Chapter 105: Konoha

The next morning, early.

Just as the Uchiha camp quietly prepared, Tōnami Koharu returned, weary from travel.

Seeing the authorization from the Daimyō before him, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally allowed himself a faint smile, then began preparing for the afternoon’s Jonin meeting.

“Koharu, Mizukado En.”

“This matter is of great importance to us.”

“The Uchiha camp is too tightly sealed—we cannot discern their intentions. Today’s Jonin meeting, all of us must remain vigilant to prevent Uchiha Jin from exploiting the situation.”

“I’ve secretly recalled all eligible guardian ninja from the border.”

“I’ve temporarily promoted several elite Chuunin from our family to Jonin.”

“Itachi two must settle these people in. Their votes of confidence in today’s Jonin meeting will be our trump card.”

“Go.”

With that said,

Sarutobi Hiruzen pulled three thick stacks of Jonin promotion orders from his desk drawer and handed them directly into Tōnami Koharu’s hands.

And yet,

Tōnami Koharu and Mizukado En showed no hesitation whatsoever; they took the promotion orders and left immediately.

Clearly,

They knew whether this plan succeeded would determine whether they could retain control over the village’s power in the future. Thus, they had no doubts and fully cooperated with Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Immediately after,

Sarutobi Hiruzen furrowed his brows. After long contemplation, he summoned an Anbu.

He wrote a letter on the spot, handed it to the Anbu, and spoke with grave seriousness: “Deliver this letter to the Root ninja. Make sure they contact Danzō as quickly as possible.”

“Also, tell Root this: this moment is critical. Danzō himself need not return.”

“But the Anbu’s strength must be placed under my command—strictly limited to today’s Jonin meeting.”

“Go!”

The Anbu took the letter, bowed, and withdrew.

Only after this Anbu had truly left the Hokage’s office did Sarutobi Hiruzen finally exhale in relief.

Meanwhile,

Jiraiya leaned against the window, arms crossed, watching Sarutobi Hiruzen issue orders—but his eyes were filled with helplessness and sorrow.

He did not approve of such underhanded tactics.

He even looked down slightly on Sarutobi Hiruzen; in his view, his teacher’s methods were not as upright as Uchiha Jin’s.

But, sigh!

Thinking of the situation he was about to face, Jiraiya let out a helpless sigh.

It was this sigh that drew Sarutobi Hiruzen’s gaze.

Sarutobi Hiruzen’s face darkened, a flash of cold light in his eyes; then he pulled out a new pipe, lit it, exhaled smoke, and spoke calmly to Jiraiya.

“Jiraiya, don’t blame me.”

“In times of crisis, extraordinary measures are needed. My methods may be unsavory, but everything is for the village’s survival.”

“I’ll bear all the filth. Itachi know nothing of it. Just wait patiently to become Hokage.”

“I’ll leave Itachi a clean village.”

His words were heartfelt.

It seemed as if Sarutobi Hiruzen truly wished to shoulder all guilt to give Jiraiya a clean village.

Yet, he had to admit that Jiraiya actually believed him.

He looked at his teacher with deep gratitude: “Master, Itachi’ve suffered so much.”

“All for the village,” Sarutobi Hiruzen said calmly, his voice heavy: “I promised Tobirama-sensei—I must protect the village.”

“Where the leaves of Konoha fly, the fire shall never cease.”

“The flame will continue to illuminate the village, and spur new leaves to sprout.”

“Now, I am burning myself to light the path ahead for Itachi, Jiraiya, this new leaf.”

“The rest—Itachi need not concern yourself with.”

As he spoke, Jiraiya was deeply moved.

Yes!

Even if his master’s methods were dirty, they were all to illuminate the village’s future—this stirred Jiraiya’s heart intensely.

After a deep breath, he spoke solemnly.

“Master, rest assured.”

“I will protect the village. I won’t let your efforts be in vain.”

“The evil Uchiha—I won’t let them succeed!”

Jiraiya’s face was stern, his eyes edged with killing intent.

Previously, he had struggled to understand why his master and others had always been wary of the Uchiha.

Now, he understood.

There was nothing major at stake—he had personally gone to plead for reconciliation—and yet those damned Uchiha still refused to make peace.

Truly, evil Uchiha!

And yet,

Sarutobi Hiruzen was thoroughly satisfied, and dismissed Jiraiya to prepare.

However,

Only after Jiraiya had truly left did Sarutobi Hiruzen relax, leaning back in his chair and taking another deep drag of his pipe.

Now truly at ease, he watched Jiraiya depart, a cold smirk curling on his lips.

…

Afternoon, two o’clock.

The Jonin meeting officially began; numerous Jonin arrived.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Konoha high command were on high alert, their minds racing—how would the Uchiha break this deadlock?

This silent contemplation continued until the meeting commenced.

Then—

Sarutobi Hiruzen froze in shock.

Because neither the Uchiha nor any of the other great clans had shown up.

Yes!

Not even a single representative had come—leaving him utterly dumbfounded.

“Where are the Uchiha?”

“Where are the other great clans?”

“Why didn’t they come?”

At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen was beginning to crack.

He knew well—if these clans did not attend, even if they forcibly pushed Jiraiya into the Hokage seat, it would feel illegitimate from then on.

However,

In response to Sarutobi Hiruzen’s fury, the meeting hall fell into dead silence.

Especially—the Hyuga clan!

Aside from Sarutobi’s four families and civilian ninja, only the Hyuga had chosen to attend—leaving every member of the Hyuga clan feeling strange, deeply uncomfortable.

There was no help for it.

All other clans had banded together; only the Hyuga stood out, like a crane among chickens.

But there was nothing they could do.

Because of the Caged Bird Seal, Danzō despised the Hyuga’s branch family, and the main family had only a few members—impossible to send them into Root.

Under these circumstances, the Hyuga had no reason to ally with the Uchiha.

Not to mention,

The Hyuga and Uchiha had always been rivals—they would never voluntarily join them.

But damn it!

Looking at this bizarre scene, Hyuga Hiashi was truly embarrassed.