Filthy Gamer in Narutoverse

Chapter 32: The Calm Before the Storm (2)

Chapter 32: The Calm Before the Storm (2)

One would think that the Hokage has it all. Strength, power, probably women aside from their wife or at times, wives, wealth beyond belief. But not him. Not the Hokages it would seem as Hiruzen felt cursed. He'd had a boy last year, Asuma Sarutobi, and what he wouldn't give away to be with him... what he knowingly refused to give away. Hiruzen was aware of his vices by now.

He had strength, yes, but it was shackled by a desk and a hat of power. He had political power, sure, but it was shackled by the council of clans and the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. He had a wife, yes, but keeping them parted was a mountain of paperwork that he CHOSE to do. He had wealth, not beyond belief, but he and his clan were certainly rich yet, he couldn't spend it on himself or shower his family with the love they deserved.

He chose to be here. He would argue, for the good of the clan. But Hiruzen was being increasingly perceptive that the reason was a bit too personal... a bit too selfish. He enjoyed this. The frustration in his veins as he sat in front of the three elders, his comrades from war, as they bickered about anything and everything. He was innocent before but... that's power for you. It's seductive, far beyond his wife's touch. It's corruptive, far beyond an Uchiha's Sharingan. Hiruzen felt he could keep it at bay and he was succeeding at that, but the fact that he refused to give it up even after more than 10 years with already quite several prospective candidates ready to take over the position made it clear... he had changed.

When? Sarutobi didn't know.

But he had changed.

"I propose to enlist Chunin Kai into war missions," Danzo's words broke Hiruzen out of his thoughts as Homura and Koharu grew silent. They... had their fears about the boy. His growth was monstrous and their little control over him due to his affiliations with the Uzumaki Clan and the Senju Clan. But they knew that Hiruzen won't take the news kindly. All of them could perceive his changes but a few things remained the same.

The Will of Fire, as dictated to others, also remained in Hiruzen Sarutobi but he wondered if it had been twisted. It couldn't be, right? The thought of sending a child... to a war...

"And I propose you're out of your goddamn mind!" Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, obviously aware of the fears of his friends but before they could berate him, he added coldly, "And I also propose one Anbu unit is enough under the Hokage as all Root does anything different is the added seal mark that I allowed you to put on the men and women of Konohagakure. I also propose that men and women ill in mind be removed from the Advisory Council of the Elders because if you're suggesting to send a child to war, contradicting the very thing that formed this village, then you're out of your damn minds!"

Danzo, Koharu, and Homura instantly felt stifled with his chiding, fully knowing that there are a few things Hiruzen would never budge for or would be persuaded in favor of. Danzo frowned and gritted his teeth, "Kai killed his first prisoner without an ounce of trauma. He has shown enough talent and my sources are 20 sure that Team Tsunade has already started to train in Nature Transformation and if his previous record and growth indicate anything is that he will be ready for war. Would you keep away such a prospective jonin away from war when he could work for the village and save as many allies as possible?"

But sweet and flowery words won't have any effects as Hiruzen inhaled the 'stuff' from his pipe to calm his nerves before he does something stupid like stripping Danzo of his position and spoke a bit more calmly now, "Yes, I would keep away such a boy from the impending war."

The straight refusal made Danzo feel a little bitter. But he only felt like that for a second as Koharu frowned and added, "Hiruzen... as much as I understand your concerns. The war may make us lose sight of some internal problems. The Uzushiogakure has refused our call for assistance and refuses to participate in a war, claiming that they will have no hand in another wave of bloodshed. And given how the other three villages have long torn away from the pretenses, they are fortifying their borders quicker than we are... and now there's the problem of Uchiha."

As Hiruzen had expected before, Uchiha would want to support the village when Tsunade's actions of funding the village through the Senju Treasury became apparent. Hiruzen thought he knew the deeper problem that the Senju clan was being targeted by mysterious forces. The Uchihas stepped up by enlisting their young chunins for war forces. Well, it was clear that Hiruzen was just a few months away from ordering them either way, but their act of voluntarily doing this made the elders curse Uchihas. This wouldn't have happened if the Senju and the Uchiha weren't showing signs of cordiality most beneficial for the village but... terrible news for the elders.

Hiruzen narrowed his eyes. Cordial or not... Uchiha had a complicated history. A past that made the present fear them. After all, they were just one Madara away from destroying the village and from what it looks like, a new Hashirama is too rare to come by again.

'No... there already are a few candidates that WILL surpass me...' The first thought of Hiruzen went towards his own three disciples.

Tsunade with her Iryo-nin and massive strength threatening even the likes of Kages alongside her naturally strong body and healing factor due to her Senju Kekkei Genkai.

Orochimaru with his unorthodox and unpredictable fighting style that makes it harder to counter him and his interest in jutsus unheard of makes him a threat to the uninformed.

The meaning was clear. They'd have to act like Hanzo's butcher and cull the populace against his tyranny while they themselves will be the tyrant who will have to occupy some advantageous locations...

"You're suggesting that Konoha starts the war," As usual, quick to pick on and not beating around the bush, the Aburame clan head concluded calmly.

There was silence in the council at the moment. Hiruzen noted the flashes of silent indignation on many. Most notable of them came from the Akimichi head, Tsunade, Yamanaka, and Shikudo himself. But Hiruzen knew that everyone on the table understood one thing. The moment the enemy finds their sweet time to start the war, they will be utterly prepared. Konohagakure is strong. Arguably, the strongest. But if the three manage to reach the level of preparation they felt enough to face Konoha, then Hiruzen felt they would have to face tremendous losses while defending themselves.

"The First Hokage," Hiruzen looked a little thoughtful. He wouldn't have done this but things were shifting and if he wanted to remain on top of it... he must give the credit when deserved, "And Madara Uchiha created the village so that no child faces a war without them meaning to."

Many shuffled in their seats and even Yata Uchiha looked a bit speechless before a gratifying smile touched his lips which were in stark opposition to Danzo's thinned lips and his eye narrowed in a reproachful look.

"The Second Hokage appointed me the Third Hokage before sacrificing his life against the forces deployed by Third Raikage during his coup against the Second Raikage. Konoha is built on the spirit of sacrifice and if it means sacrificing our morals, our values, and even our lives to protect the lives of our future generation so they may grow safely... we must do what is necessary."

Hiruzen took a deep breath. He had witnessed large battles but never had he witnessed or even initiated a war. Yet, here he was.

Strangling the last bit of hesitation, Hiruzen remarked unexpectedly quietly for such a shaking action, "Prepare the men for the Diplomatic Missions. All of you will now answer to the orders related to war and the relevant clan privileges will cease until the war is successfully passed. Every A-rank and above Diplomatic mission must be completed successfully with failure not being an option."

His cold words filled the room in chilling silence as they all quietly stood up and bowed, indicating their acceptance of the situation without any squeak of resistance.

***

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