Hokage : My Nine tails are getting more and more

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Since Kurama's seal was partially lifted, he had been able to observe the outside world through Naruto. Watching Sarutobi Hiruzen handle the situation with such caution, Kurama couldn't help but scoff, "This Third Hokage is just here to fill the role. When I was last controlled, it didn't take long for the Fourth Hokage to make the ultimate decision and seal me away with his life. But this old man stood by and let the Fourth die."

Kurama's words echoed in the room, catching the attention of Hiashi and Sarutobi. Both turned to Naruto, wide-eyed and startled.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice trembled slightly as he asked, "Naruto... was that the Nine Tails speaking?"

Naruto didn't answer immediately, but Kurama's voice boomed from within him again. "Old man, show some backbone. I just want to settle things with Gyūki."

Though only half of Kurama remained sealed inside Naruto, his fierce personality hadn't changed in the slightest.

Sarutobi narrowed his eyes, unsure of Kurama's intentions. "And why should I believe you'll help Konoha?"

Kurama's response was filled with disdain. "I keep my word. If I say I'll help, I'll help. And more importantly, Uzumaki Naruto has promised to free me. In exchange, I'll offer my aid to Konoha—but on the condition that you find a way for Naruto to survive without the tailed beasts."

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned. While Kurama seemed genuine, the implications were alarming. If Naruto released Kurama, Konoha would lose one of its greatest deterrents. And even more worrisome, if Kurama's seal was loosening, the Nine Tails could potentially break free anytime. That would endanger not only Naruto but the entire village.

The stakes had suddenly risen, and Sarutobi knew he had no choice but to cooperate. After weighing his options, he nodded, albeit reluctantly. "We may need to publicize this matter to put pressure on the Cloud Shinobi Village," he said thoughtfully, shifting gears.

Turning back to Naruto, Sarutobi added, "If Cloud Shinobi Village wishes for war, I trust that you'll honor your promise to assist us."

Kurama's gruff voice answered immediately, "I'm not a duplicitous human."

Naruto, ever supportive of Kurama, smiled slightly and added, "Yeah, Kurama always keeps his promises. And don't forget, he was being controlled during his attack on Konoha. It's not fair to hold that against him."

Hearing this, Sarutobi sighed, rubbing his temples. This situation was becoming far more complicated than he'd anticipated. "Fine... let's proceed," he said, finally conceding.

With the decision made, Sarutobi gave the order to summon Yamanaka Haiichi, head of the Yamanaka clan. The Yamanakas had a special technique to read memories, and Hiashi had suggested using it to gather indisputable proof from the Cloud Shinobi. Upon hearing the situation, Yamanaka Haiichi was furious. Though the Hyuga and Uchiha clans were often aloof, they were still Konoha's allies, and an attack on them was an attack on the village.

"Don't worry," Haiichi assured Hiashi and Sarutobi, "I'll extract the memories. Cloud Shinobi won't get away with this."

---

Meanwhile, the Cloud Shinobi Village realized something had gone wrong when they hadn't received word from their comrades. Still, they weren't entirely unprepared and had a backup plan.

The Cloud Shinobi emissary didn't go directly to Sarutobi Hiruzen. Instead, they approached the Hyuga clan's residence, aiming to provide a diversion and extract their captured comrade. The plan was simple: accuse the Hyuga of killing their ninja and feign outrage to cover their tracks.

This was a tactic they had employed before. Years ago, after the death of the Fourth Hokage, Cloud Shinobi had used the same method. With Konoha in a weakened state and Sarutobi Hiruzen retaking power as a cautious and aging Hokage, Cloud Shinobi had pressured Konoha into surrendering Hiashi's brother as a scapegoat.

That past success had emboldened them. But this time, things were different.

As the Cloud Shinobi emissary approached the Hyuga estate, they were immediately intercepted by Hyuga sentries. The emissary scowled and issued a warning. "Stand aside if you don't want to be the cause of a war!"

To the emissary's surprise, the Hyuga guards didn't back down. "We've been expecting you," one of them said calmly. "Our clan leader has been waiting."

Suspicion gnawed at the emissary, but with no choice, they entered the Hyuga compound. What greeted them there was beyond anything they had anticipated.

In the middle of the courtyard, standing with his back to the door, was Sarutobi Hiruzen himself, clad in his Hokage robes. The sight immediately unsettled the emissary, though they quickly regained their composure.

It didn't matter that Sarutobi was there. Surely, the old Hokage would still cave under pressure. Konoha was weak, after all, and Sarutobi was too cautious to risk a conflict. The emissary prepared to launch into their accusation, confident that they could manipulate the situation as they had before.

But before they could even speak, Sarutobi's voice rang out with unexpected authority. "Why did your village attempt to kidnap the heir of Konoha's Hyuga clan?"

The bluntness of the accusation caught the emissary off guard. Had Sarutobi Hiruzen gone mad? They were sure Konoha's leadership wouldn't be this confrontational. Not now. Not with Konoha's weakened state.

The emissary quickly recovered and launched into their rehearsed narrative. "This is absurd! It's the Hyuga who are attacking us, seeking revenge for Hiashi's brother. They lured our ninja into a trap in the Forest of Death and murdered him! Now you're fabricating lies to cover it up!"

They had expected this approach to work, but instead of seeing Sarutobi's expression soften, they saw only cold fury in his eyes. The fear began to creep in.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone was icy as he replied, "The evidence is clear. Your ninja attempted to abduct a member of one of Konoha's noble clans. This will not be tolerated. You will inform Raikage of this incident, and I will demand an explanation. If he refuses..."

His voice hardened further, and his words were nearly a growl as he continued, "Konoha is ready for war."

The sheer weight of Sarutobi's killing intent filled the room, sending shivers down the spines of everyone present. The Cloud Shinobi emissary, faced with the reality of standing before a veteran who had led Konoha through two brutal wars, found himself speechless. For the first time, he realized that Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't just an old man. He was the Shinobi no Kami—the God of Shinobi—who had held Konoha together in its darkest hours.

With his bluff called, the emissary knew he had no choice but to retreat. This wasn't the outcome he had expected at all.

---

As the envoy left, Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze lingered on the door. "Konoha has weathered too much already," he murmured. He turned to Naruto, who stood silently by, having observed everything.

Kurama, deep within Naruto, chuckled softly. "For an old man, he still has some fire left."

Naruto didn't respond, but inside, he knew that things in Konoha were about to change.

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