As the saying goes, a thousand people see a thousand versions of the same story.
In the same event, Kakashi Hatake saw a monster that suddenly appeared, Hiruzen Sarutobi saw a major crisis the Village might face in the future, while Danzo Shimura saw an important opportunity to change Konoha, and even the social status of all Ninja, and the order of respect between nations.
Danzo Shimura looked at the conclusion, a single sheet of paper from the investigation, his eyes burning like the sun.
A 0.3% chance of birth.
Let alone 0.3%, even 0.03%, the appearance of such monsters is an extremely important revolution for the entire Ninja World!
As early as the Konoha Hospital incident, Danzo Shimura had personally witnessed the battle between Ninja and Hollows.
After multiple detailed evaluations, these monsters, aside from their surprisingly fast regeneration and physical invisibility upon first encounter, had actual combat power ranging between Chunin and Special Jonin.
And they were more inclined towards the Taijutsu type.
For Ninja, this ability was not particularly formidable.
However, for the vast majority of ordinary people in the world, this was a terrifying beast far beyond their usual imagination.
For ordinary people, what's the difference between a Hollow and a Tailed Beast?
Both can only be dealt with by Ninja!
What does this mean?
A huge, continuous stream of missions!
These are mission targets that a complete squad can handle within an acceptable casualty range, yet their mere appearance is enough to throw an entire town into panic.
An almost infinite source of wealth!
"Bang."
Danzo Shimura could no longer contain his excitement at this thought. He slapped the table, stood up, and looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi beside him with red eyes: "Hiruzen, we must find the source of this Hollow virus!"
"Indeed, that's the top priority."
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't immediately grasp his meaning and instinctively nodded.
Then, he heard Danzo Shimura continue: "And then, we spare no effort to spread this virus throughout the entire Ninja World!"
"Exactly as yo..."
"Huh?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's words were cut off halfway when he suddenly realized something was wrong with the statement. He looked at his old friend beside him with a puzzled expression, as if asking, "Are you out of your mind?"
"Hiruzen, don't you realize yet? This is our chance as Ninja to truly change this world!"
Seeing his bewildered look, Danzo Shimura quickly urged: "You've only been Hokage for a few years, have you really started treating Ninja and civilians as equals?!"
"This is the era of Ninja, the world of Ninja!"
With such a great opportunity right in front of us, are you really going to suppress it and make Ninja continue to live their meager lives as before?
"Hiruzen!"
In his excitement, he was even speaking without thinking.
"Absurd!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at him with wide eyes, thinking, "Even if you dare to say such words, I wouldn't dare to agree. The Anbu and outsiders haven't been dismissed yet."
Under the 'physical' gaze of everyone, no matter what Hiruzen Sarutobi truly thought, he absolutely could not agree to Danzo Shimura's words.
Otherwise, there would be no room for maneuver.
At such a critical time for the world, how can we, Konoha, as an example to the Ninja World, only care about our own selfish interests and let this disaster run rampant!
"Danzo!"
"Go back and reflect properly! You reckless fool!"
Upon hearing this scolding, Danzo Shimura instinctively wanted to retort, but after clearly hearing his words, his previously fervent emotions instantly cooled down a bit.
He almost forgot the occasion.
However, his peripheral vision swept over the people present and the two familiar Anbu faces outside the window. A thought stirred in his mind, and he decided to make the most of the situation, immediately solidifying his stance as someone genuinely working for the welfare and interests of all Ninja: "What's wrong with those words?"
Our five Ninja Villages have been fighting and struggling for generations, all for the scraps left from the fingers of those ignorant, feudal nobles.
If resources were abundant enough, do you think Kumogakure would still want to fight us? Or Iwagakure would want to contend with us?
Danzo Shimura gradually calmed down, but his tone was still aggressive and confrontational: "War is merely the continuation of politics."
When politics reaches its peak, it's all for money and wealth.
Now that such a great opportunity is before us, are we still going to make Ninja strictly adhere to the Three Ninja Precepts?!
Upon hearing this, Kakashi Hatake subconsciously looked up at him.
Although under the powerful influence of Konoha's gambling, prostitution, and drug rings, no one in Konoha strictly adheres to the various rules established in the past, they still understand the reasons behind these requirements.
Ninja in the Warring States period were organized into clans. Most young Ninja had to go to the battlefield at the age of five or six, and there was endless infighting between clans, with countless underhanded tactics.
But the most important point was the lack of resources.
Ninja abstained from alcohol because alcohol required a lot of grain to brew, which was too extravagant and wasteful, and unnecessary for Shinobi Clans that were all focused on military strength.
As for lust and gambling, there's no need to mention them. For Shinobi Clans that threw all their resources into war, they had no reason to exist.
It wasn't until Konoha was founded and nations had stable borders that this clan-based warfare finally ceased, creating space for the 'Three Precepts' to permeate Ninja society.
At a fundamental logical level, it was all caused by money.
Now, the Ninja Villages of various countries have only been established for a few decades, and the shadow of these Three Ninja Precepts is almost invisible even on Ninja from the 'pre-Konoha era' like Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The old man was somewhat fond of women.
However, although Hiruzen Sarutobi was often confused about minor matters and not astute in major ones, years of experience had maxed out his political sensitivity skill points.
As soon as he heard Danzo Shimura's passionate speech, he somewhat understood what was going on and immediately took the initiative: "Such a major issue naturally needs to be decided at the full Konoha Jonin meeting. How can you make such a unilateral decision!"
At least for now, eradicating the Hollow virus must be Konoha's top priority emergency proposal.
As Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, his gaze swept over, and Homura Mitokado understood, nodding in agreement: "Exactly."
If it can't be eradicated, then we'll consider it from another direction, but it must be decided by all of Konoha together.
Utatane Koharu's reaction, however, was still half a beat slow, not realizing the unspoken conflict within. She spoke straightforwardly as usual: "Danzo's proposal isn't wrong. This is indeed an important opportunity for Konoha."
Expanding missions, expanding the Village, expanding the army, expanding the Ninja Academy.
This series of issues must be addressed in order.
The number of missions a country has determines the number of Ninja a Village has.
Kakashi Hatake reacted quickly, immediately kneeling and saying solemnly: "I will follow the Third Hokage's command."
Danzo Shimura frowned slightly at Kakashi Hatake's statement, instinctively a bit displeased—where did a junior like you get the right to speak when we elders are discussing matters?
However, upon seeing Aizen Yūsuke on the other side, the corner of his mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly.
Aizen, after all, was someone he had promoted.
Even if Kakashi made a statement, it was merely a superficial draw of three against three, and Hiruzen wouldn't gain any advantage.
However, just as Danzo Shimura was thinking this with confidence.
He heard Aizen Sōsuke say calmly: "Indeed, as the Third Hokage said."
Even if the spread of the Hollow virus is extremely severe, we must seize even the slightest possibility of eradicating it.
This is also for the safety of the Village.
At these words, both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura were startled simultaneously.
Kakashi Hatake, kneeling on one knee, stared in astonishment with his single eye, subconsciously glancing at Sōusuke, and immediately covered his face, looking as if to say, "What is this political idiot talking about?"
He had thought that Sōusuke, that idiot, would have made some progress after training in Root for a while.
Did only his strength improve?
Kakashi Hatake's perception of Sōusuke's political idiocy deepened further.
After those words left his mouth, Hiruzen Sarutobi's brief astonishment lasted only a moment, then a familiar, kind elder's smile immediately appeared on his old face: "Listen, Danzo!"
These are the words a young person with a Hokage's vision should speak!
I always said Sōusuke's breadth of vision far surpassed ordinary people, and it's true!
Danzo Shimura, however, was staring intently at Aizen, his old face flushed crimson, so choked up that he couldn't utter a single word.
How dare this fellow?!
His position, his research, his qualifications—every single one of these relied on Root to be rapidly advanced, and Aizen actually dared to stand against him at such a moment?!
The shame of being pecked in the eye by his own hawk in front of his old friend left him momentarily stunned, and it took him a long time to catch his breath before he roared: "Fool!!"
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi chimed in unhurriedly: "There's a proper order to things. You're getting old, why are you still acting like you did when you were young, with no progress?"
"Hmph."
Danzo Shimura gave a deep look forward, as if to imprint Aizen Sōsuke's kneeling figure into his mind, then flung his sleeves and strode out the door: "I am the one who truly dedicates everything to the Ninja and to Konoha."
If you can't make a decision now, you certainly won't be able to in the future.
"Hiruzen, you will regret this."
Hiruzen Sarutobi skillfully picked up his teacup, took a sip in front of everyone, and said expertly: "Danzo, I am the Hokage."
"Bang—!"
All that was left for him was the sound of a door slamming shut.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had won this round and paid no mind to Danzo's little tantrum, continuing to smile and appease Aizen.
Watching Danzo Shimura stride out the door, Aizen Yūsuke slightly raised his head.
A faint gleam flickered on his thick spectacles.
From the beginning of the research report, every word he said, whether about the abilities of the Hollows or their probability and circumstances of appearance, was the truth.
However, it was an inductive truth.
Precisely because a thousand people would form a thousand different impressions, Aizen Yūsuke painted a picture with words according to Danzo Shimura's psychology, inducing him specifically.
As for why he would act rebelliously at this moment, the reason was simple.
Currently, his Zanpakuto and Hollow plan were partially complete.
Therefore, his freedom within the Village naturally needed to be further increased.
Danzo Shimura, it was time for him to step aside.
While Konoha was holding a small meeting over the Hollow problem.
The Fourth Raikage of Hidden Cloud Village was also suffering from headaches due to the series of masked monster attacks in the Village recently.
"Clang!"
His heavy, lightning-infused gauntlet elbowed the table in front of him, splitting it into two and sending splinters flying across the office.
The Fourth Raikage roared, venting his anger, then paced continuously in the center of the office, looking furious yet helpless.
He turned his head and saw his dark-skinned secretary standing by, still deep in thought with a furrowed brow, and his anger immediately flared: "C!"
Do you still have time to daydream?
This is already the sixth incident this week, and it's that masked monster again!
Don't you in the intelligence department have any solutions?
A, also known as Ay, roared in a rough voice, looking like he was in a fit of impotent rage.
"Apologies, Fourth Raikage."
Without any effective intelligence, we are completely at a loss regarding this monster, and there's nothing we can do.
Saying that, C also sighed slightly.
A clever housewife cannot cook without rice. They didn't even have basic intelligence until now, so what could they analyze?
"What kind of situation is this? How many young people does our Hidden Cloud Village have to squander like this?" Ay clenched his fists, gritting his teeth in hatred, "If this continues, the entire Hidden Cloud will be wiped out in a few years!"
"It won't go that far, Fourth Raikage."
The risk is still controllable.
"Controllable isn't good enough!" Ay waved his hand, "If someone kills my people, I should kill all of theirs in return!
"
Otherwise, what kind of Raikage would I be!"
"Damn monster..."
The Fourth Raikage's words were truly from the heart, purely sincere.
Unlike Konoha, which occupied the fertile Land of Fire, Hidden Cloud Village, born in the Land of Lightning, had established its status as a powerful nation in the first two great wars, with military strength consistently ranking second and aiming for first in the entire Ninja World, but population had always been its weakness.
It was only through continuous governance by the Second, Third, and Fourth Raikage over the years, and targeted cultivation, that Kumogakure gradually rose to its current position by means of elite troops and reduced casualties.
Every promising talent in Hidden Cloud Village was dear to him.
But now, it was a mess.
Suddenly, a monster appeared out of nowhere, impossible to hit or find.
Unlike Konoha's diverse Shinobi Clan configuration, Hidden Cloud Village had no famous Shinobi Clans.
Konoha's Byakugan, Insect Release, dog breeding, and other associated high-efficiency sensory abilities were precisely what they lacked.
As for Sealing Jutsu, there was even less to say.
For years, even the Eight-Tails' sealing was like fireworks, continuously exploding, let alone diverse and expansive applications at the battlefield level.
The Hollows that a simple Anbu squad in Konoha could catch, they couldn't even find.
They were relying entirely on the Lightning Release Chakra Mode popularized throughout the Village to hold their ground.
It could be said they were extremely specialized.
"Please calm down, Fourth Raikage." C maintained his serious and calm expression, saying flatly, "Since it can temporarily be confirmed that this is a widespread disaster, not man-made, then other Villages are probably not having an easy time either."
At a time like this, we in Hidden Cloud must not lose our footing.
As soon as C finished speaking, Ay's bovine eyes, which had been flaring with anger, suddenly lit up.
"That's right."
"Other Villages!"
"Hmm?"
Hearing the Fourth Raikage's tone, C instinctively sensed trouble.
But before she could speak, she heard Ay already put his hands on his hips and said solemnly: "C."
In the name of Hidden Cloud, send a letter to Konoha, informing them that Hidden Cloud intends to communicate with Konoha regarding the masked monster problem.
A special envoy will arrive later, and we ask them to treat them well.
C's face immediately tightened a few shades, and she quickly said: "Fourth Raikage, Konoha is facing such a problem, and the internal tension is probably no less than in the past."
The Third Great Ninja War ended ten years ago. If there's a slight misstep..."
She didn't continue her sentence.
According to past custom, the Fourth Great Ninja War would be in the next few years.
"Ha."
Ay scoffed dismissively, waving his hand: "C, when it comes to strategic planning, I'm not as good as you. But when it comes to understanding Hiruzen Sarutobi, you're not as good as me."
That old man now has no successor and only wishes to die peacefully in office; he has no ambition left.
Don't be afraid, go ahead and ask boldly.
What we don't have, Konoha will surely provide us!
It's just Bloodline Limits and sealing jutsu, what's so great about them? We're not going to destroy their very foundation.
The intelligence we don't have, we'll just ask them for it directly!
Watching his Fourth Raikage wave his hand so casually and confidently, C couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
Indeed, their Fourth Raikage was a pure combat-oriented type, with muscles even in his brain.
However, these words weren't entirely wrong.
The Konoha under Hiruzen Sarutobi was no longer what it once was.