Chapter 28 - Council Meeting
Later that day.
Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen rubbed his temples after reading a report passed to him from Tsunade, who gave him an earful along with it.
"Hayabusa."
A fully geared Anbu appeared out of nowhere, kneeling in front of the Hokage's desk.
"Hokage-sama."
"Is this report accurate?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama. We've already checked the site of the conflict. Everything checks out."
"And the barrier team?"
"Nothing strange was reported."
Hiruzen sighed and then spoke his next command.
"Call an emergency council meeting."
"Affirmative, sir."
Disappearing as fast as he appeared, the Anbu went to perform his task.
Hiruzen took a puff of his pipe, calming himself down for the confrontation ahead.
"I really hope, it wasn't you, Danzo..."
About ten minutes later, the three counselors made their way into the Hokage office. Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and finally Danzo Shimura.
As the three took their seats, Koharu was the first to speak.
"What's this about, Hiruzen? Why an emergency meeting? Is the war heating up again?"
Hiruzen stood looking out the window, but after hearing the question from Koharu, he promptly sat down while eyeing Danzo.
"Hayabusa, Kawasaki, leave us."
Although no visible movement was seen in the room, everyone could tell that the two named individuals were no longer present in the room.
Homura and Koharu looked at each other, wondering if the other knew what was going on, but neither did. Danzo simply sat still with his eyes closed.
Hiruzen took a draw from his pipe and then picked up the report from his desk and placed it in front of the council members.
The councilors took turns reading the report, first Homura, then Koharu, and finally Danzo. With each subsequent read, the councilors had a surprised look on their face, with the exception of Danzo, who simply put the report back down after reading it and returned to being a stone statue.
Hiruzen didn't miss his reaction, or rather his lack of reaction. He gritted his teeth and raised him a simple question.
"Danzo, did you do this?"
Homura and Koharu gasped while raising an eyebrow toward Danzo. The man himself, however, showed no significant reaction. He simply opened his eyes and sneered at Hiruzen.
"What are you talking about, Hiruzen? The report clearly detailed who the perpetrators were."
Stress marks appeared on Hiruzen's forehead as he slammed his palm on his desk.
"Enough! Danzo! You may think I'm going senile but clearly, the one who's lost their mind is you! How could you do this!? How dare you target an academy student who hasn't even graduated! Do you want a civil war!?"
"Hmph! Useless trash, the one opportunity we had while Sakumo was away, and they couldn't even kill a retired ninja and one little girl. Hiruzen, you know as well as I do that we needed to send a message. The Senju are getting out of control! That Towa Senju in particular is dangerous, ever since she joined the elder council among their clan, she's stolen away your little student. Don't you dare deny it! Just look at how she used this incident to further strengthen her clan!"
"Danzo, you fool! The Senju are our allies! I turned a blind eye to what you did during the second shinobi war, but no more! How dare you treat sensei's kin like this!"
"Haha, and you call me senile. Tobirama-sensei would have done the same thing, anything for Konoha! The Senju are a volatile variable, same with the Uchiha! The only use they have left for us now is the revival of Wood Style under my control. Otherwise, both clans must be dealt with to ensure the longevity of the village. What I did is for Konoha!"
"'Your' control? Enough! That's enough out of you! Out of respect for our friendship, I will not pursue this matter, but you are not allowed to lay a hand on the Senju clan no longer!"
Danzo stared directly at Hiruzen before smirking internally. He knew Hiruzen wouldn't press the matter too much as long as he showed a strong front.
"Hmph, fine. If that's all then I'll take my leave now."
Danzo got up to leave the office.
"Danzo, you, wait!"
Hiruzen stood up and slammed his hand on his desk once more but Danzo did not pause his steps as he continued to exit the office.
"Damn him!"
Hiruzen sat back down, more enraged than ever. Homura and Koharu simply looked at each other awkwardly, as they did not get a single word in during that entire argument.
"Calm down, Hiruzen. You are Hokage. Let us deal with Danzo, we'll talk him down."
Homura said as he tried to mediate between his two friends.
Hiruzen sighed and after a few moments, nodded his head, not saying more.
Homura and Koharu then stood up to leave as well.
"Danzo means well, trust in your own comrade. We'll make sure he doesn't go over the line."
With Koharu leaving those final words, the councilors exited the room.
Hiruzen sighed once more and took another draw from his pipe.
"Mikumo is a good seedling, I need to ensure that the truth of this incident never sees the light of day, or else...haa...Damn it."
Hiruzen burned the report in front of him and stood up to look out the window towards the village.
"Once Sakumo returns, I'll have him be her Jonin instructor. Sakumo understands the will of fire, he will be able to instill it into his student."
Hiruzen took another draw of his pipe and breathed out deeply.
"What I do, is for Konoha."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone