No, it should be said that Gekko Chizan was the earliest to arrive, aside from the three advisors.
"Rare. Someone like you actually being the first to arrive—did this incident finally affect you?"
"Chizan, kid."
Having shed the burden of heavy responsibility, Sarutobi Hiruzen wore a smiling expression. No matter how one looked at him, he resembled a retired old cadre. No one would ever imagine that this very old man had once been the Ninjutsu Professor who dominated the shinobi world.
"Old man, you already know the answer. Why ask?"
"When Shinnosuke gives you a grandson, and then your grandson gets kidnapped, I refuse to believe you wouldn't be furious."
Gekko Chizan crossed his arms and spoke bluntly. He didn't think there was anything wrong with what he had done.
His own daughter had been stolen—if he didn't explode in rage, would he still be himself?
"Hehehe, I knew it would be like this."
"But, Chizan, kid, you also understand the current tre—"
"Stop right there. Everyone isn't here yet. Saying anything now is pointless. Wait until everyone arrives."
Gekko Chizan wasn't sick, so he absolutely wasn't going to listen to Sarutobi's brainwashing.
Wash, wash, wash—washing every day. If you love washing so much, go wash someone else. He, Gekko Chizan, had his own worldview and didn't need to be scrubbed clean.
Off to the side, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu remained silent, but their expressions clearly showed that both of them had matters weighing on their minds.
As for Danzo, he hadn't arrived at all. Who knew if it was because the curse had lasted too long—he hadn't shown his face for quite some time.
Soon, people began entering the conference room one after another.
As usual, it was the heads of the major clans and some important village officials, but many old faces had been replaced by younger ones.
This also meant that the younger generation of each major clan had become their leaders.
For example, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, Akimichi Chōza, Aburame Shibi—these long-established clans.
Of course, the Hyuga and the Uchiha were naturally present as well. Hyuga Hiashi and Fugaku had both become clan heads early on.
In the very end, Danzo finally arrived. This advisor's face was completely expressionless, looking like everyone owed him eight million.
Namikaze Minato arrived quickly as well. Almost the instant everyone was present, his figure appeared in his seat.
"Since everyone is here, let's begin the meeting."
"Raido."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
However, unlike usual, three people were standing behind Minato this time.
They were: Shiranui Genma, Raidō Namiashi, and Iwashi Tatami.
These three were Minato's guard unit, deeply trusted by him, and they were present for today's meeting.
"Everyone, the recent events in the village—I believe you are all already aware of them."
"Kumogakure's unit attacked both the Gekko clan and the Hyuga clan."
Raido narrated the incident calmly, but in truth, there was no need for him to explain. Everyone knew already—after all, the towering crimson light that night had been enough to illuminate the entire village.
"At present, we have already lodged a complaint through the daimyo's office to the Land of Lightning regarding Kumogakure's vile actions."
"But..."
Raido's voice suddenly stopped, and a flash of indignation crossed his face.
Clearly, Kumogakure hadn't said anything pleasant—otherwise, how could he be this angry?
"Hehehe, looks like Kumogakure definitely didn't say anything nice."
"Otherwise, how could Raido be this furious?"
If anyone loved watching chaos unfold, Nara Shikaku was definitely number one. He smiled as he looked at Raido. Beside him, Yamanaka Inoichi kept signaling frantically, but it had no effect at all.
"Hmph. Kumogakure is openly provoking us."
"The Hyuga clan will absolutely not tolerate Kumogakure's wrongdoing."
"Even if it means war, we have no fear."
Hyuga Hiashi spoke slowly, his voice filled with icy coldness.
For a moment, the entire conference room fell silent.
"Kumogakure will not admit its own mistakes and will push all the blame onto me and the Hyuga clan."
"Isn't that right, Hokage-sama?"
Suddenly, a contemptuous voice rang out—it was Gekko Chizan. But he wasn't finished yet.
"Moreover, Kumogakure even hopes that Konoha will hand over me and Hiashi?"
"Otherwise, they'll claim we're destroying the peace between the two villages, right?"
The scene once again became deathly quiet—so quiet that even a pin dropping could be heard.
The silence lasted for several minutes.
"Chizan, you're right. That is indeed the reply I received."
"Hehehe, Minato, what did I say? When dealing with people and villages like this, you can't afford even a shred of wishful thinking."
Namikaze Minato let out a heavy sigh.
Gekko Chizan simply stared at him, waiting for his answer.
"Given the current situation, if we reject Kumogakure's conditions, it means the two villages will once again plunge into war."
"The Third Shinobi World War has only just ended. Even though we were on the victorious side, the financial, manpower, and material costs were enormous."
"Starting another war now would be nothing short of adding insult to injury for the village."
The one who said all this was not Danzo, but Mitokado Homura.
This bespectacled old man truly spoke without any pain in his back at all.
"Handing over Gekko Chizan and Hyuga Hiashi is obviously impossible."
"After all, both of them are great contributors to Konoha."
His words weren't finished. At this point, Gekko Chizan and Hyuga Hiashi exchanged glances, each seeing a trace of coldness in the other's eyes.
Clearly, as intelligent men, they both knew exactly what this old man was about to say.
That would be crossing their bottom line.
"So, after discussing it with Advisor Koharu, Advisor Sarutobi, and Advisor Danzo—"
"We've come up with a solution that can both protect the two of you and appease Kumogakure's anger."
"The Hyuga clan can hand over Hyuga Hizashi, and the Gekko clan will hand over Gekko Hayate."
"That way, even Kumogakure can only acce—"
"Crack!"
Mitokado Homura's voice cut off abruptly. In its place, his entire body was encased in crystal.
So fast that no one could react—Mitokado Homura had already turned into a crystal statue.
"Chizan!" × N+1
"Chizan, kid!" —from Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Gekko Chizan was radiating killing intent. His eyes were locked tightly onto the crystal statue that had once been Mitokado Homura, completely ignoring the shocked cries filling the room.
He slowly stood up, and dark-blue chakra visibly surged around his body.
That was his senjutsu energy—the color of the Titan Python.
"Old bastard, if you don't know how to speak, then don't speak at all."
"You want us to hand over our own younger brothers?"
"Just to give those despicable Lightning bastards an explanation?"
"Hehehehehehehe... Minato, is this your choice as well?"
Amidst the cold laughter, Gekko Chizan once again threw the question back to Minato.
The latter also stood up. His blond hair trembled slightly, and a voice full of imposing momentum rang out: