Ambush

"The Konoha leadership doesn't want to see the Uchiha rise to power, but we can't let the Senju faction keep its grip on the village government either.

"Ideally, the next Hokage would be a civilian ninja who could remain neutral.

"Or, if the Senju faction wants to stay in power, it must stop shutting out the Uchiha," Takigawa said.

"It won't be that simple. The Third Hokage may seem mild-mannered, but he's a deep thinker and no easy opponent," Fujimoto said.

"The Third Hokage has already reached the limits of his strength. He won't improve much more. Fugaku has only just turned fifteen; one day, he'll certainly surpass the Third Hokage as he is now.

"Once he's strong enough to stand against Konoha, many things will become much simpler.

"In the past, the Uchiha were shut out and could do nothing about it. In the end, it came down to a gap in strength.

"Without that gap, shutting us out won't accomplish much either," Jin said.

Fujimoto and Takigawa recalled what Fugaku had said earlier: without the strength to back it up, power was nothing but a castle in the air.

Just then, a hawk's piercing cry rang out from the sky nearby.

"Stay sharp. The Kumogakure shinobi are getting close. Hold nothing back," Fugaku stressed again.

"Don't worry. We'll make sure none of them leave here alive."

The four figures concealed themselves in the forest and watched the approaching Kumogakure shinobi.

The distance between the two sides steadily narrowed.

"Move."

The four sprang out at once. After several rapid movements, they appeared beside the Kumogakure formation using the Body Flicker Technique.

Fugaku's hands flew through a string of signs.

"Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves!"

A massive wind blade burst from his mouth and sliced through the forest in an