"Hiruzen, this is a god-given opportunity!"
Danzo Shimura paced back and forth in the office, his cane tapping against the floor with a crisp clack-clack.
"We should strike with full force, join forces with Iwagakure, or simply kick them while they are down and cripple Kumogakure directly!"
"We could even annex part of the Land of Lightning's territory to expand Konoha's buffer zone."
"Why retreat? Why let the tiger return to the mountain?!"
"Because Konoha can't digest it."
Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his pipe, knocking the ash into the ashtray. His voice was steady, enough to be infuriating.
"Not to mention whether we could conquer it, but once we do, who is going to guard it?"
"We've already committed even our Genin; do we have anyone else left?"
"Once we can't hold it, the other four nations, who are watching like tigers, will swoop in to reap the benefits."
"Besides, Danzo! You only see Kumogakure's weakness, but you fail to see their madness."
"Don't you understand the principle that a cornered army will fight with desperation?"
Danzo Shimura stopped in his tracks and sneered, "A bunch of defeated remnants—what is there to fear?"
"Indeed, they aren't scary, but it's unnecessary."
Hiruzen Sarutobi reloaded his pipe, his gaze becoming somewhat obscure through the smoke.
"Their Kage is dead."
"If Minato and Aokawa led people to pursue them now, blocked the Fourth Raikage A's path home, or severely injured Killer Bee…"
"Who do you think those lunatics from Kumogakure would blame for this debt?"
Danzo Shimura was stunned for a moment, then frowned, "That's war. Why do we need to care about who they hate?"
"Of course we need to care."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up, walked to the massive map of the Ninja World, and drew a line between the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning.
"Right now, the Third Raikage died at the hands of Iwagakure. That is a blood feud."
"As long as we don't interfere, the flames of this hatred will all burn toward that old fox, Ōnoki."
"For the next ten, or even twenty years, Kumogakure and Iwagakure will be locked in a life-and-death struggle."
As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around, his gaze as sharp as a blade.
"But if we make a move now, taking advantage of their plight…"
"This hatred would be shared."
"Furthermore, if we push Kumogakure into a dead end, that hot-headed Fourth Raikage A might just drag us in Konoha down with him."
"Sacrifice Konoha's Ninja to feed the flames of Kumogakure's revenge just for a few pieces of land we can't hold?"
"Is this your strategy?" Danzo Shimura was stumped.
He opened his mouth to retort, but found Hiruzen's logic impeccable.
But he was unwilling to accept it.
"Then we just watch? Let Kumogakure recover its strength?"
"Recover its strength?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled, a cold, calculating glint in that smile.
"Their Kage is dead, their main forces have suffered over fifty percent casualties, and though their Jinchuriki is alive, he is also severely wounded."
"Even the Two-Tails is in our hands."
"With this level of trauma, they won't recover for ten or twenty years."
"Moreover, a Kumogakure that is too weak is not good for us."
"The fertile land Konoha occupies is a battlefield for the four nations; too many people covet it."
"If Kumogakure were truly broken, and Iwagakure had no restraint, then Ōnoki's tail would be wagging in the sky."
"At that point, facing an uninhibited Iwagakure, Konoha's pressure would only increase."
"The best situation is to let them tear each other apart."
"An injured wolf and a cunning stray dog—let them fight in the same cage."
"We only need to sit on high and watch the show, and sell some Ninja Tools on the side. Isn't that better?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi walked back to his seat and sat down, radiating an aura of total control.
"Minato and Aokawa did very well."
"They showed our strength, hurt Kumogakure, and made them afraid to covet the Land of Fire."
"And they stopped at the critical moment, releasing this injured beast back to bite Iwagakure."
"This is politics, Danzo."
"War is the continuation of politics. All strategies must serve politics."
The office fell silent again.
Danzo Shimura gripped his cane tightly, his knuckles turning white.
He had to admit that Hiruzen was right.
But he hated this feeling.
He hated the stifling feeling of having won, yet still having to worry about this and that.
"You are old, Hiruzen."
Danzo Shimura snorted coldly and turned to walk toward the door.
"The shinobi hero of the past wouldn't have been so convoluted."
"You're just afraid—afraid of loss, afraid of sacrifice, just wanting to hold onto your little nest egg and get by."
When he reached the door, Danzo Shimura suddenly stopped, turned his head, and a flash of greed appeared in his single eye.
"That Aokawa."
"Since you don't want to use this blade to kill, then give it to me."
"Root happens to be missing a tool that is this useful."
"I have read his intelligence reports; his methods are ruthless, his mind is meticulous, he is a natural fit for Root."
"Hand him over to me, and I will hone him into Konoha's sharpest dark blade."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand, which was lighting his pipe, paused slightly.
His originally peaceful gaze instantly became sharp, and an invisible pressure of Chakra permeated the office.
"Danzo!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was low, carrying an undeniable warning.
"I will say this one more time."
"Aokawa is a Ninja directly under the Hokage."
"Pull your claws back."
"Don't force me to turn against you."
Danzo Shimura felt the pressure coming from behind and a disdainful sneer curled at the corner of his mouth.
"You will regret this, Hiruzen."
"That kind of sharp blade, if not held tightly in one's hand, will cut oneself sooner or later."
"I am the Hok—"
Bang!
Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could finish, Danzo Shimura had already slammed the door and left without looking back.
As the footsteps faded away, the office returned to peace.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the still-vibrating door panel, took a deep puff of his pipe, and then slowly exhaled.
Amidst the swirling smoke, he leaned back in his chair, exhausted.
"Regret, huh…"
He picked up a detailed battle report about Aokawa on the desk.
It recorded that astonishing amount of Chakra, that unseen spirit particles Ninjutsu, and that terrifying battlefield dominance.
"The blade is indeed very sharp."
"But if it were a whetstone like Root that only knows how to kill, it would only ruin this blade."
Hiruzen Sarutobi locked the report into the bottom drawer, his fingers tapping gently on the desk.
"Come in."
An Anbu appeared instantly in the corner of the room.
"Send an order to the front lines."
"Tell Minato to bring Aokawa back to the village immediately to report for duty."
"Also…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, a flash of shrewdness in his eyes.
"Compile the battle merits of this child, Aokawa; I want to personally award him."
Since it is a good blade, let him stand in the sunlight.
Let everyone see who this blade belongs to.
This, too, is a part of balance.
"Also, have Shikaku and the others come over; we need to discuss the Chunin Exams…"
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"