This high-level meeting ended exactly as Danzō had anticipated.
Disappointment was inevitable.
In truth, over the past thirty to forty years, scenes like this had played out countless times within this very office. It was not that Danzō had fallen into obsession or stubborn delusion rather, this was simply how he made his presence felt.
Danzō Shimura was, at his core, a political creature.
Anything connected to politics no matter how meaningless it appeared on the surface served a purpose beneath it. Every word, every stance, every confrontation was deliberate.
Even though Danzō controlled ROOT through the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal, there was one undeniable fact: a considerable number of ROOT operatives followed him out of absolute loyalty. These individuals did not merely obey him they revered him. They believed in his vision, his ideology, and his uncompromising methods.
For that reason alone, Danzō could never remain silent.
He had to act.
He had to speak.
He had to continuously demonstrate that he was still a dominant political force within Konohagakure.
Each clash of authority was an extension of his will.
Just like now.
Danzō did not bother concealing the darkness in his eyes as he stared directly at Tsunade.
"Hmph. Very well," he said coldly. "Since you insist on making this decision, then bear the consequences."
"Whoever decides… bears the responsibility."
"As for ROOT," his lips curved slightly, "we will continue to operate according to the original plan. Everything we do is for Konoha."
With a sharp snort, Danzō stood, tapped his cane firmly against the floor, turned his back without another glance, and walked out—offering Tsunade, the Hokage, not even the slightest courtesy.
He had never truly respected Sarutobi Hiruzen's authority.
Expecting him to show respect to Tsunade,
a junior, was impossible.
Watching Danzō leave in anger, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu both revealed expressions of helpless resignation.
After decades as comrades, they understood him too well.
"Tsunade," Homura said gently, "do as you see fit. We will support you."
"As for Danzō… don't worry. The two of us will keep an eye on him."
"Please believe this much," Koharu added. "Everything Danzō does is for Konoha. Not for personal ambition. His methods are… occasionally extreme, but Konoha cannot do without him."
Seeing Tsunade open her mouth as if to object, Homura spoke quickly, cutting her off.
Among the elders, Danzō alone was capable of absolute ruthlessness.
Whether it was the late Sarutobi Hiruzen, Homura, or Koharu, all three still valued their shared history deeply. They genuinely believed in Danzō's intentions.
If Danzō had truly crossed the line beyond redemption, Hiruzen would have stripped him of all authority long ago.
In the end, the reason Danzō could remain such a powerful figure within Konoha was because the Third Hokage had allowed it.
"Occasionally?"
Tsunade cursed inwardly.
Only a fool would believe that.
Still, with Homura's words spoken, Tsunade could not press the matter further. These three were her elders, and she was not the type of Hokage to rule with iron absolutism.
"Very well," Tsunade said after taking a slow breath. "Please rest assured, Elder Homura. I will act with discretion."
"That's good," Homura nodded. "Then we won't trouble you further."
After exchanging glances, both advisors rose and departed together. With Tsunade formally restored as Hokage, their direct involvement in daily governance had naturally diminished. Under normal circumstances, they would not interfere excessively especially on major issues where Tsunade had already made her stance clear.
What they did not realize was that their continued presence and reluctance to relinquish influence had already become an invisible restraint on Tsunade's authority.
The scene that had just unfolded was proof enough.
"Damn it…"
Once the advisors had left, Tsunade finally lost her composure and flung the document in her hand across the room.
Shikaku Nara and Shizune, seated nearby, immediately lowered their gazes, suddenly finding the floor, the walls, and even the air itself far more interesting than the Hokage's expression.
After a moment, Tsunade steadied herself.
"Shikaku," she said firmly, "proceed according to the decisions made earlier."
"Additionally, notify Sunagakure. Have them dispatch representatives to Konohagakure immediately for negotiations."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Shikaku replied, bowing without hesitation.
Different people. Different eras.
Yet the outcome remained much the same.
As Tsunade resumed her role and issued orders, Konohagakure swiftly moved into action. These decisions rippled outward, affecting the balance of power across the surrounding nations.
Iwagakure and Kumogakure were watching closely.
The friction initiated by the Cloud Ninja along the border was nothing more than a test an attempt to gauge Konoha's stance.
Now, the answer was clear.
It was not what Kumogakure wanted to see.
As for Iwagakure
Ōnoki had never harbored serious expectations of crushing Konoha outright. Though far more decisive than Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Tsuchikage was old. His greatest concern now was ensuring a smooth transition to the next generation.
War with Konoha?
A Fourth Great Ninja War?
He had no such ambition.
On the contrary, Ōnoki was far more interested in Uzumaki Menma.
The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
Even if it required risk or a heavy price
Ōnoki believed it was worth attempting. Unlike the hot-blooded Fourth Raikage, Ōnoki favored persuasion over brute force.
A twelve-year-old boy, he thought. What is there to fear?
In his own words:
"Can this old man not handle a single child?"
Thus, Iwagakure paid little mind to Konoha's immediate response. Ōnoki never intended to attack Konoha directly.
Kumogakure, however, reacted very differently.
When the Fourth Raikage received word of Tsunade's orders, he immediately dispatched additional forces to the front lines bringing his deployment into direct tension with Sunagakure once more.
Enraged, he smashed the newly replaced desk in his office to pieces.
Yet no matter how furious he was, some paths remained closed.
Without the right timing, forcing Konoha would be nothing short of foolish.
Even the Fourth Raikage understood that much.
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