Six years later
The Konoha Academy was bustling with activity as usual, but today was different. Today, the graduation exam of this batch of students was to be held. The lecture room was filled with students who were to take the exam. They were being called one at a time to an office where Iruka was seated and tested directly.
Each student went one by one when their name was called by one of the staff, some coming back with a Konoha headband and a smile on their faces, while some weren't so lucky. Time passed, and soon a voice came out,
"Julius Maximus!"
Maximus stood up, gave a nod to his classmates, and walked towards the office. Maximus first slightly opened the door and took permission to enter, and then stood with a straightened back in front of the seated Iruka. The room was lit with electric lights, the walls were painted green, and the floor was of wood. The only furniture in the room was a desk, upon which sat Iruka, with files stacked in one place on the table.
Iruka looked up at Maximus and greeted him.
"Good day, Maximus. I hope you're prepared for the exam?" Maximus gave a nod.
"Well then, let's start the exam. First, I will be asking you some bookish questions, then we'll move on to the practical." Maximus nodded again, Iruka went over the question papers, each was designed differently for each student to prevent cheating, and started reading out questions after coming across the question paper with Maximus' name on it.
"What is the necessary chakra affinity to be a good genjutsu user?"
"Yin chakra."
"Can you explain the process of how we can walk on water using Chakra?"
"Chakra can be used to create a solid surface over liquid water to walk upon, it only needs a base, however liquid or solid."
Iruka seemed satisfied after asking a few more questions and noted down Maximus' grade, then continued,
"Now we'll be conducting the practical test. Can you perform a clone jutsu for me?"
Maximus stepped back and formed a hand sign, smoke covered the room for a brief moment. When it cleared, there was a perfect copy of Maximus standing by his side. Iruka smiled took out a wooden board and continued,
"Now, can you break this wooden board with chakra enhancing?"
Maximus chuckled, and took his hand behind, preparing for a strike on the wooden board. Slowly, his hand began to slightly glow with chakra, and when the glow had become quite visible, he struck. The board fell in half, and Iruka was impressed. After a few more tests where Maximus was to perform basic techniques, Iruka concluded,
"Congratulations, Maximus, you've passed with flying colors." Iruka took out a Konoha headband from his drawer placed it on the table, and continued,
"Here is your headband. You may go home for now, information regarding your Genin team will be provided after a few days."
Maximus happily took the headband, slightly bowed to his former sensei, and left the office in a joyous mood. As he left the room, he saw Naruko go towards the office. He nodded at her in a friendly and encouraging manner, Naruko also replied with a nod, and both went their ways.
Konoha council room
The prominent people in Konoha, the Hokage, the elders, the rich merchants, representatives of the civilian class, etc., all sat in the room around a rectangular table. The Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat at the width of the rectangular table, opposite him Danzo Shimura, the others sat near the sides. Today, a representative from Rome was also sitting amongst these respectable Konoha men.
The topic of discussion was the recent Hyuga incident, where the supposed ambassador from Kumo who had come to discuss peace terms after the last war with Konoha had tried to abduct Hinata Hyuga, daughter of the current Hyuga clan head and belonging to the main branch, but was prevented and killed by her father Hiashi Hyuga. Hiruzen started the talks,
"The purpose of today's gathering is the recent Hyuga incident, of which you all know so I won't go into telling about it. Today's discussion is on what to do over this matter. Kumogakure is demanding the head of Hiashi, the man who killed their representative. How shall we proceed on this matter?" Danzo Shimura cleared his throat and began to speak,
"Their claims are ridiculous and outrageous. Both sides know that THEY were the ones who started this by trying to abduct Hinata Hyuga. Kumogakure doesn't have any special kekkei genkai of its own, so they are trying to acquire the Byakugan with trickery and deception. This is now a matter of Konoha's pride, and we can't simply bend to their wishes even though they are the ones guilty."
Hiruzen took a deep breath and answered,
"Pride, pride, PRIDE! What is this pride you speak of? Pride in killing thousands during the wars, or pride in superseding other villages in war crimes and aggressiveness? Keep this in mind, all present, that if we go Lord Danzo's way it will only lead to further conflict. It is easy to talk of pride, honor, and strength while sipping tea in the meeting room, but remember that thousands will die and many will suffer."
One of the rich merchants, who was also a representative of the civilian class, spoke after a brief moment of silence,
"I agree with Lord Hokage. War is bad, and it is even worse for business. We should try to resolve this matter through discussions and not arms." Danzo scoffed, and spoke,
"I know you'd speak as such. But if we bend to Kumo, other villages and Daimyos will perceive us as weak, and it might even affect the missions we receive."
A strong argument followed between those who supported Hiruzen and those with Danzo, the former was a minority. The diplomat from Rome was an old person with a white beard, light skin, and a slightly bent posture, his hair was white and he was balding, he wore white clothes and had a face that spoke of his experience and wisdom. The diplomat sighed and rose to speak,
"You may do about the matter as you please, after all, you people control the fate of Konoha, this is only friendly advice from an ally. Deal with this matter through talks, offer to recompense Kumo with something else like money, and choose open conflict only if it is the last resort."
After this speaking, the diplomat rose from his chair and proceeded towards the exit.
"However," The diplomat turned back and spoke,
"If Konoha opts for war, then Rome will be more than ready to join its side. You may make the decision yourselves." Saying this the diplomat quietly left the room with his guards.
After he was gone, debate again started among the councilors. The pro-war faction stated that now that they have the support of Rome as well, they shouldn't fear war. While others appreciated the diplomat's advice of recompense, and choosing war only as a last resort. In the end, Hiruzen proposed a vote to be held to decide. In the end, going to war was won by popular vote.