Danzo spoke up slowly. As a hardliner, he needed to maintain his faction's stance.
At a time like this, Konoha couldn't afford to bow down to Kirigakure, even if it led to war. Danzo had to hold his ground.
Besides, if a war broke out, it would only be advantageous for him. If war ensued, it would provide the perfect excuse to drag Sakumo Hatake down.
Regardless of the village's decision, Sakumo would have to bear the blame for starting the conflict. And once Sakumo carried this burden, Danzo could ensure he never had a chance to rise again.
The villagers would never accept someone responsible for immense losses becoming Hokage -even if it wasn't intentional.
"I second that."
Currently aligned with Danzo, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado agreed without any argument. They weren't about to make things difficult for Sakumo after Danzo had already stated his position.
"Then I'll send a response to Kirigakure accordingly."
With everyone in agreement that this wasn't an assassination attempt, the Third Hokage didn't see the need to dwell on it further. The plan was to send a diplomatic reply to
Kirigakure and let things settle on their own.
Hopefully, Kirigakure would let the matter go in time. The Third Hokage believed that just as Konoha didn't want a war without proper cause, Kirigakure shared the same sentiment.
However, what he didn't realize was that Kirigakure's situation was very different from Konoha's.
The Third Mizukage was no longer the reasonable leader he used to be; he was now a puppet, recklessly controlled like a madman.
"Tsunade, thank you."
"No need to thank me, senior. This was just what I ought to do."
Tsunade knew Sakumo's personality. She understood he wasn't the type to say elaborate words of gratitude.
He kept gratitude in his heart and would repay it when the time came. But expressing it in flowery words was not his strength.
Waving her hand, Tsunade smiled:
"You accomplished an incredible feat this time, and it hasn't been easy going back and forth like this. Go rest and spend some time with Kakashi."
"Alright." Sakumo didn't refuse. Smiling, he nodded and turned to leave.
Although he was a few years older than the Sannin, they had grown up in the same era and knew each other well.
After being away from the village for a while, he really did miss his son.
"I wonder how Kakashi has been lately."
Maybe it was time to find a teacher for him.
Sakumo knew he was an excellent shinobi, but being a great shinobi didn't necessarily make him a great teacher. Thinking of Kakashi's personality and how it had been affected by his absence, Sakumo could only sigh.
If Kakashi's personality wasn't corrected, it could cause trouble in the future.
But who could be the right teacher for him?
The Sannin?
While other kids were still playing and worrying about passing their Academy exams, Sakumo Hatake was already thinking of finding a powerful and suitable mentor for his son Kakashi.
Life was never fair, especially between commoner and clan-born shinobi. This reality was starkly evident in the differences between their growth and upbringing.
Commoner shinobi had a tough path. They had to work hard for money, for jutsu, and for a good teacher.