Chapter 5: The Council of Fools or I'm Not Fixing This
Hiruzen stood before the doors, the weight of the coming confrontation pressing down like the force of a gathered storm, its winds howling just beneath the surface.
For a moment, his old eyes traced the carvings, the battles they immortalized, and he found himself wondering which of those warriors had faced an enemy as insidious as the one he now approached—not foreign, not distant, but right within his own walls.
Koharu. Homura. And Danzo… They were the shadows that danced in those torchlit halls, shifting and scheming, their ambitions threading into the very fabric of the village. Hiruzen had fought wars, had commanded armies, but this… this was different.
The weight of his Hokage hat had never felt so heavy.
A hand reached for the cold handle of the door, hesitating for the briefest moment, before pushing it open. The creaking of the grand doors seemed to echo into eternity as he stepped into the chamber, where the weight of unseen eyes fell on him at once.
As the Hokage, he had the authority to summon any number of skilled shinobi to carry out this task on his behalf. Yet, there was a distinct satisfaction in the simple act of opening the large door himself.
Each deliberate push of the heavy wood brought a small thrill, a reminder of the tangible power he wielded. It was a quiet moment of control, a stark contrast to the chaotic forces brewing beyond these doors. For all the political games and shadowy intrigue, here was a simple truth: he, Hiruzen Sarutobi, could still move mountains—or in this case, doors—with his own hands.
As the doors parted fully, the chamber opened before him, vast and ominous, like the maw of some ancient beast, waiting to swallow him whole.
This was it. The council awaited. The storm had begun.
The doors swung open with a heavy creak, echoing through the oppressive silence like a thunderclap, and a flicker of light from the corridor spilled into the darkened hallway. This illumination charted Hiruzen Sarutobi's path, resembling the first glint of steel before a deadly strike, and promised the inevitability of confrontation.
As he stepped forward into this sparse light, his gaze was sharp and steady, cradling Naruto gently in his arms. His senses were hyper-focused, the thrum of chakra beneath his skin barely restrained, sparking an instinctive awareness of every sound and every subtle shift in the air around him. As he crossed the threshold, his eyes narrowed, taking in the familiar layout of the council chamber.
The raised dais loomed ahead, where the Hokage's large chair and desk sat like a throne overlooking the council—a seat that had borne the weight of countless decisions, some which shaped Konoha, others that fractured it.
The desk's polished wood gleamed faintly in the dim light, a stark contrast to the deep shadows pooling around the chamber.
His sandals echoed against the cold stone floor, each step deliberate, his body tense with barely contained anger. His chakra pulsed rhythmically, sending faint tremors through the floor.
Jagged cracks spiderwebbed beneath his feet, as if the earth itself was reacting to the volatile force within him. The banners lining the walls trembled in response, as though they, too, feared what was to come.
Ahead of him, the large U-shaped table dominated the center of the chamber, split into three distinct sections. In the center, Hiruzen's three advisors—Homura, Koharu, and Danzo's empty chair sat.
Homura's stiff posture betrayed a mixture of anticipation and unease. Koharu, seated beside him, watched with calculating eyes, her fingers resting lightly on the table. Both looked like statues, frozen beneath the oppressive atmosphere, but Hiruzen knew better—beneath their calm facades, tensions brewed.
To the left, the Civilian Council members sat in neat rows, their presence conspicuous in the heavy silence. Their anxious gazes flitted between one another, darting nervously toward Hiruzen as if afraid to meet his eyes for too long. The right section, meant for the Shinobi Council, was noticeably empty. This absence twisted something deep inside him—a simmering anger at the blatant disrespect.
His gaze shifted to Homura, who remained rigid, eyes fixed forward, his hands clasped tightly before him.
Hiruzen could sense the slight shift in his chakra, a ripple of unease, though his outward composure didn't falter.
Hiruzen's lip curled, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. The floor beneath him cracked again, the sound loud enough to draw every eye in the room. Naruto stirred, but the gentle cocoon of Hiruzen's chakra kept him undisturbed, cradled against his chest.
"Quite the scene we have here," Hiruzen began, his tone dripping with sarcasm, though his voice was low and measured. He swept his gaze across the chamber. "Danzo's missing," he added with mock surprise, "how fortunate for him." His steps slowed as he reached the center of the room, his presence filling the space with an overwhelming, commanding force.
Homura's jaw tightened visibly, a subtle but telling reaction to Hiruzen's words. His fingers twitched slightly against the table, his body rigid as though bracing for impact. But he said nothing, his eyes merely flicking toward the empty seat next to him, a silent acknowledgment of the absence that hung like a shadow over the proceedings.
Hiruzen came to a halt, planting his feet firmly as the room seemed to hold its breath. The cracks beneath him widened, tiny shards of stone crumbling as another pulse of chakra rippled outward. The council chamber, once so suffocating in its silence, now hummed with tension, the air vibrating with the barely contained storm brewing within Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He tilted his head slightly, his smile darkening with angry amusement. "Is this where we all pretend that everything is in order?" His voice was colder now, the biting edge unmistakable.
The oppressive atmosphere hung heavy in the room, but Hiruzen felt nothing but the steady rise of his own fury. Naruto shifted slightly in his arms, but remained calm, sleeping through the mounting storm, thanks to the protective barrier of Hiruzen's chakra that wrapped around him like a gentle cloak.
As he advanced further into the room, his every step echoed loudly, each footfall like a drumbeat of authority amid the stifling silence. His robes swept the cracked floor, the subtle hiss of fabric barely audible over the thrum of tension in the air.
The air itself ripple in response to the powerful force radiating from him, invisible yet undeniably present. Occasionally, his chakra flared, and the floor beneath him responded with jagged cracks spreading like fractures in ice.
Homura sat stiffly beside Koharu, feeling the tension like a vice around his throat. The chamber, usually imposing, now felt oppressive under the weight of Hiruzen's simmering fury.
His fingers tapped against the table, a brief, unconscious movement, as if considering reaching for something. Beneath the table, he shifted his stance slightly, planting his feet more firmly on the stone floor, bracing himself against the heavy pressure of Hiruzen's chakra. His shoulders tensed, jaw tight, betraying the unease he fought to hide.
Hiruzen's presence was impossible to ignore. Each of his steps was slow and deliberate, radiating command. His free hand curled into a fist behind his back, knuckles cracking audibly as his chakra pulsed through the air. His sharp eyes locked onto Homura's with an unspoken challenge, the tension crackling like a gathering storm.
The stone beneath Homura's feet gave a sharp crack, thin fissures spreading out in jagged lines from where Hiruzen stood.
Homura's heart skipped a beat, his body instinctively shuddered. The very air seemed to tremble with each pulse of energy. Hiruzen's presence was overwhelming, his chakra like an unstoppable force bearing down on everything in the room.
The Sandaime's gaze never wavered, piercing straight through Homura. His voice, when it came, was low and biting. "Danzo's absence is… curious, don't you think?" The sarcasm in his tone cut like a blade, each word dripping with accusation.
Naruto stirred slightly in Hiruzen's arms, but the protective flare of chakra around him calmed the child almost instantly. Hiruzen's grip on the infant was gentle, but everything else about him was on edge, ready to strike.
Homura fought to keep his composure, his fingers gripping the table's edge tightly. He couldn't meet Hiruzen's eyes for long, his thoughts spinning. What had Danzo done to provoke such wrath? He swallowed again, the dryness in his throat making it difficult, but he knew there was no avoiding the fallout that was coming.
The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating, binding the room in a tense stillness until Hiruzen spoke again, his tone final and icy. "Let's not waste any more time." The cracks in the floor deepened ominously as his chakra flared again, daring anyone to challenge him, and the room itself seemed to hold its breath in anticipation.
Seeing that no one had anything to add Hiruzen curled his lip and muttered, "Quite the gathering," his voice low but piercing through the silence like a blade. His gaze swept across the room, finally landing on Danzo's empty seat.
Naruto stirred in his arms, letting out a soft whimper. Hiruzen's chakra softened protectively around the child, calming him. Homura's eyes flicked nervously toward Danzo's vacant chair, but he said nothing, his fingers tightening around the table's edge.
Hiruzen chuckled coldly. "Strange. Danzo usually slithers in for these things." His voice cut through the silence, the stone beneath him cracking further as his chakra surged, causing the banners to shake and the lights to flicker.
Homura shifted in his seat, his lips parting to speak, but Hiruzen's sharp glare stopped him cold. The Hokage planted his feet firmly, his presence suffocating, eyes narrowed in warning.
"I suggest we get to the point," Hiruzen said, his voice icy with finality. His words hung in the air, daring anyone to challenge him. His chakra swirled protectively around Naruto, even as the cracks in the floor deepened.
As he, once again, moved forward, each stride was deliberate and purposeful, his footsteps echoing through the oppressive chamber like a crescendo.
The sound resonated against the stone walls, creating a rhythm that both matched and defied the simmering anger beneath his composed exterior.
Hiruzen stopped several steps before reaching the raised dais that held the Hokage's desk and chair. As he stood there, the undeniable force of his chakra vibrated ominously through the floor.
Shadows danced erratically as an unseen wind rustled through the chamber, causing the heavy drapes hanging along the walls to sway. The tension was almost tangible, a silent testament to the formidable power the Hokage wielded.
Hiruzen's eyes once again met Homura's, the unspoken challenge clear in the stormy depths of his gaze. The sarcastic angle of his smile broadened slightly, adding an edge of sardonic humor to his expression as if daring Homura to speak, challenging him with the sheer force of his silent resolve.
The air was heavy with the scent of polished wood blended with the acrid bite of incense, creating an almost claustrophobic atmosphere that seemed designed to deter warmth or openness.
Smiling down at the gurgling baby, Hiruzen resumed his steps toward the dais. He paused at the foot of it, his sharp gaze sweeping the room before ascending with unhurried purpose. The floor groaned beneath him, fissures widening as his presence filled the space.
At the top of the dais, framed by the imposing Hokage chair, Hiruzen stood still for a moment, letting the weight of his authority settle over the room. The air grew heavier as his steely eyes locked onto the Council below.
He adjusted his hold on Naruto, cradling the infant securely, then turned to face the Council.
His sharp eyes flicked over the expansive interior, its high ceilings supported by dark wooden beams that seemed to drink in the dim light from the lanterns scattered throughout the room.
Each flicker of flame cast jagged shadows that danced along the walls, the intricate murals of past battles and hard-won victories now cold and uncomforting in the thickened tension. The air was dense, as though it resisted every breath, and even the oppressive silence seemed to have a weight of its own.
To his left, the civilian representatives occupied their seats, the finely polished wooden chairs betraying the anxiety of their occupants. Hiruzen's sharp gaze caught the subtle movements of those seated there—the nervous shifting in their seats, the constant flicker of their eyes as they exchanged furtive glances, the restless fidgeting of hands over stacks of documents.
Papers crinkled under anxious fingers, pens tapped rhythmically against the table as they awaited the inevitable clash of wills.
To the right, however, the shinobi side stood ominously vacant. Hiruzen's jaw tightened as his gaze lingered on the empty chairs. The absence of Konoha's warriors—those who should have been his most trusted advisors—was like a gaping wound.
His hands gripped the edge of his desk, knuckles whitening, and for a brief moment, his fingers twitched, betraying his simmering rage. This was no coincidence, no mere oversight; the absence was orchestrated, its emptiness hanging like a dark omen over the proceedings, deepening the tension in the room.
His eyes, hard as steel, flicked toward Homura, who sat with unnerving calm among the civilian council. The man was too composed, his stance too rigid, betraying the strain beneath the surface.
Hiruzen could almost taste the quiet satisfaction Homura took in the imbalance, this carefully orchestrated absence of the Shinobi Council taunting him from across the room.
The Hokage's teeth clenched behind his tight-lipped scowl, the faintest hiss escaping between them as he exhaled. The tension between them was palpable.
It grew thicker as Hiruzen allowed his chakra to flare, sending subtle ripples of power through the chamber. A faint tremor rattled the floor beneath him, and the very walls of the chamber seemed to groan in response, the dark wood creaking ominously.
The stone tiles beneath his feet cracked with a sudden, sharp sound, thin fissures spider-webbing outward from where he stood.
His chakra pulsed in time with his heartbeat, the air itself vibrating with the barely contained fury emanating from him. Dust sifted down from the rafters above, catching in the dim light of the lanterns like motes of ash from a smoldering fire, marking the weight of the discord that now defined the room's atmosphere.
Hiruzen stood atop the dais, cradling baby Naruto in his arms. His voice, sharp and biting, cut through the room. "Convenient, isn't it?" His eyes, hard as steel, locked onto Homura, who stiffened under the weight of the Hokage's gaze. "Quite the coincidence that the entire Shinobi Council is absent for such an important discussion. Or did you have something to do with that?"
Homura's face remained impassive, but his eyes flicked to the floor, now cracked under Hiruzen's feet. The tension in the room was palpable. He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing, and his fingers curled into fists, the knuckles white with the effort of maintaining his composure. "Hokage-sama," he began, his voice calm but noticeably lacking its usual confidence. "The Shinobi Council was… preoccupied with pressing matters. This session was called for the civilian sector to address—"
Hiruzen's snort cut him off, dismissive and sharp. A pulse of chakra rippled through the room, causing the wooden beams above to groan under the weight of his power.
The lanterns flickered, casting erratic shadows, while baby Naruto, undisturbed by the energy, squirmed slightly in Hiruzen's arms.
"Preoccupied?" Hiruzen's voice dripped with venom. "Is that what we're calling it now?" His presence seemed to grow, his figure towering over the room as he straightened to his full height. His cold eyes bored into Homura's, pinning him in place like a predator watching its prey. "Or perhaps you thought their absence would make it easier to push your little schemes through without resistance?"
Homura's mouth opened as if to respond, but no words came. His fists tightened further, his trembling fingers clutching at the fabric of his robes. His gaze darted nervously toward the civilians behind him, their shifting unease betraying the pressure they felt.
Hiruzen let the silence stretch, the weight of his chakra pressing down on the room like an invisible vice. Naruto gurgled softly in his arms, completely unaware of the storm brewing around him. When Hiruzen finally spoke, his voice was low, dangerous. "You would do well to remember, Homura, that I am still the Hokage of this village. I will not be undermined by your cowardly attempts to manipulate the Council." He struck the ground with his staff, the sharp crack echoing through the chamber. "Do not mistake your political games for strength."
The room trembled as another surge of chakra flared outward. The walls shuddered, and more dust fell from the ceiling as the cracks in the floor spread beneath Hiruzen's feet.
Homura instinctively took a step back, his face pale, eyes flickering to the baby in Hiruzen's arms before quickly darting away. He swallowed again, unable to meet Hiruzen's intense gaze.
With a sharp exhale, Hiruzen's eyes once more settled on Homura, who now sat with a forced calm at the smaller table. His posture was rigid, but the confidence that usually accompanied it had begun to falter. "Seems like the walls have ears, but the Shinobi council has no voices today," Hiruzen remarked, his voice dripping with irony. He stepped down from the dais, the weight of his authority palpable with each footstep. "Or perhaps they are too busy to grace us with their esteemed presence?"
The weight of Hiruzen's presence was suffocating. Naruto shifted slightly, yawning, while Hiruzen continued toward the center of the room. Homura, now visibly uncomfortable, began to drum his fingers nervously on the table. He opened his mouth to speak, but Hiruzen was quicker.
"What a lovely display of leadership," Hiruzen's voice rose, sarcasm thick in the air. He pointed to the empty chairs. "I trust their absence is due to something far more pressing than the defense of our village?" His words challenged the room, the weight of his authority pressing down on all of them.
Homura's expression soured. He crossed his arms defensively, feeling the room tighten under the tension. His eyes flickered between Hiruzen and the vacant chairs, his mind scrambling to regain control. His voice was strained as he cleared his throat, "Hokage-sama, we arranged this meeting to discuss critical matters concerning the—"
"Critical matters?" Hiruzen's voice sliced through Homura's like a blade. "You mean to tell me that while our forces are risking their lives, the Shinobi Council finds it prudent to not participate? I would call that a dereliction of duty!"
With every word, Hiruzen's chakra flared, the floor groaning beneath him, more cracks spidering outward. The walls shuddered under the pressure of his aura, rattling the chamber like a distant storm.
Homura's once collected demeanor had all but vanished, his mask of calm slipping as the strain became visible in his eyes, darting nervously toward the cracks at Hiruzen's feet. Baby Naruto, however, remained undisturbed, his tiny form nestled against the looming figure of the Hokage, oblivious to the monumental power swirling around him.
The air in the room grew thick with tension as Hiruzen leaned forward, palms pressed down on the wooden table, cracking the surface ever so slightly with the force of his chakra flaring beneath him.
With every word he spoke, his body radiated an intensity that felt almost palpable; the very atmosphere seemed to shimmer around him, as if the heat of his energy was warping reality itself.
The council members exchanged nervous glances, the weight of Hiruzen's presence pressing against them like an invisible wall. As Hiruzen's chakra surged, dark shadows flickered in the corners of the room, distorted by the sheer force of his will. The floor beneath his feet began to splinter, small cracks radiating outward, evidence of the turmoil churning within him.
Sensing the escalating tension, Homura attempted to regain control of the situation. "Hiruzen, we're trying to address pressing issues concerning the village's future. The absence of the shinobi doesn't—" he began, but his voice wavered, undercut by the tremor of Hiruzen's presence that filled the chamber. His words, though intended to assert stability, did the exact opposite.
"Oh, spare me your justifications," Hiruzen interjected, his voice sharp like a blade, each syllable punctuated by an eruptive flare of chakra that sent a shockwave through the room. His eyes gleamed with a fierce light, reflecting the profound disappointment and anger boiling just under the surface.
As he straightened, every motion reverberated with authority, a reminder of the legendary Hokage he was—his presence overwhelming, like a storm gathering strength.
"If this meeting is meant to serve Konoha's interests," he continued, his tone thick with sarcasm, "it's rather hard to see how that's possible when you willfully ignore the strongest voices in our ranks." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, "Or are you simply looking to consolidate control while they're away?"
At that moment, a crack of thunder echoed outside, a fitting backdrop to the tension inside. Hiruzen's expression hardened, and he straightened to his full height, a titan looming over his peers.
The flicker of lightning illuminated his face, casting deep shadows and emphasizing the wrath simmering just beneath his calm facade. The flickering light from the window mirrored the severity of Hiruzen's gaze, making it clear that he would not tolerate any further defiance.
With every word he spoke, his body radiated an intensity that felt almost palpable; the very atmosphere shimmered around him, the heat of his energy warping reality itself.
The council members exchanged nervous glances, their eyes flickering between Hiruzen and the empty chairs around the table. It was as if an invisible wall pressed against them, each heartbeat echoing the weight of Hiruzen's presence.
As Hiruzen's penetrating gaze centered on him, Homura instinctively leaned back, trying to create distance as if he could shield himself from the storm of Hiruzen's wrath. The muscles in his jaw tightened, the strain evident as he struggled to maintain his composure. Beads of sweat trickled down his brow, betraying the turmoil simmering just below the surface.
"Do you truly believe," Hiruzen continued, his voice a low growl, "that Konoha can thrive when its leaders abandon their responsibilities?" His body leaned slightly forward, amplifying the sense of danger that hung in the air, the ground beneath him quaking in response to his fury.
The council members shifted in their seats, the tension palpable as they witnessed the showdown unfold before them.
Homura, now visibly sweating, shifted again, his hands resting awkwardly on the table as he struggled to find his voice. "Hokage-sama, we must—"
Hiruzen cut him off again, his tone laced with irritation. "Must what, Homura? Hide behind the absence of the Council? Ignore the dangers that threaten our village? You are playing a dangerous game, and I will not let Konoha fall to your machinations."
The air around them thickened, charged with unspoken threats, and the chamber seemed to tremble under the weight of Hiruzen's resolve.
Suddenly, a woman with vivid pink hair and a fierce expression sprang from her seat, cradling her infant tightly against her chest. Her body was tense, each muscle coiled as if prepared for battle. "Hokage-sama, the fears and concerns we wish to bring forward have nothing to do with the Shinobi Council," Haruno declared, her voice slicing through the heavy silence like a sword. She bowed slightly in respect, but her unwavering gaze anchored itself firmly onto Hiruzen, unflinching in her determination.
"And what exactly is the nature of these supposed 'fears and concerns, Counselor Haruno?" he spat, his typically calm demeanor giving way to an anger that reverberated in his voice. Each syllable was laced with authority, and the surrounding air seemed to vibrate with his emotional intensity, pushing back against those around him.
Haruno bristled at the Hokage's dismissive tone, her resolve hardening with every passing second. "The child you hold in your arms is dangerous. Sandaime-sama trapped that monster inside that child so it would be easier to kill. We cannot waste his sacrifice by waiting any longer. The Council demands that the demon child be executed at once." Her voice rang out defiantly.
In response, the air thickened with mounting tension, heavy and unyielding. Hiruzen's expression darkened as he summoned his chakra, unleashing a vibrant blue flare that erupted around him like an impending storm.
With a swift motion, as if to assert his dominance over the brewing conflict, Hiruzen flicked his wrist, dispersing the chakra into a swirling aura that danced around him. His voice dripped with sarcasm, each word cutting sharply through the tension, "You really think you're in a position to make demands of me, Haruno?" The low growl of his tone commanded respect and sought to subdue any rebellious thoughts that might linger in her mind.
His narrowed gaze bore into her, as if trying to peer into her very soul, and he took a step forward, the floor creaking ominously under the strain of his power.
The air around him crackled, reflecting the storm brewing in his eyes. "Tell me," he leaned slightly, his tone softening momentarily but still laced with indignation, "Did anyone put you up to this?"
Caught off guard, Haruno felt her heart skip a beat. Before she could formulate a response, her gaze unconsciously flickered toward Homura, a flash of uncertainty crossing her face.
Homura expression darkened as he noticed the glance, an internal struggle etched on his face. Without a moment's hesitation, his hand clenched into a fist, his body taut with frustration.
"Don't look at him for answers," Hiruzen snapped, his voice laced with irritation.
The chakra in the room seemed to fluctuate erratically, the environmental effects amplifying as shadows danced along the walls, mirroring Homura's unease. With every pulse of energy, the atmosphere thickened, heavy with unspent aggression that felt as though it could explode at any moment.
Damn you, Hiruzen, Homura thought bitterly, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. His narrowed eyes were fixed on the Hokage, burning with a hunger for power that ran deeper than mere political maneuvering.
He was not there to negotiate; he was there to dominate, and that meant the little monster in Hiruzen's arms had to go. The shadows of the council chamber flickered ominously, as if they too sensed the rising tension and the dark intentions swirling within Homura's heart.
In this ruthless pursuit, Naruto Uzumaki—the vessel of the formidable Nine-Tails—transformed from a mere child into a threat that loomed large in Homura's ambitions. He was not just a potential risk to the village's stability; he was a living embodiment of chaos, a wrecking ball poised to shatter Homura's carefully constructed plans.
As he shifted in his seat, his fingers drummed impatiently against the table, an unmistakable telltale sign of his growing frustration that echoed the turbulent energy in the room.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen, ever perceptive to the undercurrents of power and tension, felt the pressure mount as he caught the flicker of malice in Homura's eyes.
"Do you think you can simply use the Council as a pawn in your little game, Homura?" Hiruzen's voice dripped with sarcasm, each word laced with an authority that cut through the suffocating tension.
He advanced a few purposeful steps toward Homura, each stride deliberate and measured, as if he were a storm gathering its full might. His fierce gaze was filled with a protective fury, a stark contrast to the simmering ambition reflected in Homura's eyes.
Koharu Utatane shifted uncomfortably in her seat next to Homura, her fingers tightening instinctively around the armrest—a subconscious betrayal of the anxiety she struggled to mask.
The palpable electricity in the air increased, charged by the stark contrast between Hiruzen's magnetic energy and Homura's undercurrent of calculated malice. Koharu dared not lock eyes with Hiruzen, fully aware of the storm brewing between the two men—the indomitable Hokage standing resolute for the spirit of Konoha against the treacherous currents represented by Homura.
In that moment, the room felt like a battleground, each participant poised for conflict. Homura clenched his jaw, the muscles in his face twitching as Hiruzen's words rattled in his mind. He refocused his gaze on the Hokage, determination flaring within him. "You're too caught up in ideals, Hiruzen," he shot back, his voice dripping with derision. "The village is vulnerable, and you're protecting a threat. It's time to face reality—you can't coddle that demon any longer."
The tension crackled between them, a dangerous dance of authority and ambition. Hiruzen turned slightly, glancing at the child nestled against him. "Naruto is not the threat you think he is, Homura. That child represents hope and potential, something you seem to have forgotten in your quest for power."
Homura's eyes narrowed further, disbelief mingling with outrage. "Hope? Potential? Whatever you say doesn't change the fact that he carries the essence of destruction within him. Do you really believe that letting him live will protect the village?"
"More than your thirst for control ever will," Hiruzen replied, his voice steady, unwavering. "You talk of sacrifices, yet what you're advocating is a monstrous crime cloaked in the guise of duty. I will not stand by and watch you turn the Council into an instrument of fear and hatred."
The tension in the room was almost unbearable, the air thick with the weight of unspoken threats. Hiruzen cradled the infant Naruto in his arms, his grip gentle but unwavering, in stark contrast to the barely contained storm of power that radiated from his body. Every breath he took seemed to carry a surge of energy, and the council chamber groaned under the pressure.
Haruno felt it immediately, her own heartbeat pounding in her ears as the overwhelming presence of the Hokage bore down on her. The very walls seemed to tremble as Hiruzen's chakra flared, and though she realized now that Homura had set her up to bear the brunt of this confrontation, it was too late to retreat.
Pride and fear for her own newborn child kept her rooted to the spot, chin raised defiantly. She stood firm, but she could feel the invisible weight pressing her down, each second more oppressive than the last.
Hiruzen's eyes burned with contempt as they locked onto hers, his gaze searing through her resolve. His chakra continued to flare violently, and the floor beneath him cracked again, deep fissures spidering out from his feet like veins of rage embedded in the stone. Naruto stirred slightly in his arms, but the Hokage's grip on the boy never wavered, even as the raw force of his energy shook the room.
Without taking his eyes off Haruno, Hiruzen descended from his raised platform, every slow, deliberate step sending tremors through the council chamber. His body was tense, like a tightly coiled spring ready to explode, his fingers twitching with barely restrained fury.
His robes billowed around him as if caught in an unseen wind, making him seem even larger, more fearsome. The flickering lights above cast long shadows across his face, emphasizing the lines of age and power that had shaped him into the man standing before them.
He spoke, his voice dripping with sarcasm, each word a carefully placed dagger. "Counselor Haruno," he began, his tone mocking, "so willing to stand in the line of fire for him?" He tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing as he shot a sideways glance at Homura. "Tell me, does it feel noble, playing the pawn in Homura's petty game? Or is it that you simply have no idea what game you're playing?"
Haruno clenched her fists at her sides, fighting the instinct to step back, to turn away from the furious gaze bearing down on her. She forced herself to speak, her voice shaking only slightly. "You're mistaken if you think this is about Homura, Hokage-sama. The Council—"
Hiruzen's derisive laughter sliced through her words, silencing her instantly. "The Council?" he repeated, his voice cold and biting, his chakra flaring again, causing another sharp crack in the stone at his feet. "The Council is a pack of scared fools, clinging to shadows they don't understand."
His gaze slid to Homura, who had remained seated in calculated silence, though his fingers had tightened on the armrests of his chair. The flickering lights above seemed to dim slightly as Hiruzen's energy spiked, casting sharp, jagged shadows across Homura's face, making his calm expression look strained, more brittle than before.
With Naruto nestled safely in the crook of one arm, Hiruzen moved forward again, each step purposeful, each movement radiating barely controlled wrath. His robes swirled behind him, brushing over the cracked floor, and his eyes never left Haruno as he approached. "You speak of protecting this village, but you don't even understand the sacrifice it demands. You're all too quick to abandon reason for fear." He paused, his tone sharpening as his gaze flicked to Homura again. "Or to abandon honor for the sake of ambition."
Homura, who had remained still thus far, shifted ever so slightly in his seat, his expression remaining neutral, though there was a faint tension around his eyes. He met Hiruzen's gaze, unflinching, but the weight between them was palpable. Hiruzen's chakra pulsed in time with his footsteps, the oppressive force of it causing the walls to tremble, and the lights above flickered once more.
"You would let the fear of what you don't understand dictate the future of this village?" Hiruzen's voice was low now, dangerously quiet, the calm before the storm. He stepped closer to Haruno, and the floor beneath his feet cracked again, the sound sharp in the silence. "And you, Haruno… standing there, thinking that by aligning yourself with him," he gestured subtly toward Homura without looking, "you'll come out of this clean?"
Haruno's resolve faltered as the full weight of Hiruzen's words hit her. Her defiance wavered, her lips parting as if to speak, but no sound came. The pressure in the room was crushing, and even her defiance was struggling to hold under the weight of Hiruzen's presence.
Hiruzen shifted Naruto slightly in his arms, his gaze turning to Homura, cold and unforgiving. "Homura," he said, his voice cutting through the room like ice. "You've plotted and schemed long enough, thinking I wouldn't notice. Your manipulation ends here. I won't let you tear this village apart with your petty ambitions."
Homura's fingers drummed lightly against the armrest, betraying his growing unease, though his face remained neutral. The tension between him and Hiruzen was thick enough to choke on, their silent battle raging beneath the surface of their words.
Hiruzen's chakra pulsed one final time, a massive surge that sent another tremor through the room, shaking the very foundations of the council chamber. He stepped forward, lowering his voice to a deadly whisper, his face mere inches from Haruno's now. "If any of you—any of you—speak of sacrificing this child again…" His voice dropped lower, colder, "you'll wish the cracks in this floor were the only thing broken in this chamber."
The room fell deathly silent. Haruno lowered her gaze, trembling now, unable to bear the weight of Hiruzen's fury any longer. Even Homura shifted in his seat, his calm mask cracking ever so slightly under the oppressive atmosphere.
The Hokage's chakra slowly receded, the crackling energy in the air fading, though the cracks in the stone and the tension in the room remained. Hiruzen's hold on Naruto tightened protectively as he turned, his back to the council. "Let this be the last time I hear such talk," he said, his voice firm and final. "Because the next time, I won't be so merciful."
The other council members exchanged nervous glances, their growing anxiety palpable as they fidgeted in their seats, the anticipation pressing down on them like a vice.
Hiruzen, still cradling Naruto securely in his arms, walked with deliberate, measured steps up the dais. His sandals ground against the cracked stone, the sound harsh and grating in the otherwise silent chamber.
His robes billowed slightly, rustling with each step, and the sheer force of his chakra sent tremors through the floor, widening the fissures with every footfall. The infant in his arms stirred but remained calm, as if sensing the power radiating from the man holding him.
Reaching his seat, Hiruzen lowered himself slowly, his body moving with an almost predatory grace. His gaze shifted to Homura, eyes narrowing with barely concealed contempt.
His tone, when he finally spoke, was more irritated than angry, but it cut through the thick silence like a blade. "You thought your little scheme was clever, didn't you?" he began, his voice laced with sarcasm. "But it was always destined to fail."
Homura remained still, his face expressionless, though the tension in his posture betrayed his discomfort. His fingers twitched slightly, gripping the arms of his chair with a quiet intensity as he met Hiruzen's piercing gaze. The council members around him looked on, some wide-eyed with confusion, others darting glances toward the advisors, hoping for a clue to the significance of Hiruzen's words.
The Hokage's lips curled into a bitter smile as he continued, his voice growing colder. "You may have thought you had the upper hand because the shinobi's were not here. But there's one thing you overlooked." He leaned forward slightly, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity. "The Daimyō's Ambassador isn't here."
A murmur rippled through the council, the civilian members glancing at one another in confusion. Most didn't fully grasp the weight of what Hiruzen had just revealed. But the advisors—Homura included—stiffened, their faces betraying a flicker of realization. The room seemed to grow colder, the tension thickening as the implications of the absent ambassador sank in.
"Any decision as monumental as executing a Jinchūriki would require his vote," Hiruzen said, his voice dropping lower, more menacing. "Without it, your little coup would have amounted to nothing. And by stopping this madness…" His eyes darkened as he scanned the room, letting his words hang ominously in the air. "I've saved not just the child's life—but your own."
The reactions were immediate. Some council members visibly paled, their faces turning ashen as the weight of Hiruzen's words crashed over them. One man audibly gulped, his hand trembling as he grasped the edge of the table. Others shifted uncomfortably, their earlier confidence shattered, and a nervous murmur spread across the room. Homura, though outwardly calm, clenched his jaw, his stoic mask slipping just enough to reveal the underlying tension.
Smiling faintly, Hiruzen raised his hand and snapped his fingers. The sound echoed sharply in the chamber, and almost instantly, a bear-masked ANBU operative appeared at his side, kneeling with practiced precision, his head bowed in deference. The swiftness of the movement left the council members stunned, their heads whipping around to the sudden presence of the masked figure.
"Yes, Hokage-sama. What are your orders?" the ANBU operative asked, his voice steady and devoid of emotion.
Hiruzen's tone was calm, but his anger still simmered beneath the surface. "Send word to the Shinobi Council. Have them meet here immediately," he commanded, his voice firm and resolute.
Without hesitation, the ANBU operative responded. "At once, Hokage-sama." In a swirl of leaves, the ANBU vanished just as quickly as he had appeared, leaving the council chamber steeped in silence once more.
The remaining council members sat frozen in their seats, still reeling from the Hokage's words and the sudden shift in power. The gravity of the situation had sunk in fully, leaving them to grapple with the realization that they had underestimated Hiruzen's reach and influence. And as the Hokage sat in his seat, still holding Naruto close, it was clear to all present that any future attempts at such treachery would not be met with mercy.