Wartime and an Explanation

War was imminent.

The impact of this unfortunate news was far greater than Konoha's trivial mess.

The villagers and shinobi gathered in the square sighed soundlessly.

The Old Village Chief had already left with his strategist group. The bystanders looked at each other and gradually dispersed as well.

"I wonder how many people will die this time."

Yuhi Kurenai fell silent for a moment, clutching Hyuga Hitoshi's arm as though she had recalled some unpleasant memories.

She and Anko, students from that generation of the Ninja School, had deep feelings about war.

Back then, countless peers her age had happily received their Konoha Headbands from the Ninja School, successfully unlocking the great achievement of early graduation, then dreamed of making names for themselves in the Shinobi World as they rushed off to war.

In the end, only a handful survived.

The companions who had once played and fought with her at school were buried in foreign lands as cannon fodder.

If not for the care of her father, Yuhi Shin'en, she might have been among those who died on the battlefield.

"I'm more shocked than anything."

Mitarashi Anko's small face still wore an incredulous expression.

"It's hard to imagine that Kakashi, with those thick brows and big eyes, would join forces with the Third Hokage to launch the Nine-Tails Attack. That shouldn't be possible. He ran pretty fast when he went to take shelter back then."

Uh...

You actually fucking believed it?

Hyuga Hitoshi gave Anko a complicated look.

Well, perhaps her simple-mindedness was partly his fault for protecting her too well.

After all, because of Hitoshi Clan Head, Anko had not been branded with Orochimaru's cursed seal, nor had she been implicated by Orochimaru's defection and dragged away for interrogation. As a result, her intelligence had never been tempered.

Tsk.

It would be a shame not to take advantage of such an innocent little girl.

He could probably take her down with a few more skewers of dango, then they could do some calorie-burning things together and keep her from turning into Auntie Anko in the future.

I'm such a good person.

Hyuga Hitoshi could not help admiring himself.

"Hitoshi Brother!"

Just as he was considering how many skewers of dango would be appropriate to make his move, Fugaku had already ridden over.

"Brother, what do we do now?"

Clan Head Fugaku looked grim. The news of war had completely disrupted His Plan, and some of Hyuga Hitoshi's arrangements could only be put on hold.

"I thought we could force the Third Hokage to step down right away. Stopping now really leaves a bad taste in my mouth."

Clearly, he was still hoping Hitoshi Brother had some bigger plan, preferably one that could directly put him in the Hokage's seat.

Hyuga Hitoshi glanced at Fugaku. He was not particularly disappointed by his reaction. The Uchiha Clan had always been obsessed with the Hokage position; after all, the village had indeed been founded by them and the Senju Clan.

But Fugaku did not have the brains to become Hokage. In fact, that fit perfectly with his destined role of leading the Uchiha Clan into ruin.

"The previous arrangements weren't wasted."

Hyuga Hitoshi considered it and offered his advice.

"As for the full story behind the Nine-Tails Attack, you can keep spreading the conspiracy theories mentioned before, Fugaku. But there's no need to put too much effort into it. Just touch on it and leave it at that."

"With war approaching, everything must revolve around the war. Underhanded conspiracies cannot be brought into the open, and they could easily give others leverage to accuse you of undermining the village's unity."

Kumogakure's swift actions had actually caught Hitoshi Clan Head somewhat off guard.

But if he were the Raikage, he would probably seize this opportunity as well. He would never wait for Konoha to recover before making a move. Starting a war was only natural.

Hitoshi Clan Head was human, not an all-knowing god. Plans could not keep up with changes; that was simply how things worked.

"So we're just letting it go?"

Fugaku was clearly dissatisfied with that outcome.

"It's not being let go. Didn't the Old Village Chief say he would provide an explanation? Just wait patiently."

Hitoshi Clan Head spoke calmly. He had never expected this matter to force the Third Hokage to resign. If it succeeded, that would be complete nonsense. Did they really think Danzo's experience as a scapegoat for so many years had been for nothing?

Once the Old Village Chief came to his senses, the villagers would likely already believe more than half of what he had said in response. Besides, the village truly needed him to step forward and command the battle situation right now.

After a pause, Hyuga Hitoshi spoke again.

"Not only that, I have a few suggestions for you, brother. Whether you listen or not is up to you."

Hearing this, Fugaku immediately pricked up his ears.

Naturally, he intended to listen.

This combo fist had already shown Fugaku just how formidable Hitoshi Clan Head was.

He could never stir up Konoha's winds and clouds with only a few words.

"First, the Uchiha Clan has publicly recovered its dignity this time and struck at the higher-ups' authority. It was a genuine victory. But I suggest you keep your clansmen under control. Don't let them swagger around showing off all day."

He could say it, and Fugaku could listen.

But Hitoshi Clan Head did not believe Fugaku could manage it. His little reminder was merely because he felt sorry for the Uchiha Clan's future.

As the saying went, if Fugaku could control the Uchiha Clan, A Sow Could Climb a Tree.

"Second, do the Konoha Military Police Force's job properly. Keep acting as you did before. Don't meddle in anything else."

This was from the villagers' perspective. The Military Police Force had performed so well before, but if it started slacking off the moment its goal was achieved, anyone could see something was wrong. They had finally built up some goodwill, so it was better to maintain it.

"Third, wait for the right moment. Don't be arrogant or impatient."

Hitoshi Clan Head patted Fugaku's shoulder and revealed an unfathomable smile.

"This war is also an opportunity for you and the Uchiha Clan."

After listening, Uchiha Fugaku thought it over with his simple mind and finally wore an expression as though he understood.

As for whether he truly understood, only he himself knew.

War was about to arrive.

Even if Konoha was a fragile machine short on oil and missing parts, it had no choice but to speed up and start running.

The incident had happened suddenly. Kumogakure was invading the Land of Fire, and the defensive line was in imminent danger.

Thus, the Old Village Chief gave everyone only half an hour to gather. No one had any objections.

Konoha.

Inside the Temporarily Built conference room, the Clan Heads of the various clans and the heads of each department had all arrived.

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, held a document with a grave expression. Seated on either side of him were his Two Generals, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

In Addition, what surprised everyone was the unusual way the Old Village Chief's colleague, the great Shimura Danzō, made his appearance.

The once-glorious Root Leader was now squatting in a corner, a placard bearing the words "Sinner" hanging around his neck as he silently lowered his head.

Hitoshi Clan Head was not particularly surprised about Danzo. What surprised him was that Kakashi was squatting beside Danzo, with an equally conspicuous "Suspect" sign hanging around his neck.

Clearly, Kakashi had been abandoned by Lord Third as a matter of course and made into the sacrificial offering.

In fact, once the Old Village Chief opened his mouth, his words were Almost the Same as what everyone present had expected.

"Everyone, war has arrived. I know it is inappropriate to discuss other matters at a time like this, but I myself am seeking to atone for my crimes through service. What happened before must also be brought to a conclusion."

The Old Village Chief spoke with righteous indignation.

"To resist external threats, we must first settle internal affairs!"

"Before the war conference begins, I will first give everyone an explanation regarding the Nine-Tails Attack!"

Here it came!

Expectation filled Uchiha Fugaku's eyes. He and the Uchiha Clan had performed so brilliantly before; surely they would gain more Right to Speak now?

Perhaps he would even be directly appointed supreme commander for this war?!

Fugaku clenched his fist, his heart surging with excitement.

He understood that it was time to compete in Internal Fist Technique again!

What they were fucking competing in was internal strength!

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