While Kakuzu and Hatake Sakumo were enjoying their meal together.
In Konoha, at the Hokage Building, Sarutobi Hiruzen wore a worried expression.
"Once again, other hidden villages have sent us accusations, and the Daimyo has urged the village to respond..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed deeply: "It's difficult, Tsunade, what's your opinion?"
Tsunade frowned. If Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't repeatedly emphasized that Shimura Danzo wouldn't be released, considering the future of Aomi, she would have certainly refused the position of Hokage Assistant.
In Tsunade's view, the position of Hokage Assistant is meaningless, merely a mouthpiece for the Hokage.
Pleasant things are said by the Hokage, while the Hokage Assistant is left to convey the unpleasant...
"Old man, wars like these won't change because of your attitude..."
Tsunade shook her head: "Even if Konoha issues proclamations, it won't change the greed in their hearts if the other hidden villages decide to invade."
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed again.
How could he not know?
The issue is, if he responds with a desire for peace and loses the war, his responsibility might be lessened, since he didn't fuel the fire and still sought dialogue.
But if he responds firmly and still loses, then he'd bear all the responsibility as Hokage.
Even though Senju Tobirama had explained this reasoning to him...
The additional eight Tailed Beasts from the other hidden villages, twenty years of arms race, and the gap brought by Konoha all made Sarutobi Hiruzen uneasy.
Hidden Cloud's Jinchuriki techniques, Hidden Rock's sheer number of ninjas, all far surpassed Konoha.
The Hidden Sand Village was impoverished to the point of fearlessness, and Hidden Mist's internal turmoil needed an external war as a pressure valve; Konoha was sure to face fierce enemies.
It's as if, during these seemingly peaceful twenty years, only Konoha stood still while other hidden villages gritted their teeth secretly competing...
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged glances and slowly spoke:
"Hiruzen, perhaps it's time to reinstate Shimura Danzo... Tsunade's experience is still too shallow, insufficient to handle war."
Sarutobi Hiruzen had informed Konoha's high-ranking officials about Aomi becoming the Root Leader, which displeased Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.
In their eyes, if Sarutobi Hiruzen could so easily dispose of the Hokage Assistant, then removing them as Konoha Advisors would be even simpler, wouldn't it?
This left them feeling very insecure.
Shimura Danzo stepping down multiple times, the dissolution of Root, in the original timeline, were also restored with their support.
Tsunade snorted coldly, her gaze dangerous as she looked at them.
Just as she was about to speak, Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly switched from his hesitant attitude, and said extremely seriously:
"Homura, Koharu, don't bring up Danzo's name in high-level meetings anymore, his matter won't be reopened."
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were shaken; they hadn't seen such decisiveness on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face for a long time...
Tsunade glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen, surprised that her increasingly hesitant teacher still had decisive moments...
What she didn't know was that even with regret for Shimura Danzo, who was willing to take the blame for him, Sarutobi Hiruzen dared not defy Senju Tobirama's orders...
"Let Aomi and Tsunade handle this matter."
Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly exhaled a long breath: "Tsunade, you are now Hokage Assistant, Aomi is the Root Leader; you, as student and master, represent the village's attitude in response to the other Four Great Hidden Villages."
"Old man, you're the Hokage!"
Tsunade protested: "I don't agree with the decision to appoint Aomi as Root Leader; he's still just a Genin of Konoha, and you want him to bear the village's darkness?"
"I understand you favor Aomi, but such rapid promotion is too fast!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled bitterly, indeed Aomi is not suited to bear the village's darkness.
Yet Konoha's deepest darkness dwells within him, needing Root's environment to erode Aomi.
What could Sarutobi Hiruzen do?
He was merely a pitiful Third Hokage facing the Second Hokage without resistance.
"Tsunade, I'm already old; the era needs to be handed off to the young..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed: "Let's do it this way, I trust you and Aomi."
But inside Sarutobi Hiruzen, he felt a special sense of relief.
If Aomi makes the decisions, then it could be seen as Tobirama-sensei's doing...
So if problems arise in the future, it wouldn't be directly associated with him.
After being harshly reprimanded by Senju Tobirama, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt as if the familiar Hokage seat beneath him became exceedingly unfamiliar and dangerous.
If not for Aomi's age being too young and lacking seniority, Sarutobi Hiruzen would want him to be Hokage Assistant, with himself as a final transition, quietly awaiting Tobirama-sensei's revival.
"If that's your thought, then I'll agree, old man..."
Tsunade slowly nodded, rising to visit Aomi's home, and began discussing strategy together.
The next day.
The Four Great Hidden Villages and the collectively protesting Hidden Rain Village received Aomi's response.
[Konoha Notice to the Ninja World:]
Kazekage, Hatake Sakumo hasn't undertaken any missions, your conflict has nothing to do with Konoha. We believe instead of dragging Konoha into it, you should have your disciples train in Magnet Release and strive to collect more gold to support the people.
Heard the Daimyo isn't granting funds to the Hidden Sand? But even in poverty, you cannot bite indiscriminately.
Tsuchikage, if you think the number of Hidden Rock ninjas is too burdensome economically and want to reduce the population via war, you may use your Four-tails and Five-tails for cleansing, don't trouble Konoha; we can assist if needed.
Raikage, we appreciate your demeanor after mastering Jinchuriki techniques, but Konoha possesses countless Secret Techniques to handle Tailed Beasts. We welcome barbarians relying solely on Taijutsu to experience them, something your simple minds cannot develop.
Mizukage, Konoha welcomes all discontented Hidden Mist ninjas to reside in the Land of Fire. We will sincerely treat every ninja wanting to join Konoha. The wisdom of animals seeking proper shelter, we hope Hidden Mist ninjas understand.
Hanzo, who are you to accuse Konoha?
Scram!
Upon this response being issued, the whole Ninja World went into an uproar!
Konoha's firmness was truly beyond everyone's imagination...
In a dazed mood, Tsunade found Aomi:
"Aomi, didn't we agree to maintain a strong stance while trying to avoid war as much as possible?"
Aomi nodded earnestly: "Tsunade-sensei, my wording was already very tactful..."
"Or is that not what you thought?"
Aomi blinked his pretty eyes, asking somewhat innocently.