Uchiha Fugaku's face was full of anger. He later learned that when his house was haunted, Gekko Chizan had already returned to the village.
Then it was almost certainly that bastard's doing — and only he would have the nerve to play such a trick on him.
"What toy? How come I don't know about this?"
"Fugaku, now that you've become clan head, how come you're so distant from us?"
"We were comrades-in-arms, good friends — and you actually suspect me!"
Gekko Chizan clutched his chest, looking at Uchiha Fugaku with a face full of grief and pity.
He looked as sorrowful as possible.
Watching, Namikaze Minato shook his head and patted him.
"Alright, Chizan, stop performing. Can't you see Fugaku doesn't believe you at all?"
"Hmph. Let him act — I want to see how well he can pull it off."
Listening to the two of them banter, Gekko Chizan immediately stopped his theatrics. He looked at Minato's helpless face and Fugaku's scornful one, and then burst out laughing.
He paid no heed to his friends' expressions.
"Hahaha, you guys have all learned to put on an act now — not bad, not bad. That way you won't be easily fooled when you're out and about."
"Look, this is what a true friend looks like. I'm the real friend — always helping you grow."
What does shameless mean?
Gekko Chizan was the very definition of shameless.
At a time like this he could turn black into white so convincingly that Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Fugaku were left speechless. The two of them looked at each other, then both let out a heavy sigh.
"I thought I had already found his bottom of shamelessness — but I was wrong."
"This bastard still has room to go lower. Sigh."
Uchiha Fugaku closed his eyes tightly; he felt as if he'd been struck by a weight of ten thousand tons — utterly crushed.
Hearing him, Minato immediately nodded in agreement.
The three of them chatted and laughed as they walked toward the meeting hall.
Attendance at today's meeting was unusually complete.
From the Hokage to the advisors, and to the various clan heads — everyone in Konoha with a say in matters had come.
"We called this meeting to discuss matters related to the Third Shinobi World War."
"Given current circumstances, the Third Shinobi World War can be said to have entered its final phase."
"Sunagakure and Kumogakure have already submitted ceasefire agreements to us."
"As for Iwagakure and Kirigakure, though fighting continues, the situation is no longer what it used to be."
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke first, plainly stating the meeting's topic.
The Third Shinobi World War had developed very rapidly since it began — the fighting had been nearly constant.
From the initial attacks by Sunagakure and Kumogakure, to later Iwagakure and Kirigakure — Konoha had endured assaults from four villages; even Amegakure had gotten involved.
"Hmph — they decide to cease fire on a whim?"
"I disagree with a ceasefire. They start and stop battles as they please?"
"This war — we have absolute superiority and have driven back Sunagakure and Kumogakure in succession. We should gradually expand our gains."
These words surprised everyone in the meeting hall — and the speaker wasn't the usual pro-war Shimura Danzō, but another Hokage advisor, Homura Mitokado.
This bespectacled, scholarly-looking advisor had truly impressed everyone this time.
Even Gekko Chizan had to admit that the bold pro-war declaration made the man look unexpectedly dashing.
Hiruzen's expression darkened at Homura's words; his eyes discreetly swept toward Danzō.
Unfortunately, he found no obvious flaw.
"Homura-dono, I think your remarks are a little extreme."
"Although we've gained the upper hand in the war, we've lost many comrades because of it. The proper course now is to use our absolute strength to suppress the four other shinobi villages and enter a period of peace."
"Not to stir up fighting again."
Representing Konoha's highest intellect, Nara Shikaku's scarred face was grave as he directly opposed Homura.
He advocated a peace-first stance.
What had been a straightforward meeting turned into another battlefield of back-and-forth arguments.
Gekko Chizan leaned back in his chair boredly and stretched comfortably; he had to admit the chair was well-made and quite comfortable.
"Enough!"
"Shikaku, Homura, both of you, tone it down."
Hiruzen stepped in to stop the debate, then spoke slowly: "We have never been advocates of war, so Homura, let's drop the idea of actively starting one."
Hearing this, Homura's face flickered with displeasure; he retorted,
"Hmph. Even if we don't move against the Four Great Shinobi Villages, what about Amegakure?"
"Hanzo the Salamander flagrantly violated the original agreement and threw himself onto the battlefield, slaughtering our side."
"What do we say about that?"
Hanzo leading attacks against Konoha had already spread throughout Konoha's leadership.
It was an unavoidable issue.
Even Hiruzen was irritated; he truly hadn't expected Hanzo to go back on the agreement.
"This is easy — however he attacks us, we hit him back the same way."
"He's just a rotten fish; I'd be glad to take a trip to Amegakure and give them a little trouble."
A sudden voice drew everyone's attention. The once half-asleep Gekko Chizan now had cold light flashing in his eyes and had awakened; he had even volunteered.
Those who knew him were astonished — the man was naturally lazy and seldom took the initiative to strike out.
"Gekko Chizan, are you serious?"
"The situation in Amegakure..."
"Old man, stop. Hanzo flagrantly provoked us and caused significant damage on the battlefield. How can we not retaliate? Do you think we have no temper?"
Gekko Chizan cut off Hiruzen's attempt to continue speaking. His tone was very strong: he intended to go to Amegakure and stir things up.
That damned bastard Hanzo dared to strike him and try to set him up? He wouldn't rest without revenge.
Seeing the hatred on Gekko Chizan's face, everyone understood at once: he must have suffered losses on the front line and wanted to take revenge.
"In that case, I agree with Gekko Chizan's proposal — let him lead a team to Amegakure."
"No need. Leading a team would be too conspicuous. I'll go alone, hit them and run. Even if he's a demigod and can't catch me, he won't be able to point the blame at the village."
Homura had wanted to send a squad, but was instantly refused.
Gekko Chizan was used to acting alone and didn't want to bring any dead weight.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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