Hiruzen's POV (Path to Leaf Camp - Land of Iron)
The meeting may not have gone incredibly well. His attempt at strengthening the bond between the Leaf and Cloud had failed remarkably. Yet he had experienced unexpected success with Mifune and him seeing eye to eye more often than not. The samurai assured him he would do his best to improve relations with the two lands. With some kind of event souring ties with the Cloud. It was unfortunate for his plan, but gaining something like an ally certainly eased the blow. He supposed things had gone as well as he could hope. Most of the Chunin hopefuls had progressed in the exams. Though doubtless, it was the calm before the storm. Naruto's secret had been revealed in an incredibly problematic way. Not only would the village discover the truth of the night of the Kyuubi. It also would expose Naruto and, shortly after, Kushina as the holders of the hated beast or even the mother who hid the beast among common people. Worse yet, the rest of the world would know, too. Naruto Uzumaki's name would be known in all five villages in a short period. It was the very thing they had sought to avoid coming true simultaneously. It was fair to say Hiruzen was incredibly stressed.
Oh, his beloved students noticed the burden he carried. Engaging in bickering small talk was too rehearsed to distract him. Tsunade ignored his smoking, which she usually rebuked. Jiraiya was much more involved than usual. He recognized the signs and attempted to lighten the load in his way. Hiruzen loved them for it, but it was mildly annoying for the two to assume a man as if he could not handle the burden. Even if their decision held some level of truth. Hiruzen supposed he was stressed.
That's why, on their silent walk home, they were interrupted. Hiruzen allowed himself a dramatic sigh. Before the three influential legends stood a squad of Anbu holding down three younger men. Hiruzen recognized the three boys from the exams. Chojuro, Suigetsu and Mangetsu Hozuki. Tsunade and Jiraiya silently awaited Hiruzen's reaction.
"So it seems we have some guests?" Hiruzen pondered out loud. "Go ahead, Squad B."
While three members held them down, their faces were marked with different birds of prey. Two others wielded different lightning techniques over the Hozuki while the group leader, marked with an eagle, marched forward. He bowed to his Hokage before reporting off.
"These three were found attempting to sneak into the building housing yourself, sir." He informed them emotionlessly. "They were armed and had this document on their person. Of course, we have not opened it yet but can confirm it does not contain any sort of traps."
"So I see, allow me," Hiruzen replied, grabbing the envelope from the captain and looking toward the struggling Genin. "So why would you be attempting to sneak into my space with this documentation?" he asked merrily.
"Ha! You think you scare us, old man?" Suigetsu roared out, ignoring the rapidly shaking heads of the other two Genin. Hiruzen merely raised a brow before he allowed his killing intent to fill the room. Suigetsu and Mangetsu both started to dribble into the water. Their bloodlines activate as some kind of defensive measure. But any thought of it being a conscious decision was countered by the look of pure fear of the two. Chojuro seemed to be trying to become water, though doubtless it was merely sweat in his case.
"Yes, yes, I do," Hiruzen said sweetly, starkly contrasting the threat with a grandfatherly tone.
"Damn it, Suigetsu, you're gonna get us all killed!" Mangetsu roared. "Chojuro! You're good with this people shit! Help out!"
"Sir," Chojuro started. His fearful demeanor suddenly became more relaxed.
Hiruzen considered saying no but had always preferred being open-minded, so he gestured for the Anbu to release Chojuro, allowing the young man to stand. Although he had been nervous throughout the exam, he stood before him, almost confident and assured. He nodded at the young man, signaling him to tell his tale.
"Thank you. We were sent to the exams under pretenses. The Mist had sent us to ensure other villages did not have access to the various missing shinobi we often complain of on international channels." Chojuro started.
"The Mist?" Tsunade questioned with a quirked brow.
"Does it suggest their mission differs?" Jiraiya guessed.
"Correct." Chojuro continued. "I'm sure you've heard whispers of an internal conflict of the Mist. Well, those whispers are accurate. Currently, the Mist is engaged in a civil war. This war holds two sides. One is the Justice Loyalist, a group spearheaded by Yagura, the Mizukage of the Mist. This group rules the village with Yagura's ideals of justice. At first, it worked: it stomped out corruption, stopped the barbaric practices of the past, and brought all the territories fully together. His first years were years of growth. Yagura continued pushing as well. There was a subtle turn; as Yagura ruled, there was plenty of pushback. The elders and clan heads held considerable influence in the Mist. They were against Yagura's rule purely over the traditions lost. They pushed some of the crueler rules back into play using incredible politics. Even the rule Yagura hated the most. The graduation ceremony of the Genin returned in all of its bloody glory. This affected Yagura in ways no one could've expected. Yagura hated the rules enforced on him. He considered it an injustice they needed to rectify. It had been a cold, wet night that Yagura had enacted his response."
"I had heard of this. Some of my informants in the areas had mentioned tension rising between the elders and clan heads and the Mizukage, though it's been years since they could give me an update," Jiraiya added with a frown.
"That would be because Yagura had spilled a lot of blood to ensure things were "just." Oftentimes, this means silencing information. I wouldn't be surprised if your informants had been subtly replaced." Chojuro replied. "Because the method he deemed to use was anything but justice. He killed the elders first. In one night, he had gone around and killed each of the elders. There was an outcry once the. Once the force heard of the event, things had picked up immediately. To be fair to Yagura, his intention had been pure. He simply wanted a better life for his people. The elders had threatened that for purely selfish reasons. He had done something terrible to achieve something great. He reasoned that even this was justice. It truly made no sense if you viewed it objectively. But the village loved their leader, trusted him to be right, and wanted change… Once it was clear the people saw the idea of justice, Yagura pursued it hard in ways others would never do. He cared little for politics; after all, who could stop him? Who would even want to? Well, the clan heads were game. They subtly gained influence and managed to even threaten Yagura's reign. The man once again used his power for "justice." As the elders before them, the clan heads were slain so justice could be enforced. This led to the formation of the opposing force. The force the three of us work for."
Hiruzen, Jiraiya, and Tsunade were all shocked by this.
"You're an opposing force against one of the Hidden Villages? What could you need from the Leaf? Surely, they wouldn't send Genin to assassinate a Hokage in a defended position." Hiruzen considered.
"The Dweeb is right," Suigetsu yelled out angrily. "We want that bastard dead!"
"My brother means to say we are part of the Equal Rebels," Mangetsu growled. "Formed out of necessity with Yagura's seemingly endless quest to crush injustices. A force with no dictator, for we are all considered equals."
"That's nice and all, but what's the part where we come in?" Tsunade said with a roll of her eyes. "It sounds tragic, but not a problem we should be concerned about."
"Tsunade!" Jiraiya roared angrily. "You could at least care to listen if you still consider me comrade!"
"Jiraiya! Tsunade! SILENCE!" Hiruzen roared with a massive flare of chakra. Snow nearby melted and flew from his power. He took a deep drag on his pipe, allowing himself to relax. "Excuse my students. But they do raise a fair point. Why are you here, and why are you telling us this?" He had a fair idea of their point.
"We need aid to win this war. We are massively outnumbered, and even without that disadvantage, Yagura himself will take considerable strength to put down." Chojuro continued. "We've heard of the caring nature of the Leaf as well as the liberal amount of powerful shinobi. We provide proof of what we claim in that envelope. The leader of the Equal Rebels, Mei Terumi, asks for your aid." Chojuro bowed.
"I assume she wouldn't shame herself with a charity case?" Hiruzen asked politely.
"If it helped our people, Lady Mei would! But no… with your aid, you would remain a steadfast ally of the Mist! As well as a share of territory under your control. We need you… Please, sir!" Chojuro begged, head on the ground, and tears leaked. Even the proud and rowdy Hozuki brothers quietly showed respect. It would hurt him to make the correct choice.
"I cannot," Hiruzen replied simply. The silence that followed carried despair.
Hiruzen felt the need to explain himself. "While there is no doubt your quest is just, and the claims you make are true." He flicked through the documents inside, proving such. "If the Leaf would ally with you, it would be seen as an invasion. Our neighbors, the Sand, would likely refuse to aid such a thing, leaving our own home exposed. As well as our enemies, the Stone and Cloud would surely take advantage. While what you offer in return is valuable, I could not do something that would risk my home. Surely you understand."
The young men nodded. Chojuro and Suigetsu were in despair, while Mangetsu looked furious.
"I am sorry to refuse your plea. I will not inform the Mist of your purposes, however. Furthermore, anyone who wants asylum may find it in the Leaf. It will, unfortunately, be one they'll have to reach on their own. But I wish you and yours luck in your days." Hiruzen said politely while they were escorted away. Tsunade sighed and placed her hand on Hiruzen's shoulder, showing her support. Jiraiya, however, stomped in front of the two.
"I understand why we can't do much. But only asylum? We can't send supplies or pressure Yagura politically and some?" Jiraiya ranted angrily.
"Because it would send the message that the Leaf is interfering with other nations' affairs. Doing so will only invite our enemies and allies to do the same. It could lead to the fourth war." Hiruzen reasoned.
"Besides Jiraiya, we can't get involved in every sob story we hear." Tsunade chided. "We have enough on our plate."
"There was a time when you strived for peace! You old monkey!" Jiraiya roared. "And don't tell me you've forgotten what war is, Tsunade?!"
"You forget your place. And I failed. I won't do so again." Hiruzen replied coldly. Jiraiya seemed shocked at that before his body suddenly flickered away.
"I may agree with you, sensei, but that might've been a lot," Tsunade complained. "Hurry back to base so I can have a drink already. I can't deal with you right now, sir."
Hiruzen nodded his head as they headed back to base. He wished he could be as morally incorruptible as Jiraiya. But he needed to be realistic. It was only to keep his home safe.
"SIR!" A Jounin called as he ran up. "There are reports of enemy forces attacking throughout the land. We have been requested to aid by the samurai."
"Offer it," Hiruzen said simply. He would have to work tirelessly until the day he could rest. That would likely be the day of his death, unfortunately.