Leading Naruto to Destroy the World - Chapter 35
“Outrageous!”
“Absolutely outrageous!”
“This is sheer audacity! If Mirai dares to kill the envoys of the Hidden Cloud Village today, he’ll dare to kill us tomorrow!”
“Hiruzen, we cannot allow him to continue running wild!”
In the Hokage’s office, Koharu Utatane trembled angrily, her rough hand repeatedly slapping the Hokage’s desk.
Her spittle almost reached Hiruzen’s face.
The impact of this event was too severe. Did Mirai still have any respect for them? For Konoha?
“Koharu, you should calm down a bit. Can’t you see that Hiruzen is already stressed out by this issue?”
Homura Mitokado glanced at her with some helplessness.
Koharu was always like this. When she got worked up, her voice was the only thing one could hear in the Hokage’s office.
“Homura! Don’t you understand the gravity of the situation? This is a major diplomatic incident! If the Raikage learns about this, he might restart the war out of sheer anger.”
“The Raikage already knows.”
Danzo’s voice was cold.
???
Koharu and Homura both looked at him, full of bewilderment.
What?
They hadn’t even sent the news yet, so how did the Raikage know?
“I had Danzo send people to inform the Raikage.”
Hiruzen, who had been silent, finally spoke.
The first sentence he uttered stunned Koharu and Homura.
“Hiruzen, are you sure about this? In such a major incident, shouldn’t we first lock down the information and then discuss a countermeasure?”
“Informing the Raikage so quickly will put us at a disadvantage!”
They were pretty confused.
Even the recently furious Koharu was now scratching her head in bewilderment.
Hiruzen’s action seemed too hasty.
They hadn’t even had time to react.
“It couldn’t be hidden.”
Hiruzen shook his head.
“Rather than letting the Raikage find out on his own, it’s better if we inform him first. It might help alleviate his anger.”
If the Hidden Cloud Village’s envoys died in Konoha, the Raikage would likely be furious.
This event was undoubtedly a slap to the Raikage’s face.
Of course, there was another crucial reason Hiruzen didn’t mention.
By directly informing the Raikage, he could control the narrative.
By slightly altering the details, he could guide the Raikage’s reaction.
For instance, in the message sent to the Raikage, he placed nearly all the blame on Mirai.
The part about Cloud Village kidnapping Hinata was glossed over. The cause of the conflict was attributed to a clash between Mirai and the envoys, which eventually led to bloodshed.
Would the Raikage find out?
Hiruzen hoped not.
Why would the Hidden Cloud Village’s envoys sneakily kidnap Hinata on the night of the ceremony?
A little thought would reveal something fishy.
Perhaps the envoys had a special mission in Konoha.
Hiruzen’s narrative could help the Raikage save face.
He achieved his and Danzo’s goal by focusing the conflict on Mirai.
“What surprised me was the Raikage’s strong demand that the Hyuga Clan take responsibility for this incident.”
Hiruzen’s face looked troubled.
If it were just Mirai, it would be easier to handle.
He was alone, with no backing.
Whether through suppression or targeting, handling him could be straightforward.
But involving the Hyuga Clan complicated matters.
“Hiruzen, I believe the Hidden Cloud Village is after the Byakugan. They’re targeting the Hyuga Clan for this reason.”
Danzo’s one remaining eye glinted coldly.
With his insight, he could guess the Raikage’s intentions.
Since the envoy team was dead, the Raikage might as well force Konoha, using the threat of war to obtain the Byakugan.
Hiruzen rubbed his temples, feeling a headache.
This was his concern as well.
He even suspected Mirai had anticipated this and used it to bind the Hyuga Clan and himself together.
They couldn’t avoid involving the Hyuga Clan if they wanted to deal with Mirai.
“Hiruzen, don’t worry. Things might not be as complicated as you think.”
Danzo’s scarred, ugly face twisted into a sinister smile.
His left eye, blinded by Mirai, was a constant reminder of his hatred.
This scar was one of the most humiliating moments of his life.
His hatred for Mirai had reached its peak.
“Even though Mirai saved Hinata, Hiashi Hyuga will know that one daughter is less important than the entire Hyuga Clan.”
“Moreover, to appease the Raikage, they don’t necessarily have to give up a Byakugan. As I understand it, the Hyuga Clan’s Caged Bird Seal can destroy the Byakugan.”
“So, the Raikage’s demand isn’t too excessive for the Hyuga Clan.”
“We can still focus the conflict on Mirai.”
Listening to Danzo, Hiruzen’s furrowed brows gradually eased, and his worried face relaxed.
He felt a bit relieved.
It seemed Danzo had learned from his previous failures.
It wasn’t a waste to lose that eye after all.
“So, how do you suggest we handle this?”
Hiruzen wanted to hear Danzo’s opinion.
“Simple, convene a high-level meeting and have Mirai attend.”
Danzo’s lone eye gleamed with a predatory light.
“Since he caused this trouble, he should resolve it himself. Killing foreign envoys and bringing war back to Konoha is a crime he cannot bear, even as Minato’s brother.”
The more Hiruzen listened, the more relaxed he felt.
What Danzo said made sense. Killing foreign envoys and bringing war to Konoha was a crime Mirai couldn’t bear.
Once this charge was solidified.
It wouldn’t matter that he was Minato’s brother or Naruto’s uncle. The villagers wouldn’t forgive him.
The best approach was to be transparent and use the pressure from the ninja clans and high-level leaders to force Mirai to submit.
After all, no one wanted another war.
“Do as you say!”
“Moreover, we need to guide the public opinion in the village. A criminal endangering the village must be condemned by the villagers.”
Hiruzen took a deep drag on his pipe, exhaling a cloud of smoke, which helped him finally relax.
Last time, his reputation plummeted because of the Naruto incident.
This time, he would ensure Mirai enjoyed the same fate.
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