Chapter 70: The Prelude to The Third Great Ninja War
"The village now finds itself essentially 'divided in two,' with our faction and theirs standing on opposite sides following Sakumo's speech. This level of division is unprecedented in the history of Konoha. Madara's rebellion was a significant event, but it was the action of an individual, not a widespread political and social schism like what we're facing here today.",
"It's clear that something has gone terribly wrong during our time, straying far from the vision our teacher had and the path he set forth. We four must shoulder some of the responsibility for this divergence. That's why it's imperative that we work harder than ever to bridge this deep internal divide.",
"Should we succeed, we will have accomplished something truly historic for Konoha, achieving the unity our teacher envisioned. However, Sakumo, the Hyuga, and the Uchiha currently pose the greatest challenges to this goal. Once we 'navigate these obstacles', the medium and smaller clans, following them currently, will inevitably 'align' with us instead...", Koharu analyzed thoughtfully.
"However, what we can take solace in, amidst this situation, is our successful consolidation of strength and strategic positioning against them, thanks in large part to the late formation of their alliance.",
"But, this has been our collective achievement, with your leadership, Hiruzen, playing a pivotal role. We've effectively taken control of the village's administrative framework, encompassing its various branches outside of the two exceptions led by Hyuga and Uchiha.",
"The medical system thrives under Tsunade's influence and her enduring legacy, while the education system and several intelligence divisions, notably those led by the Yamanaka, are under our sway. The Anbu acts as a direct extension of your authority, Hiruzen, and under Danzo, Root is swiftly expanding its reach.",
"Economically, we hold a superior stance as well, bolstered by enduring contacts and relationships with the Daimyo, thanks to the efforts of the Utanane and Mito clans. Our financial resources outstrip those of any opposition, giving us a significant advantage...",
"With all these elements in our favor, we stand a strong chance of overcoming any opposition we face and truly unify the village as our legacy...", Koharu elaborated calmly, highlighting the strategic advantages and the comprehensive control they maintained across various sectors.
"You're correct, Koharu. And there's another aspect you haven't mentioned: we still hold the majority in the Ninja Council despite the recent opposition. This means that if, or rather when, the next shinobi world war breaks out against the other major villages, they won't be able to resist the Hokage's and Daimyo's orders to mobilize in large numbers for the war...",
"And then once engaged in war, we can strategically deploy members of the Hyuga and Uchiha clans to the front lines, ensuring they bear the brunt of the conflict first. This could significantly diminish their strength...",
Homura added coldly, his tone taking on a darker edge as he outlined a strategy that leveraged the upcoming conflict as a means to indirectly weaken their internal opposition.
The composition of the Ninja Clan's Council was a reflection of the village's major clans: Uchiha, Hyuga, Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, Aburame, Inuzuka, Sarutobi, and Shimura.
Despite the open defiance they now faced from their opposition, their faction — comprising the Sarutobi, Shimura, Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka clans — maintained a slim majority with a 5 vs 4 advantage on the council.
"The Ninja Clan Council was essentially a glorified platform for dialogue among Konoha's major shinobi clans, for a long time now, Homura. Instead of, in part, allowing them to present a united front on matters concerning their collective interests to the Hokage and village leadership, it served as another way for our interest group to 'salami slice' those hostile or natural shinobi clans gradually over time.",
"Something akin to negotiations on compensations for wartime service and other clan-specific issues wasn't a topic of discussion for a long time. Instead, in practice, the Council has long been an ineffective body. The Uchiha have often stood as the sole dissenters against our policies, but with clans like the Hyuga, Inuzuka, and Aburame maintaining a low profile and always giving concessions, the Uchiha clan was forced to obey us as well.",
"Not to mention how Hiruzen and I, as heads of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans, respectively, reinforce this alignment even further. Essentially, the council's potential to influence village policy has been minimal, serving more as a formal gathering than a real seat of power...",
"This organization has strayed from its intended purpose and logic behind its founding for decades. The reality is, that those four clans won't simply fall in line with us now because we hold a majority. Just as we wouldn't conform to their wishes if the roles were reversed... Now that those four have broken out of their shells, it is basically useless to try using it against them again. Instead, I think that they will have to join the war for other reasons this time."
Danzo clarified, providing a pragmatic overview of the Council's role and the dynamics within it, which further emphasized the control their faction had over the broader village politics.
The foundational mission of the Ninja Clan Council was to uphold the essential laws of the village that governed the interactions and business of the clans, resolve disputes through legal means, manage their relations, and legislate new rules related only to those nine clans.
This was intended to function somewhat akin to a regulatory cartel, ensuring that if any clan deviated from established norms, it would be collectively reined in by the others. However, this ideal was far removed from the council's actual operation, which displayed a marked bias against the Uchiha clan, and to a lesser extent, the Hyuga, Inuzuka, and Aburame clans.
This imbalance led to a council that, instead of acting as an impartial governing body, became a vehicle for the interests of the Hokage's Faction and its allied clans. Laws and regulations were applied unevenly, protecting the interests of the dominant clans while marginalizing others. Over time, the council ceased to fulfill its intended role of equitable governance and dispute resolution, effectively becoming an echo chamber for a select few.
"My point is, if we want Homura's strategic direction to work, we'll need to find alternative methods to compel them to join in large numbers. But don't worry, there are ways to achieve this. We could adopt a carrot-and-stick approach, leveraging both incentives and the threat of consequences. Additionally, applying pressure through the Daimyo and public opinion are other options as well...", Danzo concluded.
"No, Danzo, it's even more complicated than that. They've positioned themselves quite well this time around, probably deliberately too. The crux of the matter lies with the Jonin Commander position and their considerable Jonin forces.",
"During wartime, the Jonin Council wields substantial power, as Jonin forms the backbone of the village's military strength, elevating their status to the highest level. At the village's inception, the Council was endowed with significant authority in times of war and made it challenging even for the Hokage to interfere in their operations and established jurisdiction.",
"That was the case until we managed to assert control years back, but now, with Sakumo Hatake's emergence and the formation of their faction, the Council might return to its original intent, once again, operating more independently from my influence going forward...", Hiruzen interjected, his voice carrying a note of concern.
"In these few days following the election's outcome, I've delved into researching potential laws and regulations of that institution that Sakumo and them might try and use to our disadvantage and their advantage in the future, and the outlook is troubling to say at least.",
"It appears that during the foundational phase of our village's institutional framework many decades ago, Tobirama-sensei, their sole creator, may have been overly optimistic about the pace at which the civilian Jonin population would evolve and the distribution of the Council's membership by affiliation and type would as well.",
"He seemingly did not foresee a scenario where a coalition, particularly one spearheaded by the Hyuga and Uchiha clans, could assert such control as we've witnessed recently...", Hiruzen mused, his tone reflective.
Rising to stand on the terrace, pipe in hand, he gazed out over Konoha bathed in sunlight, his face marked by a growing weariness. The peaceful vista belied the storm of concerns swirling in his mind.
"Tobirama-sensei harbored reservations about the influence of large shinobi clans, and now, it seems, his worst apprehensions have manifested into reality...", He contemplated aloud.
"All of this highlights where their greatest advantage over us lies. The reality is, we won't be able to manipulate their deployment into the most dangerous battlefronts, nor can we downplay the contributions of their elites in the eyes of the village as we might have in the past...", Hiruzen admitted, his voice carrying an unusual note of openness. In a moment of lamenting, he set aside his usual 'sanctimonious' facade, openly expressing his concerns.
"As I reflect on recent developments, I can't shake the feeling that the Hyuga clan might have been orchestrating this from the shadows for a long time. Only now do I grasp exactly why that went for that position specifically and wooed all those small clans, and the magnitude of the oversight we committed and what we've truly lost by relinquishing that position stupidly.",
"When we initially seized control of it in the past through 'brute pressure', we assumed the matter settled and turned the organization into our playground. We failed to amend any of the hidden, original statutes that were left visible, statutes that could be turned against us...",
"Now, those very laws could be twisted in many ways and serve as weapons for Sakumo, the Uchiha, and the Hyuga to exploit, leveraging 'the rule of law' to our detriment, using 'moral' attacks against us and whatnot even during the times of peace, where it had less power.",
"They could even be capable of rallying all those civilian Jonin, traditionally supporting us there always, to their cause occasionally, after all, originally every Jonin truly did get less power per capita than it was established during the village founding during my reign...",
"Consequently, overthrowing Sakumo from his position has become an impossible task precisely for that reason..", Hiruzen spoke, his demeanor a mixture of regret and clarity.
As he articulated these thoughts, Hiruzen paced slowly across the room, hands clasped behind his back, occasionally stopping to gaze out the window or to thoughtfully tap the side of his pipe.
Each movement seemed to punctuate his contemplation, silent rage, regret, and dissatisfaction toward the Hyuga and Uchiha clans and the man known as the "White Fang".
"Darn, we've all underestimated the Hyuga... Hold on, wasn't that organization supposed to play that big part in determining the new Hokage originally as well?", Danzo's initial outburst of frustration, marked by his fist hitting the table, swiftly transformed into a moment of huge realization.
Rising abruptly, a mixture of shock and apprehension washed over him, only to be met by the sight of Koharu's and Homura's faces, frozen in a similar revelation. Hiruzen, with a nod, confirmed their worst fears, his expression etched with a resigned dejection as if knew it.
"Yes, it's true, Danzo. But there's no need to panic to that extent. As long as I remain in office and avoid any significant missteps, things should remain under control. However, this does mean I cannot consider stepping down until we've resolved the issue with Sakumo, at the very least. If we wish to ensure the transition of power to a candidate aligned with our interests, it's imperative that I stay on as the current Hokage for the foreseeable future...,"
Hiruzen spoke with a voice infused with determination, echoing a renewed fighting spirit and vigor. The importance of personally approving his successor as the next Hokage weighed heavily on him, as any alternative path threatened not just the cessation of his legacy but potentially his very existence, given the numerous internal adversaries he had garnered over his tenure.
Hiruzen understood that his command extended over a formidable force, comprising not only the shinobi below Jonin rank but also the Anbu and a majority of civilian Jonin, among many others.
These were individuals with whom he had fostered personal connections, guiding their development and awarding them various jutsus throughout their shinobi careers.
This network represented a considerable strength, potentially greater than that of the opposition. However, he was acutely aware that such force, while significant, would be rendered futile in the face of the impending war.
Resorting to internal conflict would only devastate Konoha, leading to heavy casualties and leaving them vulnerable to external threats. Other villages would not hesitate to take advantage of their weakened state.
Thus, Hiruzen recognized that the solution did not lie in leveraging his majority force against the opposition. The stakes were too high, and the potential fallout too great to the extent that it would be the end of their faction as well, not just the other side. The problem needed a smart approach, one that relied on intellect and cunning rather than sheer military might.
Therefore, almost as if musing aloud to himself, Hiruzen pondered, "Our path forward involves outmaneuvering them through strategic compromise. The Jonin Council wields considerable influence in wartime, yet our faction maintains a strong presence within it.",
"Leveraging our resources and standing, we could sway many of the smaller clan Jonins who sided with them in the recent vote. This way, during the forthcoming shinobi world war, while we'll consider their perspectives, they'll also have to accommodate ours.",
"It becomes a strategic game, where cunning and foresight prevail. Our objective should be to ensure they bear the brunt of the war's casualties and secure minimal glory on the battlefield. This requires meticulous planning, almost on the level as if we're strategizing against the other four great ninja villages in anticipation of the broader conflict ahead...",
Hiruzen concluded, pivoting back to face his companions. His expression was one of unwavering determination, marked by a resolve his friends hadn't seen in a long while, his eyes alight with a discerning, almost perilous, sharpness.
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