The fact that a Tailed Beast was rampaging across the Ninja World wasn't something that Kagenami alone could monitor and track with its own resources—it was critical intelligence that required the full attention of Konoha's entire Intelligence Division.
Sometimes, Kagenami functioned merely as a subordinate unit passively receiving major reports rather than an independent organization proactively gathering intelligence.
After receiving the relevant report, Haseo headed to the Hokage's office building with Shikou to discuss how to handle this situation. When they arrived, the Third Hokage was already present along with both Konoha Advisors and Danzo Shimura, who had arrived even earlier.
These four were currently Konoha's central decision-making authority. As for Haseo, he had only been summoned because the topic at hand involved Tailed Beasts—an exceptional circumstance. Among the Second Hokage's disciples, Kagami Uchiha was deceased, while Torifu Akimichi had gradually become purely operational—responsible solely for organizing ninja forces and executing decisions made by the upper echelon without participating in policymaking.
During the last Great Ninja War, his role had been exactly this one, so his position naturally continued into the postwar period. Whether such a designation reflected his personal capabilities and temperament—a self-determined assignment—or whether it was actually based on others' judgment that the village didn't need more decision-makers remained something Haseo simply did not know.
"Now that everyone is here, let me go over the intelligence we've recently received," said the Third Hokage upon seeing Haseo arrive, gesturing for him to sit down before continuing.
Haseo certainly hadn't delayed his arrival out of arrogance; he simply wasn't important enough for the Hokage and advisors to wait around just because he wanted to make an entrance. Rather, since Kagenami received information last among all units according to priority levels, his arrival naturally came later too.
The Third Hokage paid little attention to Shikou, who had accompanied Haseo, but the Advisors and Danzo couldn't help but notice Shikou standing behind Haseo, particularly her long flowing crimson hair that stood out vividly.
Maybe most Konoha ninjas didn't recognize Shikou—she wasn't famous, nor did she have any major battle records—but those present certainly understood exactly who she was. Although she'd kept a consistently low profile over time, almost like an invisible person, no one truly treated her as if she weren't there.
For years, she had remained beside Mito Uzumaki. Now, she silently positioned herself once again behind Haseo, maintaining her quiet presence just as she always had. But what did this signify?
Someone among them was surely muttering internally about how fortunate Haseo must be—first under Sansho's protection, then supported by Mito Uzumaki, with the former representing the Senju and the latter the Uzumaki clans… Considering all this special backing, it suddenly seemed that his previous achievements during the so-called legendary Frostfield Battle weren't really all that impressive after all. Given such advantages, many sitting here secretly thought, *Hell, if I had that kind of backing, I'd pull off the same feats!*
But this was only a "feeling." Aside from the Prime Third Hokage, practically everyone else present would end up as cannon fodder if they tried to face Haseo. The way he handled Jinchuriki in battle was simply too unique; it was either an instant kill before the opponent could even react or sealing them within a mental prison. In a sense, neither of these counted as a straightforward contest of strength.
So, does anyone here possess Haseo's supernatural speed? Does anyone have the ability to perform his kind of consciousness sealing? If not, then all that's left is to go all out like how the Third Raikage dealt with Tailed Beasts—clashing head-on with brute force. But... do any of them have hides as tough as the Raikage's?
Therefore, although there were differences in rank among them within Konoha, Haseo had no reason to look down on this group. Based solely on his achievements, he believed himself perfectly capable of engaging the advisors as equals.
"According to intelligence gathered by our reconnaissance ninja," Koharu Utatane spoke up, "the Two-Tails has most recently been sighted in the Land of Hot Springs, and it seems to be hiding there. Therefore... the question now is what measures we should take regarding the Two-Tails."
It's the Land of Hot Springs again, is it? Could the Tailed Beast actually want to take a dip?
Haseo blinked, thinking to himself that while tailed beasts might not be particularly smart, they certainly weren't mindless. At least in this case, when choosing where to hide, the Two-Tails had avoided both the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning, opting instead for a small, relatively weak nation.
Now free, the Tailed Beast naturally bore intense hatred toward the ninja villages that once held it captive. Yet it hadn't immediately stormed Kumogakure seeking revenge. From this, one could see that it understood the value of freedom... After all, Kumo was full of hulking brutes who'd experiment on a Tailed Beast without a second thought. Kinda terrifying, really.
"I don't think this matter even needs discussion. According to the current arrangements, we should simply assign our ninja to keep track of the Two-Tails' whereabouts. As long as it doesn't enter the Land of Fire, we shouldn't invest excessive attention into this situation... Let Kumo handle the Two-Tails themselves."
Hardly had the words of the Third Hokage faded when Homura Mitokado followed up with such remarks.
"I share the same opinion,"
Koharu Utatane expressed her agreement, which wasn't surprising at all—as was usually the case, the two advisors typically moved as one.
"Konoha has no need for unnecessary Tailed Beasts.
More importantly, if we attempted any action against the Two-Tails, we wouldn't merely invite retaliation but could also provoke resistance from Kumogakure. Going further, it might trigger a chain reaction prompting actions from other ninja villages. At its worst, it could destroy the delicate equilibrium among the hidden villages set in place since the time of the First Hokage...
You must realize that right from the beginning, not all Tailed Beasts were under control of the Five Great Shinobi Countries. Smaller villages' Tailed Beasts were technically available to be seized. The reason none did so was simply because nobody wished to disrupt the existing balance between villages regarding possession of Tailed Beasts."
Danzo Shimura unusually spoke at some length, clearly expressing his stance. Obviously, he also believed that monitoring the Two-Tails from afar was sufficient. After all, it was their beast to begin with—they'd get it back eventually.
The reason these people held such negative opinions wasn't actually related much to the reasons they cited, but rather because the Hidden Leaf Village already had the Nine-Tails… The relationships between the tailed beasts themselves were never harmonious to begin with—the Nine-Tails often looked down on the other beasts for having fewer tails than itself, believing its power surpassed all others.
And in truth, that indeed was the case—Nine-Tails' strength even clearly exceeded some of the individual tailed beasts.
Therefore, as long as the Hidden Leaf Village possessed the Nine-Tails, they had nothing to fear at all. Let the outside world cause whatever chaos with their other tailed beasts—it wouldn't matter; so long as the Nine-Tails remained within the Hidden Leaf Village, the village would remain unshaken.
The Third Hokage seemed to have anticipated everyone's reactions.
Tailed beasts were a double-edged sword, possessing tremendous deterrence yet also bringing great danger. If one ever went berserk inside the ninja village, the consequences might very well be catastrophic. Therefore logically speaking, now that the Hidden Leaf Village already had the Nine-Tails, acquiring additional tailed beasts really was unnecessary—the disadvantages outweighed the benefits.
But here's the thing: apart from the Third Hokage and Haseo, none of the others present knew about the village's plan regarding the Nine-Tails. And if the Nine-Tails' power became controlled and more secure, then having the Two-Tails within the Hidden Leaf Village would actually be a good thing.
At least, the advantages would outweigh the drawbacks.
However, there was one point where Danzo and the advisors weren't wrong: regarding this issue, Kumo's attitude was crucial—far more important than the Two-Tails' own views. So… should they probe Kumo's stance?
As he thought this, the Third Hokage turned his gaze toward Haseo—and then couldn't help twitching slightly. Haseo was slightly lowering his head silently while his lips moved—in clear contrast to his silence, he was muttering something quite clearly… "A bunch of total cowards."
Yes, an extremely objective evaluation. Yet the Third Hokage couldn't help feeling slightly troubled about one thing at this moment… when Haseo said "a bunch," did that include the Hokage himself among those he considered cowards?
Then Haseo cleared his throat and spoke in a calm and composed manner, "So what you're saying is that there's a colossal force capable of destroying an entire nation walking freely outside, yet we're just supposed to sit back and watch it?"
"Just a tailed beast? You are decision-makers of Konoha, the strongest among the Five Great Ninja Villages. So… what exactly are you all so afraid of?"
Honestly, even though Haseo's sense of belonging toward Konoha was limited, he still felt these native Konoha people were truly embarrassing the village.
Indeed, the advisors were afraid, because unlike the First Hokage, they didn't possess the strength to fight confidently—but could anyone blame them for being fearful? Wasn't that understandable?
Yet how could he say that so directly? Where was the decency in slapping them right where it hurt most?
Koharu Utatane's expression darkened—since taking up the advisory role, everyone had respectfully called her "Lady," and it had been many years since she last heard such a blunt remark.
"Young man, that's a tailed beast we're talking about. What do you kn—"
However, before her usual scolding tone finished, she caught herself mid-sentence.
Because if she wanted to ask "Who made you the judge here?" Haseo could absolutely answer back proudly, "I'm plenty qualified—at least more so than you."
"Why are you guys scared of the Tailed Beasts anyway?" ... In Konoha, aside from that retired old-timer, only Haseo had the qualifications to say such a thing—and even then, he could deliver it with an expression of complete innocence.
Not even the Third Hokage was as qualified as Haseo. Naturally, one would at least need to have taken down a couple of Tailed Beasts to speak with such authority, right?
What? You want to bring up the First Hokage?
The First Hokage? Seriously? Is he even qualified? Has he ever killed a Tailed Beast?
Although Hashirama might have been able to crush a Tailed Beast like a common bug, he never actually did it, right? After all, he was probably worried his hands would stink.
So those without actual achievements should just keep quiet.
In all of Konoha, no one understood the Tailed Beasts as deeply as Haseo...
Or rather, no one else truly knew how to kill them better than he did.
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