Chapter 32: Declaration of War Against Sunagakure

"This is impossible!"

As expected, hearing Tobirama's ultimatum, Ebizō slammed the table and shot to his feet, his fury palpable.

The five Sunagakure shinobi seated nearby wore equally grim expressions, their gazes sharp and unyielding.

Ebizō glared at Tobirama, his already thin lips pressing tightly together, as though sealing his words through sheer force of will. His voice trembled as he growled,

"We of Sunagakure will never agree to such a demand! The One-Tails jinchūriki is an irreplaceable strategic asset for our village!"

He pointed a shaking finger at Tobirama, continuing, "I distinctly remember, back at the first Five Kage Summit, it was your brother, Hashirama Senju, who allocated the tailed beasts to each village! Are you saying now, as the Second Hokage, you mean to overturn the First Hokage's decision?"

Tobirama's lips curled into a faint, almost mocking smile.

Ebizō was attempting to use Hashirama's name to suppress him? Laughable.

"My terms are non-negotiable," Tobirama replied with chilling finality. "Konoha will not accept any form of truce from Sunagakure unless you relinquish the One-Tails."

His voice carried an icy resolve, making it clear this wasn't up for debate. Tobirama's objective was simple: to claim all nine tailed beasts. Sunagakure's One-Tails was merely the first. Eventually, every tailed beast across the ninja world would be his to command.

The room fell into a deathly silence. The only sounds were the strained breathing of those present, as if the air itself had grown too heavy.

The Sunagakure shinobi exchanged tense glances. None of them had anticipated that Tobirama's true goal would be their tailed beast.

Breaking the silence, Ebizō straightened abruptly, his expression shifting between shock and rage. He inhaled deeply before shouting, his voice sharp and accusing,

"Hokage, these terms don't reflect a desire for peace at all! You're deliberately cornering us!"

He paused, his words hanging in the air like a challenge. Then, his tone dropped, venom lacing his next statement:

"Or perhaps… you never intended to negotiate in good faith, did you?"

Tobirama's smile deepened.

Clever. So they've finally realized.

Indeed, Tobirama had no intention of conceding. This wasn't about compromise—it was about forcing Sunagakure's hand.

Ebizō glared at Tobirama with a murderous intensity, his eyes burning as though they could pierce through the Second Hokage. If looks could kill, Tobirama would have died a thousand deaths in that moment.

When Ebizō noticed Tobirama's composed demeanor and faint smirk, the realization struck him like lightning. The Second Hokage wasn't bluffing—he truly intended to provoke them into war.

A chilling thought crept into Ebizō's mind: Tobirama wasn't merely collecting tailed beasts for power. He suspected the Hokage was using this ultimatum to test Konoha's military might and expand its influence further.

After a long, tense pause, Ebizō's voice dropped into a menacing growl. "Tobirama Senju, is war truly the only outcome that will satisfy you?"

The tension in the room thickened.

From the corner, Shikaku's eyes widened. War? Even he hadn't expected things to escalate so drastically. Though his instincts urged him to intervene and persuade Tobirama to reconsider, one glance at the Hokage's resolute expression silenced him.

Tobirama, unfazed by the threat, barely paid it any mind. His attention was elsewhere.

In the back of his mind, the system he relied on so heavily had finally activated, issuing a new directive:

Task: Collect all Tailed Beasts (Ongoing)

Subtask: Lead Konoha to a decisive victory over Sunagakure on the battlefield.

Reward: Mental and natural energy doubled.

Reading the new objective, Tobirama's lips curled upward. Perfect timing.

Lost in thought, his mind raced through the possibilities. If war with Sunagakure could further his goals and trigger additional system rewards, then it was worth the risk. After all, uniting the entire ninja world under Konoha had always been part of his larger vision.

As Tobirama's expression shifted ever so slightly—his satisfaction barely concealed—Ebizō noticed, and his anger flared.

What is this man scheming? How can he look so pleased at the prospect of war?

Ebizō gritted his teeth and made his decision. "If you refuse to back down, then Sunagakure has no choice. If the One-Tails is your price for peace, then our only option is war!"

The room's atmosphere grew unbearably heavy. Ebizō was already considering his next move—once back in Sunagakure, he would seek advice from his sister Chiyo and ally with Ōnoki to launch a preemptive strike on Konoha. He didn't believe Konoha, battered by recent conflicts, could handle the combined might of multiple villages.

Tobirama, unfazed, responded with chilling indifference.

"Then so be it."

His calm declaration sent a ripple of shock through the Sunagakure delegation.

Before anyone could react further, Tobirama barked out an order. "Seize them!"

Konoha ANBU operatives, hidden in the shadows, moved swiftly. Within seconds, the Sunagakure delegation was surrounded.

War had officially begun—and Tobirama was already several steps ahead.

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