บท 90: From Standoff to Synergy: The Assembly's Shift

Following the resolution of the tense standoff, the atmosphere within the assembly meeting shifted towards one of cooperation and productivity.

With the display of power by the Hyuga Patriarch catalyzing compromise, discussions moved forward more smoothly than before.

The heightened emotions and political maneuvering gave way to a focused determination to finalize the plans for the village's defense.

Decisions regarding the formation and leadership of the four Divisions were made with unexpected swiftness, reflecting a newfound sense of unity and purpose among the village's leadership.

This came from a more balanced and harmonious ratio of relative power between the two main factions, strangely resulting in more cohesion and fewer 'small political battles'.

Jiraiya was assigned to lead the efforts against Kumogakure, while Orochimaru took command of the efforts concerning Iwagakure.

The Hyuga and Uchiha clans, central to the day's earlier tensions, achieved their objectives regarding both command and mobilization.

As the matter finally concluded, Hikari felt mixed emotions about being assigned to face Kirigakure. He was wary about Madara and Zetsu's involvement in Kirigakure, uncertain of when they started influencing it and what methods they used.

Given the mystery surrounding these figures, especially the enigmatic Black Zetsu, Hikari's apprehension was understandable.

On the flip side, Hikari saw a positive angle to his assignment. Being against Kirigakure presented him with a unique opportunity to acquire Kaguya cells and DNA, as well as Hashirama's cells from White Zetsu, for his experiments. While recognizing the risks, he also acknowledged the potential rewards.

Most importantly, Hikari understood that his input on the deployment was limited. The Byakugan's effectiveness against Kirigakure's mist and the strategic geographical positioning made the Hyuga clan's stationing there a tactical advantage.

This positioning there would facilitate better coordination with Sunagakure, improving communication, logistics, and shinobi movement, with their only other friendly front and Division led by the Uchiha clan, as it was also located generally in the South of the continent and 'linked'. This strategic importance made the Kirigakure front highly desirable for his clan.

However, just as the meeting seemed to be drawing to a close, Hiruzen introduced a new, unexpected topic, "There is another important issue I wish to address involving the establishment of an additional Division: the Surprise Attack and Rescue Division...",

He announced, capturing the attention of everyone present, "This will be a small yet highly mobile unit, perfectly suited to swift interventions and critical missions.",

He continued, "It will be led by Minato Namikaze. His expertise with the Flying Raijin Jutsu makes him the ideal candidate to spearhead this unit, leveraging his unparalleled mobility for surprise attacks and rapid rescues on all the other fronts and more...",

Hiruzen's proposal underscored a strategic initiative to enhance Konoha's operational capabilities, with Minato at the helm to maximize its effectiveness.

Hiruzen, seizing the moment to build on his strategic vision, elaborated further on the composition of the new division, "The Vice-Captain of this division will be Choza Akimichi...",

He then addressed a matter of significant importance, acknowledging the heightened risks Konoha faced,

"As you all understand, given our position, we are likely to be the prime target of the other major shinobi villages. In light of this, I've made a critical decision about Kushina Uzumaki as well...", Hiruzen continued, the weight of his words hanging in the air,

"Given the circumstances, I may deploy Kushina as a last-resort measure on any front, should our situation demand it.",

"While I recognize the concerns surrounding the use of a Jinchuriki's power, the luxury of restraint we had in past conflicts is a luxury we can no longer afford...", Hiruzen's tone conveyed the gravity of the decision, yet also confidence in Kushina's capabilities.

"However, let me assure you, Kushina's adeptness and fitness as a Jinchuriki, alongside her exceptional control over the Nine-Tails, makes her uniquely qualified for this role. She will be part of this division, yet her deployment on missions will require my direct authorization..."

The hall, filled with Konoha's most esteemed leaders and shinobi, collectively agreed on the necessity of deploying Kushina, if needed, recognizing the dire circumstances they faced.

The logic behind Hiruzen's decision was clear, given the village's precarious position, surrounded by threats on all sides. This consensus reflected a shared understanding of the stakes at hand and a willingness to utilize every available asset to safeguard the village.

However, the reception to the announcement of Minato's division among the members of the Anti-Hokage factions was markedly different.

Skepticism and concern shadowed their faces, interpreting Hiruzen's move as a strategic play within the village's internal power dynamics.

To them, assigning Minato to lead such a crucial and potentially glory-gaining division wasn't just about leveraging his abilities for the village's defense; it hinted at grooming him for a more significant role in the future.

This perception stemmed from the belief that the formation of the Surprise Attack and Rescue Division, perfectly suited to Minato's unique skills, was poised to earn widespread acclaim and war merits across all fronts.

Such a prominent position could indeed bolster Minato's standing within the village, positioning him as a prime candidate to succeed Hiruzen as Hokage.

The Anti-Hokage factions viewed this prospect with unease, concerned that it signified an intent to solidify Hiruzen's faction's grip on the village's leadership, ensuring the continuation of their influence, even through the distant future through Minato's potential ascension.

Hiruzen addressed the undercurrent of skepticism with a calm yet firm demeanor, acknowledging the village's internal divisions openly for the first time during the meeting; after all, after Hirayoshi's previous actions, it was now impossible to act like everything was fine and that there was no such a big division in the village, at this stage, it was better to accept reality for everyone,

"Don't be so narrow-minded...", He began, his voice carrying a mix of authority and sincerity, "Minato's mastery of the Flying Raijin technique has reached an exceptional level, particularly in terms of long-distance, longer-preparation time kind of teleportation.",

"Consider the potential impact of this ability and the new division on the battlefield. It's not just about gaining an advantage; it's about saving lives and ensuring the success of critical missions across all fronts.",

He continued, "This includes lives within my political opposition as well...", Hiruzen's words aimed to transcend the prevailing tensions, highlighting the broader implications of Minato's division for Konoha as a whole.

He emphasized that the benefits of the Surprise Attack and Rescue Division would extend beyond partisan lines, potentially safeguarding the lives of many, including those who doubted his intentions.

Ultimately, the leaders of the Anti-Hokage Faction, including prominent figures like Sakumo, Hirayoshi, Fugaku, and Setsuna, found themselves in a position where the agreement was the most logical path forward.

Hiruzen's proposal was presented with some clarity and reason and made a compelling case for creating Minato's new division.

Given that their own demands and conditions had been met earlier in the meeting, acknowledging the merit of Hiruzen's suggestion became an exercise in diplomatic reciprocity.

It was a moment of mutual concession, where both sides recognized the benefits of cooperation for the greater good of Konoha.

However, the dynamics within the room had undeniably shifted. The leaders of the Anti-Hokage Faction, buoyed by Hirayoshi's earlier demonstration of the Hyuga clan's hidden power, carried themselves with an air of newfound confidence.

Therefore, their agreement to Hiruzen's proposal was not a sign of submission but a calculated decision based on more balanced power dynamics between the two factions.

Hiruzen's contemplative mood deepened as he observed the consensus forming around his proposal.

The creation of Minato's new division, a strategic decision prompted by the meeting's earlier developments, reflected a swift adaptation to the unexpected show of power from the Hyuga Patriarch.

Before this revelation, the plan had been quite different. Only a single front command position was intended for the Anti-Hokage Faction as a compromise, the one he specifically highlighted for Choza Akimichi before. However, Minato was originally slated to lead a regular division on his own, for real.

The Hyuga Patriarch's display had forced Hiruzen and his advisors to quickly reconsider their approach, highlighting the need to position Minato in a way that would allow him to accrue merits, fame, and a reputation commensurate with his abilities and potential leadership role.

Yet Hiruzen also saw an underlying benefit to this new arrangement. The Surprise Attack and Rescue Division, by its nature, would operate more flexibly and dynamically than a regular division, being more stationary and not moving unless it was truly necessary.

This would allow Minato to further hone his skills, refine his techniques, and train harder in general, as he would have more free time than every other key figure from his opposition.

In Hiruzen's eyes, Minato possessed the unique potential to exceed even his considerable capabilities and to stand as a formidable force against other key figures like Sakumo and the Hyuga Patriarch, the only young person with such a high potential from his faction currently.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Hiruzen further considered the necessity of persuading Jiraiya to expedite Minato's training with the Toad Sages on Mount Myogaku as soon as possible after this meeting.

The sages had indicated that Minato possessed the requisite physical robustness and chakra control for the 'special mode' they had described. In fact, their insights suggested Minato had significantly more potential for this than Jiraiya did.

This extraordinary potential was partly attributed to Senju DNA present in Minato's lineage, a powerful heritage of which he was unaware.

Ideally, waiting until Minato's body reached its prime would be preferable, allowing him to mature further and fully harness this power.

However, the current threats from the Hyuga and Uchiha clans made delaying Minato's development untenable for his interests.

Faced with the considerable pressure exerted by the Hyuga Patriarch today, Hiruzen felt a compelling need to bolster Minato's abilities swiftly. He saw him as a crucial asset in preventing the village's control from slipping into the hands of the Hyuga and Uchiha clans.