Konoha’s Five-Element Ninja

Chapter 57: Hayama's Question

Once Sakumo Hatake finished his calm and composed account of the mission, the conference room erupted into various reactions.

Uchiha Shinichi raised an eyebrow, appearing relaxed. Orochimaru let out a sinister chuckle. Tsunade played absentmindedly with her hair. Jiraiya sat upright, nodding occasionally—though the trails of drool at the corners of his mouth made his seriousness less convincing. As for Hayama, his face was frosty, barely concealing the raging fire in his heart.

Danzo Shimura observed everyone's expressions but remained silent. Instead, he waved his hand, and an Anbu operative appeared, kneeling on one knee.

"This morning, a small-scale protest broke out in the capital," the Anbu reported. "The demonstrators are demanding that the daimyo severely punish the ninja who abandoned their mission. The daimyo has already dispatched an envoy to Konoha to demand answers—the leader is Teraoka Chudou, one of the daimyo's most trusted aides."

The operative's voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for the entire conference room to hear. The once-quiet space immediately buzzed with discontent. Many attendees were clearly displeased with the daimyo's interference.

Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped the table lightly, signaling for silence, before speaking in a measured tone.

"In the end, this was merely a mission failure. It should not have been brought into the public eye. However, both the daimyo and the public demand an explanation. What do you all think we should do?"

Sitting in the front row, Orochimaru let out a mocking laugh.

"Sarutobi-sensei, Lord Sakumo is one of the village's strongest ninjas. Publicly discussing a minor failure like this—isn't that excessive?"

Many nodded in agreement with Orochimaru's statement, clearly believing that this whole affair was an insult to powerful ninjas.

"Right now, we are discussing how to handle the situation, Orochimaru. Do not try to change the subject."

Before Hiruzen could respond, Danzo coldly interrupted.

"My suggestion is simple—just find a pretext to placate the daimyo. There was no need for this whole meeting to begin with." Orochimaru shrugged.

Uchiha Shinichi chuckled and added, "Orochimaru is correct. If the village lacks funds to compensate the daimyo, the Uchiha clan is more than willing to cover the costs."

"We of the Morino clan would also be willing."

"The Gekkou clan as well."

"...And us."

One after another, dozens of smaller clans affiliated with the Uchiha voiced their support.

Danzo's eyes narrowed sharply as he scanned the defiant faces, his gaze as sharp as a knife.

Meanwhile, Hiruzen remained silent, his thoughts unreadable. After a moment, he looked at Sakumo Hatake.

"Sakumo, what is your opinion on the matter?"

The man in question stood up and spoke calmly.

"The mission's failure was my decision alone. I will abide by whatever the village decides."

After a brief pause, he looked directly at the Hokage and asked, "Lord Hokage, are the ninjas of Konoha warriors of the Fire Country—or warriors of Konoha?"

A hush fell over the room.

The question might have sounded like nonsense at first. After all, weren't Konoha's ninjas both? Even academy students knew that.

But every experienced jōnin in the room knew better.

If Konoha's ninjas were warriors of the Fire Country, their true leader would be the daimyo, not the Hokage. In that case, Sakumo's decision to abandon the mission would be treason.

But if Konoha's ninjas were warriors of Konoha, their only allegiance was to the Hokage. Their duty was solely to protect the village, not necessarily the daimyo's interests. From this perspective, Sakumo did not betray Konoha—he had preserved its strength. In fact, he should be rewarded, not punished.

This was why Orochimaru, as a direct disciple of the Hokage, had firmly supported Sakumo—because the core issue at play was the true seat of power.

Hiruzen took a slow drag from his pipe, scanning the room with sharp eyes. When the room finally settled, he spoke.

"Let's not escalate this matter unnecessarily. This discussion should be about handling the situation properly—not throwing out baseless accusations."

His words were strategically vague. He neither answered Sakumo's question nor allowed the conversation to linger on it. Instead, he subtly reprimanded Sakumo for raising an inappropriate issue.

Like a seasoned old fox, he had effortlessly maneuvered out of a political trap.

Hayama, however, had had enough.

He let out a cold laugh and stood up.

"Then, Lord Hokage, wouldn't calling this meeting also count as escalating the matter unnecessarily?"

A Nara clan ninja immediately leaped to his feet, pointing angrily at Hayama.

"Insolent brat! How dare you question the Hokage's decision?! Anbu, throw him out!"

The room went silent as many watched the young ninja who had just challenged the Hokage.

Since the Senju clan's decline, no one had dared to publicly question Hiruzen Sarutobi like this.

This young man… was too bold.

Yet Hayama wasn't fazed.

Instead, he smiled.

"Tell me, Lord Hokage, in bending over backwards to protect the daimyo's interests—to the point of publicly humiliating Lord Sakumo—do you not fear that you are alienating the very warriors who protect this village?"

The Nara ninja who had shouted earlier froze on the spot.

The previous discussion had been theoretical, but Hayama's question struck directly at the hearts of every jōnin present.

This was no longer about Sakumo—it was about all of them.

If someone as accomplished as Sakumo Hatake could be dragged before a tribunal for one mission failure, then who was safe?

Every single ninja in this room had risked life and limb for Konoha.

But if their loyalty was repaid with betrayal, then what was the point?

Hiruzen stared daggers at Hayama, as if willing him to drop dead on the spot. This brat had just thrown a live grenade into the middle of the room.

Realizing the tide was turning, the Hokage quickly backtracked.

"The village exists to protect its people. That has never changed."

"Anyone who threatens Konoha is our enemy. As Hokage, it is my duty to ensure our safety."

These carefully crafted words soothed the crowd just enough.

Then, before anyone could push further, he announced his decision.

"I had already settled on a course of action before this meeting. This gathering was merely for show, a political gesture for the daimyo."

"My judgment is as follows: another mission will be launched to complete the evacuation. The previous failure was due to the Mission Office's lack of preparation, not Lord Sakumo's actions."

"Because of this, Sarutobi Hoka will be dismissed from his role as head of the Mission Office, and Danzo Shimura will take over."

"Lastly, I call upon all willing ninjas to volunteer for this mission. Sakumo Hatake will lead the task force to reclaim our people. The mission departs tomorrow morning."

"This concludes our meeting. Dismissed."

Hayama chuckled to himself.

Sweeping his gaze across the Konoha leadership, he formed a hand seal, and with a puff of smoke, his shadow clone vanished.

Danzo, who had been watching him the entire time, seethed with rage.

He had intended to use this meeting to crush Sakumo and pave his own way to power—but Hayama had thrown everything into chaos.

What Hayama didn't know was that, due to his interference, Sakumo's fate had been altered.

The man who was originally doomed to die by his own hand now had a second chance at survival.

And Hayama had also unknowingly foiled Danzo's master plan.

The meeting had achieved nothing.

Instead, it had weakened the credibility of Konoha's leadership, even denting Hiruzen Sarutobi's prestige.

Meanwhile, the name Shirakumo Hayama spread rapidly through the village.

He was no longer just "the Uchiha's dog".

Now, people saw him as a reckless youth who wouldn't live past twenty.

But Hayama didn't care.

He didn't need the Hokage's approval.

And soon, he would prove his worth—not through words, but through sheer power.

-+-+-+-

You can read advance chapters ahead on patreon.com/fishkiss69, I will upload 1 extra chapter every day there.

THANK YOU

-+-+-+-