Wok Shadow Ninja

Chapter 75: The Village's Decision

The next day, the Konoha Village's Code Division received urgent letters from the Land of Waves and the Land of Rivers. After successfully deciphering them, they wasted no time and immediately handed the letters to the Hokage.

Given the gravity of the situation, the Third Hokage couldn't make a unilateral decision. He summoned the three advisors Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura along with Nara Shikaku, the Hokage's strategist, to discuss the matter together.

The letters mentioned the disappearance of gold, a matter previously brought up by Asuma. The Third Hokage decided not to show the letters to the four advisors and instead recounted the events verbally: "This is the situation. Kakashi's Team 7 encountered Momochi Zabuza, a rogue ninja from Kirigakure, in the Land of Waves. Meanwhile, Asuma's Team 10 ran into Kirigakure's Black Lightning Raiga in the Land of Rivers. One in the Land of Waves, the other in the Land of Rivers."

The Third Hokage couldn't help but feel a hint of pride when speaking about his son's achievements, his tone lightening slightly: "Black Lightning Raiga was captured by Team 10. As for Zabuza... Kakashi believes he faked his death and was likely rescued by his companions. Currently, Team 7 is searching for Zabuza's traces in the Land of Waves."

The Third Hokage coughed lightly before continuing: "The reason I've called you all here is to discuss how we should handle these two rogue ninjas from Kirigakure Black Lightning Raiga and Momochi Zabuza."

Danzō was the first to voice his skepticism: "Asuma, with three freshly graduated genin, managed to capture Kirigakure's Black Lightning Raiga? Hiruzen, this intelligence seems too far-fetched."

The Third Hokage smiled faintly and tossed the Thunder Sword, which had been brought back with the letters, in front of Danzō: "Still think it's fake?"

Danzō, having been proven wrong many times before, was already used to it. He inspected the Thunder Sword and confirmed it was indeed one of Kirigakure's Seven Ninja Swords.

He quickly changed his tune: "Both Black Lightning Raiga and Momochi Zabuza are members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. They must know many secrets. Have Asuma and Kakashi bring the captives back to the village and hand them over to Root. I'll extract every bit of information from these two rogue ninjas."

To be fair, Danzō's approach was very ninja-like. In times of war, such methods would be perfectly reasonable capturing elite enemy jonin and using whatever means necessary to extract information. But the problem was, this wasn't wartime. Kirigakure and Konoha weren't allies, but they weren't enemies either.

Dealing with even one rogue ninja of this caliber was difficult, let alone two. The Third Hokage was deeply concerned about the potential ripple effects.

Shikaku, being the Third Hokage's trusted confidant, naturally understood his concerns and spoke up on his behalf.

"Hokage-sama, esteemed advisors, I believe that since we've captured these rogue ninjas from Kirigakure, the most appropriate course of action would be to hand them over to Kirigakure as a gesture of goodwill between our villages."

Utatane Koharu gave a thin, insincere smile: "Goodwill? Have we ever had goodwill with Kirigakure? Shikaku, if I recall correctly, Black Lightning Raiga killed one of your relatives during the Third Great Ninja War, didn't he?"

Shikaku nodded: "Yes, he did."

"Don't you want revenge?"

"Advisor, the war is over."

The elderly woman fell silent, and Mitokado Homura raised another issue: "Now that Black Lightning Raiga is in our hands, even if we return him, won't Kirigakure suspect that we've already extracted some information?"

The Third Hokage and Shikaku both fell silent. They were worried about this as well. If a captive fell into their hands, who would believe they hadn't secretly extracted information or tampered with them?

The truth was, the trust between villages was almost nonexistent. Konoha's attempt at goodwill could easily backfire.

Shikaku pondered for a moment before speaking: "In truth, Black Lightning Raiga and Momochi Zabuza aren't that important. Even if they return to Kirigakure, they won't be trusted. They'll likely be monitored or even imprisoned for life."

He looked at the four elders: "The future of our village is what truly matters. For Kirigakure, which is currently in a state of transition, the two children Kakashi and Asuma mentioned Haku and Ranmaru hold the highest value. The Elder, with his foresight, has been working to keep Kirigakure out of the ninja wars. Even if the radicals in Kirigakure have objections, the Elder's prestige and the support of the conservatives can suppress any opposition. We might be able to use this opportunity to improve relations with Kirigakure."

The "Elder" Shikaku referred to was Kirigakure's current de facto leader. He had once served under the First Mizukage and had since remained a village elder. The old man was now 90 years old! Aside from Kakuzu of the Akatsuki, there was no ninja in the world older than the Elder.

The Third Hokage, at 69 years old, was already considered an elder in the ninja world, but compared to the Elder, he was still a generation younger. The older one gets, the more importance they place on seniority.

Shikaku's words aligned with the Third Hokage's thoughts, and he voiced his support for his trusted subordinate: "If we hand those two children over to Kirigakure, the Elder should have the wisdom to recognize our goodwill. Kirigakure has also abandoned its previous harsh rule. In the long run, we can attempt to cooperate with them."

Finally, he expressed his hopes: "If we can form an alliance with Kirigakure, and with Sunagakure already on our side, the three great villages united would be able to withstand any upheavals from Kumogakure and Iwagakure, ensuring our stability."

Danzō snorted in disapproval. He had always disagreed with the Third Hokage's alliance strategies. Konoha was strong why bother allying with weaklings like Sunagakure?

He said, "Hiruzen, I still believe extracting the information from those two rogue ninjas would be more beneficial for the village. Your alliance is just wishful thinking and won't come to fruition. Even if Kirigakure allies with us, they'll betray us the moment they see greater benefits."

This time, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura didn't side with him. If Konoha allied with Sunagakure and Kirigakure, perhaps future ninja wars could be avoided. Wars were brutal, and while they, as village advisors, wouldn't have to fight, their clans would. If war broke out, their descendants would have to take to the battlefield without exception.

If they could avoid war, it would be for the best.

The current political structure of Kirigakure was quite interesting. The Fourth Mizukage had passed away, and the Fifth Mizukage had already been chosen but held no real power she was more of a figurehead. The village's true authority lay in the hands of the 90-year-old Elder.

It wasn't until just before the Five Kage Summit that the Elder handed the Mizukage's hat to Mei Terumī, officially retiring. For now, Kirigakure was under the Elder's control.

Mitokado Homura thought for a moment before saying, "We could try to express our goodwill to the Elder."

He glanced at the Third Hokage, Utatane Koharu, and Shimura Danzō: "I've dealt with the Elder twice before. If none of you object, I can represent the village and take the Thunder Sword to Kirigakure myself."

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