Time moved forward and, while Shiki's side made their own plans, the Hokage faction too, had their considerations.
Danzo received a proper dressing down and Hiruzen did not hesitate to use this failure as an excuse to curb some of his old friend's more wild ambitions.
But with the internal conflict temporarily suppressed, the Hokage and his main advisor turned towards external opponents.
Danzo knew his current power and status relied on Hiruzen, the Hokage needed him to do his dirty work so that his image stayed squeaky clean.
As such, Hiruzen being deposed by someone other than him or not under his control, did not bode well for the Darkness of Shinobi at all.
With the political situation being what it was, it was time to unite and combat the threats to their combined sovereignty over the village.
"That old woman has to be on her last legs, we need to press for a new Jinchuuriki right now, that will rid us of a major thorn on our side immediately." Danzo declared.
"Without Uzumaki Mito's protection, that boy will no longer be that big of a problem and neither will the Senju remnants, especially with the upcoming war providing plenty of opportunity to act." He added.
The Darkness of Shinobi could no longer bear to maintain the respectful address towards Mito and his other dastardly intentions were laid to bare as well.
"Our sources suggest Kumo, Kiri and Iwa will stage a simultaneous attack on Uzushio to set off the war . . . This . . . presents an opportunity." Utahane Koharu spoke.
There was hesitation in her words as the opportunity she spoke of was one with terrible implications.
"Uzushio lacks a strong intelligence department, mostly relying on us for that. If we do not warn them . . ." Mitokado Homura started but somewhat lost his nerve towards the end.
None of them were yet the old fossils clinging to power and past glory while ruthlessly stomping down any real or perceived dissent.
Sacrificing one of Konoha's oldest and most valuable allies in order to cut off support to their main political opponents in the village was still a decision they were finding hard to make.
"With them gone, we can shape the new Jinchuuriki however we wish and with that, their legacies will doubtlessly fall to us as well." Danzo pointed out.
Hiruzen was the only one to remain silent, still in deep deliberation.
Coming to the aid of Uzushio would also require committing troops and supplies for those troops. Moving a significant amount of combat power away from the Land of Fire would leave them vulnerable to attack.
Uzushio was a juicy target but not as juicy as the most prosperous Hidden Village, Konoha.
If the other villages see Konoha committing resources to Uzushio's defence, it is likely the bulk of their alliance's attention will turn.
However, if the Land of Whirlpools is sacrificed, Konoha will gain a buffering period, the Land of Fire would remain more secure and the conflict over the plunder of Uzushio would likely break up the alliance of the enemy villages.
Simply put, the way Hiruzen saw it, the benefits of turning their back on their ally far outweighed the risks.
With Mito dead and a young new Uzumaki Jinchuuriki in possession of her dead clan's legacy, it was only a matter of time before Konoha acquired the seals that made Uzushio valuable as an ally.
Why rely on Uzushio when they could have everything in their own hands?
'What would you have done sensei?' Hiruzen internally questioned.
Despite his ruthless and utilitarian way of doing things, the Second Hokage was not without scruples.
He was a masterful politician, administrator and warrior.
This wide set of skills allowed to have a much better grip over Konoha, his personal power, the backing of a still strong Senju and his prestige as a founder also contributed.
'Sensei would not abandon the Uzumaki for short term benefits but I'm afraid I cannot afford to be that principled.'
"Let us wait and see then." The Third Hokage finally spoke.
His three old friends saw right through the seemingly passive and ambiguous words.
Essentially, Hiruzen decided not to actively do anything against Uzushio but also not inform them of a possible attack either.
"Dispatch a message to hurry the selection of a new Jinchuuriki, if question on why, cite Mito-sama's age and declining health as well as the necessity of training the new vessel ahead of the coming war." The Hokage further commanded.
"I'll take care of it." Utahane Koharu responded.
"Danzo, keep a close eye on Uzushio and render "timely assistance" if required." Hiruzen gave out another order.
The Darkness of Shinobi snorted but nodded in agreement.
'Timely assistance, he says. You're just telling me to fish in troubled waters without using any incriminating words.' Danzo thought to himself.
'Still, this is what I'm good at and if I can get some Uzumaki clan members for myself . . .' The man's mind wandered in his world of schemes.
*
Back to Shiki, after his conversation with Mito, he created a few Shadow Clones to survey the land for Root bases the original could then target.
As for said Original, he went back to his training, not like there was much else for him to do.
With the Nirvana Seal complete, the ingredients for transcendence had been gathered, it was time to start modifying his own body, turning it into a weapon capable of striking fear even into an Otsutsuki.
It was, of course, a very long term goal but he certainly felt he was ready to get started.
Shiki wished to hit at least High to Peak Kage Level before the war exploded, he judged that would be enough to protect himself in these troubled times.
That said, there were two things that had been hovering in his mind as of late.
First was Roran's Ryumyaku, he wondered how its time traveling effect worked.
Would it connect to his future or would it connect to the original timeline of the Naruto world?
Due to arriving too early in the timeline, Shiki was unable to meet many of his favorite characters, to see them as real people and due to his existence and actions, some of them might never even be born.
However, if the Ryumyaku could connect to the Future of the original timeline, there was still a chance.
'Still, that can be left until after the war.' The boy ended up deciding.
The other matter however, could be checked much earlier.
To put it simply, Shiki held a great interest in the Hyuga clan and wondered if there were some secrets not made clear in the series.
He already knew there was more to the world and certain details were omitted from the story or twisted so he wondered . . .
'The Hyuga are the sole descendents of Ottstsuki Hamura left in the world, they should not be that simple right?'
That was the question in the boy's mind.
This clan, touted as one of Konoha's strongest which equated to the world's strongest in current times definitely had more to it.
And the Byakugan, claimed to be the Sharingan's equal, had to hide some secrets as well, not Otsutsuki level secrets but enough to rival the madness of the Mangekyo.
After all, at least in the current era, the Mangekyo Sharingan was still plenty renowned and yet, the Hyuga still boasted their dojutsu's superiority.
Were they just fools or was there a solid reason?
+++++
Hey, Author here!
To promote the novel I will be releasing BONUS CHAPTERS on SUNDAYS based on the previous week's power stone count.
100 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter
500 Power Stones = 2 Bonus Chapters
1000 Power Stones = 3 Bonus Chapters
Every earned BONUS CHAPTER on Webnovel will also be posted on Scribble.
Just a reminder that you can read up to a FULL MONTH ahead of this site on pa-treon.
I'm trying to become a full time Author now and I'm not going to be starting any new novels just so I can make sure this one is properly completed.
Find those sweet advanced chapters on pa-treon.com/lusoba without the -