Cns like the Uchiha and the Hyuga were rather displeased but most of the others were not.

  That however, was still a big problem since those particur two were currently the most powerful cns in Konoha, at least when it came to military might.

  The other cns were either in a weaker position and could not really argue for more power and influence or they aligned themselves with the Hokage faction.

  The Sarutobi cn was the third most powerful cn in the vilge and the rgest, with their cn head as the Hokage, they had been experiencing a further rise in prosperity while other powerful cns were kept stagnant.

  They however, cked special kekkei genkai or Hidden Jutsu that could truly elevate their status, their power came mainly from size and resources.

  The Shimura cn which had Danzo as its cn head was also quite powerful but for the same reasons as the Sarutobi and since they were not as numerous or wealthy in resources they were still below more noble cns.

  But by spreading out some benefits to these cns like the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance, a closely tied group of not only retively strong but also bearers of highly valuable specialized skills as well as the simirly valued Aburame, the Hokage faction was staying strong.

  The current Jonin Commander, a post whose authority was only exceeded by the Hokage and his advisors, was Shikai, the Nara cn head.

  With the sharp mind characteristic of his cn, not only were benefits secured for his allied cns, his own position was made solid through various strategic feats.

  Finally, though the Senju had declined with most of them disseminating into the vilge and the majority of the remaining members of the main line dying in battle, their princess Tsunade who, despite not really managing the affairs of the cn, still was the official head, maintained a strong influence.

  With their stelr reputation, the word of the Senju still carried a lot of weight within Konoha and with Tsunade being the disciple of the Third Hokage, it only further solidified his position and allowed him to grow his personal power base unchecked.

  However, with the Hokage no longer being an unparalleled figure in the eyes of the cns but someone that held power through political maneuvering, the Uchiha and Hyuga were not content.

  Fortunately for Hiruzen, the two cns disliked each other even more, so either prevented the other from troubling him too much.

  But with the Uchiha growing strong and the Senju in decline, there were fears that the cn could produce another anomalous prodigy like Madara and suddenly take over, this especially worried Danzo but Hiruzen and the other advisors were also cautious.

  This resulted in a decision to enact covert suppression of the Uchiha as well as efforts to isote them from the rest of the vilge, even though they were not nearly as obvious or intense as in the original future timeline.

  The Hyuga on the other hand, while powerful and highly skilled specialists, had not produced a mighty figure capable of flipping the board though personal strength since the Warring States Era so they were not nearly as worrisome for the Hokage and advisors.

  Still, such a delicate bance made the other hidden vilges eyeing the prosperity of the Land of Fire far more willing to provoke Konoha.

  As for matters of war, the division of opinions was far more complicated.

  “We should begin to amass war materials ourselves before the prices become unacceptable.” The Uchiha cn head, Fukutsu suggested.

  Hearing this, most people in the conference room nodded but Danzo internally was smirking with disdain.

  ‘Naturally, materials have begun to be amassed . . . Privately by our cns that is.’ He internally thought.

  While Hiruzen was disapproving of his pn to actively provoke war to weaken the stronger cns, chief amongst them the Uchiha, he had no objections regarding draining them of their financial resources.

  ‘And in line with this reasoning . . .’ Danzo mused.

  “Indeed and that is why I request all cns to contribute to preparation efforts. Though we shall try our best to avoid war, we still cannot be caught off guard in the eventuality.” The Third Hokage solemnly spoke.

  ‘There it is.’ Danzo internally commended, with Homura and Koharu, the other two advisors, nodding in agreement.

  This time, none of the cn heads, even those aligned with the Hokage factions, were in a good mood though they did not let it show on their faces.

  Yes, their allegiance would mean the Hokage would not fleece them so ruthlessly but these types of contributions always hit their coffers hard and they would never see any return because it was considered their duty.

  As for the filthy rich Hyuga that did not align with the Hokage faction too closely and the Uchiha who were also wealthy and even had a lot of business reted to combat supplies as their whole culture revolved around it, they were even less pleased.

  This was a righteous opportunity for the Hokage to squeeze them for all they were worth and they could not even negotiate a reasonable contribution, especially the Uchiha with their standing in the vilge probably resulting in accusations of revolt being thrown at them.

  ‘The current political deadlock stops us from making any overt moves and the war will definitely be conducted to hurt us more than the other cns.’ Uchiha Fukutsu gravely pondered.

  He was not the only one with such thoughts. Another saw things even more clearly.

  ‘Another pyer in the upper echelons must break this deadlock soon or the entire vilge will suffer for all this political maneuvering and internal strife.’ Nara Shikai mused.

  Though aligned with the Hokage faction, he was not blind to the challenges faced by the vilge owing to his administration.

  ‘Even if Hokage-sama had no other realistic choice to prevent the cns from going off on their own and splitting the vilge, the current state of things is far too precarious.’ He thought.

  ‘Having external enemies in the form of a war will suppress this internal strife for a while but any slights during the war will create even worse pressure down the line . . . This is all so sage damn troublesome.’ Shikai internally compined.

  If only another party could join the upper echelon of Konoha and shake things up to allow change. . .

  It was precisely at this time the doors of the Conference room flew open, revealing a figure none of those at the table expected.

  At the seat of the Senju cn, Tsunade who was dozing off and only there because she was forced to attend these meetings she despised suddenly stood straight up in perfect posture and completely awake.

  She rapidly smoothed her light blonde hair tied in a ponytail and not her future trademark loose twin pigtails, straightened her clothes, a casual white blouse that left her midriff exposed over a mesh bodysuit that covered the upper half of her thighs, her torso and her arms until just before her elbows, complimented by a short red skirt and blue shinobi sandals.

  Holding perfectly still, the Senju Princess tried not to let her warm brown eyes show any guilt over her dereliction of duty.

  Everyone there meanwhile, showed surprise on their faces.

  “Mito-sama . . . I did not realize you would be joining us.” Hiruzen spoke.

  Even as the Hokage he always addressed the Uzumaki matriarch with the suffix sama. She was, after all, someone none in the vilge’s upper echelon dared to offend.

  Danzo himself who seemed to always be willing to undermine the various cn leaders showed nothing but pure deference despite his thoughts.

  ‘What is this old woman doing here?’

  It was a disruption to various carefully id out pns.

  “It was a st minute decision.” Mito casually responded to Hiruzen

  “However . . .” She started and then scoffed.

  “The Uzumaki seat seems to have been mispced.” The redhead made a show of looking around for the seat that should have been at the table, even if empty, as a representation of her cn’s Konoha branch.

  +++++

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