Political maneuvering and a public opinion war could indeed corner the Konoha High Command.
Once the Daimyo intervened, the Third Hokage and Danzo would never dare openly raise their blades against the Uchiha.
But that was ultimately only a stopgap.
At its core, the shinobi world was a place where fists did the talking.
Rules only worked when the gap in strength between the two sides wasn't too large.
If the higher-ups ever truly lost their minds and decided to overturn the table, consequences be damned...
Or if Obito, wearing that orange Spiral Mask, led a surprise attack on the Uchiha Clan Compound...
When that happened, all their scheming would be useless.
Chikage took a sip of cool water.
He knew very well that he couldn't keep relying on political tactics to fight back.
To forge iron, the hammer had to be strong.
Strength of his own was the true foundation for keeping others from crossing him.
The system panel flashed through Chikage's mind.
His chakra, approaching ten Kakashi's worth, combined with Lightning Release Chakra Mode, was enough to handle the vast majority of battles.
Though his One-Tomoe Sharingan wasn't impressive, its boost to his dynamic vision was very real.
Against Root's ordinary elite operatives, taking them down with one punch apiece would be no problem.
But what if he faced a true top-tier powerhouse?
Someone like the shrewd, calculating Hiruzen Sarutobi, who still had a whole arsenal of combination ninjutsu at his disposal despite his age.
Or Obito, with his Kamui Dimension ability.
Against Kamui's absurd intangibility, every physical attack would miss.
Lightning Release Chakra Mode alone could only ensure that Chikage wasn't killed instantly.
Turning the tables and killing his opponent would be extremely difficult.
Chikage closed the panel.
What the Uchiha Clan needed now was overwhelming power