Chapter 61: Konoha's Response Plan
Konoha, Hokage's Office
For the past few days, the news of the Sage of Six Paths' Ultimate Treasure had spread like wildfire in Konoha. Even children as young as five had come up with rhymes about it, chanting them in the streets.
This showcased the immense reach and impact of the rumor.
Even as Konoha's Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't simply suppress the growing storm of public opinion. He knew that the rumor wasn't confined to Konoha—it had spread throughout the entire ninja world.
Allowing the situation to spiral further would only attract more trouble to Konoha. The incoming flood of people, each with their own agendas, was bound to create chaos.
Realizing the severity of the situation, Hiruzen called his old allies together to discuss a solution.
"Let's hear it. How should we handle this?"
Once everyone had gathered, Hiruzen asked, pausing for a moment to gauge their thoughts.
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"Hiruzen, be honest with us. Do you have the Sage of Six Paths' Ultimate Treasure?"
Danzo Shimura's lone visible eye fixed on Hiruzen as he spoke, his tone calm but probing.
Clearly, Danzo believed part of the rumor, especially since he had sent Root operatives to assassinate Uchiha Itachi in the past—efforts that had failed. He also suspected there were undisclosed dealings between Hiruzen and Itachi.
"What do you think?"
Hiruzen rolled his eyes, too annoyed to even dignify the question with a proper answer.
To him, it was a foolish query. If such a treasure truly existed, wouldn't the Senju and Uchiha clans have produced another God of Shinobi or Demon of the Ninja World by now? Instead, both clans had fallen into decline.
The idea that Danzo would actually believe the rumor baffled him.
A single withering glance conveyed everything Hiruzen thought of Danzo's question.
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Danzo's face darkened with embarrassment. Feeling humiliated by Hiruzen's dismissive response, he opened his mouth to retort but was interrupted.
"Enough, Danzo!"
"Right now, we need to focus on convincing the outside world that we don't have the Sage of Six Paths' Ultimate Treasure, not fighting among ourselves!"
Koharu Utatane interjected sharply, cutting Danzo off before he could escalate the situation.
"Hmph!"
Realizing this wasn't the time to confront Hiruzen, Danzo reluctantly swallowed his anger and fell silent.
The room grew quiet as everyone turned their attention to the pressing matter, each lost in thought.
The four of them were a united front when it came to protecting Konoha. They knew that if they couldn't resolve this crisis, the wolves drawn to the treasure rumor would tear Konoha apart.
Konoha's survival was tied to their own interests—it was their root, their lifeblood.
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"Hiruzen, perhaps we can try this…"
After a long silence, Homura Mitokado, who was usually quiet, spoke up, immediately drawing everyone's attention.
He laid out a simple plan he had just thought of.
"Since the rumor claims we have the Sage of Six Paths' Ultimate Treasure, why don't we 'reveal' it and then let it get 'stolen'?"
"That way, those coming to Konoha for the treasure will have no reason to trouble us once it's gone."
Though his idea was still rough, it was clear enough for the others to grasp.
---
After hearing Homura's proposal, everyone's eyes lit up. They unanimously agreed that this was the best course of action.
"Homura, who knew you had such a sharp mind!" Hiruzen chuckled, visibly relieved. The weight pressing on him seemed to have lifted.
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"While this plan resolves the immediate issue, we still need to investigate the source of this rumor."
"Who is this Uchiha Itachi spreading such information? We must find out!"
"This time we can manage the situation, but what about next time? A hidden, unknown enemy with unclear motives is far more dangerous than any external threat!"
Hiruzen's expression grew serious as he spoke.
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"Could it be that Uchiha who killed Konohamaru?" Koharu Utatane suggested.
She hadn't forgotten the rogue Uchiha, even after all this time.
"Hmph! Just a coward hiding in the shadows!" Danzo sneered.
"If he had the strength, he would have acted already. To me, he's just bluffing to scare cowards like you!"
Danzo's mocking tone was as much a jab at Koharu as it was his opinion of the rogue Uchiha.
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"You…"
"Do you hear him, Hiruzen? This man has no respect for you as Hokage!"
Koharu was furious, but knowing she couldn't win against Danzo in a direct confrontation, she dragged Hiruzen into the argument.
"Enough!"
Hiruzen raised his hand, silencing them both.
"Danzo, it's imperative that you find this mysterious Uchiha as soon as possible—for Konoha's safety."
"Leaving such a threat unchecked is too dangerous."
Though Hiruzen didn't want to take sides, he couldn't ignore the Uchiha who had killed his grandson, Konohamaru. No matter what, he wouldn't let the perpetrator off easily.
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"Hmph! If he dares to appear before me, he won't escape my grasp!" Danzo declared coldly.
His confidence stemmed from the Sharingan hidden beneath his bandages—an eye capable of manipulating others' wills with the strongest genjutsu.
---
Inwardly, Danzo's thoughts turned to Uchiha Itachi.
He had long suspected that Itachi held the second Mangekyō Sharingan that once belonged to Shisui. If he could take it back, he would finally have both eyes.
With the full power of the Mangekyō Sharingan, he could awaken the legendary Uchiha ability: Susano'o.
At that point, Hiruzen Sarutobi would be nothing more than a minor obstacle.
Perhaps, like Uchiha Madara before him, he could dominate the entire ninja world single-handedly.
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