The War Drum Beats

[Director]

These days it seemed like nothing but the top brass murmured about Iwa's actions. Killing the previous Hokage, taking over the west wing of Suna, and immeasurable grief to Konoha as a result. The council chambers hummed with the members discussing the actions of Iwa's latest declared war against Suna, finally marching against Sunagakure proper. While opinions were usually diverse on the council, none could deny the threat their neighbors posed. Even Minor Countries had to feel at unease against the wave of rock expansionism. The civilian council members were less inclined to push towards conflict, the shinobi members saw it as inevitable. The delicate balance the five had held was shaken before in the last Grand War, but never threatened like it had been now.

Some of the council argued that Suna was a close ally, but others had said the losses suffered were too great that Konoha were to prioritize defense. Fanho quietly sat slumped back in his seat as he listened to the council members debate. Their points lingering in the air as Fanho weighed the options. Listening to Aoi, the military man take a strong stance in supporting Suna, despite the losses it was stop them here or risk them furthering their craving for land. Hana the clan relations protested, her stance being that it put the village at too great a risk of being attacked rather than it stopping at Suna. Minato the foreign relations sided with Aoi recognizing Aoi's call to action being needed.

As the council members dawdled amongst themselves, Fanho quietly stood as they were all distracted talking to one another. He made his way to the map on the wall with Suna and Iwa units pinned on the map explaining the situation at the border. He quietly took the Konoha units and put them back in the village. He took a step back looking at the map overall as he placed a small unit symbol over Iwa's village. The bulk being in the assault on Suna it left them quite alone in the village, a soft target now. Aoi would be the first to take notice of Fanho's posturing, surprised by the young Hokage's idea. After all the speaking of peace and trying to achieve balance, the sudden shift in considering an assault on Iwa threw the man off guard for the first in a long time.

Aoi spoke with concern in his voice, "Lord Hokage? Are you suggesting what I think you are."

Fanho peered over his shoulder as he looked back to the gathering members. He could see Ryo and Hana wanted to protest his actions, thinking of their response to what he had to say. The Hokage just shook his head as he looked back towards the map. He grabbed the Konoha unit and moved it over to face the Iwa village, its unit size small but manageable. It was only Suna he worried about, if they could hold on their own.

With a subtle nod as he looked over the map, he gave a simple murmur, "Mhm." He could feel the stares at his back, the ire growing from Ryo and Hana's opposition, the unsettled defiance yet support and understanding that Akemi felt. The council could say it was effectively split with the wild card top option coming from the Hokage.

"If we defend Suna what's to stop Iwa from continuing its push another day. Even if I were to kill the Tsuchikage there would he just become a martyr for the cause. If they take Suna will they really stop just there?" Fanho tapped his finger against his chin as he pondered the plan.

"What I'm suggesting is crazy, would most likely further entrench us. At the same time it may divide their forces and give us a better chance to dwindle their numbers between Suna and Konoha. At this point do we have a choice to stay out of it? Its stay in Suna and ward off another attack while maybe dying in the process. Or we make them regret their decision in the first place."

Aoi's mouth opened but he remained silent. It wasn't a protest, nor an approval, but simply a loss for words. Hana spoke first in opposition, "But then Iwa descends on Konoha afterwards if they get through Suna." The Awai gave a lazy shrug as he had to step away from the glamor of pushing hope, peace, and love for a minute to focus on the strategy before. He'd like to all get along, but would it give him peace knowing he did the minimum to help Suna or worse, nothing at all. While their alliance may have been strained, it was no fault of Suna's. Iwa had made the decision to attack, leaving it at border territories would've been one thing, but to take the village, clans, and secrets for themselves reeked of greed. One that he didn't feel would be satisfied by sacking the Village Hidden in the Sand.

"That's under the assumption Iwa wants to stop at all. We have Kumo, we have Suna, if we can just get through this attack we can consolidate our forces together and make a grander plan. That or maybe it'll send them into peace talks. Though this will decide if the Tsuchikage is crazy enough to continue this path or willing to discuss a peace and take his consolation territories." Fanho ended his words in confidence.

He put it up on the map not to convince the council, but to convince himself. He toiled with the idea of a first strike against Iwa, but really hadn't sold himself on it. Rather putting it into perspective and fighting for it did he convince himself that it was the right idea. At least this way it would tell him all he needed to know if the Tsuchikage was really willing to throw all he had built away for this goal of sacking Suna. In a selfish way, it was also Fanho's test if killing the Tsuchi was necessary, after all if the Tsuchi pushed forward with his plans to take Suna then it seemed inevitable what needed to be done.

His gave returned to the council table as he walked over and took his seat once more. "Either way we're not in a good position and Iwa has no signs of stopping. Regardless of what they say they're hurting an ally and would put them on the border. If we apply pressure and stretch them thin, then we have a better chance to win. If we stand together in Suna we're only delaying them. If we attack Iwa we'll hurt their forces or in the prime scenario we take the village forcing their hand into negotiations. Its a tough decision, but I believe its the best."

The Hokage put his hands together as he let out a sigh. What a rough start to his Hokage-dom, toiling over war in the world, and all seemed just due after he missed the first one. Maybe it was his penance to pay for all the optimism he spouted to Taiga, but reality was more drab than he had hoped. "Not the best situation we've been put in, but its either that or welcome our new neighbors. I know I would rather not have that on our doorstep." Hana and Ryo exchanged glances realizing they were outnumbered. Minato despite being a man of diplomacy was also not the type to shy away from controversy. He may had been even more battle crazy than Aoi as a grin plastered on his face at the idea. It'd at least make Suna relations in his job easier.

Akemi sighed as she rested her head in her hand. She shrugged as she bit her lip in hesitation. "I agree and yet... I have reservations. Though its not like we ever get an easy job in politics and war." With Akemi's reserved affirmation of the plan, it wasn't long before Ryo and Hana relented. They were out numbered but even they couldn't deny the anxiety they felt over the changes in borders.

Fanho looked towards the map once more as he circled Iwa proper with his finger moving the Konoha unit inward towards the village. "Then its decided. We strike Iwa."