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"Third Hokagee-sama.''
Just as Hiruzen was deep in thought, Akimichi Todo, having regained much of his strength, spoke in a hoarse voice: "War—is it coming, isn't it?"
Hiruzen's train of thought was interrupted. Upon hearing Todo's inquiry, he couldn't help but sigh.
"Yes," he replied. "At least, for the time being, it seems so."
"We… cough cough! Cough!"
Todo suddenly felt a weight in his chest. Opening his mouth to speak, he erupted into a violent fit of coughing, splattering specks of blood onto the white sheets.
"Todo-senpai, don't say anymore!"
Hyuga Kumo quickly rose and stepped forward, offering Todo a tissue to wipe away the saliva and blood from the corners of his mouth, supporting him as he lay back down.
Then, Kumo turned to look at Hiruzen, who had fallen silent, his face contorted with anger. He spoke, "Third Hokage, the Cloud and Stone are pushing their advantage repeatedly! We can no longer hesitate!"
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen paused, head bowed, a bitter smile on his lips as he dispassionately said, "You're still young; you don't understand what war entails…"
"No, I understand."
Hiruzen was interrupted before he could finish. Raising his head instinctively, he was met with a pair of pure eyes, filled with resolve and determination.
"No one wants to face the brutal realities of war; my parents both died on the battlefield."
Their eyes met as Hyuga Kumo spoke solemnly, "However, we've already retreated again and again! There's nowhere left to retreat!"
Hiruzen's eyes flickered slightly as he slowly asked, "Why…"
"Because we have Konoha behind us—our family and friends!" Hyuga Kumo articulated each word with solemnity, "Third Hokage, please issue your orders! Even if I'm the only one, I'm willing to stand at the front lines!"
"If they want war, then we'll give them war!"
With this declaration, the entire hospital room fell into an eerie silence. Hiruzen, Koharu, and Todo all stared at Hyuga Kumo, their gaze lingering, the resolve in their hearts stirring with a spark of emotion.
They could hardly believe that these words had come from the mouth of a fifteen-year-old boy.
It seemed that these adults and old-timers were far behind a child.
"...Kumo."
After a long silence, Hiruzen seemed to have made a decision. His eyes sparkled as he locked onto Hyuga Kumo, asking seriously, "Do you dare repeat these words to others?"
"Yes." Hyuga Kumo nodded without hesitation.
Koharu, beside him, seemed to realize something and interjected, "Hiruzen, you wouldn't be thinking of…"
"That's right." Hiruzen nodded, "I'm going to bring this child to the Jōnin Council meeting."
"Third Hokage, that's not possible!"
Hearing this, Todo's face changed as he blurted out instinctively.
As a member of a ninja clan, he understood those also born into ninja clans all too well.
Even within the Akimichi clan, staunch supporters of the Hokage, there were still many who only cared about their own and their family's interests, refusing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of Konoha as a whole.
To put it bluntly, this was the "inherent flaw" of ninja clans. Their power essentially stemmed not only from wealth and military strength but, more importantly, from the monopolization of knowledge and culture, such as ninjutsu and secret techniques.
Ninjutsu was highly valuable, and it was difficult for ninjas of commoner origin to acquire such skills. Only ninja clans could firmly control these resources through internal family traditions and education.
Moreover, with mutual trust and support among the members of a ninja clan, they formed a powerful and extensive social network. This network not only helped them obtain higher positions in politics but also solidified their social influence, forming a fragile balance with the "Shadow."
But that was all.
"Todo-senpai." Hyuga Kumo spoke calmly, "I want to go."
Seeing Hyuga Kumo's calm and determined expression, Todo and Koharu were struck with mixed feelings.
"I didn't expect the often stubborn Hyuga clan to produce someone who could set aside clan interests."
After all, Todo had once been a companion of the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze. Under his influence, his sense of belonging to Konoha had surpassed that of his own family. Koharu, deeply influenced by the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, felt even more strongly.
It was precisely for these reasons that they knew what Hyuga Kumo's choice meant.
Hiruzen naturally understood this as well, and his gaze toward Hyuga Kumo grew even warmer.
"Let's go then." He patted Hyuga Kumo's shoulder and squeezed it gently, relieved. "Don't worry; you're not alone."
He was, after all, that Third Hokage, not yet completely corrupted.
Hyuga Kumo was right; since they couldn't avoid it, they couldn't afford to hesitate any longer.
He needed to manipulate Cloud into being seen as the instigator of the conflict, stirring up the rage of the Konoha ninjas and the daimyo of the Land of Fire, and then assemble forces from the ninja clans to strike first.
But plucking feathers from those ninja clans was no simple task. Even the Hokage couldn't forcibly order them to send their clan members to the battlefield to die; otherwise, those ninja clans would inevitably grow alienated and disobedient.
If Hyuga Kumo, a young ninja from a ninja clan, were to take the initiative…
The situation would be different.
But this also meant that Hyuga Kumo would become the spearhead, betraying both the Hyuga clan and the ninja clan faction.
It meant a complete severance from the Hyuga clan, or even complete abandonment of his own surname, forsaking the resources the Hyuga clan offered.
Before his death, Hizashi had entrusted Hyuga Kumo to Hyuga Hiashi. The resources he could draw from the clan in the future would far surpass those of ordinary ninjas.
Therefore, this was not a decision that could be made lightly, which was why Hiruzen and the other two were so surprised and relieved.
Was Hyuga Kumo really that noble and selfless?
Crack.
Hiruzen reached out and pushed open the conference room door, the light casting his shadow on the wall, along with the figure trailing behind him.
Bathed in the lights of the conference room, not only their two shadows were projected, but a row of swaying silhouettes lined the walls, some aged, some young, some mediocre, and others ambitious.
As Hiruzen walked in, everyone present rose in unison.
"Third Hokage."
The diverse voices spoke in unison, their tones ranging from anxious to somber to puzzled.
Although some were still unclear on the reason for this meeting, those with intelligence channels had already speculated.
Therefore, this sound of "Third Hokage" felt more like pressure.
A unanimous, synchronized pressure on Hiruzen, the Hokage.
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