Everyone waited for Hiruzen Sarutobi's response.
Unexpectedly, the Hokage showed no displeasure. Instead, he nodded at Danzo Shimura in acknowledgment.
"What Danzo said is a real possibility."
"So our messaging cannot be absolute. We can't claim complete control. We must emphasize the Jinchuriki's sacrifice for the village."
"We need the villagers to separate Kushina from the tailed beast."
"That way, even if some still feel fear, they can maintain respect."
Hiruzen's expression grew serious.
"I will speak with Lady Mito. When necessary, we will assess Kushina's capacity as a vessel. If she cannot bear the full chakra of the Nine-Tails, then we will find a way to reduce it."
"We do not need to seal the entire Nine-Tails. Even if the remainder cannot be utilized, we will not consider it a loss."
"Only controllable power is true power. Anything excessive is merely instability."
Danzo kept a blank face.
Monkey, why don't you just say, "I'm the Hokage"?
All this explanation. Do you think that makes you sound reasonable?
"We must be clear about one thing. Even without the Nine-Tails, the foundation left to Konoha by the First, the Second, Lady Mito, and our predecessors is already more than solid."
"Konoha stands on the shoulders of those who came before us. We do not necessarily need a Jinchuriki to counter another Jinchuriki."
"As their successors, we must shoulder responsibility as well. Lady Mito's existence is priceless to the village. She is worth far more than a single Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
"Does anyone object?"
At that moment, Hiruzen's gaze sharpened. His eyes swept across the room like blades.
He looked nothing like the warm elder from moments ago.
"Where the leaves dance, fire endures. Old branches may nourish new leaves, but their continued presence is itself the strongest root Konoha possesses."
He turned to Koharu Utatane.
"Koharu, this starts with the Academy students. They must understand the Will of Fire correctly. That's crucial."
Sacrifice and dedication deserved respect and reverence.
But they could not be the only theme.
Those who had already given everything to the village, he as Hokage, and the village itself, had an obligation to let them rest when they grew weary.
He wasn't speaking only of Mito Uzumaki.
Even if it required additional resources, Hiruzen firmly believed the long-term benefits were immeasurable. It would strengthen Konoha's unity. It would allow the Will of Fire to seep deeper into the shinobi world.
That alone would mark a triple contribution in authority, diplomacy, and education.
And who said the battle of ideas was not a battlefield?
Everything had to be done step by step.
"I understand. I'll draft a revision outline for the Academy curriculum as soon as possible. It will further elaborate on the Will of Fire and expand on the history of the Uzumaki Clan."
Koharu answered.
In truth, she still had doubts. Years in high office had rooted the notion of shinobi as tools deep in her mind. It was not a perspective that changed overnight.
But she could read the room.
Hiruzen's seriousness left no room for challenge. If she raised objections now, she suspected she would be publicly reprimanded in a way she could not recover from.
Several political labels might start flying her way.
She glanced at Danzo and thought, Even he isn't speaking up.
Then Danzo opened his mouth.
"Hokage, I support the proposals you've outlined."
"Now, regarding the Third Raikage… his Lightning Style Armour is extremely troublesome. He withstood a Tailed Beast Bomb with his body and still rose to continue fighting the Eight-Tails."
"While I'm confident my Wind Style can wound him, the enemy will not leave him unsupported."
"If such an opponent breaks into our formation during wartime, the casualties would be unimaginable."
Danzo smiled inwardly.
Hiruzen, how will you handle this?
In organization, policy, morale, you've performed decently lately.
But don't forget, you are Hokage. That makes you the most visible target in Konoha.
Your retaliation against the Hidden Cloud Village was successful.
But the Third Raikage's personal heroics also cast a shadow.
If the enemy's Raikage is that formidable, what about you?
I know your intelligence, Hiruzen.
With your style, you don't have a clean solution for him, do you?
I am Konoha's strongest Wind Style user.
This line of questioning wouldn't shake Hiruzen's authority outright.
But it would highlight Danzo's own importance.
And lately, Danzo felt something unsettling. Hiruzen was far from absolute in Konoha, yet the momentum around him was growing.
He needed to interrupt that rhythm.
Don't look so all-encompassing.
"Though he is a potential enemy, the Third Raikage is indeed extraordinary. To refine Lightning Style Armour to that level is unprecedented in shinobi history."
Hiruzen acknowledged calmly. "He is difficult to deal with. If war breaks out with the Hidden Cloud, your Wind Style would indeed be a strong counter, Danzo."
Danzo's heart swelled with quiet satisfaction. His brows, however, knotted with feigned concern.
"For the village, I will train with everything I have."
"But battlefields are unpredictable. I may not always be the one to face him."
The implication was clear.
So the Hokage might not match the Raikage in single combat?
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed.
Danzo was evolving quickly. He'd learned to circle his target instead of charging straight in.
No longer hiding in the darkness of Root, he'd grown sharper standing near their teacher.
Jiraiya was far more straightforward. His fingers twitched as if he might slam the table.
"Even if the battlefield is chaotic and you don't make it in time, there's no need to worry, Advisor."
Hiruzen's voice remained level.
Then lightning erupted from his body.
Lightning Style Armour.
"And there is still me, the Hokage."
Danzo's faint smile froze.
You've got to be kidding me.
The lightning around Hiruzen intensified. His hair stood on end. His muscles tightened beneath his robes.
Hizashi Hyuga, who had remained silent, felt his pulse quicken. He activated his Byakugan.
He had intended to offer polite praise.
Instead, his pupils contracted.
"It's only been a few days… and the Third has already activated his body to this extent?"
"Don't flatter me, Hizashi." Hiruzen smiled. "I'm nowhere near the Third Raikage. He's immersed himself in this path for decades. The technique is easy to begin, but refining it is slow, grinding work."
Then his tone shifted.
"But it suits me well. If one year of my training equals five of his… then in the next great war, I'll give him a surprise."
The words were calm.
The edge beneath them was not.
Jiraiya rubbed his chin, baring his teeth.
"Sensei, you're always calling me reckless…"
"Would you like to test it for your teacher?" Hiruzen turned toward him, lightning crackling across his frame. He gave his mischievous student a disturbingly gentle smile.
"Sensei, I was wrong!"
Jiraiya flattened himself against the table like a tiger pinned mid-leap, hands waving frantically.
Rumor had it there was a move within Lightning Style nintaijutsu that involved lifting someone and slamming them into the ground.
The old man probably wouldn't go that far.
Probably.
But what if he did?
Sometimes survival meant knowing when to surrender.
Orochimaru's eyes shone with excitement.
This relentless, forward-driving Hiruzen was the Hokage he admired. The man who was both teacher and father.
"There have always been many geniuses in Konoha," Hiruzen said softly.
In the next instant, his hand came to rest on Danzo's shoulder.
"But they all once called me a genius."
He smiled faintly.
"Danzo… wouldn't you agree?"