When news reached Kumogakure that A and the Eight-Tails jinchūriki, Killer B, had been captured alive, the response was immediate and decisive.
Within a single day, Elder Tsuchidai assumed authority over the village's affairs. Frontline forces were pulled back into defensive formations. The Two-Tails' jinchūriki—still in the midst of learning to control her beast—was dispatched to stabilize the border.
At the same time, a diplomatic delegation was sent straight to Konoha.
Danzō had only just returned from the Land of Rain, so this was the first he was hearing of it.
"Alive?" His lone eye gleamed. "They captured A and the Eight-Tails jinchūriki alive?!"
In that instant, he saw it clearly—
An opportunity.
The perfect chance to crush Kumogakure in one decisive stroke.
But before the excitement could fully bloom, he noticed something unsettling.
Hiruzen.
Homura.
Koharu.
Their expressions were wrong.
A chill crept up Danzō's spine.
"You've already met with the Cloud delegation?" he asked sharply.
Koharu nodded.
"They arrived yesterday. Their demand is simple."
"Release A and the Eight-Tails immediately."
"Otherwise, Kumogakure will launch total war. No compromise. No retreat. Mutual destruction."
Danzō snorted.
"Bluster."
"They've lost their two greatest combat assets. What exactly are they planning to use for mutual destruction?"
Hiruzen tapped his pipe against the ashtray before answering.
"You know as well as I do that the shinobi of Kumo are… volatile."
"When they say they'll burn everything down, it's not an empty threat."
Danzō scoffed. "That barbarian persona is an act. They—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
His gaze sharpened.
"You didn't agree to their terms… did you?"
"Not yet," Hiruzen replied evenly, releasing a thin ribbon of smoke.
For a heartbeat, Danzō relaxed.
Then Hiruzen finished the thought.
"But we will release them."
"The only question is how much compensation we can extract."
Silence.
Then—
"You what?!" Danzō exploded.
"What are you thinking?!"
"Everyone here knows the state of Kumogakure!"
"Their Two-Tails jinchūriki isn't even perfected!"
"They've lost their strongest field commander and their Eight-Tails!"
"Their military is crippled!"
"And instead of crushing them while they're down, you're discussing trade terms?!"
Danzō could not comprehend it.
Konoha—the strongest village in the Five Great Nations.
Since when had it become so timid?
Homura raised a hand calmly.
"Danzō, you're looking at this too narrowly."
"This isn't just Konoha versus Kumo."
"If we escalate, the other three villages benefit."
"We are still in a standoff with Iwagakure."
"Ōnoki is not a man who misses opportunity."
"One misstep, and we could find ourselves fighting on two fronts."
Danzō's expression did not soften.
"Ōnoki is opportunistic, yes. But he's pragmatic."
"Given the choice between a weakened Kumo and a powerful Konoha, he'll carve flesh from the weak."
"Anyone with sense would."
Hiruzen shook his head.
"You underestimate him."
"Yes, he values profit."
"But he understands balance."
"He would prefer a weakened Kumo—"
"Over an unchecked Konoha."
"If we break Kumogakure entirely, the next blade may turn toward Iwagakure."
"In that case, they would rather ally with Kumo than watch us dominate."
Hiruzen knew very well that Kumo's recklessness was calculated.
The very fact that they could set aside the death of the Third Raikage to pursue advantage proved it.
They understood one thing clearly:
Konoha did not want another war.
So they pushed.
And pushed hard.
Danzō's voice turned cold.
"Cowardice."
"Even if Iwa joins the field, so what?"
"We've held advantage against them throughout this war."
"We are not afraid."
"And Kirigakure?" Hiruzen countered, tapping the desk.
"They are isolated overseas. They can retreat or strike at will."
"We forced them back—but they never surrendered."
"If we clash again with Kumo—or worse, Kumo and Iwa—do you believe Kiri will remain idle?"
"And Sunagakure?"
"They shift like sand. Do you trust them not to seize advantage?"
Hiruzen's tone hardened.
"This war has lasted too long."
"It is time for Konoha to recover."
"The decision stands."
Danzō opened his mouth again—but a single look from the Hokage shut him down.
"Do not forget," Hiruzen said quietly, "you are currently under disciplinary restriction."
"You advise. You do not decide."
Danzō's face darkened.
So soon.
The consequences had arrived.
Hiruzen did not look at him again.
"Now," he continued, "another matter."
"The forces facing Kumo in the Land of Hot Water and those stationed against Iwa in the Land of Rain will remain deployed for now."
"But the Kirigakure front has quieted."
"It is time for that army to rotate back for rest."
He paused meaningfully.
"You all understand the special nature of that front."
"Speak."
Unlike the other battlefields, Konoha's forces against Kirigakure had been dominated by clan troops—
Primarily the Uchiha and Hyūga.
Traditionally, returning armies were welcomed with ceremony.
Celebration.
Public praise.
But Hiruzen had long grown wary of the major clans' influence.
After such achievements in battle, allowing them to return to grand public acclaim…
Would only strengthen their political standing.
And beyond ceremony—
There remained the far more delicate issue.
How exactly should their merit be rewarded?
Because praise—
When mishandled—
Could become power.
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