Konoha's military strength was severely depleted. Over five hundred ninjas dispatched to fight against Kiri, directly reducing Konoha's shinobi forces by a third.
However, with the addition of some mercenary ninjas, Konoha's overall fighting force was still considerable.
After Minato led the troops away from the village, Shinji found an excuse to have Orochimaru keep Rin in the village.
When Orochimaru asked why, Shinji simply said that Rin had once saved his life, and he didn't want his benefactor risking herself on the battlefield.
Upon learning this, Orochimaru teased Shinji, saying he was surprised someone like him could actually show gratitude.
They didn't need to intervene directly for this matter.
Orochimaru just had a word with the Konoha Hospital, which was short-staffed, and used that as justification to keep Rin behind to help.
When Rin's teammate Kakashi learned of this, he readily agreed. He also didn't want Rin on the battlefield and even persuaded his teacher about it.
Although Rin was initially reluctant, she eventually agreed under the persuasion of Kakashi and the hospital. With the hospital making the official request, this legitimate reason didn't put Minato in a difficult position.
The forces that Kirigakure sent across the sea weren't numerous, showing their lack of enthusiasm for fighting Konoha. Their clashes with Konoha were limited to small-scale encounters, nowhere near as brutal as the previous battles against Iwagakure.
As for logistics and military supplies, the Daimyo provided continuous support, requiring no effort from Konoha.
The odds of winning this war were extremely high, otherwise Danzo wouldn't have wanted Orochimaru to take the position of commander.
But Orochimaru's actions filled Danzo with rage.
After that meeting, he had confronted Orochimaru, but the only response he received was Orochimaru's simple statement: "I have my plans, Lord Danzo. Please rest assured."
Danzo felt Orochimaru was merely placating him, but then he suddenly realized something.
His former subordinate's mind was far deeper than he had imagined.
Everyone wanted to be the hunter who catches the prey, and Danzo now understood that Orochimaru had seen through this and was no longer under his control.
This infuriated him. He felt he had given Orochimaru everything, that he had pushed Orochimaru to this position.
What did Orochimaru have before this?
Just the title of one of the Legendary Sannin, abandoned by Sarutobi, spending his days tinkering with forbidden techniques and experiments.
Disguising people as Iwa-nin to attack the Daimyo, creating propaganda in the village, sending people to privately relay intelligence to Iwagakure... which of these hadn't Danzo arranged for Orochimaru?
And now he was planning to step over him?
If it were anyone else, Danzo would have a thousand ways to eliminate them immediately and shift all previous crimes onto them while keeping himself clean.
But this was one of the Legendary Sannin, whose strength was renowned throughout the entire shinobi world!
Danzo couldn't kill him. A falling out would only implicate himself as well, resulting in mutual destruction.
This made Danzo realize that his plan to install a puppet leader and control Konoha himself had now fallen apart.
Orochimaru had grown up under Danzo's watchful eye. Danzo had thought he understood and could easily control him, but in the end, he had underestimated him.
Shinji suddenly received an invitation from Hyuga Takaguya, delivered by a servant.
When he arrived at Takaguya's residence, he found the old man much more haggard than before.
In previous meetings, he could still sense the aura of a former clan head from him, but now he stood there leaning on a cane, looking like a man on his deathbed.
"Lord Takaguya," Shinji bowed respectfully.
He could now understand that this old man standing before him was indeed the one who made the list of five names.
Such actions, once known to Hiashi, would inevitably create a rift between father and son.
"Ah, Shinji, you've come," Takaguya opened his white eyes to look at Shinji, his voice old and weary.
"I told you before that you could come here to read books. Why haven't you visited?"
Shinji was momentarily taken aback and immediately replied, "Lord Takaguya, I've been busy training these past few days, so I haven't had time."
Takaguya nodded, then said "Follow me," turning around shakily and heading toward his study.
The study was indeed filled with many books arranged on shelves. Several calligraphy pieces were displayed on the desk.
It seemed father and son shared the same hobby. Shinji examined them carefully and noticed that Takaguya's calligraphy skills were considerably better than Hiashi's.
Takaguya didn't take the main seat but sat down in a nearby chair, both hands resting on his cane.
"Have a look around. Is there anything you'd like to read?" Takaguya said slowly.
"Thank you, Lord Takaguya."
Inwardly, Shinji was contemplating the old man's true purpose for inviting him.
He walked to the bookshelf and casually picked up a book about the Gentle Fist style.
Putting it back, he took another one about techniques for using the Byakugan.
Shinji glanced sideways at Takaguya and saw him sitting with his eyes closed, seemingly asleep.
Among the collection, Shinji did find some books worth reading, though the current situation made it difficult for him to concentrate.
"Shinji," Takaguya suddenly spoke.
"Yes, Lord Takaguya."
"How do you view the clan?" Takaguya asked unexpectedly.
"The clan... isn't it just my home?" Shinji replied, feigning confusion.
This question seemed pointless, so Shinji played dumb.
"What about the village?"
"The village is where everyone's homes come together, it's a home for many people."
Takaguya merely sighed, slowly raising his head to look at Shinji. "Have you found a book you'd like to read?"
"I have, Lord Takaguya!" Shinji indicated the book in his hand, appearing delighted.
Takaguya nodded. "You can take it home. If you want to find other books in the future, you can come directly to me."
"I understand. Thank you, Lord Takaguya!"
Takaguya suddenly asked, "Shinji, your eyes..."
Shinji immediately showed a downcast expression, forcing a smile. "I know that Lord Hiashi is very busy, and the clan has many matters to handle. There's no need to delay things because of me. I can wait until Lord Hiashi has time."
Watching Shinji's dejected appearance, Takaguya's gaze flickered.
This behavior didn't seem fake at all.
If this child was lying about all this and if this was all indeed an act, then his cunning would be terrifying.
But clearly, that wasn't the case.
There were some elders in the clan who harbored ill intentions toward the main family.
But those old fools weren't stupid.
They knew better than to approach Shinji directly at this time. This child's black eyes were like a spotlight—anything he did in the clan drew excessive attention. Trying to use this child for their schemes would only lead to a dead end.
As long as the Caged Bird Seal existed, the main family could forever control the branch family. Once this child received new eyes, this farce would end.
Hiashi could continue leading the Hyuga clan toward revival.
Hiashi...
Takaguya raised his head, silently sighing.
He was isolated now—Hiashi had made it so—and he hadn't resisted or shown any dissatisfaction.
For what he'd done before, this outcome was deserved.
In the end, both his children hated him.
"Shinji, Hiashi will definitely arrange new Byakugan for you. Don't worry."
"I know, Lord Takaguya."
After leaving Takaguya's residence, Shinji was immediately summoned to Hiashi's home.
"Did you go to Lord Takaguya's place just to read books?" Hiashi asked Shinji, his expression blank.
He knew that the young man standing before him was on Takaguya's list, which made Hiashi feel some aversion toward Shinji.
"Lord Takaguya also asked me some questions."
"What questions?"
Shinji related everything that happened at Takaguya's residence as there was nothing to hide.
Moreover, if Hiashi had spies at Takaguya's place, concealing anything would be even worse.
After hearing Shinji's account, Hiashi suddenly fell silent, then spoke to Shinji in a flat tone: "Lord Takaguya's health is very poor right now. He needs rest. Don't disturb him in the future."
"Understood, Lord Hiashi."
As Shinji turned to leave, Hiashi watched his back with cold eyes.
Shinji's visit to Takaguya didn't seem to involve anything suspicious.
But thinking carefully, this boy had brought him nothing but trouble.
Now Hiashi had to wait for his father to die before replacing the boy's eyes, and until then, he needed to be vigilant about any unusual movements from the clan elders.
A person with mediocre talent and strength, someone who had nearly betrayed him...
Did it matter whether he lived or died?