Chapter 83: The Uninvited Guest
"Then it's settled," the Third Hokage declared, rapping his knuckles on the desk to finalize the decision. "We will publicly release the full context of the incident. Furthermore, we will actively manage the village's sentiment."
With Sarutobi Hiruzen setting the official tone, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu immediately moved to carry out his orders. As long as Danzō didn't actively sabotage their efforts from within, this response would be more than adequate.
For his part, Danzō had no intention of causing internal strife—not over this. He wanted a war, but not a reckless, self-destructive one. He was not that far gone. Yet.
Of course, in the wake of the revelations, the public's attitude toward Akatsurugi was inevitably mixed. The hard, undeniable fact remained: he had killed two Kage. Danzō watched this development with quiet satisfaction. As long as the people's faith in their "Blaze God" was fractured, that was a victory. The ideal scenario would be for the other villages to be so enraged they actually declared war, solidifying Akatsurugi's role as the man who shattered the peace. In that future, Akatsurugi would never be more than Konoha's attack dog. The thought brought a rare, cold smile to Danzō's face.
Returning to his Root headquarters, Danzō felt a surge of clarity. Whether war came now or later, the next major conflict would be fought under the banner of avenging the Third Raikage. Akatsurugi would forever be the lightning rod for that hostility. His political future, if he'd ever had one, was now ashes. And if Hiruzen faltered in navigating this crisis... the path to the Hokage's seat would be clear.
Content with this analysis, Danzō found his appetite had returned.
Soon, the Hokage Tower issued an official bulletin detailing the ambush in the Land of Demons. The narrative was a clear defense of Akatsurugi's actions. Many villagers, upon reading it, had a moment of realization. He was ambushed by three Kage? What was he supposed to do, not fight back?
Yet, there were dissenters. Why did he have to kill them? Couldn't he have just escaped? A Kage is a symbol of their village. Rubbing their faces in the dirt like this... what does that mean for our future?
Public opinion on Akatsurugi had shifted irrevocably, from unadulterated hero worship to a complex, fractured image.
From the shadows, Danzō observed the result and nearly laughed aloud. A man with such a tarnished reputation could never compete with him for the Hokage's hat. He hadn't even needed to lift a finger. If Akatsurugi were ever so foolish as to try, Danzō wouldn't hesitate to "revisit an old script."
Akatsurugi himself paid the murmurs no mind. He remained at home, deep in training. In the end, without absolute power, all words were meaningless.
The diplomatic storm arrived on Konoha's doorstep. Envoys from Kumogakure, Iwagakure, Kirigakure, and Sunagakure presented themselves at the gates, their purpose as transparent as it was menacing.
"Lord Third Hokage," the Kumo envoy began, his voice a blade sheathed in false civility. He slammed a hand on the conference table for emphasis. "Akatsurugi of your village, in blatant disregard for the peace, murdered the Kage of our nation. Does Konoha not owe us an explanation? Or does the Hokage truly wish to ignite a war?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face was a mask of grim stoicism as he regarded the four envoys. The representatives from Iwa and Suna were clearly just along for the ride, eager to scavenge whatever they could from Konoha's potential misfortune.
Just as Hiruzen was formulating a careful reply, the door to the conference room was thrown open. Akatsurugi strode in, his presence instantly sucking the air from the room.
He had known the envoys were coming. It was a classic play: pressure and extortion. The threat of a war on four fronts was enough to make any village, even Konoha, hesitate.
The Third Hokage frowned at the interruption but said nothing. He was the Hokage; he would not debase himself by arguing with mere messengers.
"What explanation is required?" Akatsurugi asked, his tone deceptively light as he scanned the room.
The Kumo envoy visibly shrank under his gaze. In Kumogakure, the name "Blaze God" was spoken with a mixture of hatred and terror. He was the man who had slain their masters, their Jinchuriki, and now, their strongest Raikage in history. Facing him directly was a chilling experience.
Akatsurugi's eyes slid past the trembling Kumo ninja and landed on the Suna representative. A cold sneer twisted his lips.
"What's this? The Sand Village has the audacity to join this farce?" he asked, his voice dropping. "Do you truly believe your desert fortress makes you safe? If it's an 'explanation' you want, I would be happy to deliver it to you in person. Believe me, it wouldn't take me long to fly over."
The Suna envoy was stunned by the direct, brutal arrogance. But the man had the power to back it up. The key was his mobility; he could fly. Damn it, the envoy thought, a cold sweat breaking out on his brow. Why is he targeting us? Kumo is the one leading this charge! I haven't even said anything!
But seeing the deadly chill in Akatsurugi's eyes, his courage failed. The Blaze God's reputation was written in the blood of Kage, not built on decades of diplomacy.
"A-A misunderstanding, Lord Akatsurugi!" the Suna envoy stammered, forcing a dry laugh. "The Sand Village is not here for that! We... we have a shipment of rare ore we wish to discuss for trade!"
Akatsurugi glanced at him. "If you're here for trade, then leave. Our trade department will contact you."
The Suna delegation didn't need to be told twice. They gathered their things and practically fled the room without a backward glance.
Watching them go, the Kumo envoy seethed inwardly. Cowards! No wonder the Land of Wind is the poorest of the Five!
The Suna ninja, once outside, let out a shaky breath. The elders had warned him to have an exit strategy. The pressure radiating from Akatsurugi was simply too immense. He had seen the man fight on the battlefield; his fear was deeply personal.
With the Sand Village gone, Akatsurugi turned his gaze to the Iwa envoy. He smiled, a flash of white teeth that held no warmth.
"I still have a score to settle with Ōnoki. Are you certain you want to demand an 'explanation' from me?" He didn't wait for an answer, his voice dropping to a calm, lethal whisper. "Let me be clear. Every single person I have ever set my sights on has died. Without exception. The Third Raikage is merely the latest proof of that."