Chapter 117

The final stage of the chunin exams had come and passed quickly, Ren's team had upgraded to the rank of chunin and would formally take up the position and responsibilities when they returned to the hidden stone.

Ren and the hidden stone genin were now in their hotel getting ready for their return trip, as the mood was cheerful as the team was happy to be promoted, but Ren was thinking deeply about the attack he would face on his way back.

'I'll send the genin far away from the attack close to the border of the hidden stone to let them not be involved in the fight, right now I really have no reason to even bother with this attack, I already have everything I wanted from the hidden leaf, even if this is another chance to weaken the hidden leaf, does it matter?' Ren questioned.

'The possible outcomes need to be considered, the leaf truthfully didn't perform well in this chunin exam, coupled with the fact of the defeated students of the Hokage and the report of the night attack that would soon be in the hands of the other village leaders, causing any more major attacks on the hidden leaf even if doesn't cause much damage might cause a war.

So the question is, is the hidden stone ready?

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"Hiruzen, what do you mean you don't want to attack the stone team?!" Danzo shouted as he stood up from his seat staring at Hiruzen who had his back turned to him looking out of the window of the Hokage office.

"Danzo, even if the losses we suffered from the attack weren't heavy, it will still cause the other villages to get more active, do you think we should focus on Ren or strengthen the borders?" asked Hiruzen.

"You may not like it, but the truth of the matter is simple in the chunin exams the leaf didn't perform as well as expected with the addition of the stone team, and then the attacks the leaf with now is showing weakness.

If a war is to start, the first target of the other villages will be the hidden leaf we don't want that." says Hiruzen as he turns and looks at Danzo.

"Hurizen, root can handle the stone team and leave no traces of it ever happening, even if the Tsuchikage wants to increase the pressure on the leaf after, he wouldn't think of starting a war." says Danzo.

"Danzo, he defeated my three students I know their strength what makes you think root can take him without the help of the anbu, or more ninjas of the village? Unless root is stronger than you've shown." says Hiruzen.

"Of course not, you are the Hokage how could I do such a thing." Danzo answered quickly as he took a step back.

Seeing Danzo's response Hiruzen said nothing, he knew Danzo too well to believe him or to let him run root without inserting certain spies to keep track of what was happening with root.

"Danzo, Ren, and the stone team are not to be attacked, if you do you won't get any help from the village." says Hiruzen.

"You were not meant to be Hokage Hurizen, your decision to let this treat to the village live and continue to grow will become something that you will deeply regret as time passes by." Danzo says as he turns and leaves the room.

"..."

"Old friend you are too dark to walk in the light." Hiruzen says as he sighs and sits in his seat.

Hiruzen, of course, wanted to get rid of Ren, but the chances of that happening without the attack having at least two Kage-level ninjas and a couple of jonin were too low.

And the truth was Hiruzen didn't think he could spare two Kage-level shinobi now, with the chances of one of them dying, he knew the borders of the land of fire were about to become very active, and the leaf needed to show strength on it border now more than ever.

"A war now, is not good for anyone, maybe in a couple of years one will break out and we will have no other choice but to join, but for now let's wait." says Hiruzen.

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While this was happening in the leaf, the other major villages had already gotten reports of the attacks on the hidden leaf village.

(Hidden sand)

"Increase the presence of ninjas on the border with the leaf village, the other villages will do the same, depending on how they react we will begin preparation for war."

"Yes Kazekage-sama." the ninja kneeling before him in the office answered and disappeared.

"The past few years weren't as peaceful as expected, the village is in urgent need of fertile land, and the land of fire is the best place to get it."