Konoha was incompetent. Even that old bastard Ōnoki became useless.
While the eastern line still held down large numbers of Konoha forces, Iwa was actually driven directly out of Grass Country. When the Fourth Raikage A heard this news, his knuckles turned white from clenching. He could barely suppress the rage churning in his chest.
Ōnoki created such a big commotion yet ended with a whimper, failing to achieve any substantive results.
When Mitokado Homura arrived at Kumogakure, the first thing was naturally to settle accounts with the Fourth Raikage, engaging in a round of verbal sparring.
On the surface, both sides firmly denied bearing any responsibility in this incident.
At the negotiating table, Mitokado Homura did not mention a word about Danzō's investigative conclusion regarding "problems possibly existing within Konoha."
Both sides' discussion was strictly limited to "unidentified forces attacking the Cloud envoy."
The conclusion was quite simple. Iwa, Suna, even Kiri might have sent people.
Both sides even tacitly directed the greatest suspicion toward Iwagakure, having both motive and capability. Their subsequent reaction speed was abnormally fast.
But going after Ōnoki's trouble was useless. He didn't have what the Raikage wanted. Only Konoha did.
So the Raikage could only continue along the original line of thought, continuing to hold Konoha accountable.
The most intense confrontation had the Raikage's fist wrapped in lightning, nearly smashing onto Mitokado Homura's head. But this Konoha advisor only calmly rolled up his sleeves, revealing sealing formulae on his arms.
"Killing me here will at most let several Cloud elite, perhaps including Raikage-sama yourself, die with me." He said calmly. "If you feel this price is unsuitable, please return to your seat and we'll talk more."
Negotiations dragged on like this until news arrived of Iwa's battle line rapidly collapsing.
The Raikage lost his most important card.
"Whether regarding Hot Water Country border outpost ownership or Lin Country's mission quota allocation, the terms your side proposed are absolutely unacceptable to Konoha." Mitokado Homura had obviously also learned of western line results. His tone grew more composed. "Our final position remains unchanged. On the basis of consensus previously reached, Konoha can promise that subsequent grain and necessary material trade to Lightning Country will receive most favorable prices."
"Additionally, some Hot Water Country mission quotas can also be transferred to your side."
Bang!
The heavy negotiating table shattered into pieces under the Raikage's heavy fist. He stood abruptly. His massive figure loomed over the seated unmoving Konoha advisor. Lightning Release chakra crackled unconsciously on his body surface.
"Enough! I'm sick of this circular nonsense!" His roar made the room buzz. "What you just mentioned is acceptable. But only one condition—"
He leaned down, eyes like lightning, staring fixedly into the eyes behind Mitokado Homura's glasses.
"Hand over the killer who murdered Akai. A life for a life."
"If you can't even do this, then full-scale war! I think Ōnoki will be very happy to march south again."
Mitokado Homura was silent for a moment, then raised his hand, gently pushing his glasses.
—
Within Konoha Village, the air had not truly relaxed long after the western line's great victory. That resentment with nowhere to vent, mixed with pain and exhaustion, after brief celebration, like water finding cracks, pressed heavily toward the Hyūga clan.
Walking the streets, Shuji caught noticeably more discussions about the Hyūga in his ears. At first just scattered whispers, they quickly converged into an undeniable wave of voices.
"Heard? Cloud is adamant, demanding the Hyūga give an explanation."
"Subduing him would have been fine, right? Why strike so hard?"
"For them, so many people died."
"Byakugan... hmph, seeing far away, they didn't see clearly what huge trouble they'd bring the village."
Those villagers who originally had no particular opinion of the Hyūga, under sustained low pressure and certain intentional or unintentional guidance, gradually shifted their attitudes.
Especially after rumors of Cloud's peace talk conditions including "severely punish the culprit" and "a life for a life" somehow leaked and rapidly spread within the village, this emotion found a clear target.
Shuji passed through these whispers, brow imperceptibly furrowing. He always believed Kumogakure had no true determination to start war. The Raikage's every move, the core purpose remained pressure and obtaining real benefits.
Moreover, the logic quietly circulating in the village now—one Hyūga life could exchange for peace for many Konoha frontline shinobi and Cloud's compromise, it was worth it—this logic, applied to Cloud's side, wouldn't it equally hold? Would the Raikage truly stake the nation's fate for a dead subordinate?
In that case, the Fourth Raikage should have already fought Ōnoki to the death. After all, the Third Raikage trapped to death by Iwagakure was his father.
Climbing the Hokage Building stairs, Shuji paused briefly outside the office.
A familiar yet slightly unfamiliar face appeared—Sarutobi Asuma, currently with a clean jawline, not yet showing that signature beard. He walked out from the office with anger on his face, not even noticing Shuji in the distance.
Watching him disappear around the corridor corner, Shuji turned toward that slightly ajar Hokage office door. Inside was complete silence, as if just sending off an unpleasant conversation.
He raised his hand and knocked.
"Come in."
"Hokage-sama."
"Ah, Shuji. Sit." The Third was somewhat tired but still forced out a smile. "What matter brings you?"
"Regarding some recent public opinion in the village, I felt it necessary to report to Hokage-sama." Shuji spoke.
Sarutobi Hiruzen heard this and returned his gaze to documents before him.
"Oh, what public opinion?"
"Regarding Kumogakure." Shuji didn't directly mention Hyūga. "My personal judgment is they have no intention of starting war."
"Since recovering from that serious injury, you've indeed become increasingly sharp, Shuji." The Third's tone was mild. "Especially these recent incidents, you've handled them very properly."
"The village's future will need to rely on you greatly, Shuji."
Shuji remained silent, not taking this话.
The Third looked at this youth and slowly said, "The matter you mentioned, we all know."
"But the Raikage's feelings cannot be ignored, nor can we gamble on whether Cloud truly has desperate courage."
"Right now the conditions the other side proposed, except the last item, are actually more restrained than we expected. This may be the fastest path to ending war."
"The Hyūga clan... has also expressed willingness to bear responsibility for the greater good."
"You can understand that once the Raikage truly makes the decision to start war, even just half a month or shorter, how many more comrades will die on the frontline? Those sacrifices that could have been avoided..."
"Our concerns, Cloud equally has." Shuji said calmly.
"But! Ultimately we cannot place peace on the Raikage always remaining rational. Kumogakure shinobi's conduct style, having been stationed at the border for three years, you should know better than others, Shuji." Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice was slow and grave.
"This matter, let's discuss it no further, Shuji. All resentment and blame will be borne by me as Hokage."
Shuji said no more. He rose, bowed slightly, and left the Hokage's office.
After all, he was just an ordinary jōnin. What he could do only went this far.
This coward's game the Raikage initiated, ultimately the side with more concerns turned the steering wheel first.
Shuji looked at the Hokage Rock. A thought suddenly arose: If it were Tsunade, would she choose to turn this steering wheel first?
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild