Dogs Bite Each Other

"..."

Stymied by Uchiha Fugaku's "resolve," Shimura Daisuke had nothing to say.

Naturally, he had heard of Uchiha Shisui's reputation as a genius. The fact that the Uchiha Clan was willing to send such a genius indeed demonstrated tremendous determination and sincerity.

As for Uchiha Shisui being an informant within the Uchiha Clan, he naturally knew nothing of such confidential matters.

"Cough, cough. This matter still requires careful consideration. Pulling out so many people at once would seriously affect the village's operations."

The Third Hokage coughed from the seat of honor.

Uchiha Fugaku might not have cared, but he did.

Besides being a member of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Shisui was a subordinate completely loyal to him after being brainwashed, an informant he had planted within the Uchiha Clan.

Although Uchiha Shisui had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and reached Kage-level strength, the enemy possessed the First Hokage's Wood Release Kekkei Genkai.

If he were killed during the operation, the loss would be far too great.

"I think Clan Head Fugaku's suggestion is quite good. A siege would indeed come at a considerable cost, but if we allow this to continue, how will the other ninja villages view Konoha Village?"

Shimura Danzō, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke up.

What was surprising was that his stance was actually the opposite of Shimura Daisuke's.

He supported Uchiha Fugaku's proposal because, through certain intelligence, he had already inferred that Uchiha Shisui had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and possessed Kage-level strength.

Uchiha Shisui was loyal to the Third Hokage. If Uchiha Shisui possessed Kage-level strength, it meant that the Third Hokage's faction had grown stronger.

Though he and the Third Hokage had a cooperative relationship, they were also rivals. The Third Hokage growing stronger was not something he wished to see.

Thus, he conceived the idea of having Uchiha Shisui perish together with the Wood Style Kekkei Genkai Ninja, while taking the opportunity to obtain Uchiha Shisui's eyes.

"Uh..."

Shimura Daisuke felt somewhat awkward when he heard that Shimura Danzō actually agreed with Uchiha Fugaku's proposal.

His own opinion was at odds with Advisor Danzo's. Two different voices had emerged from the same clan.

Advisor Danzo really should have discussed it with him beforehand. Now he had been left in such an embarrassing position.

"What allows Konoha to deter the other four great ninja villages has never been its reputation, but its strength."

"On the contrary, if Konoha loses too much strength in laying siege to the Wood Style Kekkei Genkai Ninja, it may instead draw the attention of the other four great ninja villages."

The Third Hokage cast Shimura Danzō a glance, his eyes carrying a faint warning.

Having dealt with Shimura Danzō for decades, he knew all too well what Shimura Danzō was thinking.

A Kage-level subordinate had finally emerged under him. He would never send Uchiha Shisui to deal with the Wood Style Kekkei Genkai Ninja.

"Failing to retaliate against provocation will only embolden the other side. They dared to ambush and kill an Elite Jonin this time; next time, they may dare to infiltrate Konoha and carry out assassinations!"

In the face of the Third Hokage's subtle warning, Shimura Danzō showed no intention of backing down.

"Interesting. The dogs are actually biting each other!"

Listening to the dispute between the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzō, Uchiha Fugaku found it amusing.

One proposal had actually caused the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzō, those two old dogs, to start biting each other. Even he had not expected that.

His original purpose in making the proposal had been to use Uchiha Obito's hand to get rid of Uchiha Shisui.

Of course, it would not be a bad outcome if Uchiha Shisui killed Uchiha Obito instead. He would be happy to see it happen.

That goal now seemed unlikely to be achieved, since the Third Hokage had clearly expressed his opposition.

Still, making the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzō, those two old dogs, bite each other and develop a rift was a decent gain as well.

"Hokage, Advisor Danzo, I have a suggestion."

Seeing the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzō arguing, no one wished to get involved.

After hesitating for a moment, Nara Shikaku spoke.

"What suggestion?"

Both the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzō turned their eyes toward Nara Shikaku.

"The threat posed by the Wood Style Kekkei Genkai Ninja must be taken seriously, but assembling a twelve-man Elite Jonin team to eliminate him would come at too great a cost. I have a compromise."

"I suggest we spend a large sum to place a bounty on this Wood Style Kekkei Genkai Ninja and lure the underground forces into taking action against him."

Under the gaze of the two "big shots," Nara Shikaku felt considerable pressure, but he forced himself to continue.

"Place a bounty?"

Shimura Danzō frowned.

His true goal was to have Uchiha Shisui face the Wood Style Kekkei Genkai Ninja. If they dealt with the Wood Style Kekkei Genkai Ninja by placing a bounty, that goal could not be achieved.

"Placing a bounty is not a bad idea. I support this proposal!"

Before Shimura Danzō could reject it, an elderly woman wearing a pair of dangling bead earrings from each ear stated her position.

She was Utatane Koharu, one of Konoha's three advisors.

She did not wish to see the conflict between the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzō affect internal unity, so she decisively supported this compromise.

This would both resolve the conflict between the two sides and avoid favoring either the Third Hokage or Shimura Danzō.

"It is indeed a good idea. I support it as well."

Understanding Utatane Koharu's intentions, Mitokado Homura also voiced his agreement.

"Since both advisors agree, we'll proceed this way. Allocate fifty million from the village treasury to place a bounty on this Wood Style Kekkei Genkai Ninja."

The Third Hokage agreed.

His goal was to prevent Uchiha Shisui from facing the Wood Style Kekkei Genkai Ninja. Placing a bounty did not conflict with that goal, so there was naturally no reason for him to oppose it.

With the Hokage and both advisors in agreement, Danzo's opposition would have been useless. The proposal to place a bounty passed without surprise, and the meeting ended there.

"Unfortunately, my goal was not achieved."

On the way back, Uchiha Fugaku felt a faint sense of regret. He had failed to make Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Obito fight each other to the death.

He had expected as much.

The Third Hokage would never allow Uchiha Shisui to fight the Wood Style Kekkei Genkai Ninja to the death and would certainly do everything possible to stop it.

"Placing a bounty is useless!"

Thinking of the decision they had reached, he shook his head slightly.

In his view, placing a bounty on the Wood Style Kekkei Genkai Ninja was completely useless.

Although there were some powerful rogue ninjas in the Underground Black Market, no one had the ability to deal with a Kage-level opponent. Probably no one would dare accept it, even if the bounty was as high as fifty million.

If Kakuzu had not been killed by him, he might have risked taking it for such a high bounty. After all, this was someone who had once assassinated the First Hokage.

Unfortunately, Kakuzu had set his sights on him before this and had been killed by him.

"The medicine still isn't strong enough. If a few more Elite Jonin die, then under pressure, even if the Third Hokage does not wish to send Uchiha Shisui, he will have no choice but to agree!"

A glint of killing intent flashed through his eyes.

Shimura Daisuke, the Shimura Clan Head who had opposed him today, and Aburame Shibi, the Aburame Clan Head, were clearly suitable targets.