Nara Hiroshi gave a faint nod.
Seeing the solemn expression on Nara Shikaku's face, his own gaze began to flicker with fighting spirit.
Yes.
He had been lying flat in the clan for far too long, and now he actually wanted to stretch his muscles.
Especially against Nara Shikaku.
This dear younger cousin of his—he truly was a fine opponent!
Now that such a good game board had been laid out, truth be told, Hiroshi's hands were itching.
"Good. No problem."
"I want to see for myself whether you've made any progress lately."
"Since we're going to set the board and go all out, it seems the Nara clan will have to split."
"After all, there's no way to hide Kazama's involvement forever. Does that kid really think he can cozy up with the Uchiha while Konoha's Anbu are a bunch of corpses?"
"Once the war ends and Kazama returns to the village, everything will be impossible to cover up."
"If we don't split the clan, even Hiruzen will start to suspect you."
"So when Kazama comes back, that will be the moment for the Nara clan to divide."
"This time, though, I'll be taking half the clan with me."
"After all, if we're joining the Uchiha, we'll need to bring a worthy gift."
"And not just the Nara. I'll be taking half the Akimichi and Yamanaka clans with me as well."
"When the day comes that victory is decided—that will be the day we reunite the clans!"
"Shikaku, you'd better give it your all!"
Nara Hiroshi's voice brimmed with vigor.
Though he had been dormant for years—ever since Shikaku took over as clan head, he had lived like a man just muddling through life—
Now…
With the prospect of clashing again, his blood was boiling.
On the other hand, Nara Shikaku just shrugged.
"No problem."
"Cousin, from here on—"
"Let's each rely on our own wits. Cheers!"
His expression was casual.
But when he looked again at Nara Hiroshi, his eyes too burned with fighting spirit.
He raised his cup.
Hiroshi didn't hesitate either—he lifted his teacup and clinked it against Shikaku's.
Yet…
For all the merriment between them, if word of this leaked out, the Nara clan would be utterly finished.
Because damn it—
No power in the shinobi world hated anything more than fence-sitters.
Even Uchiha Kai wouldn't tolerate it.
You either stand with him, or with Hiruzen.
There was no such thing as betting on both sides.
Win or lose, the Nara clan would always profit?
That was far too much like Kai's previous life in the Three Kingdoms.
Zhuge Liang followed Liu Bei, Zhuge Kai followed Sun Quan, Zhuge Dan followed Cao Cao.
No matter who won in the end, the Zhuge clan wouldn't lose.
And not just the Zhuge.
Most famous families of that time did the same.
Guo Jia sided with Cao Cao, Guo Tu sided with Yuan Shao.
Such examples were countless.
But in the shinobi world—where strategists were undervalued, and might conquer all—
Who had ever seen such a game played?
And so—
The Nara clan truly was terrifying.
No wonder they were hailed as the most cunning, most calculating clan in all of the shinobi world.
Meanwhile, outside Konoha—
Deep in the forest, near the edge of the Forest of Death.
There lay a hidden entrance—the true headquarters of Root.
At its deepest point, the leader's office.
Whether day or night, no sunlight ever reached inside. Only a few oil lamps flickered, casting an orange glow.
Thus the office was always steeped in gloom.
Danzo, his body wrapped in bandages, eyes glinting with a cold light, sat hunched in his chair, leaning on his cane.
He looked at the two uninvited guests before him, and a faint, scornful smile tugged at his lips.
"Koharu. Homura!"
"You two elders—what rare visitors!"
"What brings you here to see your old friend? That's not your style."
"Don't you usually spend your time sucking up to Hiruzen?"
Danzo's voice was low, mocking.
Clearly, he had little affection for his two old peers.
Perhaps, long ago, as fellow disciples of Tobirama Senju, they had shared some camaraderie.
But in the years since, whatever remained had long been worn away.
Now, if they cooperated, it was purely for profit.
And because of that, Danzo felt nothing but disdain for his so-called "friends."
Koharu and Homura exchanged glances.
They weren't surprised at his attitude.
This was normal.
After all, as Danzo himself said, they had spent years clinging to Hiruzen, and had all but ignored this "old friend."
Embarrassment?
Not a chance.
People like them had long since abandoned things like shame.
"Danzo, no need to test us," Koharu said, pushing up her glasses, her tone suddenly grave. "The past isn't worth dwelling on. We all know exactly why things turned out as they did."
"Time is short. Homura and I can't stay long."
"We're all old friends here, so let's drop the pleasantries and get straight to the point."
"I won't hide it—Homura and I both believe Hiruzen has gone too far."
"We're all fellow disciples. Yet last night, he dared to send you flying with a single strike. Such behavior is shameless—he's even forgotten who put him in the Hokage's seat."
"Homura and I too."
"All for the sake of his reputation, his grip on Konoha—Hiruzen chose to end the war on his own terms, and didn't even demand the bare minimum of war reparations."
"That alone, we could tolerate. Konoha can afford to forgo reparations."
"But why should Homura and I take the blame for it?"
"Today he makes us the scapegoats, tomorrow he shows you even less respect."
"If this continues, I dread to imagine what comes next."
"Once Hiruzen has dealt with the Uchiha and the Hyuga, will it be our turn, his so-called old friends?"
"So Homura and I have decided—Hiruzen must be taught a lesson."
"Danzo, let's join forces."
Danzo froze.
Yes.
He had considered many possibilities.
But never this.
Good lord.
Even Koharu and Homura no longer wanted to side with Hiruzen Sarutobi?
Turning, he asked, "Homura, what about you?"
"The same as Koharu," Homura said coldly. "Hiruzen has gone too far. He's secure in the Hokage's seat now, and while he still needs us for his plans against the Uchiha and Hyuga, once they're eliminated…"
"We'll be next."
"So we strike first!"
"We don't need to kill him. But he must be taught a lesson."
"He needs to understand—he cannot go too far!"
"He sits in that seat thanks to all of us."
"Try to burn the bridge after crossing the river?"
"Hiruzen Sarutobi won't have an easy time of it!"
To read the full FanFic, head over to Patreon:
patreon.com/WhiteDevil7554