Konoha. Hokage Building. Council Chamber.
Seated below Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura shot a subtle glance at one of the elders.
Bang!
The elder slammed his hand on the table, veins bulging on his neck as he roared:
"We clearly ordered Senju Senra to exercise restraint and avoid large-scale conflict with the Rain! Yet he disobeyed orders! Unacceptable!"
"I propose that he be immediately stripped of his command and replaced by someone more capable!"
Several elders from the Senju faction glared furiously at him.
"Lord Hokage."
One Senju elder raised his hand, signaling his faction to stay calm before speaking:
"This battle was initiated by the Rain. Senra had no choice but to engage. Under those circumstances, his decision was justified."
"But—!"
The opposing elder tried to argue further—
Only to fall silent under Hiruzen's cold gaze, sweat instantly forming on his back.
He sat down, not daring to speak again.
Damn you, Danzo…
Hiruzen cursed inwardly.
Danzo's ambitions had not diminished in the slightest.
Composing himself, Hiruzen spoke calmly:
"This matter is not Senra's fault. Given the situation, he had no choice but to fight. And he won."
He paused briefly.
"However, he did violate orders. Therefore, his merits and faults cancel each other out."
The Senju elders clenched their fists in frustration.
But under the stern gaze of their leading elder, they could only reluctantly accept the decision.
Danzo's faction, likewise, did not press further.
Hiruzen's expression gradually grew serious.
"The Hidden Stone and Hidden Sand have already begun deploying forces into the Land of Rain. What we may soon face… is a four-nation war."
"The Rain are not our greatest concern—but Iwagakure and Sunagakure are formidable."
"Speak your thoughts."
Homura Mitokado spoke calmly:
"The Fire Daimyo is growing impatient. He has repeatedly urged us to send more troops to the Rain battlefield… and to incorporate the Land of Rain into the Land of Fire's territory if possible."
Across from him, Koharu Utatane glanced at Hiruzen.
Clearly, she was waiting for his decision.
Hiruzen's face remained composed.
But inwardly, he was furious.
This is sending more Konoha shinobi to their deaths…
Yet the Daimyo controlled Konoha's economy and resources.
He had no choice.
After a long silence, Hiruzen spoke:
"Send three thousand reinforcements to the Rain battlefield immediately."
"The remaining forces will be mobilized gradually in preparation for large-scale war."
"The frontline command will remain under Senju Senra."
"No!"
The current Uchiha clan head, Uchiha Lingkong, rejected the decision outright.
Hiruzen turned to him calmly.
"Oh? And what is your proposal?"
Uchiha Lingkong thought for a moment before replying:
"If command is given to the Uchiha, we will deploy—"
"Five elite jonin, fifteen jonin, thirty special jonin, and one hundred fifty chunin."
A massive force.
Hiruzen's eyes sharpened.
"And if it is not?"
Uchiha Lingkong answered indifferently:
"Then we will send three jonin, ten special jonin, and twenty chunin to assist."
Shameless.
The elders nearly wanted to tear his face off.
Hiruzen's eyelid twitched as well.
As expected… the Uchiha cannot be trusted.
"This matter is settled!"
Hiruzen declared firmly.
"Senju Senra will continue as frontline commander."
The Senju faction was overjoyed.
Uchiha Lingkong's face turned dark and ugly.
Danzo remained expressionless on the surface—
But inwardly, he was cursing.
Idiot!
If handled properly, they could have at least secured key positions even without command.
But this blunt demand had handed Hiruzen the perfect excuse to shut them out completely.
Hiruzen scanned the room.
Seeing no further objections, he nodded with satisfaction.
"Dismissed. Finalize the reinforcement lists immediately."
"Yes!"
The elders responded and left one after another.
The Senju faction departed with smiles.
Uchiha Lingkong snorted coldly and stormed out.
Hiruzen remained seated, watching their departing figures.
His eyes flickered with calculation.
War…
Was also a reshuffling of power.
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