Chapter 16: Opposition from the Elder Council (Part 2) (Patreon)

Chapter List: Naruto: Sakura Blizzard

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Regarding Sakura's situation, the Third Hokage issued a gag order. On the day he went to investigate with his direct ANBU guards, who were loyal and faithful to him, no one in Konoha knew anything about Sakura except for the Third Hokage and the ANBU who were present throughout the investigation.

Having witnessed Sakura's unique ability that was different from that of a ninja, the Third Hokage made a decision about the Cloud Village's persistent demands. The next day, he called for a meeting with the Elder Council and the heads of households of the major clans in Konoha.

"Regarding the Cloud Village matter, my decision is this. You can vote to discuss whether to fight or make peace!"

The Third Hokage subtly expressed his readiness to take a tough stance, which immediately caused confusion among the group. Wasn't the Third Hokage always advocating for peace and relying on compromise to achieve it? Why did he suddenly change his mind?!

However, while they were surprised, the radical faction led by Danzo was particularly excited. They had always wanted to take a strong stance against the Cloud Village, but the Third Hokage had always been hesitant to agree. Now that the Third Hokage was finally ready to take a tough stance, it was a pleasant surprise for them.

Most of the heads of households of the major clans actually agreed with the Third Hokage's decision, especially Uchiha Fugaku and Hyuga Hiashi. It goes without saying that Hyuga Hiashi's daughter was the one the Cloud Village wanted to kidnap. If he had the strength, he would have wanted to rush over and destroy the Cloud Village. As for Uchiha Fugaku, the Uchiha clan's innate arrogance made them quite critical of the Third Hokage's past diplomatic attitude. This time, seeing the Third Hokage finally take a tough stance, they were also excited.

Of course, there were always those who opposed the decision. These were the two members of the Elder Council, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado. As disciples of the Second Hokage and teammates of the Third Hokage and Danzo, these two people did not inherit the Second Hokage's political skills or Danzo's dark methods. Instead, they had become completely spineless and useless, except for occasionally causing trouble for the Third Hokage.

"Sarutobi, we don't agree with what you're doing!" Koharu Utatane spoke up first. "Konoha can't afford a war right now. If you do this, you'll drag Konoha into the abyss!"

"That's right. Once we start a war with the Cloud Village, the other ninja villages will definitely choose to surround and attack Konoha. Konoha doesn't have the strength to fight four villages at once!" Homura Mitokado added.

In fact, the real reason they opposed the decision was not that Konoha lacked strength, but because this matter did not benefit them in any way. In the past, wars were always started by other ninja villages, and Konoha was always on the defensive, forced to fight. After winning, they could get a lot of compensation, and they wouldn't object to that. But now, if Konoha initiates a war, they won't get any benefits, and if Konoha is surrounded and attacked, they will lose out. They will have to send their own ninjas to the battlefield, which is a losing proposition.

"I also disagree with going to war!" said an Elder Council member, an old man with Byakugan.

"Grand Elder..." Hyuga Hiashi looked at the old man in disbelief. If Konoha chooses to compromise, they will have to use members of the Hyuga clan to quell the war. As the clan head, he certainly wouldn't be willing to die like the Cloud Village demanded, but what about the other members of his clan? They are still alive, and they can't just sacrifice them like that!

"War is not an option. Since this matter was caused by the Hyuga clan, let the Hyuga clan solve it." The Hyuga Grand Elder's expression remained unchanged as he spoke calmly.

"This war may not necessarily be fought. I'm just suggesting how to respond to the Cloud Village's demands. There's no need for the Hyuga clan to make such a big sacrifice. Konoha ninjas cannot abandon their comrades. This is what Lord Hashirama passed down to us. We cannot sacrifice our comrades for temporary peace!"

Sarutobi frowned and said. He didn't expect that at the critical moment, the Hyuga clan would cause trouble. Unfortunately, this matter was targeted at the Hyuga family. If the Hyuga clan had made a decision, as Hokage, he couldn't oppose it.

"Hokage-sama, rest assured that the Hyuga clan has its own decision!" The Hyuga Grand Elder was unmoved. After speaking to the Third Hokage, he took Hyuga Hiashi and left.

"Let's adjourn for now..." The Third Hokage sighed with a headache. When he wanted to compromise, many people opposed it. When he wanted to take a tough stance, there were still many people who opposed it. It was really frustrating.

"If war really breaks out, the Uchiha clan will definitely help with all their might!" Uchiha Fugaku, who was the last to leave, said indifferently. As the clan head of the Uchiha clan, he wanted to repair the relationship between the Uchiha clan and Konoha. However, he was helpless because Danzo was causing trouble among the Konoha high-level officials and didn't give him a chance to repair it.

"If you have time, Fugaku, you can let Sasuke invite his little friends to your home as guests!" The Third Hokage understood Uchiha Fugaku's meaning. He was also willing to repair the relationship between the village and the Uchiha clan, but he was helpless because Danzo was his good friend, and he couldn't say anything about him. He was stuck in the middle and couldn't do anything.

"Sasuke?" Uchiha Fugaku suddenly thought of the strange decoration Sasuke had been changing recently. Hmm, he seemed to be more and more like a daughter!

"Well, that little girl named Sakura should be able to help you!" The Third Hokage said with a smile. He didn't see Sakura as a child anymore. He was even shocked by some of her insights. He felt that Sakura might have a solution to the matter between the Uchiha clan and Konoha, and he hoped that she could come up with a solution.

"Then, I'll take my leave!"

Uchiha Fugaku's heart moved. The Third Hokage wouldn't say things without reason. Could the future of the Uchiha clan really depend on that little girl named Sakura?!

After everyone left, the Third Hokage sat behind his desk smoking, with a worried look on his face. The Hyuga Grand Elder's opposition really made him unsure of what to do.

"Yu, go to Ichiraku Ramen shop and call Haruno Sakura over!"

Finally, the headache-ridden Third Hokage decided to summon Sakura to hear her thoughts.

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Next Chapter >>Chapter 17: Saving Hizashi Hyuga (Part 1)