"...?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu all looked at Shimura Danzō in surprise.
Weren't they discussing the Uchiha?
How had this suddenly shifted to Namikaze Minato?
Danzō coughed lightly, thoughts racing as he composed himself.
"Even if we decide not to strike first," he said evenly, "what if the Uchiha decide to move against us?"
"We must prepare for the worst."
"The war between Konoha and Kumogakure has ended. Minato remaining there is unnecessary. It would be wiser to recall him—along with a portion of our elite shinobi—to reinforce the village."
"As for the remaining forces at the front, leave them to Jiraiya to withdraw through normal channels."
The reasoning was sound.
Homura and Koharu both nodded.
"Danzō is right," Koharu said. "Better to be prepared than caught off guard."
Homura added, "At present, Orochimaru is the only top-tier combatant stationed within the village. Our defensive posture is thin. Recalling Minato is reasonable."
Hiruzen frowned slightly.
The logic was airtight—
And that was precisely what unsettled him.
Danzō's motives rarely ended at the surface.
Seeing Hiruzen hesitate, Danzō pressed on.
"Besides," he said casually, "you intend to pass the Hokage's mantle to Minato, do you not? He is young. This is a good opportunity for you to personally guide him—teach him what it means to lead as Hokage."
That line made Hiruzen's suspicion deepen.
Danzō… speaking of mentoring the next generation?
The so-called "Darkness of the Shinobi World" caring about cultivating a successor?
That did not fit.
"What?" Danzō asked coolly. "Is there an issue?"
He had sensed Hiruzen's doubt and wisely stepped back, tossing the decision back into Hiruzen's hands.
Hiruzen studied him for a long moment.
"…No."
He set the matter aside—for now.
"As it happens, I had similar thoughts."
Danzō inclined his head, smoothly shifting the topic.
"If we avoid force, how exactly do you intend to resolve the Uchiha matter? This time, they are serious."
Hiruzen inhaled from his pipe and exhaled slowly.
"The Uchiha issue must be resolved by the Uchiha themselves."
"I will summon Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Yashiro shortly."
"From what I know of Fugaku, this was not his doing."
"When they learn that the scheme originated from within their own ranks, they will not direct their anger toward the village."
"They understand the bigger picture. I believe they will restrain the radicals."
"And we will move swiftly to suppress the rumors."
"This is a sensitive period. Stability above all."
In Hiruzen's view, direct intervention from the village could provoke further escalation. Allowing the Uchiha's internal moderates to handle their own extremists was the cleaner solution.
After all, the clan was not united in extremism. Many still valued Konoha.
Especially Fugaku and Yashiro—men of influence who were pragmatic, not reckless.
With subtle support from the Hokage's office, the radicals could be contained.
Danzō narrowed his eyes.
"And the compensation and war rewards? Will you still withhold them?"
Hiruzen shot him a sharp look.
"Have you lost your senses? Continue provoking them now, and you might as well invite rebellion."
Danzō opened his mouth to argue—
But Koharu cut in.
"Enough, Danzō. Even if the rumors are suppressed, the Uchiha's reputation within the village has already been damaged. Our objective has effectively been achieved."
Homura added, "The compensation was theirs to begin with. Let it serve as restitution. Allow Fugaku and Yashiro to calm their people."
Danzō's gaze flickered.
He had no intention of letting the matter simply fade.
But debating further here was pointless.
Let them speak their words.
He would act in his own way.
"That settles it," Hiruzen concluded firmly.
He turned to Koharu.
"Koharu, travel to the Land of Rain front immediately. Finalize the peace negotiations with Iwagakure."
"Since this was not Ōnoki's scheme, we must secure terms before he realizes the truth and raises his price."
"If necessary, concede limited resources."
"I will personally visit the Fire Daimyō. While recommending Minato as the Fourth Hokage, I'll request funds for postwar reconstruction."
"A new Hokage's appointment will make the request difficult to refuse."
Hiruzen had chosen decisiveness.
Better to sacrifice a measure of resources now than allow chaos to fester.
Any shortfall could be offset through the Daimyō's financial support.
Peace first.
Recovery second.
Danzō nearly objected instinctively—
But swallowed the words.
His expression shifted between green and pale.
Hiruzen noticed.
"Danzō. Do you have objections?"
Danzō replied coldly, "Would you listen if I did?"
"No," Hiruzen said calmly. "I am the Hokage. This village answers to me."
Danzō's teeth ground audibly.
"…You'll regret this, Hiruzen."
He turned sharply and stormed out, slamming the office door against the wall.
Hiruzen shook his head.
"Age has done nothing to soften his temper."
He looked toward Homura.
"The rumors within the village are your responsibility. Suppress them quickly."
Homura smiled faintly.
"With Minato returning, I can take the opportunity to build momentum for him."
Hiruzen nodded.
He turned to the window, watching the dark sky before dawn.
A turbulent season indeed.
The storm had not yet broken—
But it was coming.
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