After hearing him out, Inoichi Yamanaka's face filled with admiration.
Only the Nara Clan could think something through so thoroughly. On the surface, traitors had emerged within the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans, and the three clans were still trying to clean house. Those people were now under the Uchiha's protection, however, so there was nothing they could do for the moment.
That way, no one could accuse the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans of betraying the Hokage, much less prove it.
After all, the internal discord among the Ino-Shika-Cho had lasted for years, and all of Konoha knew about it. No one would have imagined that their supposed infighting had been a deliberately manufactured illusion from beginning to end.
Shikaku Nara glanced at him, his tone growing grave.
"All right, Inoichi. Since you understand now, start making arrangements as soon as you get back."
"By my estimate, the ninja on the Iwagakure front will return in three days at most."
He paused before continuing with another warning. "There's something else you must remember."
"Even after those clan members join the Uchiha, the rest of us will still belong to the Hokage's faction. Whatever happens next, we must do everything in our power to help Lord Hokage."
They could not simply go through the motions, much less agree in words only to deliberately hold back when it came time to act. At a time like this, they had to give it everything they had.
Shikaku Nara's voice grew even sterner.
"Don't take everyone else for fools. Understand?"
Those words were important.
He had little to worry about when it came to the Nara Clan. Given his clan members' intelligence, it was virtually impossible for anyone too foolish to turn up among them. The Yamanaka and Akimichi Clans were another matter, however, and he could not quite