"Lord Hokage, is this appropriate?" As Uchiha Ryun spoke these words, Danzo Shimura and Hiruzen Sarutobi froze. Tsunade's heart skipped a beat.
"Actually, Ryun, you don't need to be so direct," Tsunade swallowed hard, thinking to herself, then tugged at Uchiha Ryun's sleeve.
Uchiha Ryun turned his head and gave Tsunade a look, signaling her to relax.
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent. "Ryun, do you also think I should demand compensation from them?" His eyes suddenly fixed on Uchiha Ryun.
Uchiha Ryun took a deep breath. "That's right, Lord Hokage." His voice was neither submissive nor arrogant, shifting from casual indifference to full focus.
"I remember you once told me, what does Sunagakure have besides sand? Surround them but don't attack, right?" Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled.
Uchiha Ryun was taken aback but replied, "Lord Hokage, strategy is strategy. It's not a reason to forgo compensation after the war." He was genuinely speechless. How could the Third Hokage ask such a question?
"But our Konoha, supported by the Land of Fire, is vast and rich in resources. Why should we demand compensation from Sunagakure of the Land of Wind?" The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi asked. He left half of his thought unspoken.
If the other side was willing to sign a peace agreement, he wouldn't mind giving Sunagakure some resources as aid.
This was like saying, if you win, I'll pay you. If you lose, I'll subsidize you. What is this? Are you the Great Song Dynasty? So generous?
Uchiha Ryun understood Hiruzen Sarutobi's intentions perfectly. He simply wanted to gain a reputation for benevolence, to earn recognition from the ninja world. Unfortunately, his approach was wrong. Endless concessions would only make the other side push further.
When it came to conquering other nations by force, Uchiha Ryun agreed. If Hashirama represented ideals, then Madara Uchiha represented reality.
And Hiruzen Sarutobi? He inherited Hashirama's kindness but not his strength. He inherited Tobirama's political tactics but used them internally.
He didn't inherit the good, only the bad!
Uchiha Ryun cleared his throat. "Lord Hokage, the village's shinobi have died or been injured. What is it all for, besides peace? Resources."
"You are the Hokage. You have everything. But what about the smaller clans? They have nothing. We won the war, and now it's time to share the benefits. Yet Lord Hokage, you want to give them up."
"Forgive my bluntness, but is the reputation of benevolence so important? Important enough to discard the compensation and resources right in front of us?" Uchiha Ryun spoke plainly, almost saying outright: Hiruzen Sarutobi, you're amazing, trading our rightful resources for your reputation of benevolence.
Seriously, if you keep this up, we really won't want to send troops to fight in the future.
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into deep thought. In terms of strength, he couldn't compare to the First Hokage. In terms of strategy, he couldn't match the Second. He had his own ambition: to surpass the First and Second Hokages and become the strongest Hokage.
He had pondered for a long time and finally settled on this: reputation! Using his prestige to surpass his predecessors and cement his name as the strongest Hokage.
"Is there more?" Hiruzen Sarutobi closed his eyes and exhaled. Danzo Shimura frowned. He understood Uchiha Ryun's point perfectly. Hiruzen, what's wrong with you?
Uchiha Ryun was stunned. Wasn't what he said clear enough? But when he looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression, he saw no reaction. In other words, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew the outcome but still chose this path.
It seemed the pursuit of fame and profit wasn't without reason.
In that case, Uchiha Ryun decided to administer a stronger dose. "Lord Hokage, your benevolence is undeniable. But have you considered that this approach won't showcase our greatness as a major village? Instead, it will make everyone think Konoha is easy to bully?"
"If you don't demand reparations, yes, Sunagakure will remember your kindness. But for how long? When the next Great Ninja War breaks out, do you believe they won't take a bite out of us?" Uchiha Ryun said.
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent, showing no intention of speaking.
Uchiha Ryun sighed. "If we win but demand no compensation, and lose without consequence, do you think other nations will take every chance to provoke us?"
Only then did Hiruzen Sarutobi open his eyes. He gave Uchiha Ryun a deep look, then began to think. Yes, if he were the Kage of another village, he'd probably do the same.
Win and gain, lose and lose nothing. Who wouldn't take the gamble?
"Yes, Lord Hokage may earn a reputation for benevolence—sage, virtuous one, the Professor. But then what? The village suffers continuous losses without compensation. Sacrificing real benefits for empty fame may work short-term, but what about long-term?"
"Clans lose troops and gain nothing. Why should they continue sending forces? Who would be willing to deploy their elite fighters in the next war?"
"Water can carry a boat but also overturn it. The clans trust Lord Hokage, believing Konoha will grow stronger and more prosperous under your leadership. But once you start this self-destructive path of nurturing enemies at our expense, there's no turning back."
"Will everyone be willing to follow your benevolence indefinitely?" Uchiha Ryun spoke at length. Danzo Shimura almost stood up to applaud. This was exactly what he wanted to say but couldn't articulate so logically.
"Of course, my Uchiha clan will stand firmly with you, supporting you. But Konoha isn't governed by one or a few clans." Uchiha Ryun seized the chance to glorify the Uchiha clan's stance.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes lit up. "Ryun, if you were Hokage, what would you do?"
A life-or-death question. Uchiha Ryun had to answer carefully.
He thought for a moment, then replied, "Lord Hokage, I am merely a soldier under your command, with a bit of cleverness to share your burdens."
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand. "Speak freely. Say whatever's on your mind, as if we're chatting."
Uchiha Ryun stood and bowed. "Right now, only the Uchiha, Hyūga, and Ino-Shika-Chō clans stand with Lord Hokage. The others are still watching."
"If Lord Hokage can secure the village's rightful benefits this time, more clans will align with you. But if you abandon the village's interests now, not only will other clans remain silent, even those already loyal to you will grow discontent."
"Of course, the Uchiha clan won't." Uchiha Ryun said calmly. He laid out the pros and cons for Hiruzen Sarutobi. The choice was now his.
Danzo Shimura patted Hiruzen Sarutobi's shoulder and squeezed, thinking, "Hiruzen, don't disappoint me, don't disappoint the village. Make the decision a Kage should make."
Danzo Shimura also gave Uchiha Ryun a look, signaling: You spoke well. Don't worry, I'll protect you.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes darkened as he glanced at Danzo, then Uchiha Ryun, and finally at Akimichi Torifu frowning and clenching his fists in the distance, and Yamanaka Kumokai and Nara Luming silently observing.
Finally, he sighed. "I understand, Ryun, Danzo. For this negotiation, I will do my utmost to secure resources and compensation for Konoha!" Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled.
Yes, he had been misguided. What was a Hokage? A leader who fought for the interests of the Land of Fire and Konoha. If he couldn't fulfill this most basic duty, how could he call himself Hokage? How could he surpass his predecessors?
Now, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes shone with determination. He slowly stood. "Danzo, Ryun, thank you for teaching me this lesson!"
With that, Hiruzen Sarutobi bowed. Uchiha Ryun and Tsunade quickly returned the gesture. Danzo Shimura snorted arrogantly. "It should have been this way from the start!"
But Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't angry. Instead, he punched Danzo in the chest. "You bastard!"
Danzo Shimura huffed and ignored him. So annoying, hmph!