In the Hokage's office, besides the Third Hokage, Danzo, and the other two Hokage's Advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, were all present.
Homura looked surprised, "Hiruzen, what's the occasion today? You've gathered all of us."
Koharu frowned and asked, "Is war about to break out?"
"There is indeed a rather serious situation," The Third nodded and clapped his hands. "Minato, please come in."
Minato entered the room and greeted everyone. "Hokage-sama, esteemed elders."
The Third said, "Minato, please tell the elders about the events you encountered during your recent mission."
"Yes," Minato began recounting the mission's events. After omitting some minor details, he quickly reached the part about the ambush.
Hearing that Kumogakure had devised a method to restrict his Flying Thunder God Technique, the expressions of the three elders darkened considerably, evoking unpleasant memories.
"After all these years, Kumogakure still only knows these underhanded conspiracies," Danzo said with a sinister tone.
The others glanced at Danzo somewhat speechlessly, feeling that such words lacked credibility coming from him.
Koharu coughed lightly and asked, "When our Sensei died back then, was he also tricked by similar means?"
"More or less," The Third nodded slightly and said gravely, "Over the years, I have consistently sent spies into Kumogakure to investigate the details of that coup."
"Our Sensei couldn't escape using Flying Thunder God back then, likely because he was poisoned with a substance that weakens perception during the alliance ceremony. The Second Raikage was also poisoned, which is why he showed no reaction to Gold and Silver Brothers' surprise attack."
"So it was poison after all," Homura nodded. The Second Raikage's strength might not have matched the Third Raikage's, but he was still a top-tier Taijutsu expert. It was unreasonable that he couldn't even resist his subordinates' surprise attack back then.
"Perhaps even Sensei himself never imagined his Flying Thunder God Technique could be restricted in such a way," Koharu sighed.
Indeed, those who understand you best are often your enemies.
Minato continued, "After we narrowly escaped, we quickly returned to Yugakure and discovered the Jashin Cult was preparing a blood sacrifice. They had hired Kurosuki Raiga, one of Kirigakure's Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and offered the Second Hokage's Sword of the Thunder God as payment..."
"What? Sensei's Sword of the Thunder God?"
All four were visibly moved. Given their status and positions, there were few situations requiring their personal intervention.
However, the Sword of the Thunder God held more symbolic significance than practical use. It was the Second Hokage's relic, representing legitimacy in a sense.
Minato knew Setsuna intended to keep the Sword of the Thunder God, but he couldn't omit this part. He could only deliberately say, "Of course, it was a replica. I know the real Sword of the Thunder God is here in Konoha."
The expressions of Danzo and the others were quite subtle, 'Didn't we know whether the Sword of the Thunder God in the village was real or fake?'
As for the other Sword of the Thunder God Minato mentioned, they actually found it plausible.
Although they considered the Seven Ninja Swordsmen's strength negligible, they trusted their judgment in evaluating swords and ninja tools… they were professionals, after all.
If Raiga treasured it, that Sword of the Thunder God was highly likely to be genuine.
Danzo asked directly, "Where is the Sword of the Thunder God now?"
Minato hesitated before saying, "Naturally, it was kept as a trophy by the person who defeated Kurosuki Raiga."
"Absolutely not," Danzo stated firmly. "The Sword of the Thunder God must not be allowed to remain outside."
Minato tried to argue, "But that was just a replica-"
"I can tell you, the Sword of the Thunder God in the village is the replica."
Seeing Danzo speak so definitively, Minato could only sigh. "I understand. I will speak with Setsuna and ask him to transfer the Sword of the Thunder God to you."
"You said his name was who?" Danzo's expression changed drastically upon hearing this.
"Huh? His name is Chiaki Setsuna," Minato was somewhat confused, 'I know Elder Danzo's bandage covers his right ear, but is his left ear not working well either?'
"Chiaki Setsuna? That Genin whom Hiruzen exceptionally promoted?" Homura frowned slightly. "This is absurd. How can such a precious ninja tool be held by a child? I think Danzo is right..."
However, Danzo coughed violently several times and then changed his tune: "But then again, if the Sword of the Thunder God Sensei lost is retrieved by a child from our village, isn't that the passing of the torch? If it's fate's guidance, let the sword remain in his hands."
Homura and Koharu looked at Danzo in shock, as if seeing their old friend for the first time.
'Were these words truly coming from Danzo's mouth? Or was he scheming something?'
Danzo felt his old face burn under their stares and hurriedly changed the subject. "Cough, that's right. Earlier, you mentioned being surrounded by over a hundred Kumogakure's Ninjas, including the next Raikage candidate and the Eight-Tails' Jinchuriki. How exactly did you escape the encirclement?"
Minato repeated what he had told Kakashi and the others a few days prior.
The corner of Danzo's mouth twitched slightly as he inwardly shouted, 'That brat is indeed becoming more and more monstrous!'
Simultaneously, he felt a wave of relief and lingering fear, 'Thank goodness I didn't actually force Minato to pressure him.'
'Otherwise, given the strength the brat had displayed, he genuinely might have been able to kill me outright.'
'Most crucially, that brat's mental state was indeed abnormal.'
'Although Kumogakure ambushed them first, there was no formal declaration of war. Most people, even if they had the chance to kill A, would at least consider the potential consequences.'
'But according to Minato's description, that brat showed no regard for the bigger picture and nearly tortured the Third Raikage's son to death.'
'If such a mentally unstable brat felt he was treated unjustly, it wasn't impossible for him to kill me and then defect from the village.'
Sure enough, after listening, Homura frowned and said, "His actions were somewhat lacking in consideration. Killing numerous Kumogakure's Ninjas and one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Raiga Kurosuki, could easily escalate tensions between us, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure. A better approach would have been to take prisoners. That way, the village would have more leverage in international negotiations."
Danzo coughed several times again. "Homura, I actually think your view is too conservative. When the enemy bullies us to this extent, should we still care about their opinion? If war comes, then let it come. Hasn't Konoha always fought against multiple enemies in every Great Ninja War?"
Homura stared wide-eyed, 'Is this really Danzo? Is he not an imposter?'
Danzo sighed helplessly. He was desperately trying to save himself.
The Third smiled slightly. "Danzo is right. Constantly yielding will only make the enemy think we are weak and easy to bully. I intend to leave Kumogakure with a painful memory, one that will preoccupy them and prevent them from harassing us for some time."