"So,"
Shikaku concluded, "Those two most likely aren't Uchiha allies. They might even be enemies-on the Night of the Nine-Tails, they killed Minato Namikaze, whom the Uchiha fully supported, and stole some of the nine-tails chakra. That's not something allies should do."
Torifu Akimichi nodded.
"That makes sense. By that reckoning, Fugaku is the only top-tier fighter the Uchiha have left?"
But Shikaku shook his head.
"No, there's one more."
"Who?"
"Crescent Moon."
Shikaku's gaze was deep. "Uzumaki already appeared tonight, so we can rule him out. But not Crescent Moon. Whether he's an Uchiha or not, the outside world sees him as part of their strength. As long as that 'deterrent' remains, many people won't dare act rashly."
He paused, then added,
"So we wait. Until that 'deterrent' is broken, or... proven not to exist."
The secret chamber fell silent again.
The oil lamp crackled, illuminating the four men's grave faces.
After a long while, Torifu Akimichi sighed.
"Then let's wait."
"And see what the Hyuga Clan chooses."
The Hyuga Clan, in the Main Family's secret chamber.
This chamber lay in the deepest part of the Hyuga estate. Its walls were made of special materials that blocked Byakugan probes and provided excellent soundproofing.
At that moment, only two people were inside.
Hyuga Hiashi and his younger brother-Hizashi Hyuga.
Looking at his elder brother's grave expression, Hizashi could not help speaking.
"Brother, are we... really going to do this?"
Hiashi did not answer immediately.
He walked to the wall and pressed his hand against an unremarkable brick.
Click.
The wall slid open, revealing a hidden compartment containing an ancient scroll.
Hiashi took out the scroll and gently stroked it, his gaze complex.
"Hizashi, do you know what this is?"
Hizashi shook his head. He had never seen this scroll