridor, leaving only the whisper of the wind through the open window.
When the door shut, Minato sank into his chair, rubbing his temples. The weight of leadership pressed down like a mountain.
To fight… or not to fight?
Would Kumogakure truly declare war over an envoy's death?
And if they did, what kind of formation, what kind of defense could Konoha sustain?
Summoning Jutsu.
A puff of smoke filled the room, and a small toad appeared on the desk.
"Please deliver this to Jiraiya-sensei immediately." Minato said, writing swiftly on a scroll. "Tell him to return to Konoha at once. I'm counting on you."
The toad saluted. "Leave it to me!"
Poof!
The smoke dispersed.
Minato looked out the window again. His gaze lingered on the Uchiha compound, where lanterns still burned even at this late hour.
'Don't disappoint me.' he thought quietly. 'Konoha should represent everyone's safe home — not a village that abandons its own for the sake of peace.'
*****
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✓ Killed For 100 Years in Hueco Mundo, Aizen Invited Me To Soul Society!
✓ Naruto: Senmei Asahi
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