What!
Not only does Jin want the Hidden Cloud Village to return the remains, but he also demands that the Fourth Raikage kneel and beg for forgiveness?
If the Hidden Cloud Village and the Fourth Raikage can’t comply, Jin will declare war on them on behalf of Konoha?
Although the crowd didn’t know the full story, Jin’s few words felt like a cold splash of water, shocking them into clarity.
How could this be possible?
Despite the secrecy surrounding the Hidden Cloud Village, most present ninjas had a rough understanding of it.
Jin likely referred to the remains of the Hyuga branch family head, which had lost its value due to the Caged Bird Seal. There was a slight chance they could get it back.
But expecting the hot-tempered and powerful Fourth Raikage—who single-handedly cut off the Eight-Tails’ horn in his youth—to kneel and beg for forgiveness, publicly?
No one seriously thought this was a choice. This was clearly a declaration of war against the Hidden Cloud Village and the Fourth Raikage!
No one expected Jin to take such an aggressive stance right after assuming his new position.
“No way!”
Realizing the situation, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn’t even bother with accusations of ‘collusion.’ He immediately intervened.
“The village has just found a moment of peace. We can’t start another conflict now. Konoha can’t afford a full-scale war.”
“Yes, absolutely not!”
Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane, who had been staying in the background, stepped forward to voice their objections loudly.
“The Fourth Raikage is in his prime, and the village also has the Eight-Tails and Two-Tails jinchuriki. Engaging in a full-scale war with the Hidden Cloud Village now is unwise!”
“And if we go to war with the Hidden Cloud Village, the other ninja villages will surely take advantage of the situation.”
“Do you want to see Konoha destroyed under your watch?”
Led by Hiruzen, Homura, and Koharu took turns verbally attacking Jin, seemingly finding a perfect opportunity to counterattack after being repressed for so long.
This was their genuine concern. With Hiruzen aging, Danzo recently killed, and the significant losses of the Third Ninja War, Konoha’s power structure was severely weakened. Homura and Koharu knew a Fourth Ninja War could lead to Konoha’s end.
All for the village!
Their eyes shone with resolve, standing fearlessly before Jin, seemingly regaining the support of many ninjas.
“You’re not wrong!”
Jin appeared bored, picking at his ear, then nodded in agreement.
Koharu’s eyes flashed with hope, and she eagerly urged him.
“Then you understand. Quickly retract the letter!”
“You’re clearly unfit to be Acting Hokage if you can do something like this!”
Koharu, evidently agitated, moved closer, reaching to strip Jin of his Hokage robe.
Smack! Bam!
But Jin responded with a sharp slap and a powerful kick, sending Koharu rolling across the ground.
Everyone stared in shock as Jin calmly brushed off the dust.
“I said, call me Lord Hokage!”
Jin’s roar, amplified by wind chakra, thundered in everyone’s ears like an explosion.
“You…”
Supported by Homura, a weakened Koharu looked up in disbelief at Jin.
“Because the Hidden Cloud Village is strong and the Fourth Raikage is powerful, you would let them take our comrades’ remains for inhumane experiments?”
Jin’s tone was calm, almost eerily so, but everyone could sense the burning rage beneath.
“Screw the Hidden Cloud Village!”
“Are you out of your minds?”
“Since the founding of Konoha by the Uchiha and Senju clans, we’ve always been dominant over the other villages. When did we fall so low as to seek peace by giving up our comrades’ remains?”
“You three cowardly fools, scared into submission by mere threats of war. You gave up the fruits of the Third Ninja War and now dare to use our comrades’ bodies to beg for peace?”
Jin’s voice was filled with unprecedented anger, his crimson chakra seething like a ravenous beast.
“The Konoha founded by the Uchiha does not like war, but we do not fear it!”
“If I had known back then, I would’ve dealt with you traitors myself. Now that I am Hokage, I must fulfill my duties!”
“I will not stand by while our comrades’ remains are humiliated in the Hidden Cloud Village!”
“Whether as the Hokage of Konoha or as a member of a noble clan, I cannot tolerate this any longer!”
Jin turned to Shikaku Nara, his voice cold.
“Now that Konoha has angered the Hidden Cloud Village, I must quell their rage. Will the Nara clan use its members to atone, or will it defend its honor and the village with blood?”
“I…”
Shikaku was caught off guard, unsure how to respond, but the firm grip on his shoulder conveyed reassurance.
“The Ino-Shika-Cho trio has never feared war or used its members’ lives to beg for peace. Konoha’s strength isn’t based on submission!”
Choza Akimichi’s resolute words, his powerful yang chakra flaring, filled him with an imposing aura.
“And the Hyuga?”
Jin’s gaze shifted to Hiashi Hyuga, whose expression remained conflicted.
“Hizashi…”
Hiashi murmured, recalling his brother’s tragic death, and rose to declare his stance.
“No!”
The Hyuga clan elder suddenly stepped in, blocking Hiashi and stopping him.
Heh~
Jin scoffed, turning to the crowd.
“I don’t care about the Hyuga’s stance or your absurd branch and main family system. As Hokage, I will not allow any Konoha villagers to be humiliated!”
“Do you dare?”
…
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