Chapter 9: Schemes Against the Hyuga and Uchiha Clans

Yuto had no idea that while he was leisurely returning to clan's territory, a meeting concerning his fate was quietly beginning.

A highly detailed analysis report lay before Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The autopsy reports of Tetsuro Sugiura, Masato Satou, Reiro Yamagata, and Eiji Hirahara had been submitted by the medical team of shinobi.

There were no suspicious points, except for Tetsuro Sugiura's fatal wound—a penetrating injury located between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae, inflicted from behind with a kunai.

For Kumo shinobi skilled in Lightning Release Taijutsu, their fingers were the sharpest blades. Hence, the report concluded, "I can't understand why the final battle ended in close combat."

Hiruzen merely glanced at it and dismissed this point.

As a battle-hardened Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi had lived through countless battles, understanding well that shinobi, in the end, fought like wild beasts tearing at each other. He had witnessed two powerful Jonin, when their strength waned, desperately stabbing each other with frozen fish.

With the recovery of Konoha's fallen shinobi completed, Hiruzen didn't question the report of the sole survivor. Thus, the achievements of the reconnaissance squad—"obtaining important intelligence" and "killing multiple enemy shinobi"—were all attributed to Yuto Hyuga.

Including previous merits, this branch family genius had accumulated significant achievements.

Hiruzen closed his eyes, involuntarily recalling Yuto's words in this very office the previous day.

The door creaked open, and three people entered in a single line.

Hiruzen wasn't bothered by the intrusion and softly said, "Danzo, Homura, Koharu, you're here."

"Hiruzen..." The three stood before his desk. In private, they addressed each other by name, not by titles.

Every week, in this Hokage office, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane held secret meetings. No ANBU recorded the discussions, no clan heads were present, and even Hiruzen's proud pupils, the "Three Legendary Sannin," were absent.

Many covert plots and decisions impacting the entire Fire Country took shape during these meetings.

"Hiruzen," Danzo began, with a scar on his jaw and bandages over his right eye and forehead, making him unapproachable even when silent,

"Strike first. Let Namikaze infiltrate Kumogakure and attack the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki. We'll prepare a portable jutsu that might break the sealing technique and release the Eight-Tails."

Releasing the Eight-Tails in the heart of Kumogakure was extreme, even in the shinobi world, as it would endanger numerous civilians. Given the Eight-Tails' destructive power, casualties in the Land of Lightning would surely be in the six figures.

Hiruzen frowned. With no outsiders present, he didn't need to maintain his noble image and seriously considered the plan's feasibility,

"The Eight-Tail's Jinchuriki has a high compatibility with the beast. A standard plan might not work."

"Then let Minato take an Uchiha with him. With the Sharingan and that forbidden jutsu, the success rate of releasing the Eight-Tails exceeds forty percent!"

"Danzo, do you want the world to know Konoha did this? Even if successful, other major nations will unite against us."

"Then let's fight!" Danzo was unfazed, "By then, Kumogakure will be severely weakened. Iwagakure's only notable threat is that old Onoki... As for Sunagakure and Kirigakure? Mere weaklings."

Hiruzen pondered for a while but ultimately shook his head, "Too risky... Facing four enemies at once. As Hokage, I can't risk the entire village."

"Hmph..." Danzo snorted but, hearing Hiruzen refer to himself as Hokage, knew he had decided and refrained from further argument.

At this moment, the silent Koharu spoke, "But war is imminent. Kumogakure is becoming restless, Iwagakure's attacks are increasing, and the other two strong villages are preparing for battle. If war erupts, it won't be minor skirmishes... I believe the Third Shinobi World War will occur within two years."

"I understand." Hiruzen said calmly, exhaling a smoke ring, "Today, I mainly want to discuss this. If war engulfs the world and all five great shinobi villages participate, we can't rely on conventional forces."

He paused, then continued, "We must draw more power from the Uchiha and Hyuga clans. The Sharingan and Byakugan have significant battlefield impact. We need these two Dojutsus."

Homura nodded in agreement, "Good idea, Hiruzen. Previously, the Uchiha and Hyuga clans helped but kept their core forces hidden, which sufficed for minor border conflicts. However, if the Third Shinobi World War breaks out, we need their full cooperation. But greater participation means greater casualties..."

Danzo sneered, his teeth seemingly bloodstained, "If they refuse, we could use this opportunity to..."

"Danzo," Hiruzen shook his head, "We're one village. To me, both the Hyuga and Uchiha are brothers and essential parts of Konoha. There's no need to go that far."

"Oh? Then what do you propose?"

"We can give them a hint." Hiruzen squinted, sharing his idea, "Hint that the position of the next or subsequent Hokage will prioritize the Hyuga and Uchiha... Danzo, Homura, Koharu, don't rush. I know, it's not suitable for powerful clans like the Hyuga and Uchiha to hold the Hokage position."

"Thus, it's just a hint. A hint is merely an empty promise."

"Like blindfolding a donkey with a carrot in front of it. It can smell the carrot, works hard, but never gets to eat it."

The other three were silent, understanding the Uchiha and Hyuga clans desire for the Hokage position. Using this to motivate them was indeed a brilliant strategy.

The key was how subtle the hint was.

They must genuinely feel the "Hokage position is attainable" while making it easy to evade fulfilling this promise post-war.

No substantial commitment, yet enough to motivate.

Hiruzen didn't keep them in suspense:

"My three students—one from the Senju clan, and others—two civilians."

"Their students also lack Uchiha and Hyuga members, which sends a poor signal... implying these clans will not be central to Konoha's core or the Hokage role for a long time."

"I'm old, lacking the energy to train new students. So, I'll have my students select a successor from a major clan, signaling I'm not opposed to the Hyuga or Uchiha, even considering them for Konoha's leadership."

(End of chapter)