After the five of them discussed it together, they all felt that politics was truly disgusting.
Even with the advantage of near-omniscience, they had never realized all these years that Hiruzen Sarutobi had laid such a deep and intricate arrangement within Konoha.
Sure enough, anyone who manages to climb to the very top in any era cannot rely on luck alone. Strategy, calculation, and ruthless methods are all indispensable.
Terrifying.
Someone like Danzō Shimura—just by looking at him, you know he's evil. From the very beginning, you'd be on guard against him.
But someone like Hiruzen Sarutobi… that's the truly frightening kind.
A great villain who looks like a loyal man. A master deceiver who appears completely sincere.
"The situation is serious. We need to speed things up. Originally, the plan was to seize the clan head positions after the Second Shinobi War ended and the Third Shinobi War began. But now that won't work. Hiruzen Sarutobi's ultimate goal is to weaken the ninja clans. If we just drift along through this war, the clans will suffer enormous losses. After the Second Shinobi War ends, our clans will be left with a complete mess. And then the sudden outbreak of the Third Shinobi War, combined with excessive casualties, will inevitably turn us into mere vassals of Konoha," Aburame Shiken analyzed.
"That's right. Shiken is correct. We must personally go to the battlefield in this war. Otherwise, with those brainless fools in our clans, they'll absolutely throw themselves into battle for the Will of Fire."
Hyūga Hiyasu agreed.
The "Will of Fire" bewitched Konoha's ninja into charging forward without fear of death.
The "Strongest Hokage" convinced every clan to obey deployment orders.
This was the most powerful genjutsu of all—casually controlling tens of thousands of ninja.
Compared to that, something like Kotoamatsukami that can only target one person at a time was nothing.
"The clans cannot split up. Any isolated fighter risks falling in battle. But right now, this should be the strongest period for the ninja clans since the founding of the village. We must protect these clan members. Shiken, I think the things we planned for the Third Shinobi War need to be brought out now."
Inuzuka Ryoha spoke with a grave expression.
"That's fine. But some of it requires absolute control over your own clan members. I have no problem on my side. What about you?"
Aburame Shiken asked.
"The Inuzuka clan—both people and dogs—listen to me."
Inuzuka Ryoha burst out laughing.
"The Senju clan can't do much this time. There are only the old, the weak, and the injured left. But I alone am enough."
Senju Hideki spoke boldly. After all—who was he?
He was a member of the Senju clan.
"The Hyūga branch family will mostly go to the battlefield this time. In this war, I'll completely solve the internal unity problem of the Hyūga clan."
Hyūga Hiyasu smiled happily.
One war to establish the Hyūga clan's reputation as a great clan.
"I'm going back now to prepare. By tomorrow, the entire Uchiha Police Force will be listening to me."
Uchiha Kamito said bitterly.
Wasn't the plan supposed to happen during the Third Shinobi War?
Now you've already finished everything during the Second Shinobi War.
Then why the hell was the plan scheduled for the Third War in the first place?
I hate people like you overachievers.
Always making everyone else work overtime.
After saying that, Uchiha Kamito walked out.
The Uchiha Police Force had several hundred members. If he didn't deal with it now, even by dawn tomorrow he wouldn't be able to finish cleaning up the mess.
Aburame Shiken released the sealing barrier and let Uchiha Kamito leave.
The remaining four continued discussing various operational details of the war, as well as how certain forbidden techniques would be used.
...
The next day.
Inuzuka Clan.
Inuzuka Ryoha handed a small note to the Inuzuka clan head.
"Memorize it a few more times. Make sure you don't say it wrong."
The clan head ground his teeth in annoyance.
"What do you take me for, a fool? It's just a few lines! Did you really need to remind me more than ten times? And these disgustingly mushy words—how did you even come up with them?"
"Clan head, this matter is extremely important. The future of the Inuzuka clan depends on how you perform at today's meeting."
Is it really that serious?
Isn't it just a normal clan head meeting?
And besides, the invincible aura around Hiruzen Sarutobi has already shattered.
I was just about to finally hold my head high and stop acting like a dog—
"Is it really that serious?"
"If you can't do it, then step down and let me take your place."
Inuzuka Ryoha's eyes were extremely serious.
The Inuzuka clan head snorted.
"You brat. Let me try it—does the tone sound like this?"
"Thank you, clan head."
"If you treat Rinko badly in the future, just watch how I deal with you."
...
Aburame Clan.
The Aburame clan head kneaded the small note in his hand while staring at Aburame Shiken in front of him.
He really wanted to refuse.
These embarrassing lines—how could he possibly say them as the head of the Aburame clan?
"Clan head, the future of the Aburame clan depends on you today."
Aburame Shiken respectfully bowed deeply.
Uh…
When you're this serious—and even invoking the clan's future—how am I supposed to refuse?
The Aburame clan head tightened his hood as if wrapping himself more securely inside it.
Then—
With the determination of someone walking toward death, he headed toward the meeting room.
Dying from social embarrassment was still dying.
...
The Hyūga clan head held the note in his hand while looking at Hyūga Hiyasu, who stood before him with a smile.
"You do realize the branch family has no right to demand anything from the main family."
"Come on, uncle. Don't be so cold. Everyone knows we've always been one big family."
"You little rascal. You didn't inherit even a fraction of your father's respectfulness."
"Oh? So you prefer that style? Fine, I'll adjust."
"Honorable clan head."
The cold tone in the latter half of Hyūga Hiyasu's sentence made the Hyūga clan head burst into laughter.
"If the branch family were all like you, the Hyūga clan would never face the risk of destruction."
"Uncle, as long as today's plan succeeds, the Hyūga clan will never face extinction again. The Caged Bird Seal will become something the new generation of the Hyūga actually hopes to receive."
"Reviving the glory of the Warring States era?"
"Even greater than that."
"You… Fine. Your uncle will gamble everything with you."
...
The Uchiha clan head arrived with Uchiha Fugaku and saw Uchiha Police Force members lying everywhere like corpses.
Standing on the steps was Uchiha Kamito, his body covered in injuries.
The Uchiha clan head roared angrily,
"What are you trying to do? Are you rebelling?!"
Uchiha Fugaku, meanwhile, trembled slightly as he hid behind his father, though his eyes remained fixed firmly on his future brother-in-law.
Mikoto was clearly so gentle… so caring… so—
So how did her younger brother turn out like this?
Uchiha Kamito limped forward until he stood before the clan head.
"I'm now the head of the Uchiha Police Force. At today's meeting, you will speak according to what's written here."
"Insolence! This is a power grab!"
"I have absolutely no interest in the clan head position. Let me be the Police Force chief and read from that script, and I'll fully support your son becoming the next clan head."
"And if I refuse?"
"I'll beat your son, Uchiha Fugaku, every time I see him. I live next to my sister, so he'll see me often. And even if he doesn't come, I can always go find him."
Uchiha Fugaku tightened his grip on his father's arm.
Are you insane?
You're talking to my father—what does that have to do with me?!
"How do I know you're telling the truth?"
"The Uchiha disdain lying."
After saying that, without waiting for a reply, Uchiha Kamito limped away toward the ninja hospital.
Those injuries weren't something he could handle himself.
The Uchiha clan head watched his departing figure.
"Fugaku… treat Mikoto well. Exceptionally well."
"Your brother-in-law is someone who could become an Uchiha among the Uchiha."
That sentence was really confusing.
What did that even mean?
An Uchiha among the Uchiha?