Rebellion!!!

Red, green, and blue Susanoo manifested in the hall—it was nothing short of a visual feast!

As Uchiha Izuna spoke up: "Everyone, hold your positions."

Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui retracted their Susanoo and stood guard at the entrance, their hands resting on their blades, eyes locked onto those seated with faint, inscrutable smiles on their lips.

Uchiha Izuna looked at Shikaku Nara with a smile, only to see Shikaku Nara gritting his teeth; he understood, he understood everything now.

If Uchiha Izuna were to utter a single word of treason today, they would likely never walk out of these doors if they refused to comply!

An open conspiracy, a textbook open conspiracy!

Sure enough, Uchiha Izuna's next words made Shikaku Nara feel a bit dizzy: "Advisor Shikaku, tell me, how should we proceed from here to purge the corrupt officials and restore order to the nation with the smallest possible cost?"

"The Third Hokage is currently surrounded by villains; otherwise, it would be impossible for him to have made so many disastrous decisions over the years—first the ceding of land and payment of reparations, then the rumors surrounding Hatake Sakumo, the human experimentation, and the death of Hizashi Hyuga."

"I believe none of this was the Hokage's true intent; it must be the work of the villains around him, those despicable people who stir up trouble!"

"Therefore, for the sake of Konoha and everyone's life and property, my Uchiha Clan has decided to lead our ninja to the Hokage Building to purge these villains! We shall strike them all down. I ask for your guidance, Shikaku!" Uchiha Izuna said with a smile.

Shikaku Nara felt his scalp tingle. If he gave advice now, he would be in the same boat as Uchiha Izuna—there was no turning back once the arrow was loosed. If he didn't, he feared his life would end right here!

After a long moment of contemplation, Shikaku Nara didn't hold back, choosing to follow his heart: "Shikaku has already devised a strategy."

"Shisui, first surround the Root, and incite the masses by making the ugly and evil deeds he has committed over the years public!"

"When that happens, the ninja clans and the commoners will rise up to attack him together. Uchiha Shisui, just keep a close watch on Shimura Danzō and don't let him escape; kill him decisively if necessary!"

"Second, control Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura. These two hold the reins of Konoha's medical and financial sectors. One could say the livelihoods of the three million villagers in Konoha depend on them for stability."

"Furthermore, even if our coup d'état—pardon me, our purge of the corrupt—succeeds, we will need funds to appease the villagers, so Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura must be controlled."

"Third, regarding the Anbu, win over Hatake Kakashi. Leave this to Uchiha Itachi; after all, Kakashi is Uchiha Itachi's direct superior, making him easy to approach."

"Uchiha Itachi will inform Hatake Kakashi of the truth behind Hatake Sakumo's death, and he will know what to do."

"Finally, Uchiha Izuna, you will lead the main elite force of the Uchiha to take the Hokage Building directly, defeat Sarutobi Hiruzen, and take him into custody."

"After that, we will contact the Daimyo of the Land of Fire to obtain the decree appointing the new Hokage."

Shikaku Nara's mind raced, and he heard Uchiha Izuna nod; he was indeed a clever man to have arranged everything in such a short time.

"Good, as expected of the Chief of Staff from the Third Great Ninja War. This reaction, this layout—it's superb!" Uchiha Izuna praised him without reservation.

Shikaku Nara smiled bitterly; he had grievances he couldn't voice. If not for the three Susanoo present, he certainly wouldn't have surrendered. Well, this isn't my fault; blame Hyuga Hiashi, that dog, for tricking us into this trap!

Shikaku Nara stared daggers at Hyuga Hiashi, making the latter feel like vomiting blood. I only just found out about this too, alright? Don't look at me like that! I'm innocent!

Seeing Shikaku surrender, Choza Akimichi and Inoichi Yamanaka quickly stood up to offer a toast: "Our Akimichi and Yamanaka clans are at the disposal of Lord Uchiha Izuna!"

Shikaku Nara stood up and walked before Uchiha Izuna, kneeling on one knee, with Choza Akimichi and Inoichi Yamanaka following suit.

"From now on, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio will rely on Lord Uchiha Izuna!" Shikaku Nara's words were very tactful; the three families were only aligning with Uchiha Izuna, not becoming vassals of the Uchiha Clan.

If anyone else from the Uchiha Clan bullied them in the future, they could still fight back.

Uchiha Izuna understood their meaning instantly and quickly helped the three of them up: "If there are any scoundrels in the Uchiha Clan in the future, tell me, and I will punish them severely. If I break this oath, may heaven strike me down!"

People in this era were still quite superstitious. The three clan heads looked at each other and said, "We are willing to follow your lead!"

Ding, congratulations to the host for subduing the Ino-Shika-Cho trio. Reward: 5-element chakra.

Uchiha Izuna felt a wave of refreshment wash over him. After receiving the 5-element chakra constitution, he immediately helped the heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho families to their feet.

"With the help of you three and the full support of the Hyuga Clan Head, we are bound to win!" Uchiha Izuna smiled slightly.

Shikaku Nara stood up and asked: "In that case, may I ask Lord Zhan, when shall we mobilize? So that we may prepare."

"Eight days. We mobilize at dawn eight days from now. I ask that everyone remain dormant during this time and accumulate your strength so that we may strike a fatal blow when the time comes!" Uchiha Izuna said.

"Understood!" After the group finished speaking, they continued to drink and eat. With so many people coming to the Hyuga Clan tonight, would the Anbu not notice?

As long as everyone appeared drunk, it would not arouse suspicion.

Just like that, the group continued to drink. Uchiha Izuna's ears twitched; he looked toward the door and gave Uchiha Itachi a look.

Uchiha Itachi understood, pushed open the door, and saw the Hyuga Great Elder tumble into the room.

The expressions of those present turned ugly instantly, and Hyuga Hiashi was the most furious of all.

The Great Elder knew he had been exposed. He stood up with an embarrassed look on his face: "Clan Head, Lords, I didn't hear anything. I'll leave now."

However, Uchiha Itachi closed the door again, refusing to let him leave no matter how the Hyuga Great Elder tried to explain.

The group turned their eyes to Hyuga Hiashi, who turned his head away, and then everyone looked at Uchiha Izuna.

Uchiha Izuna said indifferently: "Kill him." His voice was not loud, but it was clear enough for everyone in the room to hear.

The Hyuga Great Elder's pupils constricted, and just as he was about to resist, a blade flashed, severing his head.

The one who struck was none other than Uchiha Itachi. Having been trained by the Uchiha Clan and mentored by the Anbu, he knew well that to kill a snake, one must strike its seven inches, and to kill a man, one must strike the head.

Hyuga Hiashi had his trusted aides dig out the elder's eyes and bury them in a random location, planning to announce his death in a few days under the pretext of an accident during a mission.

Only then did everyone feel at ease. They knew that if the matters they had discussed tonight were leaked, everyone present would be considered the primary culprits. If they gave Konoha time to react, they would suffer heavy losses even if they eventually won.

After this incident, no one had the appetite to continue eating, and they left one after another.

Hyuga Hiashi was burning with rage. Tonight, he would deal with everyone from the Great Elder's faction. They actually dared to eavesdrop on the meeting! This was rebellion!