Hiruzen clearly understood what Koharu had left unsaid.
If the Uchiha clan harbored any disloyalty, the moment war broke out between Konoha and Kumogakure would be their best opportunity.
If the Nine-Tails sealed inside Kushina lost control and was manipulated by the Mangekyō Sharingan within the village, Minato's most powerful technique, the Flying Thunder God, would be rendered half-useless.
On top of that, if many Konoha shinobi were sent to the front lines, and the Uchiha collaborated with Kumogakure from within, sacrificing the Hyūga clan's interests...
Then...
"Hah…"
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen, let out a deep breath, then slowly opened his eyes.
"Let's go," he said. "We're going to see Minato."
Inside the Hokage's office, the Fourth Hokage Minato sat, brows tightly furrowed.
Kakashi, who had arrived before Hiashi to report, stood silently, contemplating what Yun had told him earlier.
On the opposite side stood Hyūga Hiashi, equally cautious.
There were never small matters between the Five Great Nations. Even when conflicts arose during missions, shinobi from opposing villages would coordinate to avoid escalation.
Everyone knew, even a spark could ignite a devastating war.
Minato looked out the window, deep in thought. 'So Yun predicted this…?
Should we have acted earlier?'
'No, that wasn't possible.'
'The alliance had progressed to this point. If Konoha had immediately detained anyone, it would be seen as a betrayal and violation of trust.'
After a brief pause, Minato turned to Hiashi, "I didn't foresee this. And this isn't entirely your fault, Hiashi."
Hiashi bowed respectfully. "If only we had managed to capture one of them alive…"
Minato waved his hand, "No need to say that. You and I both understand that a shinobi representing Kumogakure on a diplomatic mission wouldn't be killed by a single open palm strike."
"A man who came with the intent to die, whose primary goal was to complete his mission, no matter how it ended, they would pin the blame on you."
Hiashi exhaled deeply and fell silent.
Indeed, the Fourth Hokage was different from the Third.
If it had been Hiruzen, the Hyūga clan wouldn't even have needed to come to the Hokage's office. They would simply wait at their compound for the verdict.
Why? Because there would have been no need to discuss it.
With Hiruzen's personality, if sacrificing the Hyūga's interests could preserve peace, he would have made that sacrifice, without ever saying it outright.
And the sacrificial "offering"... would be Hiashi himself.
After pondering for a moment, Minato turned to Kakashi and said, "Declare an emergency status along the border. At dawn, you and Uchiha Yun are to escort the body and the two surviving Kumogakure shinobi to the border for negotiations. The border forces will accompany you."
"Explain the situation. Observe Kumogakure's reaction and attitude. If they make any demands, send word via ninja falcon immediately."
Kakashi nodded, then asked hesitantly while glancing at Hiashi: "What if their demand is…"
Minato clenched his fist, "Let's wait for Kumogakure to state their position first. Any guess right now would be meaningless."
"Yes, sir."
Kakashi left to begin organizing the mission.
Just as Minato was about to say more, the office door swung open again, Hiruzen and Koharu entered.
They glanced at Hiashi standing to the side. Hiruzen placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Hiashi, you were too impulsive."
Though Hiruzen's tone was gentle, Hiashi felt a chilling cold deep in his bones.
With just one sentence, Hiruzen had already made a judgment.
The Hyūga clan bore the responsibility. Hiashi bore the responsibility.
Therefore, to resolve the issue, the Hyūga had to show "sincerity."
As expected…
"Lord Third…"
Just as Hiashi was about to say more, Minato raised his hand to stop him.
Minato looked at Hiruzen and Koharu.
"This incident is not Hiashi's fault. Though it affects the alliance between two major nations, we must wait for Kumogakure's official stance before drawing conclusions."
Hiruzen's eyes stayed locked on Minato.
After a moment, he said solemnly, "You've lived through the Third Great Ninja War, Minato. I hope you understand the consequences of war."
Koharu added in a low voice, "Homura has already arranged for the Third's former ANBU to secretly monitor the Hyūga clan. No one will learn about the Kumogakure ninja's death tonight."
"If the Hyūga hand over the culprit, along with the alliance treaty, at the border, we can avoid war and preserve peace!"
Koharu's voice grew louder and more aggressive as she closed in on Minato's desk.
"If war breaks out, and Konoha, like before, has to face the four other great nations one after another, then Konoha… will have no chance of victory!"
Minato's brows were tightly furrowed.
Hiruzen let out a long sigh, "For the sake of peace, and for Konoha, you must let go of personal feelings, Minato."
"I know Hiashi may not be at fault. But if war begins, Konoha's future will hang in the balance, and no one can predict the outcome."
Just as his words ended, Hiashi, tense and overwhelmed, stepped forward.
"I, "
BANG!!!
A loud slam silenced the entire room.
For the first time, Minato had lost his temper.
He slammed the desk so hard it flipped over, then raised his head and looked directly at the three before him.
"We will decide only after Kakashi and Yun return from negotiations. Not before!"
Hiruzen gazed at Minato, sighed, and turned to leave with Koharu.
"The Hokage's duty is to protect the entire village, to protect the Land of Fire itself. Minato, I hope you will prove to be a worthy Hokage."
Click.
The door closed behind them.
Hiashi looked at Minato, "If Kumogakure's goal is truly the Byakugan, then I'm willing to die, give them my body."
He sighed, bowed slightly, and quietly took his leave.
Alone in the empty office, Minato felt a wave of frustration.
His usual calm and strategic demeanor was gone.
'Should they fight? Or not fight?'
'Would Kumogakure really declare war over a single envoy?'
'And if war broke out, how should the forces be deployed?'
With this thought, he made a hand seal.
'Summoning Jutsu!'
A message toad appeared in a puff of smoke.
Minato handed it a scroll.
"Deliver this to Jiraiya-sensei as quickly as possible. Ask him to return to Konoha immediately. I'm counting on you."
The toad nodded.
"Leave it to me!"
Poof!
The summoning toad vanished.
Minato turned and looked out the window, toward the Uchiha district.
Currently, the majority of Konoha's top-tier combat strength, the kind that could decide the outcome of a war, lies with the Uchiha.
'Don't let me down…'
'Konoha should represent everyone, not be a system that sacrifices the individual.'
...
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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