Hiruzen Sarutobi was not a fool; he was a survivor.
Hiruzen's Internal Monologue: Danzo believes he has outmaneuvered me by extracting the conscription authorization. He thinks he will expand Root's power while solving my political crisis. He is too arrogant. Jin Uchiha is not a soft target; he is a predator who has already unified an unstable clan. Even with elite clan heirs added to Root's ranks, an assassination attempt on a Mangekyo wielder will result in catastrophic casualties for Danzo's forces.
Hiruzen calculated the likely outcomes.
If Danzo succeeded, Jin would be dead, and the Uchiha threat would be neutralized. If Danzo failed—which was highly probable—Root would be decimated, severely weakening Danzo's future political influence. Either way, Jin's Mangekyo ocular power would be drained during the conflict, benefiting Hiruzen.
And if the assassination attempt provoked the Uchiha into open rebellion?
Hiruzen's Internal Monologue: Excellent. Let them rebel. My current problem is that I lack the legal justification to preemptively strike the Uchiha, meaning the other major clans will not support me. But if the Uchiha launch a coup, they become traitors to the village. The major clans will have no choice but to deploy their forces and fight alongside me to suppress the rebellion.
"It seems you have a plan in place, Hiruzen," Koharu said, observing his calm demeanor. "We are relieved."
Homura nodded in agreement. Assured that the Hokage was still in control of the situation, the two elders bowed slightly and exited the office.
***
The Echo Chamber of Chaos
Outside, the village of Konoha was drowning in paranoia.
Jin's information warfare campaign had struck with devastating efficiency. The carefully constructed narrative of the Hokage's purges was echoing through every market, teahouse, and training ground. Citizens huddled in groups, whispering furiously. The once-revered Hokage Administration Building was now treated like a cursed monolith; the street directly in front of it was completely abandoned. Pedestrians actively took longer routes just to avoid walking past its shadow.
In the bustling commercial district, the rumors were reaching a fever pitch.
"I always thought Sakumo Hatake's death was strange," a merchant whispered to a customer. "A high-ranking ANBU Captain fails a single S-rank mission, and suddenly the entire village knows about it within twenty-four hours? The administration controls the press. They leaked it intentionally to break him."
"And Sakumo committed suicide to protect his son, Kakashi," the customer added, looking around nervously. "If he hadn't killed himself, the Hokage's faction would have found a reason to eliminate Kakashi to prevent future retaliation."
Hidden in the shadows of a nearby alleyway, an Anbu operative wearing a dog mask listened to the conversation. It was Kakashi Hatake.
He crouched perfectly still, his solitary eye devoid of any emotion.
Kakashi's Internal Monologue: Is it true? Yes. I realized the administration's hand in my father's death years ago. But what does it matter now? My father, Obito, Rin, Sensei... everyone is dead. My life is devoid of purpose. I am just a tool of the village. The truth does not bring the dead back to life. Revenge offers no salvation.
Kakashi existed in a state of terminal numbness. He was a living ghost.
"Kakashi!"
A sudden, boisterous voice broke his reverie. Might Guy, sporting his iconic green jumpsuit and bowl cut, dropped down from a rooftop, landing right next to the Anbu captain.
Kakashi sighed, his visible eye crinkling in annoyance. "Guy. Not now. I am on duty. We cannot speak."
Guy ignored the protocol, his usual exuberant smile replaced by a look of deep distress. He grabbed Kakashi by the shoulders. "Kakashi, is what the villagers are saying true? Did your father really die because the Hokage..."
"Guy, shut up!" Kakashi hissed, his voice suddenly dropping to a freezing, lethal temperature. He grabbed Guy's wrists, stopping him. "Do not speak of this. Do not ask questions. Pretend you heard nothing."
Guy froze, startled by the sheer intensity in Kakashi's remaining eye.
"This conflict has nothing to do with you," Kakashi continued, his tone rigid and protective. "Go train. Do your missions. Do not involve yourself in high-level politics. You will only get yourself killed."
Guy was simple-minded, but he possessed sharp instincts. Looking at his rival's desperate, commanding expression, Guy understood immediately. The rumors were true. And Kakashi was trying to protect him from the administration's wrath.
Guy's shoulders slumped. A heavy sadness washed over him. "I... I understand, Kakashi."
Guy's Internal Monologue: Even if it is true, what can we do? We are soldiers. If we attack the Hokage, we destroy the village. We have to endure.
Guy turned and walked away silently. Kakashi watched him go, relaxing slightly as his friend moved out of the danger zone. Kakashi returned his focus to the chaotic streets, feeling entirely helpless. This was a war between the Uchiha and the Hokage; elite Jonin were nothing more than collateral damage in this conflict.
***
The Strategic Paralysis of the Clans
Meanwhile, on the second floor of a high-end teahouse, the patriarchs of the Ino-Shika-Cho formation—the core of Konoha's military strength—were observing the chaos below.
"The Uchiha are ruthless," Inoichi Yamanaka remarked, shaking his head. "To directly attack the Hokage's legitimacy using classified intelligence... it is a terrifying strategy." He turned to the tactical genius of the trio. "Shikaku, should we intervene?"
Shikaku Nara rubbed his temples, his face twisted in a cynical grimace. "Intervene? And do what, exactly? Support the Hokage who we all know assassinates his political rivals?"
Inoichi frowned. "So we let Hiruzen fall?"
"And who replaces him?" Shikaku countered sharply. "Look at the geopolitical reality of Konoha. The Sannin are gone. Sakumo is dead. Minato is dead. The village's leadership pool has been systematically eradicated by Hiruzen. If we depose him now, who becomes the Fifth Hokage? Danzo? Or the Uchiha?"
Inoichi fell silent. The trap was perfectly laid.
Shikaku's Internal Monologue: Hiruzen is a tyrant, but he is a tyrant who maintains the status quo, allowing our clans to govern our own territories. If we remove him, the resulting power vacuum will tear the village apart. To maintain stability, we are forced to support the devil we know.
"It is a miserable situation," Inoichi sighed heavily. "Hiruzen slaughtered every viable leader to protect his seat, and now we are stuck with him because there is no one else."
Shikaku nodded grimly. This strategic paralysis was precisely why the major clans had remained silent during the destruction of the Senju and Uzumaki clans. No one wanted a single clan to hold absolute power. The Uchiha were simply too powerful. If an Uchiha became Hokage, the entire village infrastructure would become subservient to their clan.
The political consensus among the non-Uchiha clans was unanimous: 'We hate Hiruzen, but we fear the Uchiha more.'
Beside them, Choza Akimichi remained completely silent, mechanically eating a large platter of barbecued meat. He had absolutely no interest in discussing the toxic politics that were currently suffocating the village.