Chapter 140: Chapter 140: Old Faction, New Faction

Office of the Hokage.

Yuto sat in the corner, holding a pen and paper, listening and writing, much like he did in meetings in his previous life.

In the office, the top officials of Konoha Village were gathered. Hiruzen, the elder advisors, clan leaders, the heads of the Konoha Hospital, and the barrier team...

Counting Yuto, there were a total of seventeen people.

"Suna is close to collapsing," Hiruzen said softly. "You all saw the truce request they sent a few days ago. What are your thoughts? Let's hear them."

Danzo immediately responded, "We should cease the war with Suna. The puppet masters are difficult to deal with on the battlefield, and our troops struggle to penetrate that desert country."

"I agree," Fugaku sided with Danzo this time. "Due to last year's rescue operation, Kumogakure is temporarily allied with us. If we appease Suna as well, Konoha's only enemies left would be Kirigakure and Iwagakure. The former is leaderless, and only the latter is worth worrying about. We might be able to end the war this year."

The top officials voiced their opinions, and the suggestion to end the conflict with Suna received widespread approval.

This was the third year of the war, and everyone had lost friends and family on the front lines. Just last week, Fugaku held a funeral for his uncle.

Hatred turned into numbness, and numbness into pain and exhaustion.

The top officials of the ninja villages were not hidden politicians but shinobi who could join the fight at any moment, making them more aware of the horrors of war.

"Alright," Hiruzen nodded. "Let's have the Land of Wind submit a negotiation letter. Their new Kazekage is called... Rasa? A fine young man, it takes great courage to bow one's head."

The Hokage nodded to Danzo. "Danzo, as usual, you'll draft the ceasefire agreement."

"Fine," Danzo replied with a cold smile. "We'll have the Land of Wind provide war reparations and a certain number of puppet technique scrolls..."

The discussion about the ceasefire agreement with Suna quickly concluded, with high efficiency. All the officials didn't want to continue fighting with this desperate and impoverished enemy. With unanimous agreement, Hiruzen easily pushed it through.

[Agree to the peace negotiations with Suna and let Danzo Shimura draft the detailed treaty.]

Yuto wrote this down and continued to listen to the next topic.

This was the third day of the new year and the first high-level meeting of Konoha's 58th year.

In recent days, Hiruzen had publicly praised Yuto in many settings as an "indispensable right-hand man for the next generation Hokage," even granting him the privilege to listen in and learn during high-level meetings.

This wasn't a hint; it was a clear indication.

"Minato Namikaze will become the Fourth Hokage, and Yuto Hyuga will be a core member of the new power structure." Everyone in Konoha knew this within the first two days of the new year.

With Orochimaru gone, and Jiraiya and Tsunade uninterested in the Hokage position, no one could compete with Minato.

"...Therefore, the operation against the Moon God remains temporarily shelved." The last topic of the meeting concerned the Moon God. Out of caution, Hiruzen chose not to provoke them.

"Does anyone else have something to say?" the Hokage asked, a normal procedure before adjourning the meeting.

"Hokage-sama," Yuto raised his hand, scratching his head apologetically. "I have some thoughts..."

"Yuto, feel free to speak your mind," Hiruzen encouraged with a smile. "It's good that you have insights so early in your participation."

"Yes, Hokage-sama," Yuto turned and spoke softly. "Elder Danzo, regarding the peace treaty you drafted, is the Land of Wind's only price just money and puppet scrolls?"

"Yes," Danzo frowned. "The economy of Sunagakure is very underdeveloped. These demands are already a burden for them, as were the demands in the First and Second Shinobi World Wars."

His tone was unpleasant. Yuto's first suggestion targeted his responsibility, making it seem like a deliberate affront, even if it was for public interest.

"Reparations are fine, but I think... instead of money, we should ask for a place."

"Where?"

"Iron Foot Mountain," Yuto said calmly. "It's on the border of the Land of Wind, close to the Land of Fire. It has a high yield of special metals used for puppet joints."

"We take this mountain, making it harder for Suna to produce puppets. They would either have to spend time and effort finding other mines or buy from us."

The officials paused, considering Yuto's suggestion.

"Impossible!" Danzo shouted. "Completely impossible! If we demand Iron Foot Mountain, Suna will refuse and continue fighting us."

"Then let them fight," Yuto said expressionlessly. "We'll fight until Suna is completely destroyed. Everyone knows that with the Land of Wind's fragile economy, they will fall first. The new Kazekage is pragmatic; he will compromise."

"You..." Danzo's expression changed. "You're too extreme, Yuto."

"This isn't extremism; it's maximizing the gains from war."

"Nonsense!" Danzo growled. "This could lead to uncontrollable consequences. Absolutely not!"

Yuto nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly changed his attitude, sneering. "So, such a proposal could lead to uncontrollable consequences... But Elder Danzo, your suggestion last month to 'release the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to destroy Amegakure' seemed like an irresponsible and extreme suggestion too."

The office fell silent. The officials glanced at Danzo, then at Yuto, realizing Yuto's real intent was to reprimand Danzo!

As for why he dared to challenge an elder so openly, everyone understood the reason.

It was clear Minato heard something on the front lines and instructed this before leaving.

He was risking his life on the battlefield, deterring enemies alone, while Danzo plotted to send his beloved girl to her death. Even a mild-tempered person like Minato would be furious. If his temper were worse, he might have used the Flying Thunder God technique to come and kill Danzo overnight!

As for why Yuto stood up for Minato, it made perfect sense to everyone.

Minato was expected to become Hokage this year, and Yuto, as his most capable and loyal subordinate, had to suppress the current advisors of the Third Hokage.

This was his duty, and also an unwritten rule in the village. Otherwise, Minato would become Hokage with no one listening to him, turning him into a figurehead—a colossal joke.

The transition from old to new, the clash between factions, was, in a way, proof of Konoha's thriving condition.

(End of Chapter)