Chapter 67: High-Level Meeting, Condemnation
Two days later, in the Hokage's meeting chamber, the patriarchs of Konoha's great clans and senior officials gathered. Among them, the ANBU captain Hatake Sakumo and Aburame Ryoma, a Root operative, took their places. The atmosphere was tense.
Sarutobi Hiruzen cleared his throat softly and addressed the assembly. "I believe everyone is already aware of the consequences following the recent mission in the Land of Rivers."
Before he could continue, the Aburame clan's patriarch rose, bowed deeply toward Hiruzen, and implored, "Hokage-sama, I ask that you grant Ryoma a chance to explain."
Hiruzen exhaled slowly, dismissing the patriarch's plea without acknowledgment, and pressed on. "The failure of this mission dealt a severe blow to the village's reputation and interests. Responsibility must be assigned. Ryoma, what do you have to say for yourself?"
All eyes fixed on Ryoma as he stepped forward, bowing with an impassive expression. "Hokage-sama, please do not punish White Fang-sama."
The room fell silent, surprise flickering across many faces. Even Sakumo himself appeared puzzled.
Hiruzen frowned. "What do you mean by that?"
In a low, steady voice, Ryoma answered, "A shinobi's foremost duty is the mission. To save the hostage, I endured being poisoned without hesitation and instructed White Fang-sama to evacuate her. I never imagined he would unilaterally decide to abandon the mission, exchanging the hostage for an antidote—wasting all my efforts."
Hiruzen's face darkened. "So, you are saying this was White Fang's fault?"
Ryoma nodded firmly. "Yes. I upheld the shinobi code and was even willing to sacrifice my life to complete the mission. But White Fang-sama, despite completing the initial objective, chose to give up midway. He is unworthy of being called a shinobi."
"You may ask him if I ever told him to save me. But since he acted to save me, I do not wish for him to be punished."
Hiruzen's gaze shifted to the silent Sakumo, and a bitter smile twisted his lips. "Good. You've explained it thoroughly. Even if it was dereliction on his part, ultimately, you were poisoned and failed. Do you claim no responsibility at all?"
Suddenly realizing the mistake in his tone, Hiruzen paused. But before he could amend it, Danzo sharply cut in. "Hiruzen, the fault lies with White Fang, not Ryoma. Ryoma simply wasn't strong enough. Had he died on the mission, no one would have blamed him. It's unfair to pin the blame on him."
"As Hokage, how can you so blatantly let Ryoma bear the burden for White Fang's failure? That will only sap the morale of Konoha's shinobi."
Hiruzen hurriedly replied, "That's not what I meant—"
Danzo snorted coldly. "Even if you deny it, your earlier words already imply White Fang's guilt."
Taking a deep breath, Hiruzen glanced around the room and said, "I think everyone can see who truly is at fault here."
Yet every clan patriarch and official present was an experienced political fox; none wished to intervene. Any stance would alienate one faction or another. Blaming White Fang would offend Hiruzen and Sakumo's supporters, while blaming Ryoma would anger Danzo and the Aburame clan.
Danzo, noticing the silence around Sakumo, internally sneered. Hiruzen, you still don't understand the hearts of men.
Stepping forward, Danzo leaned into Hiruzen's strategy, turning the pressure onto Sakumo. "In any case, the fault lies with White Fang. A shinobi's mission must come before everything else. White Fang, what do you have to say?"
Sakumo, proud but ill at ease with political games, stammered, "I…."
Danzo's smile grew cruel as he feigned concern. "Explain why you, a ninja, abandoned the mission halfway through. Is it because your comrades meant more to you than the mission itself?"
Sakumo nodded quietly.
Danzo's face lit with triumph. "A shinobi is merely a tool. The mission must always take precedence—that is the agreement all villages and their clients abide by. When given a mission, do we tell our clients, 'If it's dangerous, we'll save our comrades first'?"
After Danzo finished, Sakumo immediately knelt before Hiruzen. "I take full responsibility for dereliction of duty. I accept whatever punishment is deemed appropriate."
Hiruzen cast a sharp look at Danzo but spoke solemnly, "Regardless, I oppose punishing White Fang. He has made countless military contributions to Konoha and completed many S-ranked missions. His past merits must be taken into account."
Danzo, having maneuvered his point, stood leisurely and declared, "I cannot stay for this meeting any longer. If you are to vote on punishing White Fang, count my vote against it. Come, Ryoma, there is nothing left for us here."
Hiruzen glowered at Danzo but then looked around the room. Everyone avoided his gaze. Sighing deeply, he turned to Sakumo, still kneeling before him. "Disperse. White Fang, return home and rest. Konoha will need you again."
"Yes…"
After leaving the Hokage Residence, Danzo waited until the coast was clear before whispering to Ryoma, "Before Hiruzen reacts, spread word of this meeting quickly."
"Yes."
A few days later, a new rumor spread through the village. The villagers' anger shifted from Ryoma to Sakumo.
"How could White Fang-sama make such a reckless mistake? Aburame Ryoma was willing to risk his life for the Land of Rivers' exclusive missions, yet he still gave up."
"A man of his stature doesn't need money. So he must not care about the lives of lower-ranked shinobi."
"Ryoma is an Anbu, and White Fang the Anbu captain. Someone like White Fang wouldn't be driven by money—he's after power. Maybe he abandoned the mission to secure Ryoma's loyalty."
"Is it really that deep? I never thought of that."
"The Third Hokage is getting old. Lately, he's probably looking for a successor. White Fang wants to be Hokage."
"That makes sense."
"The Hatake clan isn't large. If White Fang becomes Hokage, the clan will become powerful in a few years."
"Why is he so selfish, only thinking of himself and his family?"
"Why would anyone else matter?"
"Whatever others say, if White Fang runs for Hokage, I'll be the first to oppose him."
"Quiet! White Fang is here—if he hears you, you're done for."
"I'm not afraid."