The Council’s Divide

The late afternoon sun filtered through the slats of the Hokage Tower, casting long golden shadows across the stone floor. But the warmth did nothing to ease the frost that had settled into the air inside the council chamber.Tsunade stood at the head of the room, framed by the great circular window behind her, arms folded across her chest. Her sharp eyes swept across the seated council: Danzo Shimura with his ever-shadowed expression, Koharu and Homura flanking him in silent judgment, and several clan representatives seated along the sides—including Hiashi Hyuga, Shikaku Nara, and Inoichi Yamanaka.Tension pulsed through the chamber like a heartbeat."You're proposing a field promotion," Homura said at last. "Of a Genin.""He's not a Genin in any meaningful way," Tsunade replied calmly. "Naruto Uzumaki is an S-rank shinobi by every operational standard. He defeated Kakashi in open combat, helped eliminate two Akatsuki members, and has developed techniques no one else in the village has mastered."Koharu raised an eyebrow. "And yet the title remains.""And that title is a formality," Tsunade countered. "One born of politics, not merit."Danzo's lone eye narrowed slightly. "Titles exist for a reason, Lady Hokage. They signal structure. Control. Elevating Uzumaki too quickly sends the wrong message—one that we cannot afford at this time.""And what message would that be, Danzo?" Tsunade asked coolly. "That hard work and sacrifice mean nothing if you weren't born with the right pedigree?"Danzo said nothing, but his silence spoke volumes.Shikaku sighed from his seat. "We've all seen it. Naruto's progress isn't ordinary—it's exceptional. He's young, yes, but he's proven himself more than once. Repeatedly. Consistently.""He's also unpredictable," Koharu added. "Idealistic. Emotional.""He's human," Inoichi said. "And still maturing. Like any of our own children.""But our own children aren't Jinchūriki," Danzo said flatly.The word fell into the room like a blade.Tsunade's expression didn't change. "He's also the most loyal shinobi I've ever met."Danzo finally spoke with slow, careful precision. "Loyalty can be dangerous when it's combined with too much influence. Especially influence that grows beyond the military structure. The younger generation already rallies around him. Civilians are whispering. His popularity expands unchecked."Koharu folded her hands in front of her. "A charismatic figure with no oversight becomes a liability, not an asset."Homura added, "Symbols are powerful. But they're also volatile. We need to be certain we're not creating something we can't control.""Are we discussing Naruto," Shikaku asked evenly, "or the fact that you can't control him?"Danzo didn't rise to the bait. "I'm discussing long-term village stability. If he is allowed to grow into a leadership role unchecked, there is no telling what influence he may exert. Not today. But in five years? Ten?"Tsunade stepped forward. "You want to keep him in chains. That's what this is. You're not afraid he'll lead. You're afraid people will follow."Danzo's gaze darkened. "The village has survived because of careful planning and containment. Not emotional decisions."Tsunade smirked. "And how's Root doing these days?"That struck a nerve—but Danzo showed no outward reaction.Hiashi finally spoke, his voice calm. "The concern is not without merit. The Akatsuki are still active. If he is promoted and then sent outside the village—""Which I'm also proposing," Tsunade interrupted, "—he will be at greater risk.""Exactly," Koharu said. "You want to promote him and send him beyond our protection?""I want to give him the respect he's earned," Tsunade said, leveling her gaze at the entire council. "And I want to send a message to our allies—and our enemies—that Naruto Uzumaki is not some weapon hidden in the dark. He's a force. And he stands with us."Danzo leaned forward. "You're emotional. He's close to you.""And you're a power-hungry relic," Tsunade snapped, "desperate to keep the village locked in the same fear-based structures that nearly destroyed it during the last war."Shikaku coughed softly, hiding a smile behind his hand.Tsunade continued, pacing slowly. "We cannot pretend Naruto is a Genin. It's insulting. It's wrong. And frankly, it's dangerous. If we refuse to acknowledge the kind of shinobi he is, we alienate him. We fail him again."She paused."Let me be clear. You all failed him once already."No one responded, but guilt flickered through a few eyes."I will not allow it a second time."⸻Outside, on the roof of the Hokage Tower, Naruto sat cross-legged on the shingles. A warm breeze tugged at his cloak. He didn't know what Tsunade was fighting for down below. He didn't know the council was debating his rank, his future, and his right to stand among them.He just knew the sky felt a little heavier today.⸻Back inside the chamber, silence stretched until Inoichi finally spoke again."Perhaps… a compromise."Tsunade's brow lifted. "I'm listening.""We give him the promotion. Officially. Chūnin or higher, as you see fit. But we assign a trusted escort on his next mission—just to observe. Not to control, but to report back."Tsunade's jaw tightened. "You want to leash him.""No," Inoichi said carefully. "I want the council to feel at ease. If we don't allow this now, the alternative is tension. Division. You said yourself—we cannot afford to fail him again."Shikaku glanced at Tsunade. "It's the only path forward with minimal resistance. And frankly… I think he'll prove you right. But let him do it officially."After a long moment, Tsunade nodded. "Fine."She turned her gaze back to Danzo."You lose," she said simply.⸻Later that evening, Tsunade stood alone in her office. The sun had nearly set. Shadows stretched long across the floor. The argument had taken hours—but in the end, Naruto's path was clear.He would be promoted.And he would be sent to Kiri as an envoy and intelligence agent—under the guise of alliance-building, but with the additional goal of reviving Jiraiya's dormant spy network.A move that terrified the council.But it was necessary.Shizune entered the room quietly. "Everything's been filed."Tsunade didn't turn around. "They'll come for him eventually."Shizune paused. "Danzo?""The Akatsuki. The world. Everyone."Tsunade looked out over the rooftops of the village she had sworn to protect."But when they do… they'll realize too late.""Realize what?""That the boy they tried to break… became the man who could break them."