Naruto: I, the villain template, was hailed as a savior.

Chapter 62 The Land of Whirlpools, our beloved family and friends! (Please vote with monthly tickets!!)

A perfect silence fell over the meeting room, as still as the bottom of a lake where even the surface of the water was stagnant.

People could almost hear their own breathing, and even the faint sound of their own heartbeat.

"As everyone here knows, since Lord Hashirama founded Konoha, the Land of Whirlpools has been an important ally of ours."

After a moment of silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi broke the stillness first, saying sincerely, "The Land of Whirlpools is in crisis right now, and I feel that Konoha has an obligation to lend a helping hand."

Obligation? Isn't it a responsibility?

The Nara clan members' eyes flickered slightly, already understanding the Hokage's inclination.

What is the difference between obligation and responsibility?

Obligations are actions that should be performed, while responsibilities are actions that must be performed.

Obligation is a prerequisite for responsibility. Responsibility only arises when a person fails to fulfill or fully fulfill their obligations.

Therefore, the prerequisite for taking responsibility for it is that the matter is truly an "obligation".

This is Hiruzen Sarutobi's rhetoric.

Since he's the one who's been the good guy...

The bad guys should come out by now.

"Third generation, I don't agree with your ideas."

Danzo, standing behind them, spoke up at just the right moment, his tone calm: "Our Konoha is currently facing threats from the Land of Earth, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Rain simultaneously. Let alone whether we can spare some more troops to aid the Land of Whirlpools, even if we could..."

"How can we simultaneously face a pincer attack from the four nations of Wind, Earth, Water, and Rain? Perhaps we should wait until the Water Nation's forces suffer a bloody defeat in the Whirlpool Nation before making our move..."

"Danzo!" Before Danzo could finish his increasingly outrageous words, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned and interrupted him, "How could you say such a thing? The Land of Whirlpools is our beloved family and friends in Konoha!"

Mitokado Homura, who was standing nearby, tugged at Danzo's sleeve and gave him a look, signaling him to look at the corner.

"We can't send our family and friends to their deaths!"

But Danzo didn't even look at it, and stated bluntly without backing down: "The premise for aiding the Land of Whirlpools is that we really still have the troops, energy, and strength to go."

"So, do we really have it?"

After saying that, his gaze swept directly across the crowd in front of him. His iron-gray eyes were like those of a carrion-eating vulture, and those whose eyes were swept across him couldn't help but feel a chill in their hearts.

Without a doubt, Danzo's soul-searching question struck a chord with everyone present.

If Konoha still had surplus troops to support Uzushiogakure, Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't have needed to retaliate against them earlier.

If we really decide to support the Land of Whirlpools, we will eventually have to ask them for more people.

"this……"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked troubled, then looked up at everyone present, asking earnestly, "What do you all think?"

With Danzo, this "bad guy," stepping forward, and considering their own interests, the crowd, who had originally insisted on keeping quiet, seemed to have found their backbone in an instant.

"Yes, Lord Third Generation."

Hinata Bunto stepped forward, his voice filled with sorrow, and said, "It's not that we don't want to help the Land of Whirlpools, it's that we are already overwhelmed with our own affairs, and right now... alas! We are truly powerless!"

"Elder Danzo is right. We are already struggling to cope with the threats from the Land of Rain, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Earth at the same time. If we add the Land of Water, which is also a great power..."

The head of the Nara clan nodded and said rationally, "Excuse my bluntness, but it is not a wise choice for a single village to fight against the three great ninja villages at the same time."

Danzo's claim of "one against four" may sound alarmist, but it is indeed a possibility.

You have to understand, they finally managed to kick the Land of Lightning out of the game, and now if they drag the Land of Water into it...

"It's possible that the Land of Lightning, which was already struggling to take care of itself, might also take advantage of the situation."

An elite Jonin with considerable influence stroked his chin thoughtfully and said, "While we're aiding the Land of Whirlpools, they'll come and cut off our supply lines."

"If we're not careful, it could turn into a dangerous situation where the four great ninja villages besiege our Konoha."

"Yes, Third Hokage, the current situation is unfavorable for Konoha. If we make a wrong move, we will be doomed."

Everyone spoke up, expressing their opinions and pointing out the various downsides of rescuing the Land of Whirlpools.

Others, such as Akimichi Torifu, who had the intention to say good things, also fell silent after thinking about the sacrifice of their own people.

How good is the relationship between the Land of Whirlpools and Konoha?

Of course it's great, absolutely wonderful! They're allies who've been friends for generations.

But that was an alliance signed by the Senju clan, who had long since abandoned their surname and become nourishment for the great tree of Konoha.

The only Senju clan member present with a voice is Tsunade, the granddaughter of Hashirama and Mito.

Thinking of this, everyone's eyes turned to the corner, to Tsunade who had remained silent, and they were amazed by her restraint today.

Based on Tsunade's usual personality, she would have done so long before Danzo even spoke.

She had already clenched her fist and embedded Danzo in the wall.

And now...

Tsunade kept her eyes closed and remained silent, seemingly unwilling to witness the ugly behavior of everyone.

"Ahem, Tsunade."

Koharu cleared her throat twice, took a deep breath, and asked in as gentle a tone as possible, "What are your thoughts?"

Mitokado Yan subconsciously shifted his feet, as if afraid that his old partner's blood would splatter on him.

However, Tsunade's reaction seemed much more stable than they had expected.

"Opinion? What opinion could I possibly have?"

Tsunade slightly raised her unwavering eyes, her gaze sweeping over Jiraiya's tense face before turning to her teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and asking, "I just want to know, Third Hokage, what are your thoughts?"

"You seem to keep asking for everyone's opinions, but what are your own thoughts on this?"

Looking at his irritable disciple, Hiruzen Sarutobi had a headache.

He didn't expect Tsunade's injuries to heal so quickly, and he certainly didn't expect her to attend the meeting with her injuries.

In the past, Tsunade couldn't be bothered to watch a bunch of old men spouting nonsense; she would directly ask Orochimaru or Jiraiya for any important news.

If it weren't for that damn masked man, Jiraiya and Tsunade would be at the border, and there wouldn't be so much trouble.

For young people, this scene is all too real.

However, now that the stage has been set, the arrow is on the bowstring and must be released.

"I've already stated my opinion."

Hiruzen Sarutobi subconsciously took a drag of his cigarette, then suddenly realized he hadn't lit it. He could only manage a bitter smile and say, "The Land of Whirlpools is our beloved family and friends, like brothers. Naturally, I want to offer my support..."

At this point, everyone's hearts tightened, but Hiruzen Sarutobi changed the subject.

"However, Konoha is not my personal fiefdom."

He sighed deeply and looked at Tsunade sincerely, saying, "I can't force them to do things they don't want to do just because of my own selfish desires."

"If anyone is willing, I will do my best to provide them with assistance."

It is very fair, objective, sincere, and rational.

But is that really the case?

"..."

Tsunade looked up at the stiff-faced crowd, and those she saw guiltily looked away.

"War is not child's play; war inevitably results in death."

Danzo then said coldly, "For everyone's benefit, we have no choice but to compromise. This is for the sake of Konoha. We cannot act rashly out of a moment's anger."

The Senju and Uzumaki clans used to have a good relationship, but now Konoha and the Land of Whirlpools only have one relationship: a trade cooperation between "countries".

Or rather, a poor relative you haven’t been in contact with for decades.

War is no joke; war kills people!

If we send troops to help, those who die will be their relatives, friends, brothers, sisters, and lovers...

To let your loved ones die for a group of strangers is an incredibly foolish choice.

So, were their choices wrong?

That's right, of course it's right. No one has any reason to force them or to stand on the moral high ground.

"..."

Upon seeing this, Tsunade suddenly felt something in her chest uncontrollably split open, then secrete a sour liquid that seeped into her blood vessels and flesh.

—That is a poison called sorrow.

Sometimes, she could only suppress this bitter emotion in her dreams, but now it was appearing in reality with unparalleled clarity.

It caused her far more pain than the loss of her right hand.

(End of this chapter)