Shikamaru finally understood.
"So the Third hadn't failed to see Konoha's darkness."
"He had simply allowed it to exist."
"Yes."
Shikaku Nara closed his eyes.
"As long as that darkness did not completely spiral out of control, as long as the village could keep functioning, he believed those costs were acceptable."
"White Fang's death was acceptable."
"Orochimaru's experiments could be delayed."
"The conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha could be slowly suppressed."
"Even if ordinary shinobi had their paths to advancement blocked, they could keep waiting."
"But now, every problem has erupted at once."
Shikamaru raised his head.
"Lie Yang's escape was merely the last straw?"
"No."
Shikaku Nara looked at him.
"Lie Yang was not a straw."
"He was the one who hacked a crack into the whole tree."
At those words, Shikamaru was completely stunned.
Shikaku Nara continued, "You think Konoha is hunting a rogue shinobi."
"It isn't."
"That pursuit was a direct clash between the Third, the High Council of Elders, Danzo, the major shinobi clans, and the younger generation of shinobi."
"Lie Yang forced everyone to place their bets."
"The higher-ups wanted to use him to weaken the Uchiha."
"The Uchiha wanted to use him to prove the higher-ups' hostility."
"The shinobi clans wanted to use the failed pursuit to force the Hokage to relinquish power."
"The civilian shinobi wanted accountability for Kakashi, Might Guy, and the others being severely injured."
"Everyone thought they could gain something from it."
"But in the end, they all lost," Shikamaru said softly.
"Lie Yang won."
A trace of bitterness seeped into Shikaku Nara's voice.
"The people of Konoha merely grabbed what he did not want."
"They forced the Third to give an explanation, restrained Danzo, and fought for more power."
"It all looked like a victory."
"But in truth,