Naruto: Hyuga Warlord

"Master Danzo, it's been a long time!"

Sakumo Hatake stood up energetically to greet him, warmly inviting the gloomy-faced Danzo to take the stage like a real host.

Though Danzo held no particular affection for Sakumo Hatake or the Jonin assembly of the Western Camp who had publicly humiliated him, he couldn't afford to openly confront the legendary White Fang at this moment—especially since he had been sent here by the Hokage as an envoy. Thus, he simply muttered in response and strode up onto the platform, taking the seat that Shirakawa Namiko had courteously offered him.

Once seated, Danzo scanned the room, taking in every expression around him.

Hyuga Soushu, whom Danzo regarded as a symbol of Konoha's stubborn traditionalists, was someone he deeply admired for his talent but considered an eyesore nonetheless. Moreover, as a member of the Hyuga Branch House marked with the Caged Bird seal, he was completely unredeemable and definitely among those slated for elimination after the war.

As for the other Jonin present, any who met Danzo's gaze directly would be remembered one by one, marked for post-war retribution.

"Hiruzen's still too soft—he'd never be able to hold Konoha together without me."

After surveying the crowd with a chilling stare, Danzo felt fairly satisfied—only about a third of the Jonin dared to meet his eyes. Especially pleasing was how all the newly assigned Jonin from the village avoided his gaze obediently, appearing particularly docile.

"Now that Lord Danzo has arrived, all senior Jonin from Headquarters are assembled. Shall we begin the meeting?"

Shirakawa Namiko threw out a firm but subtle jab as she gave up the second-best seat: "Following Lord Sakumo's guidance, today's Jonin Military Meeting will primarily discuss the next phase of our operational plans. Everyone is encouraged to speak freely based on their understanding of current developments and enemy intelligence, contributing wisdom toward our inevitable great victory!"

"Captain Soushu, as the most outstanding contributor during our recent Reinforcement Operation, would you please share your thoughts on the Sunagakure ninja with us and our fellow Jonin?"

Sakumo Hatake immediately followed up: "Particularly for our newly arrived Jonin comrades—they're especially eager to learn more about the strength of the Sand Village's shinobi."

"Sand ninja are fierce and swift, charging recklessly into battle when fortunes favor them, yet easily collapsing under adversity."

Hyuga Soushu paused briefly before carefully choosing his words: "What's more, because the Sand Village lacks resources, they're brave but not very enduring. Once dragged into a protracted conflict, they usually lose heart and retreat by themselves."

Danzo looked slightly taken aback by the answer, but only glanced at Hyuga Soushu before closing his eyes again in silence.

"The Sand ninja indeed chose to retreat at the critical final moment of this Reinforcement Operation," Yechame Hamako quickly nodded in agreement. "Captain Soushu's analysis is extremely insightful—if not for these weaknesses, the Sand ninja wouldn't constantly choose withdrawal whenever facing major strategic decisions."

"That makes sense."

Sakumo Hatake slowly nodded in agreement, though he offered no further comments.

Then, gesturing for Hyuga Soushu to sit down, he turned his attention to questioning the other Jonin commanders.

It was hard to say whether it was due to Hyuga Soushu's impressive performance or their fear of Danzo, but after a series of intense questioning rounds, although the Konoha Jonin gave varying impressions and answers regarding Sunagakure, they ultimately aligned with what Hyuga Soushu had said.

Once all the Jonin had finished speaking, Hatake Sakumo nodded repeatedly but still refrained from commenting directly. Instead, he turned toward Danzo and asked, "Senior Danzo, what are your thoughts?"

"No amount of talking can replace deciding when our Ninja Forces will march!"

Danzo spoke calmly, "Debating endlessly here—will that scare away the Sand Village eyeing us with aggressive intent? Will all your fancy speeches make the Sand Village's Ninja Force withdraw from the Land of Rivers?"

"I'm not singling out Sakumo Jonin," he continued. "I'm saying every single one of you Jonin present is trash!" 

His sweeping verbal assault left every Konoha Jonin red-faced with rage, their killing intent surging.

Yet Danzo stayed indifferent, sitting calmly on the high platform.

After all, as long as Hatake Sakumo was around, even if these Jonin grew extremely angry, none would dare harm him in the slightest!

Moreover, most of them were recently appointed Jonin commanders of newly formed Ninja Force units. Each of them had critical weaknesses under the village's control—there was no chance whatsoever they could cause real trouble!

Another effect of his verbal attack was identifying potential candidates for the Control Faction based on the Jonin's reactions.

Although Danzo, who always prided himself on adhering to the Martial Faction's stance, looked down upon the Control Faction—including old friends like Sarutobi Hiruzen—and considered these overly soft ninja unworthy of representing Leaf ninja spirit, that didn't stop him from manipulating them purposefully toward his own goals.

What he employed now was the simplest yet most effective psychological tactic—the provocation method.

"I don't understand why all of you shrink back at the mere mention of war, as though Konoha ninja couldn't defeat the enemy on the battlefield!"

Danzo said coldly.

His murderous gaze swept across the tent. Everyone except Soushu lowered their heads wherever his eyes passed.

"Twenty years ago, I marched into battle under Lord Tobirama's command from the Forest of Death, entering the First Great Ninja War. The Four Great Hidden Villages dared to invade us, yet all fell before the might of Konoha Ninja Force!"

"Wherever we went, the Four Great Hidden Villages fled in terror! Truly, we held all the advantages of timing, a time of vibrant energy and flourishing growth—an era that still feels vivid today. Now, just twenty short years later, can it be true that even mere desert savages have reduced Konoha ninja to trembling cowards?"

Even someone as proud and valiant as Sakumo Hatake couldn't help but feel deep respect.

Personal feelings about Danzo aside, there was no denying the contributions and sacrifices made by this generation of senior ninja.

Yet right then, Hyuga Soushu—who alone kept his head high—stood out once more.

"Soushu Jonin!"

Irritatingly enough, Danzo pointed his criticism squarely at him. "And how do you, may I ask, view this matter?"

"Times have changed. The glory of the past was forged by the Senju Clan. As for the future, it is our blades and our battles that shall shape it!"

Hyuga Soushu rose to his feet, scanning the group of Jonin before him. He spoke loudly, "As Danzo-senpai said, whether we debate philosophy or reminisce about the past, none of it benefits the current situation!"

"Then what does Hatake Soushu suggest?"

Sakumo Hatake asked flatly.

"A surge of bloodlust sweeps across the Ninja World; without power, all is doomed!"

Hyuga Soushu quoted a line of poetry, then continued, "Only martial might can overpower every foe in our path! Sunagakure's supply lines are strained, reinforcements have not arrived, and their elite forces have marched out with no results. It is exactly the moment when morale is at its lowest. We should seize this opportunity, launch a full-scale invasion into the Land of Wind, and annihilate their eastern stationed Ninja Force!"

"This would secure a decisive advantage for Konoha!"

"Excellent!"

Before Danzo could respond, Sakumo Hatake immediately declared, "What do you Jonin think?"

"Crush them!"

Toshimichi Yamanaka was the first to jump up, raising his arm high, his expression wild with fervor!

The entire Jonin assembly rose as one, their voices rumbling like thunder.

"All divisions shall assemble immediately! All able-bodied Ninja, except those on duty, must mobilize!"

Sakumo Hatake seized the momentum, barking out orders in quick succession, "Have an early dinner tonight, march under cover of darkness, and seize Sunagakure's border garrison head-on!"

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