Recaps

Orochimaru struggled against Uchiha Fugaku’s Mangekyō Sharingan, but Xia Yan intervened before Fugaku could force him to reveal their involvement. Xia Yan broke Fugaku’s genjutsu and claimed Orochimaru as his ally, then drew his blade as the confrontation continued.

• Uchiha Fugaku repeatedly suppressed Orochimaru with his Mangekyō Sharingan and drove him toward escape with a powerful Fire Release attack.
• Xia Yan disguised himself, used his Jōgan to track the fight, and knocked out Uchiha reinforcements in the woods.
• Orochimaru appeared to defeat Fugaku with a snake technique, but realized he was trapped in Fugaku’s genjutsu when he noticed Uchiha Itachi and recognized inconsistencies in the fight.
• Fugaku interrogated Orochimaru inside his genjutsu, and Orochimaru began revealing that Danzo was involved before Xia Yan’s azure ocular power disrupted the technique.
• Xia Yan broke Fugaku’s genjutsu, rescued Orochimaru from its control, and told Fugaku that Orochimaru would give him his eyes in exchange for protection.
• Xia Yan drew a Ninja Blade and prepared to fight Uchiha Fugaku.

Uchiha Shin and Uchiha Sora rushed to investigate the attack on Uchiha Fugaku, finding him alive but missing an eye. Xia Yan defeated Fugaku, took his Mangekyō Sharingan, and negotiated with Orochimaru to stage a convincing escape while reaffirming his promise to protect him; the story left Orochimaru agreeing to research kekkei genkai and ninjutsu for Xia Yan.

• Uchiha Shin sent Uchiha Sora and several patrol squads to investigate the fire and check on Uchiha Fugaku, then led more Uchiha after the squads failed to report back.
• Uchiha Shin and Uchiha Sora found their unconscious clansmen and hurried toward the lake, where Uchiha Sora discovered Fugaku alive but bleeding from an empty eye socket.
• Xia Yan used his Super Insight to read Fugaku's condition, outmaneuvered him in battle, and stabbed the underground Fugaku with a kunai before taking one of his eyes.
• Uchiha Sora ordered her people to treat Fugaku, summon medical ninjas, contact the Anbu, and search for the attackers.
• Xia Yan met Orochimaru in a secluded forest and arranged for him to stage an escape with the unconscious Uchiha Itachi, taking responsibility for the incident.
• Orochimaru sought reassurance that Xia Yan would honor his promise of protection, and Xia Yan agreed while proposing that Orochimaru research kekkei genkai and ninjutsu.

Xia Yan learned that Orochimaru had attacked Uchiha Fugaku and taken Uchiha Itachi, then sent Kakashi and the Anbu to support the Uchiha. Hiruzen Sarutobi confronted Orochimaru, who escaped Konoha with Itachi, unaware that Xia Yan had already reached him.

• Pakura reported that Orochimaru had targeted Uchiha Fugaku, and Xia Yan ordered the Anbu, especially Kakashi, to support the Uchiha Clan.
• Anbu summoned Kakashi from his leave, revealing to Might Guy, Aoba Yamashiro, and Namiashi Raidō that he was an Anbu captain.
• Xia Yan told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Orochimaru had attacked Fugaku and taken Uchiha Itachi, prompting Hiruzen to rush after his former student.
• Orochimaru prepared to leave Konoha, using a dead young Uchiha as a decoy and taking the unconscious Itachi with him.
• Hiruzen confronted Orochimaru in his laboratory, but Orochimaru escaped after their clash, and Hiruzen chose not to continue pursuing him.
• Orochimaru headed toward a prepared base, unaware that Xia Yan had already arrived at his side.

Xia Yan secured Uchiha Itachi, boosted the Anbu’s reputation, and watched Hiruzen Sarutobi agree to restore Danzo and expand Root to counterbalance his influence. In the Land of Rain, Nagato and Konan decided to seek out Orochimaru, while Xia Yan welcomed Danzo’s return and noted that Kimimaro had joined the Anbu.

• Xia Yan met Orochimaru, staged evidence of a fierce battle with him, gave Kabuto a Flying Thunder God Kunai, and took the unconscious Uchiha Itachi back to Konoha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura discussed Xia Yan’s growing power and agreed to restore Danzo to lead Root under restrictions.
• Nagato heard from Konan that Orochimaru had defected from Konoha and been defeated by Xia Yan, then decided to find Orochimaru and recruit him to their organization.
• Xia Yan reviewed the fallout from Orochimaru’s defection, noted his own rising standing and Danzo’s return, and confirmed that Kimimaro had joined the Anbu.

Xia Yan turned the Anbu’s fight over public opinion into a plan for a self-funded publicity organization that could influence other villages. Meanwhile, Uchiha Itachi awakened his Sharingan after witnessing his father’s injury, and Shisui offered to train him in Anbu methods.

• Xia Yan reassured Kakashi, then guided the Anbu’s counterattack against Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi through rumors about their conduct.
• Xia Yan proposed a publicity organization that would use publications, civilian workers, and advertising revenue to shape opinion in Konoha and other villages, and the Anbu officials supported his plan.
• Uchiha Itachi practiced kunai throwing with his newly awakened one-tomoe Sharingan and resolved to become strong enough to avenge his father and protect Sasuke.
• Shisui revealed himself to Itachi, explained that he had come to help, and offered to train him using Anbu methods; Itachi accepted.

Xia Yan established the Shinobi World Daily and tested the chakra extracted from White Zetsu, raising his Jōgan’s development to fifty percent. He then visited Orochimaru’s laboratory and asked whether Orochimaru was interested in Resurrection Jutsu.

• Xia Yan explained to Anbu members how to create the Shinobi World Daily and use it to influence public opinion.
• Xia Yan extracted an intermediate Wood Release seed from Hashirama Senju’s remains and gained special fusion power and trace attribute-less special chakra from White Zetsu.
• Xia Yan directed the attribute-less chakra into his Jōgan, increasing its development level to fifty percent.
• Xia Yan left the forest, pleased with his gains and newly strengthened desire to obtain more White Zetsu.
• Orochimaru showed Xia Yan an experiment involving a Two-Tomoe Sharingan Uchiha, and Xia Yan asked him whether he was interested in Resurrection Jutsu.

Xia Yan gave Orochimaru a copy of Chiyo’s resurrection jutsu and used his azure eyes to examine Orochimaru’s Wood Release experiment. Their discussion was interrupted when Nagato and Sasori attacked the laboratory, leaving Xia Yan to face Deva Path Pain.

• Xia Yan gave Orochimaru the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu and asked him to verify and develop it.
• Xia Yan used his azure eyes to see the competing Senju and Uchiha powers in Orochimaru’s test subject and realized his eyes could assess experimental balance.
• Orochimaru agreed to prioritize research into the jutsu, and he and Xia Yan formed a partnership.
• White Zetsu led Deva Path Pain and Sasori to Orochimaru’s underground laboratory, where Pain used Shinra Tensei to blast it apart.
• Xia Yan brought Kabuto outside with Flying Thunder God, recognized Deva Path Pain, and stepped forward to test his strength against Nagato.

Xia Yan confronted Nagato and Sasori, revealed his azure Jōgan, and overwhelmed Deva Path Pain with his combined Jōgan Chakra Mode and Sage Mode. The fight escalated when Xia Yan unleashed Wood Release and Nagato answered with Super Shinra Tensei.

• Sasori recognized Xia Yan as the Konoha Nightingale, and Nagato identified him as a dangerous enemy.
• Xia Yan activated his azure eyes and charged Pain, whose Shinra Tensei stopped his first punch.
• Xia Yan used Flying Thunder God and powerful strikes to batter Pain, then taunted Nagato about the Rinnegan.
• Xia Yan unleashed Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence, sending enormous trees toward Pain and Nagato’s hiding place.
• Nagato gathered immense chakra and launched Super Shinra Tensei, devastating the surrounding area.

Xia Yan survived Nagato’s full-power Shinra Tensei, awakened control over attraction and repulsion through his Jōgan, and defeated Deva Path Pain. Nagato lost his connection to Pain, while Orochimaru remembered Xia Yan’s eyes with renewed interest.

• Nagato unleashed a full-power Shinra Tensei, but Xia Yan strengthened his Wood Release until the trees withstood the blast.
• Orochimaru and Kabuto survived underground, while Sasori’s Third Kazekage Puppet was badly damaged by the shock wave.
• Xia Yan awakened his Jōgan’s attraction and repulsion abilities, drawing Pain toward him and then distorting gravity until both he and Nagato were strained.
• Xia Yan used repulsion to rise into the air and attacked the weakened Pain with Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique.
• Nagato lost his connection to Deva Path Pain and remembered Xia Yan, the Jōgan, and his defeat, while Orochimaru became fascinated by Xia Yan’s eyes.

Xia Yan launched a Konoha newspaper that used Anbu information to reveal village affairs, share intelligence, and promote the Anbu. Its first issue drew public interest and alarmed Hiruzen Sarutobi, who began considering how to counter its influence, while Danzo met Shibi Aburame in a forest.

• Xia Yan reviewed the aftermath of his battle with Nagato and prepared the Anbu to launch the newspaper.
• Chuan Guang bought the first issue and read its account of Orochimaru, while Might Guy, Aoba Yamashiro, Anko, and Kurenai read its reports and an Anbu's account of a mission.
• Hyuga Hiashi studied the newspaper's disclosures and considered the Hyuga Clan's future alignment.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized the newspaper's growing influence, decided to create a rival publication, and relied on Root for intelligence.
• Danzo stood in a forest in Konoha before Shibi Aburame.

Shibi Aburame faced Danzo’s demand for more clan members, then read the new newspaper and decided to align with Minato Namikaze and seek the Anbu’s protection. Meanwhile, Xia Yan celebrated the newspaper’s early sales and gave Qiong and Renka Chakra Fruits, whose effects appeared to be working.

• Danzo threatened Shibi Aburame with consequences unless he supplied Root with people within three days.
• Shibi read the newspaper’s report on Orochimaru, saw an opening in the conflict between Minato Namikaze and Hiruzen Sarutobi, and decided to side with Minato.
• Qiong and Renka told Xia Yan that the newspaper had sold twenty thousand copies by noon, and he ordered them to expand distribution while maintaining quality and controlling costs.
• Xia Yan warned Qiong and Renka to keep his discovery secret, then gave them Chakra Fruits and watched over their reactions.
• Shibi entered Anbu territory and was caught by an Anbu woman, who recognized that he had come to see the Director.
• Xia Yan confirmed that Qiong and Renka were responding to the Chakra Fruits, which appeared to work on them as they had on him.

Xia Yan discovered he could control the chakra contained in the fruits he gave to others, then met with Shibi Aburame, who sought the Anbu’s protection from Danzo. Their discussion ended with Xia Yan proposing that Danzo’s victims unite and publicly challenge Hiruzen Sarutobi’s continued rule.

• Xia Yan realized he could sense and control the chakra left inside Qiong and Renka, potentially restricting or harming anyone who betrayed him, though he rejected using the power for assassination.
• Pakura brought Shibi Aburame to meet Xia Yan in an Anbu conference room, where Shibi asked to deepen cooperation with the Anbu.
• Qiong and Renka awakened after eating Xia Yan’s fruits and gained purer chakra and improved control; they warned each other to keep the fruits’ secret.
• Shibi told Xia Yan that Danzo had taken Aburame Shikuroo and Aburame Ryoma from the clan and threatened him, while Xia Yan revealed that he had killed Ryoma and Root operatives who tried to seize his subordinate.
• Xia Yan offered the Aburame Clan shelter for people targeted by Root and urged Shibi to unite Danzo’s victims and make their grievances heard, arguing that Hiruzen Sarutobi should no longer remain Hokage.

Over six months, Xia Yan helped Shibi Aburame rally clans against Danzo while the Shinobi World Daily expanded and strained Hiruzen Sarutobi’s authority. As the clans prepared to act and the Uchiha moved to support them, Xia Yan received a message suggesting Danzo had created another opportunity.

• Shibi Aburame recruited clan members and allied with smaller clans to resist Danzo, while Xia Yan let the conflict between Root and the Anbu intensify.
• The Shinobi World Daily spread across the Land of Fire and attracted advertisers, adding to Hiruzen Sarutobi’s burdens as his own newspaper lost money.
• Choza Akimichi and Inoichi Yamanaka visited Shibi Aburame’s gathering, and Inoichi revealed that Danzo had targeted him too.
• Qiong urged Uchiha Shin to strengthen the Military Police Force’s position ahead of an approaching crisis, and he agreed to act.
• Xia Yan told Renka that he wanted Hiruzen Sarutobi to remain Hokage while resentment grew and more clans joined them.
• An insect delivered a sealed message to Xia Yan, who read it and said Danzo had brought them another surprise.

Uchiha Shin moved to bring the last resistant Military Police Force division under his control, while Inoichi Yamanaka asked Xia Yan to support the clans against Danzo. A newspaper report on Danzo’s secret unit sparked outrage across Konoha, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi to seek a meeting with Xia Yan and consider making someone pay for the crisis.

• Uchiha Shin told Uchiha Shen that events in Konoha required the Military Police Force to take a clear stance, and asked him to act personally to secure the remaining division.
• Inoichi Yamanaka told Xia Yan that Danzo had targeted clan members and pledged the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka clans’ support for Xia Yan and the Fourth Hokage if he helped them.
• Xia Yan asked Inoichi Yamanaka to submit a written report by five that afternoon, signaling that he would hear the clans’ case.
• Miike Kento read a newspaper report about a secret unit that had oppressed clans, and the revelations alarmed civilian shinobi, jonin, and clan heads across Konoha.
• More than a dozen clan heads gathered outside the Hokage Building as Hiruzen Sarutobi confronted Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura over Danzo’s actions.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi decided to meet with Xia Yan and said those responsible would have to pay a price.

As Konoha's clans and Jonin rallied against Danzo, Xia Yan met Hiruzen Sarutobi to negotiate the fallout while Uchiha Shin seized control of the Military Police Force. Xia Yan then confronted Danzo in Root and declared that Danzo's only remaining choice was death.

• Hyuga Hiashi wanted to join the clans gathering outside the Hokage Building, but the Hyuga elders stopped him from taking sides.
• Uchiha Shin, Uchiha Sora, and Uchiha Shen moved to take control of the Military Police Force while Uchiha Fugaku was away.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Xia Yan, and Xia Yan decided he might demand control of the Medical Department.
• Uchiha Fugaku saw Uchiha Shin arrive with Military Police Force officers and realized he had lost control of the force.
• Xia Yan met Hiruzen Sarutobi with the clan heads and Jonin, and Hiruzen promised to give them a satisfactory answer.
• Danzo raged in Root, but Xia Yan appeared in his chair and told him that his only choice was death.

Xia Yan confronted Danzo after Hiruzen Sarutobi acknowledged him as a qualified Hokage candidate and accepted Danzo’s death. Danzo’s forces failed to stop Xia Yan, and the chapter ended with Xia Yan trapping Danzo and Baku in Wood Release before unleashing a Great Fire Dragon Technique.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Xia Yan that he considered him capable of becoming Hokage and accepted that Xia Yan had to defeat him to prove himself.
• Danzo ordered Root ninja to attack Xia Yan, but Xia Yan used the Jōgan and Flying Thunder God Technique to defeat them without killing them.
• Danzo tried to escape by blasting through Root headquarters, but Xia Yan pursued him and stopped him near the Hokage Building.
• Xia Yan exposed Danzo’s attacks and injured him, then trapped Danzo and his summoned Baku with Wood Release.
• Xia Yan invoked Hiruzen Sarutobi’s words about Konoha and launched Fire Release: Great Fire Dragon Technique at the trees holding Danzo and Baku.

After killing Danzo, Natsuhiko took control of Root’s external operations and the Medical Department’s experimental division, then planned research using Hidan while checking his growing powers. In the Land of Rain, Nagato described Natsuhiko’s eyes to Obito and Black Zetsu, who realized they sounded like the Tenseigan rather than the Jōgan.

• Natsuhiko spent the aftermath of Danzo’s death reorganizing Root’s forces outside Konoha and taking charge of the Medical Department’s experimental division.
• Natsuhiko planned to use Hidan for pharmaceutical and ninjutsu experiments, while noting that Orochimaru and Kabuto were advancing their own research.
• Natsuhiko checked his status panel and saw that his unique mission progress had risen to 45 percent after Danzo’s death.
• In the Land of Rain, Obito arrived with Black Zetsu and found Nagato weakened and shaken by his defeat at Natsuhiko’s hands.
• Nagato described Natsuhiko’s azure, light-streaming eyes, and Black Zetsu concluded that they sounded like the Tenseigan, not the Jōgan.

Black Zetsu deceived Nagato into believing Senju Natsuhiko’s Jōgan were the eyes of destruction, restoring Nagato’s resolve and persuading Obito to help control him. Meanwhile, Xia Yan harvested beginner Yin Release and a Sharingan Primal Power Seed from the tree holding Uchiha Fugaku’s Mangekyō Sharingan, leaving him to consider the seed’s use.

• Black Zetsu told Nagato that the Jōgan were destructive eyes destined to oppose his Rinnegan, and Nagato regained his determination to defeat Senju Natsuhiko.
• Nagato questioned why Senju Natsuhiko was so powerful, and Black Zetsu claimed that Nagato needed to understand and train with the Rinnegan while offering to restore his body.
• In Kirigakure’s Mizukage’s Office, Obito questioned Black Zetsu’s plan, and Black Zetsu explained that he would secretly alter Nagato’s body to control him.
• Xia Yan visited his orchard to pursue Dust Release and harvested beginner Yin Release and a Sharingan Primal Power Seed from the tree containing Uchiha Fugaku’s Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Xia Yan welcomed the Yin Release but wondered what the Sharingan Primal Power Seed did and considered giving it to someone else.

Senju Natsuhiko fused Yin Release and Yang Release, creating Yin-Yang Release with only 1% progress, while Kumogakure's Fourth Raikage prepared to exploit Konoha's apparent weakness. Natsuhiko learned of Kumogakure's growing military activity and heard that Hiruzen Sarutobi planned to send Naruto back to school when he was old enough.

• Senju Natsuhiko gained Yin Release, then fused it with Yang Release and unlocked Yin-Yang Release at 1% progress.
• The Fourth Raikage reviewed intelligence on Senju Natsuhiko and planned to contain him before attacking Konoha.
• The Fourth Raikage judged Konoha weakened after the war and decided Kumogakure should seize what it had lost.
• Senju Natsuhiko received a report from Kakashi that Kumogakure was gathering forces in the Land of Hot Water.
• Kakashi told Senju Natsuhiko that Hiruzen Sarutobi was recovering and planned to have Naruto return to school when he was old enough.

Xia Yan planned to use the looming conflict with Kumogakure to build Konoha’s alliances and strengthen his own claim to become Fifth Hokage. Meanwhile, Minato recovered on Mount Myōboku, grew close to the Nine-Tails, and learned that Naruto would return to Konoha under Kakashi’s care; Xia Yan ended the chapter considering what to do with powers he had nurtured.

• Xia Yan accepted that Minato kept informed about Konoha through Kakashi, and Kakashi faced the prospect of looking after Naruto when the boy returned.
• Minato told Kushina that Konoha remained stable, revealed that Shimura Danzō had paid the price for Xia Yan and Hiruzen’s contest, and reflected on his growing friendship with the Nine-Tails.
• Xia Yan planned to draw Sunagakure and Iwagakure into a coalition against Kumogakure, using Anbu contacts and newspaper stories to pressure the village and showcase his strength.
• Little Nine-Tails appeared beside Xia Yan after sensing Isobu’s chakra, and Xia Yan considered whether to give the powers he had nurtured independent life or merge them into Little Nine-Tails.

Xia Yan merged the Three-Tails’ chakra into Little Nine-Tails, who retained his personality while gaining control of both beasts’ powers. The fusion activated an optional Ten-Tails Jinchuriki mission, and Xia Yan turned his attention to Kumogakure’s tailed beasts as a chance to advance his plans; in Iwagakure, Ōnoki examined a Konoha newspaper and ordered his people to collect earlier issues.

• Xia Yan hesitated over the risks of merging the Three-Tails’ chakra into Little Nine-Tails, but Little Nine-Tails assured him that the fusion should be safe and could let him wield both beasts’ powers.
• Xia Yan ate the Three-Tails Chakra Fruit, and its chakra entered Little Nine-Tails before the two chakras fused; Little Nine-Tails emerged with his awareness and personality unchanged.
• Little Nine-Tails explained that Xia Yan’s chakra linked the two compatible tailed-beast powers, though their incomplete chakra continuity prevented a full fusion, and confirmed he could grow the Three-Tails’ power and use Three-Tails Chakra Mode.
• Xia Yan checked his system panel and discovered an optional Ten-Tails Jinchuriki mission, then decided that the coming conflict between Konoha and Kumogakure would give him an opportunity to obtain more tailed-beast chakra.
• Ōnoki considered Kumogakure’s looming conflict with Konoha and received a newspaper containing village intelligence and other reports; after learning it was published in the Land of Fire, he ordered a Stone Ninja to collect past issues.

Ōnoki decided to meet the newspaper company president, prompting Xia Yan to send Nara Shikashiro to negotiate under a false identity. As Xia Yan welcomed Pakura and Renka to his home, Shōma Senju arrived and privately asked whether Xia Yan had killed Danzo.

• Ōnoki concluded that he could not block the newspapers and arranged to meet their company president.
• Xia Yan and the Anbu leadership chose Nara Shikashiro to represent the newspaper, and Shikashiro prepared to meet Ōnoki under the alias Uesugi Rokujō.
• Xia Yan invited Pakura to dinner and discussed Shikashiro's mission with her and Renka on the way home.
• Xia Yan found Shōma Senju waiting at his home and went with him to the balcony for a private talk.
• Shōma Senju asked Xia Yan whether he had killed Danzo.

Xia Yan confirmed that he had killed Danzo, briefed Shōma Senju on his schemes, and declared his goal was to become Hokage. As Nara Shikashiro secured newspaper access to the Land of Earth by negotiating with Ōnoki, Xia Yan prepared for the newspaper office’s next steps while keeping his attention on the looming conflict with Kumogakure.

• Xia Yan admitted to Shōma Senju that he had killed Danzo, then explained his actions involving Orochimaru, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the newspaper office before declaring he wanted to become Hokage.
• Nara Shikashiro met Ōnoki in the Land of Grass, presented himself as Uesugi Rokujō, and negotiated terms for the Shinobi World Daily to enter the Land of Earth.
• Shōma Senju began transferring the Senju Clan’s resources and information to Xia Yan, but Xia Yan asked him to keep managing the clan while Xia Yan focused on the Anbu and the potential war with Kumogakure.
• Renka delivered Shikashiro’s report to Xia Yan, who praised the agreement and began planning how to present the newspaper office’s mysterious president to Ōnoki.
• Shikashiro offered Ōnoki favorable coverage and tax payments in exchange for support, while Xia Yan considered using a disguise or his Tailed Beast Disguises if needed.

Xia Yan monitored Kumogakure’s delegation after they signed a treaty with Konoha and suspected their peace offer was a pretext for an attack. When the delegation’s leader abducted Hinata to provoke a conflict, Xia Yan confronted him and prepared to rescue her.

• Xia Yan explained to Kakashi that Kumogakure might use the death of its envoys as a pretext for war, and Kakashi’s Anbu teams began monitoring the delegation.
• The delegation stayed in Konoha, gathered intelligence, and later used shadow clones to scatter, while its leader slipped into the Hyuga Clan grounds.
• The Kumogakure leader captured Hinata and drew Hyuga Hiashi toward him, but Xia Yan appeared and blocked Hiashi’s attack.
• Xia Yan revealed that the leader had taken poison and described how Kumogakure intended to blame the Hyuga Clan for his death, demand Byakugan, or start a war.
• When the leader pressed his kunai against Hinata’s throat, Xia Yan vanished and appeared behind him, saying he would act himself.

After Xia Yan killed the Kumogakure Head Ninja who had threatened Hinata, Konoha faced Kumogakure’s demand for the culprit or war. Shikaku Nara uncovered how newspapers had shaped public opinion, and when Hiruzen Sarutobi chose to surrender the culprit designated by the Raikage, Shikaku proposed that he and Hyuga Hiashi seek Senju Natsuhiko.

• Xia Yan rescued Hinata and killed the Kumogakure Head Ninja, while Hyuga Hiashi realized the incident could leave the Hyuga Clan exposed to Konoha’s political choices.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi convened a meeting where Shikaku Nara urged Konoha to stabilize the situation, deny responsibility, and prepare for war, but Hiruzen asked whether they should surrender the killer to avert conflict.
• Shikaku Nara reconsidered Konoha’s growing division between clan identities and village loyalty, then reviewed the newspapers and recognized their subtle promotion of resistance to Kumogakure’s demands.
• After Kumogakure offered Konoha the choice of handing over the culprit or going to war, Hiruzen Sarutobi chose to surrender the person the Raikage had designated.
• Shikaku Nara told Hyuga Hiashi of Hiruzen’s decision, and, as Hiashi angrily protested, Shikaku proposed that they go see Senju Natsuhiko.