"Sarutobi, Konoha can't afford to be this weak!"
Danzo reminded him sternly.
Finally, this guy says something sensible.
Kiyosuke thought to himself, then spoke up.
"If it's war they want, then give them war. When the time comes, I'll personally take the battlefield and bring this meaningless farce to an end."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed.
"Kiyosuke, you're being too aggressive. Konoha needs to rest and recover right now. We can't afford to stir up another war."
Handing over Hizashi would be the safest choice. But Kiyosuke had made it clear—he had no intention of giving anyone up. Right now, Konoha couldn't endure another major war—or worse, an extended conflict.
With Kiyosuke's strength, he could wreak havoc in Kumogakure and still return safely. A few targeted explosions could reduce their entire village to rubble. But if that happened, Konoha would instantly become the enemy of every other village.
If something were to happen to Kumogakure, the other Hidden Villages might feel threatened and sympathetic. A joint assault might even be launched, and no one wanted a dangerous ninja like Kiyosuke wandering through their territory.
Everyone knew how dangerous a human Tailed Beast truly was.
"Third, what are you afraid of? Worst case, I'll just take a little stroll through Kumogakure."
"You just stay put in the village and don't go anywhere!" Hiruzen wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
"So this isn't okay, that's not okay... What then? Are you planning to hand someone over? The First and Second Hokage would never have done such a thing! Didn't they found Konoha to protect our people and create peace? If we can't even protect our own, then what's the point?!"
Hiruzen's expression froze. Danzo, Mitokado Homura, and Koharu Utatane all turned to look at him.
Koharu spoke first.
"Hiruzen, Kiyosuke is right. The First and Second Hokage would never have agreed to this."
Homura nodded.
"This would betray the original vision of the First Hokage when he founded the village."
Danzo added coldly.
"Sarutobi, you're the Hokage. You represent Konoha's dignity. You can't just compromise so easily."
Faced with the pressure from his three old comrades, Hiruzen ultimately chose to agree with Kiyosuke's stance.
"That's not what I meant, Kiyosuke. Just... don't go overboard."
"Got it."
Kiyosuke said as he patted Hizashi and Hiashi on the shoulders.
"Alright, let's go. Time to head home and sleep. Don't overthink it. Oh, and make sure someone finishes the coffin. I'll deliver it tomorrow morning."
"No problem. We'll use the one you prepared for Father."
The Hyūga clan elder: "..."
Watching their backs as they left, Hiruzen sighed once again.
This kid refuses to be Hokage, yet he's so forceful. What a handful...
"A troubled time indeed."
Letting out one last sigh, he left as well.
Danzo and the others followed suit.
...
The next morning
At the inn where Kumogakure's delegation was staying
A finely crafted coffin sat at the entrance of the inn. Kiyosuke sat on top of it, arms crossed, yawning lazily.
Many passersby recognized him. They glanced curiously, unsure of what he was up to.
One of Kumogakure's representatives stepped outside. Seeing Kiyosuke, he smiled.
"Is that the body of Hyūga Hiashi inside? It seems Konoha does have some sense of diplomacy. May the peace between Kumogakure and Konoha last forever."
"Mmm... not quite," Kiyosuke replied. "You're not getting the body. Not in this lifetime. From what I hear, one of your guys from Kumogakure got drunk, fell into a ditch, and broke his own neck. And now you're trying to flip the story on us? Fortunately, the Hyūga clan is gracious enough to offer you a top-quality coffin so your friend's body won't be left to rot in the wilderness. Isn't Konoha generous?"
"Bullshit! The Hyūga of Konoha killed our comrade! Clearly, you don't respect the peace treaty we signed! Are you trying to start a war?!"
Kiyosuke's face darkened.
"Don't push your luck. You're slinging mud because you want to get your hands on the Hyūga clan's kekkei genkai. You shameless bastard! Who the hell do you think you are? War? We've been through worse! You think Konoha is afraid of your village? Let me remind you—it was because of Kumogakure that the Second Hokage died!"
The surrounding Konoha civilians glared at the Kumogakure ninja with seething hatred. Many had lost family or friends to Kumogakure in the past.
"You... you...!"
"What? You wanna say more? If you want war, I'll give you war. And if things do go down, I'll pay a little visit to Kumogakure myself. Hmm... I wonder if Kirigakure has finished rebuilding yet. I might've gone a bit overboard last time."
He said it casually, but the threat was unmistakable. The Kumogakure delegate's face darkened.
He was scared. How could he not be? Kiyosuke's reputation was notorious.
The ninja handbook clearly stated that missions could be abandoned if this man showed up—without penalty. He was considered just as terrifying as the Yellow Flash.
The Fourth Hokage and their own Raikage had once clashed as equals, but in terms of speed, Kiyosuke was even faster.
Known as "Arsonist" Kiyosuke's destructive power was feared across the nations.
He broke through the Sunagakure frontlines, fought the puppet master Chiyo to a standstill, stormed Kirigakure and returned unscathed, killed the Tailed Beast-transformed Third Mizukage, and even overpowered the strongest Tailed Beast, the Nine-Tails...
Each of those feats proved just how terrifying this not-yet-twenty-year-old truly was.
If he really did visit Kumogakure, would anything be left?
Probably just a pile of ashes.
But representing Kumogakure, the delegate forced himself to remain firm.
"Konoha and Kumogakure just signed a peace treaty. Are you saying you want to invalidate it?"
"Not at all. If you don't want war, then just follow what's written in the treaty. But if it's war you want, we'll oblige. We've already been more than generous by letting Kumogakure choose."
Kiyosuke smiled.
"So, what's it gonna be? Konoha has never feared an opponent. If you need to consult your Raikage-sama, go ahead."
"Then are you saying our comrade died for nothing?!"
"Of course not. His sacrifice helped us realize Konoha's drainage system needs a redesign." He turned to the residents behind him.
"Everyone, don't go out walking at night after drinking too much—it's dangerous. Just look at our friends from Kumogakure. One of them got drunk, ran off, and fell to his death."
"Understood, Kiyosuke-sama!"
"Got it, Kiyosuke-sama! I won't drink! You be careful too!"
"That's right!"
The villagers responded enthusiastically. Meanwhile, the Kumogakure ninja trembled with rage under the scorching summer sun. Pointing at Kiyosuke, he shouted:
"You... you people have gone too far!"
"Not at all. I'm just being a friendly neighbor from Konoha. How could I ever bully anyone? Don't slander me now—I might sue you for defamation."
"I'll report this truthfully to Raikage-sama!"
"Do as you like." Kiyosuke looked him dead in the eye.
"Konoha doesn't bow to threats. Not in the past, not now, and not ever."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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