Chapter 209: Impossible. Absolutely Impossible.

Land of Earth, Iwagakure.

The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, had likewise convened a high-level meeting, though Iwagakure's intentions stood in contrast to those of Kumogakure. From the outset, they had resolved not to declare war on Konoha immediately. Instead, their focus was on analyzing Sunagakure's next moves.

Ōnoki sat at the head of the conference table and declared:

"Then it's settled."

"We'll mobilize and march into the Land of Fire the moment the fighting between Konoha and Suna reaches its peak. We move swiftly and establish a defensive line."

"At the same time, keep a close eye on Sunagakure's movements. If an opening appears, we take it. Tear a chunk off Suna's flanks."

"Consolidate all forces. Be ready to deploy at a moment's notice."

...

Land of Water, Kirigakure.

Far across the sea, nestled among scattered islands, the Kirigakure stirred. Kirigakure's most infamous unit, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, were already preparing to move under orders from the Fourth Mizukage.

Their mission: landfall in the Land of Fire.

Their objective: gather intel and assess the state of the war.

Only once the Seven Swordsmen returned with intelligence would the Fourth Mizukage decide whether to plunge Kirigakure into this war. No investigation, no action, that was his decree. Until then, the Hidden Mist would remain armed but observant.

But should the opportunity arise... should the timing prove ripe... then he would strike. He would order war against Konoha and seize the Land of Fire's resources for Kirigakure.

...

Land of Fire, Konohagakure.

In the Hokage Residence, Hiruzen tapped the table, drawing the attention of the assembled council members. Two intelligence scrolls had just been reviewed, their contents leaving everyone wearing different expressions.

"Now that you've all read the reports," Hiruzen asked, his voice calm, "what are your thoughts?"

Danzo lowered the scroll he'd been holding, his face as grim as ever. His voice came low and gravelly:

"I propose we recall Veigar and place him under protection. Once this situation has stabilized, we can decide what to do with him."

Danzo's motion received immediate support from Koharu and Homura, his usual political allies, always toeing the same line in every major council meeting.

"Agreed," said Koharu.

"I second it," added Homura.

The message was clear, but to those paying attention, it was painfully obvious: this wasn't about Veigar. They were supposed to be discussing how to respond to Sunagakure, not scheming around a Special Jōnin.

Danzo's expression of concern, that feigned façade of "I'm only doing what's best", was infuriating, and deeply chilling.

Even now, when war loomed, Danzo was still manipulating internal politics. Still plotting against his own allies.

Only Danzo could twist a calculated ploy into something that sounded like protection.

If Veigar did return, it wouldn't be safety that awaited him, but something far worse.

At the council table sat Fugaku Uchiha, future head of the Uchiha clan. Once his wife, Mikoto Uchiha, gave birth to their son, the current patriarch, Tomou Uchiha, would step down, and Fugaku would officially assume the mantle.

Fugaku was one of the few privy to the secret agreement Veigar had made with the Uchiha. So when Danzo brought up recalling Veigar, Fugaku knew immediately it was a ploy.

And after Koharu and Homura backed Danzo's motion, he wasted no time in speaking out:

"Hokage-sama, today's meeting isn't about summoning Veigar back from the front lines, is it?"

"Are we saying that a war with Sunagakure is less important than one Special Jōnin?"

"Has Danzo-sama finally lost his mind?"

Fugaku didn't defend Veigar outright, instead, he sidestepped, redirected the focus, and added a barbed insult for good measure. Typical Uchiha maneuvering.

The tension between Danzo and the Uchiha was no secret. And Fugaku's remarks reflected his clan's usual unflinching posture.

Still, the man nicknamed the Pot-Hokage, so slippery he always dodged blame, showed no change in expression even in the face of that insult.

"I only want Veigar protected," Danzo replied coolly.

"His intelligence, as demonstrated in this report, is a rare asset. We shouldn't risk such minds on the battlefield. He belongs here, in the village, strategizing."

What a self-righteous statement. What audacious hypocrisy.

The other clan representatives present began reassessing Danzo on a deeper level.

But before Fugaku could escalate the argument further, Hiruzen interjected, his voice decisive:

"Enough."

"This meeting is not about Veigar. Our focus is what to do about Sunagakure."

It was a final word, a subtle rebuke to both Danzo and Fugaku for veering off course.

Yet for Fugaku, it was a spark of opportunity.

This was the perfect chance for the Uchiha to prove themselves on the battlefield, to fight, to win, and to remind Konoha of their unmatched power.

"Hokage-sama," Fugaku said, eyes glinting, "the Uchiha Clan requests to join the war effort."

"We are ready to deploy at once and reinforce the front lines against Sunagakure."

But no sooner had Fugaku finished than Danzo sprang to his feet, voice sharp with protest:

"Absolutely not. The Uchiha cannot be deployed."

"Your responsibility is the safety of Konoha. Deployment to the front lines is out of the question."

"If you leave, who will protect the village?"

The idea of the Uchiha going to war?

Impossible. Absolutely impossible.

Even if the front line were to bleed itself dry, Danzo would never permit the Uchiha to leave the village.

This was part of his long game.

The war had just begun. The major clans had yet to suffer real losses. But give it a few years of prolonged bloodshed, and the Uchiha would be completely isolated.

When every other clan had paid in blood and corpses, and the Uchiha had remained intact, how would the civilians feel? How would the other clans react?

And at that moment, with just a little push from Danzo's propaganda machine, the Uchiha's reputation would be destroyed from within.

That was the trap Danzo had laid.

He would never allow the Uchiha to break that cycle, not after he'd worked so hard to rig it.

Fugaku let out a cold scoff and turned to Danzo.

"Danzo-sama, defending the village and going to war are not mutually exclusive."

"Even if the Uchiha take the field, we can still protect Konoha."

Then he turned back to Hiruzen, eyes burning with conviction.

"Hokage-sama, give the order."

"The Uchiha will go to war."

"We will not rest until Sunagakure is defeated."

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