A Coup!

The red, green, and blue Susanoo appeared in the hall, making for a spectacular sight!

Uchiha Izuna spoke up. "Everyone, settle down."

Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui withdrew their Susanoo and stood guard by the door. Their hands rested on their swords, their gazes fixed on the people present, faint smiles playing on their lips.

Uchiha Izuna smiled at Shikaku Nara. Shikaku gritted his teeth. He understood now. He understood everything.

If Uchiha Izuna said anything seditious today and they refused to go along with it, they probably wouldn't make it out through that door!

A blatant scheme. A perfectly blatant scheme!

Sure enough, Uchiha Izuna's next words made Shikaku's head spin. "Advisor Shikaku, tell me, what should we do next to purge the corrupt from the Hokage's side and save the village at the least possible cost?"

"Petty men have appeared at the Third's side. Otherwise, he couldn't have made one terrible decision after another for all these years: first ceding territory and paying reparations, then the rumors about Hatake Sakumo, the human experiments, and Hizashi Hyuga's death."

"I don't believe any of this was Lord Hokage's true intention. Petty men must have wormed their way to his side—vile schemers who fan the flames!"

"So, for Konoha and for everyone's safety and livelihoods, my Uchiha Clan has decided to lead our shinobi to the Hokage Building and purge the corrupt! We'll cut down every last one of them. Advisor Shikaku, please guide us!" Uchiha Izuna said with a smile.

Shikaku felt his scalp prickle. If he advised them, he'd be on the same boat as Uchiha Izuna, with no turning back. But if he refused, he feared he'd die here!

After thinking it over for a long while, Shikaku finally followed his instincts. "Shikaku has come up with a plan."

"Shisui, first surround Root and stir up the public. Make all the ugly, wicked things he's done over the years known to everyone!"

"Then the shinobi clans and villagers will rise up against him. Uchiha Shisui, keep a close eye on Shimura Danzō and don't let him escape. If necessary, kill him without hesitation!"

"Second, take Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura into custody. They control Konoha's medical services and finances. The livelihoods of the village's three million residents depend on them keeping things stable."

"Besides, even if we stage a coup—no, no, I mean successfully purge the corrupt—we'll need money to reassure the villagers. So Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura must be kept under control."

"Third, win over Hatake Kakashi in Anbu. Leave that to Uchiha Itachi. Kakashi is Itachi's direct superior, so it'll be easy for him to make contact."

"Uchiha Itachi should tell Hatake Kakashi about Hatake Sakumo's death. He'll know what to do."

"Lastly, Uchiha Izuna, you'll lead the Uchiha Clan's elite forces straight to the Hokage Building, defeat Sarutobi Hiruzen, and take him into custody."

"After that, contact the Daimyo of the Land of Fire and secure his decree appointing the next Hokage."

Shikaku's mind raced as he spoke. Uchiha Izuna nodded. The man really was clever—he'd worked everything out in such a short time.

"Excellent! Just what I'd expect from the chief strategist of the Third Shinobi World War. What a response, what a plan!" Uchiha Izuna praised him without reserve.

Shikaku smiled bitterly. He had his reasons. If not for the three Susanoo in the room, he'd never have surrendered. Well, it's not my fault. Blame Hyuga Hiashi, that bastard, for luring us in so he could kill us!

Shikaku glared at Hyuga Hiashi, making him feel like he might throw up blood. I only just found out, okay? Don't look at me like that! I'm innocent!

Seeing Shikaku surrender, Choza Akimichi and Inoichi Yamanaka hurried to their feet and raised their cups. "The Akimichi Clan and Yamanaka Clan are at Lord Uchiha Izuna's command!"

Shikaku went over to Uchiha Izuna and knelt on one knee. Choza Akimichi and Inoichi Yamanaka followed his example.

"From now on, the Ino-Shika-Cho clans will rely on Lord Uchiha Izuna!" Shikaku chose his words carefully. The three clans respected Uchiha Izuna; they weren't becoming vassals of the Uchiha Clan.

If other members of the Uchiha Clan mistreated them in the future, they'd still be able to fight back.

Uchiha Izuna immediately understood what they meant and hurried to help all three men up. "If any scoundrels in the Uchiha Clan give you three trouble in the future, tell me. I'll punish them severely. If I break this oath, may heaven strike me down!"

People were still very superstitious at the time. The three clan heads exchanged a look. "We are willing to follow your lead!"

"Ding! Congratulations, host, on winning over the Ino-Shika-Cho clans. Reward: chakra of all five natures."

Uchiha Izuna felt a surge of exhilaration. After receiving the five-nature chakra body, he immediately helped the heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans to their feet.

"With the three of you helping us, and the Hyuga clan head's full support, victory is ours!" Uchiha Izuna smiled.

Shikaku stood up and asked, "In that case, Lord Izuna, when should we make our move? We need time to prepare."

"Eight days. We'll move at dawn, eight days from now. Until then, lie low and build up our strength. When the time comes, we'll strike a fatal blow!" Uchiha Izuna said.

"Yes!" After answering, everyone went back to drinking and eating. With so many people visiting the Hyuga Clan tonight, wouldn't Anbu notice?

As long as they all got thoroughly drunk, no one would suspect a thing.

They continued drinking. Uchiha Izuna's ears twitched. He looked toward the door, then gave Uchiha Itachi a meaningful glance.

Uchiha Itachi understood and opened the door, only for the Hyuga Great Elder to topple into the room.

Everyone's faces darkened at once. Hyuga Hiashi was the angriest of them all.

The Great Elder knew he'd been caught. He stood up awkwardly. "Clan head, honored guests, I didn't hear anything. I'll leave right now."

But Uchiha Itachi shut the door again. No matter how the Hyuga Great Elder tried to explain himself, he wouldn't let him leave.

Everyone looked to Hyuga Hiashi. He turned his head away. Then they all looked to Uchiha Izuna.

Uchiha Izuna said coolly, "Kill him." His voice wasn't loud, but everyone in the room heard him clearly.

The Hyuga Great Elder's pupils contracted. He was just about to fight back when a blade flashed, severing his head.

The one who struck was Uchiha Itachi. Trained by the Uchiha Clan and taught by Anbu, he knew the vital rule: strike a snake at its seven-inch point, and cut off a man's head.

Hyuga Hiashi had his trusted subordinate gouge out the Great Elder's eyes, then bury the body somewhere out of the way. A few days later, they'd announce his death, saying he'd met with danger on a mission.

Only then did everyone feel at ease. If word got out about what they'd discussed, everyone present would be branded the chief culprits. If Konoha had time to react, even if they won, they'd suffer heavy losses.

After this, no one felt like eating anymore, and they all took their leave.

Hyuga Hiashi was burning with rage. Tonight, he'd deal with everyone from the Great Elder's faction. How dare they eavesdrop on the meeting! They'd gone too far!