357-Deliberations II

The chamber was heavy with silence after Hiruzen named his guards for the upcoming Kage Summit. The six elders seated around the circular table exchanged looks that ranged from shock to disbelief. Homura Mitokado was the first to break the tense quiet, his voice laden with incredulity.

"You can't be serious, Hiruzen," he said, leaning forward with a furrowed brow. His words echoed the unspoken sentiment of everyone present.

Even Eiji Senju, who often sided with Hiruzen in council discussions, gave him a measured, knowing glance. His silent disapproval was evident in the slight tightening of his jaw and the deliberate way he adjusted his robe. Hiruzen pretended not to notice, his expression calm and composed.

Danzo, ever the opportunist, seized the moment. His voice, low and deliberate, carried a biting edge. "It is fine, Homura. It seems our Hokage does not plan on returning from this summit." His words lingered in the air, sharp and accusatory.

Homura shot Danzo a sharp look but refrained from speaking, giving Hiruzen the chance to respond. However, it was Eiji who pressed on, his tone growing darker.

"Hiruzen," he began, fixing the Hokage with a steely gaze, "you do realize that you are walking into a hostile environment, correct? The Land of Iron may claim neutrality, but the majority of the shinobi villages are aligned against us. Anything can happen. Do you remember what transpired at the first Kage Summit? They attempted to assassinate Lord First in similar circumstances."

Hiruzen inclined his head, acknowledging Danzo's concerns. His voice was calm but firm. "I understand the risks, Eiji. However, my choice is deliberate. These two need exposure to the larger shinobi world. It is imperative for their growth and for the future of this village."

The room fell into a brief silence as Hiruzen's words settled in. Almost everyone in the room sighed or shook their heads, silently acquiescing to the Hokage's decision. After all, as the leader of the village, Hiruzen had the final say, even on matters as critical as his own security.

Yet Danzo's sharp mind churned as he considered Hiruzen's reasoning. His stoic mask betrayed nothing, but internally, he dissected the Hokage's words. 'Exposure? No, there's more to this,' Danzo thought, his pupils narrowing slightly. 'This isn't about showing them off. Neither of the two are particularly known for their strength, well maybe one of them but the other villages still don't believe it. So what is he planning?' His fingers drummed against the table in a slow, deliberate rhythm.

'He wants to groom them as Hokage candidates,' Danzo concluded, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

The smirk didn't go unnoticed by Koharu Utatane, who immediately interjected, her tone sharp and probing. "Why not choose one of the Sannins instead? With Jiraiya or Orochimaru as your guards, we would all feel reassured."

Hiruzen, perceptive as ever, could guess what Danzo and Koharu were hinting at. The dynamic between him and Danzo was one of veiled chess moves, where every word or action carried an undercurrent of strategy.

If he were to address Danzo's suspicion directly, he would have laughed. He was fully aware of his advancing age and the growing instability in the shinobi world. The next war loomed on the horizon, and the village would need strong, prepared leaders.

Hiruzen wasn't just thinking of his successor but of those who could support the next Hokage—or even replace them if the situation demanded it.

"If something happens to me," Hiruzen said, his tone light but calculated, "wouldn't they be the perfect candidates to carry on in my stead?" He chuckled softly, his warm yet steely gaze meeting Koharu's. "Don't worry, Koharu. This old man can still take care of himself."

The chamber filled with various reactions to his words. Almost everyone, barring Eiji and Satoru Miyazuki, sneered openly.

This was because Satoru and Eiji were already jonins when The rest were just genins, so they were considerably older than the other people in the room. Even among Danzo and the rest, Hiruzen was the youngest and most talented. Hence by calling himself old, he indirectly called everyone there old.

For Koharu, Hiruzen's offhand comment struck a nerve the most. Women were particularly sensitive about age in ways the men rarely acknowledged, and Hiruzen's indirect jab stung. Her lips tightened into a thin line, but she refrained from responding, opting instead to focus on the broader discussion.

Satoru, his wizened features softened by a faint smile, cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the room. The subtle rasp in his voice carried an air of gravitas that often made his words worth hearing. "Perhaps we should move forward," he suggested, his tone calm and measured, diffusing the tension lingering from Hiruzen's earlier remarks. "Should we bring this matter to the village council? The clan heads may have their own opinions about the risks involved."

Homura Mitokado rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his brow furrowed in deep consideration. "It would be prudent to involve them, but only after the summit concludes," he finally said, his voice tinged with caution. "Too much deliberation now could create unnecessary panic. The last thing we need is for certain factions within the village to question our stability before we've even attended the summit."

Eiji Senju, seated with the quiet dignity of one who had seen the shinobi world change through generations, nodded in agreement. "Homura is right," he said, his voice steady. "We have enough on our plates preparing for the summit itself. Speculation or dissent at this stage could weaken our position. Let's keep this matter contained for the time being."

The elders murmured their agreement, though the air remained thick with unease. Hiruzen Sarutobi, observing the room with the keen eyes of a man used to navigating political turmoil, nodded decisively. "Then it's decided. We'll address the council after the summit. For now, we focus on finalizing our preparations."

The elders pivoted to more immediate matters: the logistics of the summit, trade agreements with allied territories, and contingency plans for potential aggression from Kumo and its allies.

"We need to ensure that the borders near the Land of Hot Water are fortified," Koharu interjected, her sharp gaze darting toward Danzo. "That area is a weak point if Kumo decides to make any underhanded moves During the summit."

Danzo nodded curtly. "I've already dispatched several reconnaissance teams to the area. They'll report back within the week. If there's even a hint of movement, we'll know."

Eiji, always the voice of reason, added, "Let's not forget our internal security. If this summit is as hostile as we anticipate, we need to ensure the village is prepared for any sudden developments. We can't afford to leave anything to chance."

The meeting carried on, each elder contributing their expertise. Their voices overlapped at times, the chamber buzzing with urgency and determination. Maps were unfurled, and scenarios were debated with the precision of seasoned strategists.

As the hours wore on, the conversation began to wind down. Hiruzen rose from his seat, his movements deliberate but firm, a reminder of the strength that still resided within him despite the grey in his hair. "Thank you all for your time," he said, his tone carrying the weight of authority and finality. "We will reconvene after the summit. Until then, stay vigilant. The safety and future of Konoha depends on it."

The elders began to file out of the room, their expressions ranging from resigned to contemplative. The heavy wooden door creaked softly as Homura and Koharu exited side by side, whispering quietly about the risks situation.

Danzo, however, lingered near the doorway. His sharp gaze followed Koharu and Homura, his calculating mind already piecing together the next steps in his personal agenda.

"Koharu, Homura," he called, his voice smooth and low, cutting through the quiet murmurs of the departing elders.

The pair stopped in their tracks and turned to face him, their brows furrowing in curiosity. Koharu's eyes narrowed slightly, her suspicion evident. "What is it, Danzo?" she asked, her tone cautious but firm.

Danzo's lips curved into a faint smile, though it failed to reach his eye, which remained cold and calculating. "There's something I'd like to discuss with you," he said, his words deliberate and his tone carefully measured, laced with the kind of ambiguity that demanded attention.

Koharu exchanged a wary glance with Homura. Her expression hardened slightly, her intuition warning her of Danzo's penchant for schemes cloaked in layers of manipulation. "A matter of... strategic importance, I presume?" she probed, her voice tinged with skepticism.

Danzo inclined his head slightly, his smirk deepening. "Precisely. Let's speak privately. It won't take long."

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