Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a small nod.
Since matters had been settled, and considering that Shikaku Nara had come all this way without even setting foot in his own home, there was no reason to keep him longer.
So after a few polite words, he let him go.
After all, Hiruzen himself would soon be far too busy—there was no chance of sleeping tonight.
Yes.
He trusted Shikaku, but not completely. Trust had its limits.
He had heard Shikaku's judgment—that was enough.
As for detailed strategies, countermeasures, and long-term plans, those could only be shared with his three oldest comrades.
At that thought, he wasted no time. He summoned an Anbu and ordered that the three of them be gathered at once.
This Uchiha problem was too important. The thorn had already been driven into the heart of the Sarutobi clan.
Especially with Shisui—the enemy spy—living practically next door…
How could he sleep at night?
No, this had to be resolved as soon as possible.
"Lord Hokage!"
In moments, Anbu knelt before him. Even at home, the Hokage always had guards close at hand.
"Stand." Hiruzen's tone was clipped.
"Notify Koharu and Homura. And summon Danzo as well.
Immediately. I'll be waiting here."
The Anbu blinked at the urgency—this late at night?—but duty required no questions. With a nod, he vanished into the dark.
Once alone, Hiruzen's frown deepened. He lit his pipe, the smoke curling around a face suddenly much older.
Uchiha Kai… was too troublesome.
One careless slip, and he had been swindled badly—worse still, the spy Shisui had been planted right in his household.
"Shisui…" The name scraped from between clenched teeth. His jaw ached from the force of it.
Infuriating!
Meanwhile, leaving the Sarutobi compound, Shikaku Nara sighed softly.
The situation felt heavier and heavier.
The Uchiha.
Once, he had not worried about them. A powerful clan, yes, but not a real contender for leadership.
But now… now, with Kai's rise, they had a chance. A real chance.
Kai was no ordinary Uchiha. He was the clan's first Mangekyo of true standing. He had the full weight of Konoha's premier clan behind him. And he had brains—so sharp that even Shikaku had to admit defeat.
The saying was true: each generation brings forth new talent.
That was why Shikaku had concealed the matter of Minato's secret meeting with Kai. He needed to keep certain cards close, for the sake of the Nara clan's survival.
Fortunately, he had always prepared for contingencies.
A clan head—especially of the Nara, famed for their strategy—could not afford to neglect an escape route.
By the time he reached home, his wife Yoshino was waiting.
"Shikaku, you must be exhausted."
"Oh, it's fine."
"Hoji's in the tea room. He's been waiting for you."
"Mm. I'll go."
Yoshino's eyes softened as she looked at her weary husband. For once, even she could not scold him. After a long pause, she spoke gently:
"I know you men carry the weight of great matters. But please… take care of yourself."
"Don't worry. I will." Shikaku smiled faintly.
After a few soothing words, he straightened his clothes, drew a deep breath, and slid open the tea room door.
A middle-aged man sat at the low table. Shikaku's lips curved into a small smile.
"Hoji, sorry to keep you waiting."
Hoji Nara shrugged.
"Not really. You're the busy one. Honestly, I thought once you became a clan head, I'd get to relax a little.
But no… it's been nothing but headaches. Though I dodged the clan head's seat for some peace and quiet, fate had other plans."
Shikaku chuckled.
"Brother, that won't do. For the clan, I've been working to the bone. The endless clan affairs I could accept, but once I became commander of the Jounin, I haven't had a single day's rest.
Did I complain?"
"I was on the battlefield, juggling disasters every day." Hoji shot back.
"Then just as we were about to sign a peace treaty, I was urgently recalled by the Hokage. I had to rush back without even stepping foot in my own home, straight to the Sarutobi estate, where I picked apart strategy till my brain ached.
Now that I finally got home, I still can't sleep, because I have to talk about future plans with you.
Easy life? For me? I don't think so."
Hoji fell silent, staring at his cousin for a long while before saying gravely:
"Brother, you've worked hard."
"It's nothing. For the clan." Shikaku waved it off. "Tiring, yes. But worthwhile.
Tonight's talk with Hiruzen gave me much to think about.
Things are changing.
In fact… the future focus of the clan must shift to your side."
His eyes turned sharp, serious.
Hoji, in the middle of pouring tea, froze. His hand trembled slightly around the pot. Slowly, he set it down, his own expression hardening.
"…It's that serious?"
"I'll admit Kai has some ability. But could he really rise so high? What happened with Hiruzen?"
Shikaku exhaled, long and heavy. He trusted this cousin completely, so he held nothing back.
He laid it all out: Shisui's "defection" as a ruse, Obito's Mangekyo, Minato's suspicious ties with Kai…
Hoji was struck dumb.
What the hell!
Shisui wasn't a traitor at all, but in league with Kai?
Obito, of all people, had awakened Mangekyo?
And Minato—pure-blooded disciple of Jiraiya, Hokage faction to the core—was secretly meeting with Kai?
If anyone else had said it, he'd have dismissed it as nonsense. But from Shikaku's mouth… It was chillingly real.
After a long silence, Hoji finally muttered:
"…Could that really be true?
Forget Shisui—Minato's the key. He's Jiraiya's student, a pillar of the Hokage line.
If this is real, then Hiruzen Sarutobi is finished."
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