Konoha Village, Southeast Street.
When the death of Rasa was confirmed, Sarutobi Hiruzen's hands trembled once again.
Behind him, Nara Shikaku and several masked Anbu operatives also shook slightly.
This was truly troublesome.
A foreign Kage had been assassinated just a day after arriving in their village.
How could Konoha possibly explain this? Would this be enough to spark a war?
The reality, however, was undeniable.
Dozens of Sand shinobi surrounded them, glaring at Hiruzen without the slightest respect for the Hokage's authority. Their eyes burned with anger, and if Hiruzen faltered even slightly in his words, they would surely attack as one—even here in Konoha's own streets.
The only reason they hadn't already done so was because Aizen, the commander ranked just beneath Rasa, had ordered them to hold back.
"Lord Hokage, I expect an explanation."
Though Aizen carried himself with an elegant demeanor that could easily earn others' trust, his tone carried a biting chill.
The Anbu around Hiruzen remained outwardly calm, but each secretly tightened their grip on their weapons. If the Sand shinobi made a move, they would strike without hesitation.
The atmosphere was suffocating—tense to the point of bursting.
Hiruzen adjusted his Hokage hat, then finally spoke.
"The culprit behind Lord Kazekage's assassination… I already have the answer."
The words made every Sand shinobi stiffen. Even Aizen's eyes narrowed behind his mask.
"Lord Hokage," Aizen asked coldly, "then please, speak clearly."
He wanted to hear what reasoning the Hokage could possibly present.
"Orochimaru."
The name fell like a hammer.
At once, expressions shifted. Jinchūriki Rō and several high-ranking Sand jōnin stepped forward in disbelief.
"Orochimaru? One of the Legendary Sannin? Why would the Hokage accuse him?" Aizen pressed.
"I wouldn't say so without reason," Hiruzen explained. "Last month, during the assessment at Training Ground 44, our shinobi discovered Orochimaru had infiltrated Konoha. Though his goal was unclear, his schemes are well known. With the Chūnin Exams underway, with nobles and dignitaries gathered from all over the world, we already feared he might strike. Konoha doubled its surveillance in hopes of locating him."
Hiruzen's gaze fell on Rasa's body, now covered by a white cloth. His voice grew heavy.
"I hadn't expected his target would be Lord Kazekage. Clearly, his intent is to ignite conflict between our villages. Please, Aizen, don't fall into his trap."
As expected of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Even Aizen couldn't help but silently acknowledge the Hokage's skill.
Hiruzen had no real proof. Deep down, even he wasn't certain. But his words carried such conviction, his reasoning so airtight, that no flaw could be picked apart.
And between the lines, he delivered a sharp message:
Konoha did not kill your Kazekage. This was Orochimaru's doing. If you wage war against us, you'll be dancing to his tune.
It was the perfect scapegoat. Orochimaru was already inside the village—who better to bear the blame?
Many had said Hiruzen's political talent was inherited from his master, the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama. But to Aizen, Hiruzen had long since surpassed his teacher.
Yet Aizen's silence made Hiruzen uneasy. Mishandling this crisis would certainly plunge Konoha and Sunagakure into war.
And Hiruzen knew well—three years ago, Aizen had defeated the Mist's Three-Tails Jinchūriki alone, cementing his reputation as a peak Kage-level powerhouse. If it truly came to battle, Hiruzen had little confidence in victory.
At last, Aizen spoke again.
"Lord Hokage… you don't have any evidence, do you?"
The words, instead of pressuring him, brought Hiruzen quiet relief.
At least Aizen wasn't outright rejecting his explanation. Half the battle was already won.
"We have no direct proof," Hiruzen admitted quickly. "But we are certain Orochimaru is in Konoha. We will hunt him down as swiftly as possible and present him to Sunagakure—to give your people justice, and to honor your late Kazekage."
"Even so," Aizen pressed, "the Kazekage was assassinated in your village. Will Konoha take no responsibility at all?"
"Of course we bear responsibility," Hiruzen replied at once. "To atone, Konoha is prepared to offer Sunagakure two S-rank ninjutsu, five A-rank techniques, and forty percent of our next five years' harvest. Will that suffice?"
Shikaku and the other Konoha shinobi nearly gasped aloud.
This was practically stripping Konoha's skin off.
Surely, Hiruzen must realize this offer would end his tenure as Hokage. After the Third Great War, such an admission of guilt would force him to abdicate.
But what choice did they have? A foreign Kage had been murdered on their soil. To avoid war, blood had to be paid.
Even among the Sand shinobi, expressions softened. The offer was too tempting to ignore.
Aizen, too, admired Hiruzen once more. Truly, a born politician.
Finally, after a pause, Aizen said:
"The Chūnin Exams will continue. No one outside this matter is to know. The day after tomorrow, I will attend the finals myself."
Relief washed over the Konoha side.
His answer meant only one thing—agreement.