"Now?!"
Hyuga Soushu snapped, clearly annoyed.
"Now!"
The dog-masked Anbu nodded firmly.
Well then, I guess I have no choice."
After hesitating for a moment, Hyuga Soushu gave his consent.
Then he turned around, hands clasped behind his back, and strolled toward the Hokage Tower. The dog-masked Anbu immediately vanished using Body Flicker.
It looked like he was still expected to assist the old monkey in scheduling meetings for the Hokage Tower.
"Tch—he clicked his tongue in annoyance."
Hyuga Soushu had the sinking feeling he was about to be pulled into yet another storm—without even knowing what was really going on.
At this moment, he almost wished he could just beat up a few hostile ninja and level up his Hero Skill to Level 6!
"Hokage-sama."
Arriving at the door of the Hokage Office, Soushu knocked twice before pushing it open and walking straight in without waiting for a response.
"Soushu has arrived."
Inside the smoke-filled room, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't seem bothered at all. Waving his hand to clear the smoke with Wind Release chakra, he cheerfully responded to Soushu's entrance.
However, the two council members seemed displeased by Soushu's impoliteness but only gave him a disapproving glare without further reaction.
"Please, have a seat!"
The Third gestured kindly toward the chair in front of his desk.
Hyuga Soushu gave a slight bow. As he stepped forward, he bent slightly and scanned the room inconspicuously.
In the corners of the Hokage Office, several high-end armchairs were haphazardly placed. Clearly, a number of clan leaders had been present here not long ago. That made sense since Soushu had just run into his own clan head and several other prominent figures engaged in cheerful conversation.
When he sat in the chair near the desk, he became even more certain—this seat still held some warmth, likely left by those clan leaders he had met earlier.
"How has your rest been lately, Soushu-kun? Are you adjusting well since returning to the village?"
Before Hyuga Soushu could think further, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted his thoughts with a question.
"So-so."
Soushu's reply was somewhat dismissive but appropriate under the circumstances.
After all, he'd only returned to the village a few days ago when one incident after another dragged him in—it hadn't exactly gone smoothly.
Plus, Soushu knew full well that the Fire Shadow, Hiruzen Sarutobi, must already be aware of everything he'd experienced over these past few days.
"You are indeed a rising new star of Konoha who emerged from war. Therefore, I'd like to understand your thoughts on warfare."
Third Hokage slowly packed his pipe, speaking in an especially calm and gentle tone.
But was this really a question meant for a newly promoted Tokubetsu Jonin?
Frowning slightly, Soushu hesitated.
"There's nothing wrong with it. I always encourage juniors to speak freely—it's not like speaking one's mind carries any guilt!"
The Third Hokage's words were filled with encouragement.
Then are we reviving the ancient rule where criticizing the ruler meant executing nine generations of your family?
Soushu muttered inwardly but cleared his throat, preparing to voice views that represented only his personal stance—views sure to be controversial.
"I fear that in this Great Ninja World War, the major hidden villages will not reach a ceasefire in the near future."
As soon as these words were spoken, the two previously indifferent advisors did seem to become somewhat more attentive.
"Go on!"
The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes brimmed with encouragement.
"War is an inevitable result when contradictions accumulate to a certain degree. Currently, this Ninja World War remains limited to localized conflicts within the Land of Rain and sporadic border skirmishes, far from achieving the objectives that full-scale war could accomplish."
"Elaborate on the objectives!"
The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi smoothly struck a match to light his pipe, taking a satisfied puff.
Hyuga Soushu's statements might have deviated from Konoha's mainstream propaganda, yet upon reflection, they actually made perfect sense.
Wasn't war just the ultimate consequence of accumulated conflicts? That viewpoint was undeniably correct!
As everyone knew, the Ninja World Wars were simply confrontations among the five great nations and their corresponding hidden villages. Besides exhausting those five major villages, even more tragic were the smaller countries and minor ninja villages caught in the crossfire—either discarded like trash or reduced to battlegrounds for greater powers.
Including the once formidable Takugure, long regarded by the ninja world as the sixth village despite lacking tailed beasts, which suffered coordinated attacks from Konoha, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure before full-scale war erupted, even having their territory designated as combat zones by major nations.
Even Sanshouo Hanzo, hailed as a semi-deity, remained powerless against this reality. Though personally leading Rain ninjas to victory after victory on the battlefield, he still couldn't reverse the increasingly deteriorating situation. Now he could only feign death and surrendering control while the three great villages ravaged across the Land of Rain.
Previously, at the village level, such conflicts were usually disguised using clumsy rhetoric about Daimyo rivalry, mission share grabbing, resource plundering, etc.—in essence merely serving internal conflict resolution within each village.
Yet Hyuga Soushu's words tore straight through this facade, exposing the brutal realities hidden beneath grand narratives.
"The real purpose of launching war is to resolve contradictions; these contradictions don't just lie between the hidden villages, but also between each village and its respective Daimyo."
Suddenly, Hyuga Soushu realized he might have said too much.
"But nobody can guarantee victory in war," murmured Homura Mitokado, removing his glasses and polishing them thoughtfully, "You've just returned from the battlefield, and you witnessed today's chaos during the Jonin Unit meeting—it should be clear to you that even Konoha dares not guarantee survival to the very end."
"But that certainly doesn't stop every major hidden village from eliminating internal issues through warfare instigated by Daimyos!" Hyuga Soushu shrugged helplessly, saying, "Fundamentally speaking, wars erupt because growing numbers of ninja cause uneven distribution of resources. Combined with direct funding from Daimyos failing to meet ninja demands, they are eventually forced into resorting to war for plunder, simply to keep the ninja within their own village content and occupied."
Even though ninja are practically killing each other right now, the noble families of the Five Great Countries still maintain close connections with each other. The outbreak of war does nothing to hinder their continued cultivation of traditional friendships.
"If we were to suffer defeat, wouldn't that be—"
Koharu Utatane frowned and interrupted with a foolish remark.
"Either resolve the contradiction, or eliminate the person who causes it."
Soushu Hyuga scoffed at the idea and continued with an incendiary statement: "As long as the contradiction is resolved, what difference does defeat make? Will it really affect anything?"
"Careful with your words!"
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately interrupted Soushu Hyuga's speech.
If one were to take Soushu Hyuga's words as a basis for judgment, one could even suspect that the nobles of the Five Great Countries intentionally started the war specifically to exhaust the power of the ninja!
Hiruzen felt that even the martial faction within Konoha wouldn't go this far—such simplistic talk that regarded ninja as expendable commodities and treated noble families like enemies was completely contrary to the Will of Fire (the spirit of unity and perseverance cherished by Konoha)!
"Well then, as a Konoha jonin, Soushu-kun, how do you think our village should unite its strength to end the war as soon as possible?"
Seeing the atmosphere turn cold, Mitokado Homura immediately interjected to change the subject: "Although this war won't end quickly, the village cannot afford to slack off either."
"Simple—bring the flames of war onto the territories of the other four great countries."
A grin spread across Soushu's face. "When the noble families can no longer feel secure from day to day, they'll naturally find every possible way to limit the scale of the war, or try to rein in its expansion by compensating the ninja villages."
To put it plainly, the pain has to hit those noble families directly. Only then will they start reining in their own ninja villages to protect themselves—and finally end the war.
"This..."
Mitokado Homura was momentarily speechless.
While there was truth in those words, they were utterly impractical.
After all, the Five Great Ninja Villages were nothing more than instruments of war for the Five Great Countries.
Whether it was funds or resources, the non-productive ninja villages depended entirely on support from their respective countries. The scale and duration of wars also depended entirely on the whims of the noble families, and who knows what kinds of secret dealings existed behind closed doors between the different nobility factions!
Yet he couldn't refute Soushu Hyuga's argument directly, because according to Konoha's official propaganda, the Hokage was supposed to be the supreme military leader of the great country, theoretically standing equal with the Daimyos. The reality—that the Hokage was actually just a pawn serving the nobles—couldn't be revealed to the lower-ranking ninja of Konoha, or it would severely undermine the Will of Fire!
"That's enough for today."
When opinions clash, even a syllable is too much. Third Hokage Hiruzen rubbed his temples and spoke as amicably as possible: "Also, regarding our discussion today, I must insist this stays confidential, otherwise..."
"I take my leave!"
Soushu Hyuga didn't bother saying more and immediately stood up to bow before leaving directly.
"What are your thoughts?"
Hiruzen puffed on his pipe and asked the two advisors.
"Should we consider removing him early?"
"His ideology has grown dangerously radical. He's strayed completely from the Will of Fire and could very well become a serious threat in the future!"
The severity of her words was surprising—harsher even than what Soushu had said. If it weren't for their long-standing familiarity with each other's ways, Hiruzen Sarutobi might have suspected that Koharu Utatane had fallen under Danzo's control through some secret technique.
"As village leaders, we should still be able to make room for different opinions," muttered the Third Hokage with slight frustration.
"Besides, although Soushu's words are alarming, compared to those hardliners in the village—"
He stopped himself.
Because when compared to Konoha's brainless militarists, Hyuga Soushu's analysis of war strategy actually seemed far more sophisticated. His attitude toward the noble families also raised certain concerns.
A ninja's attitude toward noble patrons was crucial for maintaining order throughout the ninja world. Beyond protecting their homeland and completing missions, one of the hidden villages' most crucial functions is to keep powerful shinobi in check.
So, should they get ahead of the risk?
"It doesn't matter. The war isn't over yet. Even a simple kunai has its use—let alone an actual jonin."
Homura Mitokado pointed out, "And besides, he's just from the Hyuga Branch House. Simply not worth worrying about."
"That's true enough."
After considering this, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded thoughtfully, finally accepting Homura's view.
After all, we're talking about the Hyuga. As long as those stagnant traditionalists in the Main House remain under control, there's nothing truly worrisome going on.
Koharu Utatane didn't press further.
Although today's Hyuga Clan Leader had shown unusual firmness, in the eyes of the leadership, the Hyuga—habitually isolationist and seen as timid turtles retreating into their shells—were hardly considered a threat.
As long as the Branch House/Main House system endured, no matter how brilliant a talent might emerge within the Branch House, they would eventually vanish quietly within the family structure. No need to worry excessively.
As for the Hyuga Clan's sudden cooperation with other ninja clans, if current circumstances permitted, the Hokage Tower certainly had numerous methods to deliver a thunderous strike against them.
"Wars require support from Daimyo, and the current military funding shortage has already exceeded what the village alone can resolve,"
Homura added, "If the Daimyo cannot meet our financial demands, perhaps we could consider adopting his idea instead."
As for the Hyuga Clan Leader's demand for status among the ninja clans during the clan meeting? He chose to ignore it completely.
After all, requesting money wasn't too bad—it could always be addressed through internal adjustments or borrowing from future budgets, effectively squeezing funds directly from the Daimyo's coffers. But seeking power and influence? Please, just go back to bed and dream about it.
"Invasion of the homeland?"
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed thoughtfully at his pipe once more, deep in contemplation.
"Even if the Land of Fire itself came under attack—"
Homura lowered his voice to barely above a whisper.
Although Hyuga Soushu's comments deviated from the proper guidance of the Will of Fire, on closer inspection, they held a certain degree of validity. After all, with the doors closed, such inappropriate words could still be discussed in private.
"Why not have Danzo arrange a meeting with the Daimyo under the guise of discussing increased military spending?"
Suggested Koharu Utatane, "With adequate funding in place, we'll be able to move forward with our plans accordingly."
"I'll consider it," said Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi as he tapped his pipe. He mused that while this approach was ruthless, it was quite fitting under the current circumstances.
Since internal budget adjustments within Konoha faced unanimous resistance, their only option was to seek funding directly from the Daimyo.
If they simply asked for money outright, the Daimyo might hesitate to agree readily. However, if they manufactured certain incidents that created crises and unsettled the aristocrats in the Daimyo's court, the situation would become significantly easier to manage.
And as for any friction this might cause with the Daimyo—well, isn't that exactly what Danzo's here for? That's his job!
The two advisors exchanged knowing looks before discreetly taking their leave.
Assuming no unexpected delays, Sarutobi would summon Danzo the moment they left.
[Shadow Guardian]! Who else could handle such dirty work and take the blame for the Daimyo's anger but him?
At worst, they'd just put Danzo on house arrest for a few days to cool the Daimyo's temper—that was the least he could do anyway!