Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned.
What the hell?
He had already been conned this badly, and he couldn't even fight back?
Not only that—he had to treat Shisui and that bunch like honored guests?
Damn it all.
Where was the law?
Where was justice?
He was seething, his face twisting into something feral and hideous.
But… he still had some sense left. Even in his fury, he forced himself to take deep breaths, repeating silently in his heart:
Stay calm. Stay calm.
Shikaku was right—he couldn't lash out recklessly.
That bastard Uchiha Kai wasn't some simpleton like the clan leaders of old. He was sly—cunning to the bone.
If Hiruzen drove Shisui's faction out in a fit of anger, Kai would only laugh. He would pounce on the opportunity. And with the Aburame and Inuzuka already leaning toward the Uchiha, one wrong step could see every mid- and small-sized clan pulled into Kai's camp.
If that happened, could the Hokage's inner circle really hold out against the Uchiha?
No. Absolutely not.
The Sarutobi, Shimura, Koharu, and Mitokado clans alone could never withstand Kai's vengeance. Their dominance came only from the Hokage's title.
Ino–Shika–Cho followed the Hokage… but in truth, they followed power. If he lost momentum, they would abandon him without hesitation.
The Hyuga would stay neutral—they only cared about their own secluded peace.
And if Senju had already been wiped out, then Uchiha was the single strongest clan left in Konoha.
Now they had two Mangekyo in hand.
If Kai united the smaller clans as well, Hiruzen would truly be finished.
"Fine. I understand." Hiruzen's voice was cold and heavy.
"I'll endure. What's two hundred million ryō? The Sarutobi aren't short of money. Let's say it was thrown to the dogs.
This round—I lost.
But it doesn't matter. Kai and Shisui may have Mangekyo, but I still have Obito.
Obito is Minato's student, a pureblood of the Hokage faction.
With him, the Sarutobi legacy, and the clans loyal to the Hokage… not to mention that I am Hokage… I still hold the greater advantage!
Uchiha's day will come.
Once this war is over, I'll deal with them first. I'll crush those bastards!"
His words were practically a snarl, his rage boiling over even in front of Shikaku.
He couldn't help it. Ever since Kai's rise, he had been forced to swallow humiliation after humiliation.
He was reaching his limit.
If not for the war still raging outside, he might have already risked everything to bring the fight to the Uchiha—to remind them that the Hokage was not to be trifled with.
On the other side, Shikaku's expression—calm and confident till now—faltered.
"…Lord Hokage." He hesitated, then asked, "What's this about Obito?"
Yes. He couldn't wrap his head around it.
He knew Obito well: the tail-end of the academy, a token student of Minato chosen only to placate the Uchiha.
Throughout this war, he'd done nothing of note.
A perfectly ordinary, even useless, Uchiha.
So why bring him up?
Something felt off. Deeply off.
And Hiruzen confirmed it with a casual, almost dismissive reply:
"Oh, Obito? He awakened Mangekyo as well.
But don't worry. He's Minato's student, and their bond is strong. Kai may have swayed Shisui, but he'll never turn Obito.
Minato is Jiraiya's disciple. Once Rin is taken care of, I'll mend my relationship with Minato.
No matter his resentment, when it comes down to the Hokage's camp versus the Uchiha, I believe he'll stand with me without question.
So, Shikaku—there's no need for concern."
Across from him, Shikaku froze, his teacup halfway to his lips.
His mind went blank.
Another Mangekyo?
What the hell was happening with the Uchiha?
Since the days when Madara left and Kagami died, not a single Mangekyo had appeared for years. And now, in this short span, they were popping up one after another—like a relentless surge.
Three had already surfaced publicly.
Was this… a surge born from their clan's bloodline sensing impending annihilation?
The thought chilled him.
Even in the Warring States era, Mangekyo had been rare. Each generation was lucky to produce one. In the Uchiha's golden age, at most, two brothers—Madara and Izuna—had awakened it at the same time.
But now?
Three in one breath.
Unprecedented.
And that was only what was visible.
If Shikaku knew about Fugaku's hidden eyes, or the inevitability of Itachi and Sasuke's awakening in the future… he might well abandon all plans, grab a bag, and flee the village outright.
Six Mangekyo at once? The very idea was enough to terrify him.
But Kai would never reveal everything. Unless he was absolutely certain of victory, he would never show all his cards. His entire way of life was built on patience, concealment, and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
The ninja world was too deep, too dangerous. Otsutsuki, the Sage of Six Paths, the hidden Tenseigan on the moon, the sanctuaries of the three great holy lands, Black Zetsu, Kaguya, Isshiki, the entire celestial clan…
Better to lie low and bide one's time.
The ant could hide.
But the elephant? The elephant could not.
And the Uchiha were the elephants.
Hiruzen would never let them vanish quietly.
Shikaku didn't know all this, but even Hiruzen's last words made his skin crawl.
Because he remembered.
That night at the front lines—he had seen Minato leave camp with Kai. The two had gone off into the dark, speaking of who-knows-what.
A faint, dangerous premonition pressed down on him.
But he didn't say it.
After a long silence, he only nodded.
"…I see. That's good, then. I'm relieved.
Since everything is settled, I'll take my leave.
Lord Hokage, good night."
He rose, bowed, and left.
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