Just as his excitement peaked, a cold and piercing gaze swept over. Hizashi Hyuga's face had darkened the moment Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, and his eyes fixed on Yunchuan Hyuga with disbelief and anger.
"A Branch Family? A Branch Family bound by the Caged Bird is going to attend the Five Kage Summit?"
His blood surged, and his face twitched, but in the next instant the anger in his eyes receded. What replaced it was a heavy, chilling calm.
An escort was fine, because an escort had to leave Konoha. Once this person left Konoha, he wanted to see who would protect those disrespectful Branch Family members.
He had thought he would need to endure much longer, but now it seemed otherwise.
Not far away, Jiraiya and Tsunade also turned their eyes toward Yunchuan Hyuga. Jiraiya slowly frowned, while Tsunade first examined him, then seemed to realize something and shifted her gaze to Hiruzen Sarutobi with clear irritation.
Another round of political maneuvering. The old man was still the same.
Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared not to notice Tsunade's cold look and continued speaking. "Tsunade, Jiraiya, while I am away from the village, I need you to remain in Konoha and temporarily act in the role of Hokage."
"Do not worry, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado will assist you as advisors."
Tsunade paused, a complex look flashing through her eyes, before she gave a soft snort in acceptance. Since she had already decided to return, she had already made her choice.
With her body now affected by Hemophobia, there was little else she could do, but she could not bring herself to watch Konoha fall further into chaos. Holding down Danzo Shimura and others with hidden motives was still within her ability, given her status and experience.
As for Jiraiya, he had no objections at all. His return was less for Konoha and more for the prophecy of Great Toad Sage.
After all, Great Toad Sage had clearly foretold that the blue-eyed "Child of Prophecy" was in Konoha.
"Danzo Shimura." Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his gaze to Danzo Shimura. "Root must fully cooperate with intelligence gathering and the capture and research of Xu samples. There must be no mistakes."
Danzo Shimura nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"These are the decisions of this meeting," Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice. "The situation is critical. I ask all of you to set aside old grievances and work together to overcome this."
"Now, please cast your votes."
As Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room reached its peak. Compensation and reconstruction, police reform, the elimination of Xu groups, and the Five Kage Summit all concerned the future of Konoha and even the entire Ninja World.
With different thoughts in mind, hands slowly rose one after another.
Iroha Hyuga's Byakugan were fixed on Hizashi Hyuga, afraid the old man might suddenly object to Lord Yunchuan attending the Five Kage Summit. Many others were also watching in silence, curious about the reactions of the Hyuga Clan Main Family side and the Branch Family side.
Unexpectedly, Hizashi Hyuga remained unusually quiet. He even raised his hand slowly, just a bit later than Hiashi Hyuga, as if he understood that he could not stop it and had no choice but to agree.
"Since there are no objections," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a satisfied nod, "these decisions take effect immediately."
"After the meeting, please do not leave just yet. There is one more matter that requires everyone's attention. Just follow me."
With that, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood and headed for the meeting room doors, and the other Jonin rose and filed out behind him.
The heavy mood seemed to ease slightly as people moved, but the invisible pressure weighing on them did not truly fade. Yunchuan Hyuga followed behind Hiruzen Sarutobi at a measured distance.
Once they exited the meeting room into the open corridor, sunlight streamed through the windows and dispelled some of the gloom.
At that moment, Yunchuan Hyuga spoke, his voice clear as it reached Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Third Hokage, have the other members of the Four Kage responded?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not stop walking. He nodded, then shook his head.
"The Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure, Rasa, the Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, Onoki, Kumogakure's Fourth Raikage, and Kirigakure's Fourth Mizukage Yagura Karatachi have all agreed to attend the Five Kage Summit."
"However, there is still serious disagreement over the exact location and timing, and discussions are still ongoing."
His wording was careful, avoiding blunt terms, but the helplessness in his tone was obvious.
Sunagakure proposed the Eastern Great Dunes in Land of Wind. Kumogakure insisted on Cloud Thunder Gorge. Kirigakure preferred the sea, while Iwagakure demanded its own village interior.
Everyone had their own reasons and refused to yield. Safety, isolation, and convenience were all spoken of openly, while calculation and caution lay beneath.
The same was true for timing, as each side wanted to choose a moment when they were fully prepared and held the initiative. The talks had not even begun, yet the coordination was already filled with friction.
Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking and the two were about to reach the corner of the corridor, a gentle and distant female voice sounded behind him without warning.
"How about choosing Land of Demons as the location?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi stiffened, a chill racing up his spine as he turned sharply toward the voice. A hazy light was taking shape behind him.
It formed into the figure of a woman wearing pure white shrine maiden robes of an ancient and solemn style. Her long gray hair fell smoothly down her back, her features gentle and refined, and her calm eyes rested on Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Her body was not fully solid, carrying a translucent quality like a reflection on water. Aside from Yunchuan Hyuga, no one else behind Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed aware of her presence at all.
They only saw Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly stop and turn, his face filled with shock and uncertainty. Confused and alert, they followed his gaze but saw only the empty corner of the corridor.
"Hiruzen?" Koharu Utatane asked with a frown. "What is it?"
"Third Hokage?" Others echoed, equally puzzled.
Realizing that no one else could see her, Hiruzen Sarutobi grew more serious. Even before she spoke, he had sensed nothing at all, as if she had appeared from nowhere.
"I apologize, respected Third Hokage."
Miroku looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi's guarded expression and showed a faint, apologetic smile. Her gentle voice reached only those who could perceive her.
She bowed slightly and said, "I am the shrine maiden Miroku from Land of Demons. This is only a projection, and only you and the one behind you can perceive me."
"So please continue walking and do not reveal anything unusual."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at her for a moment, then exchanged a glance with Yunchuan Hyuga. He took a slow breath, composed himself, and turned to continue toward the outside of the Hokage Building.
The others followed, still unsure of what had happened.
"Once again, I apologize for the disturbance," Miroku said softly as she followed behind Hiruzen Sarutobi. "This projection is harmless, and I have no ill intent."
"At this moment, similar projections are appearing before the other members of the Four Kage, conveying the same proposal."
"On behalf of Land of Demons, I respectfully ask the five Kage to choose Land of Demons as the location for the Five Kage Summit."
"That land holds a special power that can block unnecessary observation by Zetsu. It may also offer a chance for true peace."
Her voice remained calm as Hiruzen Sarutobi listened in silence, his thoughts racing.