Though Konoha was already teetering on the edge of upheaval, caught in the ideological turbulence of an impending transformation, the Northern Front of the Land of Fire and the southern occupied territories of the Land of Lightning maintained stability due to the continued presence of Konoha Ninja Forces.
The tax-farming ninja in the taxation zones continued their usual oppression of commoners. Meanwhile, the military districts across the five southern prefectures began large-scale production, dumping goods into the Land of Fire and neighboring countries. With unmatched price advantages, this flood of products overnight crippled the textile industry in the northern regions of the Land of Fire.
Northern aristocrats in the Land of Fire also reaped benefits, as Hyuga Soushu freely handed over the distribution rights of goods from each southern prefecture to them. In effect, he basically handed over the entire profit margin from final sales straight to those fat-cat nobles, clearing out any possible obstacles before they could even appear.
Although core figures like Mahiru Uchiha expressed discontent behind closed doors, Hyuga Soushu still insisted on carrying out this policy.
It was unavoidable—Soushu's forces were severely understaffed, and he couldn't risk spreading his already scarce personnel across multiple fronts. Doing so would only create internal instability and lead to factionalism. Therefore, cutting others in on the profits was just something he had to do. Ultimately, everything boiled down to careful weighing of pros and cons.
Just as Konoha appeared prosperous on the surface while concealing deadly shadows beneath, Soushu received two formal notices: one from the Jonin Unit meeting, and another from the Hyuga Clan ordering troop deployment.
"These are both thorny issues," Soushu murmured.
When alone with Mahiru Uchiha, Soushu wasn't wearing his forehead protector as he normally did. His bare forehead revealed faint traces of the blue cursed seal.
This small gesture subtly communicated his trust and openness to Mahiru Uchiha.
"Can't you refuse to go back?"
Mahiru was deeply worried.
If it were only the Jonin Unit meeting back in the village, that wouldn't be much of an issue. But included alongside the Hokage Tower-issued mobilization order sent by the Hyuga Clan came something far more suspicious—a special request directly drafted by Hiashi Hyuga himself, demanding immediate detachment of Soushu's personal Shinsengumi unit!
Even worse, the number specifically requested was five hundred. The problem, however, was that after the rescue mission at Rain Country's camp, the Shinsengumi had barely survived with only around three hundred remaining members.
Therefore, even if Soushu gritted his teeth and agreed to the deployment order, he'd still need to pull nearly two hundred additional ninjas to refill the ranks of the Shinsengumi just to meet Hiashi's demanded troop count.
In Mahiru's eyes, this was clearly the Main House—the same people who've always maintained an uneasy relationship with Soushu—stirring up trouble again, now colluding with those vermin at Hokage Tower.
This situation was the most worrying.
While the Ninja World might not have historical references like the "Hongmen Banquet"—the Feast at Hong Gate (a treacherous banquet used to eliminate rivals in ancient China)—everyone still understood its underlying logic. Therefore, Mahiru's concerns were entirely justified.
"The thing is, all five overseas standing ninja units, including the Rain Country's camp, had received summonses from Sakumo. How could I possibly stay away?" Soushu said calmly, gently holding his lover's hand as he spoke.
"If we back down now, all we'll get is more greedy eyes looking our way later."
"But..."
Mahiru Uchiha stared at Hyuga Soushu's forehead, hesitating as if she wanted to say more.
Although the Caged Bird (Tenketsu) Curse Seal on Soushu's forehead had faded to nearly invisible, it did nothing to ease her concerns about this mission.
After all, the Hyuga Clan's Caged Bird (Tenketsu) Curse Seal had been passed down for a thousand years, and Mahiru was deeply worried that the Main House might still have some hidden tricks up their sleeve.
"I'll take a squad back to the village, but you need to stay behind to oversee operations at the Northern Front headquarters."
Hyuga Soushu said, "You're truly the only one I can trust."
"I understand."
Mahiru Uchiha immediately threw herself into Soushu's arms, tightly hugging his body.
"If things go south during the talks in the village, stir up some chaos with the Land of Iron and the Takugure faction."
Soushu instructed, "The samurai from the Land of Iron and ninja are on completely different paths. And since Takugure has always isolated itself from the outside world, using them as a spark would be perfect."
"No problem there. The Uchiha Clan is best known for starting wars!"
Mahiru Uchiha puffed out her chest proudly.
With her movement, her full bust began to sway temptingly, making Soushu unconsciously lick his lips with an intense gaze.
Noticing her lover's stare, Mahiru smiled mischievously before swiftly forming a hand seal to activate the Soundproof Barrier.
What followed was pure bliss behind closed silken curtains — a moment of intimate beauty not meant for any outsider to witness.
On the day before the Jonin Unit meeting commenced, after communicating with several other Border Forces Commanders, Soushu arrived at the Hidden Leaf Village entrance simultaneously with others.
Sakumo Hatake also returned to the village that day from Rain Country's military camp. Each leader controlled their subordinates, following Konoha's entry and exit system for verifying identities.
According to Hokage Tower's arrangement, the Jonin Unit meeting would be held after the Ninja Clan Summit, with sufficient time reserved in between. Combined with the current relatively stable borders, many Jonin returned to the village to prepare for attendance.
Half of the Jonin stationed at Rain Country's military camp under Sakumo Hatake's command accompanied him back to the village alone.
Even the Eastern Coastal Defense Garrison under the temporary command of Hizashi Hyuga brought twelve Jonin along, which indirectly reflected how the so-called Mist attacks on Fire Country's eastern border was merely an excuse to create controversy. If there were real issues, Hizashi wouldn't possibly bring so many Jonin back with him.
Counting carefully, Soushu actually brought back the fewest Jonin.
Yet upon entering the village, the atmosphere was visibly oppressive and tense.
Most merchants along Konoha's Commercial District maintained business appearances, though clearly just going through the motions. Compared to usual times, pedestrians on the streets were especially scarce, with shop staff appearing anxious and restless, looking as if they were preparing to close up and run away at any moment.
Furthermore, every ninja clan's territory locked down their entrances and exits, armed shinobi openly standing guard at high points throughout their territories, vigilant to even the slightest movements around them.
You could call Konoha's current state one thing and one thing only — overly paranoid.
"What's going on with the village?"
Shirakawa Namiko couldn't help but exclaim as she entered through the village gates.
"The Jonin Subdivision Bill has been forcefully passed during the Ninja Clan Summit."
Sakumo Hatake responded.
This was also a major catalyst for Konoha's current severe divisions.
"Subdivision Bill..."
Shirakawa Namiko remained speechless.
He was familiar with this bill proposed by the Nara clan leader at the Ninja Clan Summit.
However, since he had just returned to the village during the summit's voting period, he hadn't learned the final outcome.
"Konoha has become two completely different worlds,"
Soushu Hyuga remarked coolly.
The one feeling most uneasy, though, was Hizashi Hyuga standing beside him.
Because the strongest driving force behind passing this Subdivision Bill within the Ninja Clan Summit came precisely from their own Hyuga clan!
The Hyuga clan head's actions during the summit caused deep dissatisfaction among some weaker and declining ninja clans who felt this bill substantially diluted what little influence they had. Civilian ninja were even more furious, viewing these families from the ninja summit as like parasites chewing away and feeding off Konoha's lifeblood.
Under such circumstances, it made sense that the ninja clans started arming themselves for protection as tensions between them and civilians grew.
But what nobody expected was how quickly tensions in the village escalated within only a few days!
"Soushu Hyuga, let's return to our clan district together,"
Hizashi Hyuga said uneasily.
"Fine."
Soushu Hyuga gave a brief nod to Sakumo Hatake and Shirakawa Namiko before taking his leave. Then he immediately dismissed his Ninja Force under command so they could return home and reunite with their families before proceeding together with Hizashi Hyuga toward the Hyuga District.
A desolate Konoha chilled one's heart. Two members of the Hyuga clan walked along the street, yet passersby kept their distance, almost as if they were encountering those dreaded enforcers from the Policing Department.
This didn't bode well.
Hizashi Hyuga felt even heavier in his heart.
The Hyuga clan had long maintained the reputation of being a prestigious and noble ninja family. Yet now, villagers regarded them similarly to how they viewed the Uchiha—as dangerous threats. Behind this change, how many unseen forces had manipulated things in secret?
He couldn't understand it, just like he couldn't comprehend why his father, as clan head, supported the passage of the Jonin Subdivision Bill at the Ninja Clan Summit.
Could his father really not foresee what consequences this subdivision bill would bring upon the Hyuga clan?
Sigh...
Hizashi Hyuga couldn't help but sigh.
Then he glanced sideways at Soushu Hyuga beside him, whose expression remained impassive.
This Branch House member of the Hyuga clan, rapidly rising like a comet and renowned across the Ninja World for his martial exploits, was equally troubling to him.
Hyūga Sōshu's rise had created a massive upheaval within the Branch House of the Hyūga Clan. Although kept in check by the Main House and Hizashi Hyūga, even the Jonin-level Branch members who felt uneasy only engaged in secret communications without daring to take actual action. Yet this undercurrent of unrest alone was already enough to weigh heavily on Hizashi's mind.
Now they were also trying to wrest away as many as five hundred elite ninja troops from Sōshu's iron-fisted control—something that simply beggars description.
Could the Main House truly believe that an extraordinary Jonin with exceptional abilities could be fully subdued merely through the intimidation of the Caged Bird (Tenketsu) Curse Seal?
Besides, if he was someone who could simply bow his head, would he still be Hyūga Sōshu?
Hizashi couldn't figure it out for the life of him, just like how he'd failed to understand his father's bizarre moves during the Ninja Clan Summit.
"There aren't any major issues at the Eastern Coastal Defense Garrison, are there?" Sōshu casually remarked, attempting to break the awkward silence between them.
"Nothing serious. Though Kirigakure has constantly been harassing our coastal areas, they've had no opportunity to land and plunder thanks to our tight security." Hizashi tried to convey a conciliatory signal.
The implication of his words was clear enough—if there was little defensive pressure on the Eastern Coastal Defense Garrison, then there would naturally be no need to transfer ninja forces from elsewhere. The current demand to forcibly take away the Shinsengumi unit under Sōshu's command was clearly not something he had proposed or approved himself.
"That's good to hear. Should you need it, Elder Cousin Hizashi, just send a single urgent letter and I'll deploy the Northern Front forces south without delay."
Sōshu responded politely but firmly.
There was absolutely no way he would willingly hand over his already-limited ninja forces, but if there really was a critical emergency, he would still come to his aid, just as he once did for Sakumo Hatake.
"Of course, I do appreciate your consistent goodwill, Soushu-kun."
Hizashi moderately expressed his concerns: "But some things just don't go as planned—and therein lies the complication."
"Overthinking only brings trouble."
Sōshu's tone became increasingly lighthearted: "Even if something happens, we'll face it together. Don't you agree, Elder Cousin Hizashi?"
Hizashi felt slightly reassured.
Still, he hadn't completely relaxed. After all, their conversation had only helped ease the tension between himself and Sōshu—but the decision to mobilize the ninja forces came jointly from Hokage Tower and the Hyūga Main House!
Though he nominally commanded the Eastern Coastal Defense Garrison, he was in truth little more than a figurehead—the real decisions rested elsewhere, far beyond his reach.
Therefore, as the de facto leader of the Branch House, Hizashi was powerless to resolve the growing rift between Sōshu and the Main House, which was on the verge of breaking into the open.
Within Hokage Tower, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, advisory elder Homura Mitokado, Utatane Koharu, and recently returned secretly from the Kinki region in the Land of Lightning, Danzō, gathered in one room. They monitored every one of the movements of the five Border Forces Commanders through several crystal balls arranged on the office desk.
Hyuga Soushu and Hizashi Hyuga were from the same clan, so it made perfect sense for them to head back to the clan's territory together. That wasn't anything worth noting. What gave Konoha's F4 a breath of fresh air was that Hyuga Soushu hadn't gotten entangled with Sakumo Hatake and the others.
Sakumo Hatake and Shirakawa Namiko were deeply bound allies sharing both joy and sorrow, so naturally they agreed upon a meeting location for a later time.
What worried Konoha's F4 the most, however, was that the commander of the northwest border forces also wanted in on the meeting.
Although the northwest border unit was currently the weakest among Konoha's standing border forces, this still meant that three-fifths of all Overseas Ninja Forces had already aligned themselves. Add to that Hyuga Soushu, who could skillfully navigate between the Hyuga Clan's ninja community and Sakumo Hatake's faction, and Sakumo already controlled nearly one-third of Konoha's registered ninja force.
"Regardless of the outcome following this Jonin Unit meeting, both the Rain Country's military camp and the Kinki Defense Camp in the Land of Lightning must be immediately disbanded!" Homura Mitokado proposed.
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, and Koharu Utatane all nodded in agreement.
But this was merely a case of closing the barn door after the horse had bolted.
Right now, they still faced another major test ahead.
After successfully stirring tensions between the clans and commoners through the Subdivision Bill at the Ninja Clan Summit, Konoha's F4 was about to face counterattacks from Sakumo Hatake.
Furthermore, even if they managed to thwart Sakumo's schemes during the Jonin Unit meeting, the existing rift between ninja clans and ordinary citizens would be difficult to mend.
Yet amid this critical moment, they simply didn't have time to worry about that just yet.
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