Chapter 111: Sarutobi Hiruzen's dirty laundry spreads throughout the village
The Nara Clan territory. Inside the study, only a single lamp was lit.
Shikaku Nara, the man whose intelligence was unparalleled in Konoha, was tapping the desk with his finger, one tap at a time. On the Go board in front of him, black and white pieces intertwined, but the black pieces had completely surrounded the white pieces' large dragon, making escape impossible.
The defeat was set. Just like the current situation in Konoha.
"Father," his son, Shikamaru's, lazy voice came from outside the door. "You've been staring at that letter for 1 hour now. What a drag."
Shikaku didn't turn his head. His gaze remained fixed on the letter. The envelope was pure black, with no signature, only a small, golden-threaded flame fan embroidered on it—the Uchiha family crest. The letter's content was even simpler.
"Tonight at midnight, the Forest of Death. Come alone."
"Shikamaru," Shikaku suddenly spoke. "Do you think an egg can collide with a stone?"
Shikamaru, outside the door, yawned. "Depends on the situation. If the egg wants to break, then it can. If the egg doesn't want to break, then it should stay far away from the stone."
"What a simple and correct principle." Shikaku chuckled self-deprecatingly. He stood up and carefully tucked the letter into his embrace. "I'll be back soon."
...
Midnight. The moonlight was cold. Shikaku Nara emerged from the shadows. He was alone.
"Clan Head Akira, what great courage," Shikaku's voice betrayed no emotion. "To meet me, the Third Hokage's confidant, alone."
Uchiha Akira slowly turned around. "You came alone to see me." With a single sentence, he reversed the positions of host and guest.
Shikaku's pupils slightly contracted. He felt as if he wasn't facing a young man not yet 20 years old.
"The Third's confidant?" Akira sneered. "Clan Head Shikaku, do you think the current Hiruzen Sarutobi is still qualified to have you as his confidant? A… sinking wreck of a ship. Does your Nara Clan want to sink with him?"
Shikaku fell silent. These words were exactly the same as his own inner judgment.
"Clan Head Akira, what do you want me to do?" Shikaku was smart. He knew that in the face of such absolute power, any circumlocution was a waste of time.
"I want you to make the choice a smart person should make. In a few days, I will convene a Jōnin meeting under the name of Hokage Advisor. There will only be 1 topic on the agenda: Dismiss the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi."
Shikaku's breathing suddenly hitched. What a grand scheme! This was to completely tear off the facade!
"I need the support of the Ino-Shika-Chō trio," Akira continued. "Not just verbally, but in action. I need you to stand up and vote in favor at the meeting."
Shikaku's mind was racing. He was assessing the risks. This was no longer just taking a side; this was gambling the entire future of the Nara Clan!
"Why should I help you?" Shikaku stared into Uchiha Akira's eyes.
"The Hyūga Clan has already surrendered. My Uchiha has already controlled half of Konoha's power. And Hiruzen Sarutobi, what does he have left in his hands? Clan Head Shikaku, you are a smart person. Tell me, between a sure-win gamble and a sure-loss gamble, which would you choose?"
Shikaku smiled bitterly. Yes. Is there even a choice?
"I agree," Shikaku Nara agreed without hesitation.
"Very good." Akira nodded with satisfaction. When that complete Susanoo appeared above Konoha, this game was already over. Now, it was just going through the motions.
"Clan Head Akira, what is your ultimate goal?" After a long pause, Shikaku Nara asked. "Hokage's position?"
"No," Akira shook his head. "Hokage is too small. What I want is for there to be no more so-called Hokage, Kazekage, or Mizukage under this sky. Only 1 voice. One will."
Shikaku was instantly startled, his face showing a look of horror. This man's ambition, it was… it was…
"I understand," Shikaku took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the tumultuous waves in his heart. "The Ino-Shika-Chō will cooperate with your actions."
...
The next day, the sun, as always, rose from the horizon. Golden light bathed every corner of Konoha Village, illuminating the giant faces on the Hokage Rock with solemnity. However, today, there was an unusual scent in the air.
Ichiraku Ramen. 2 young chūnin who had just completed a mission were slurping noodles with their heads down.
"Hey, did you hear?" one of them lowered his voice and spoke furtively. "About that… Uzumaki Naruto."
The other chūnin's movements clearly paused.
"That demon fox kid?"
"Shh! Keep your voice down!" The first chūnin to speak nervously looked around. "What demon fox kid, I heard… he's actually the Fourth's orphaned child."
"What?!" The sound of chopsticks falling on the table was particularly crisp. "How is that possible! The Fourth's son, how could he…"
"How could he have lived such a miserable life, right?" The chūnin's face showed a complex expression, mixed with sympathy and anger.
"It is said that the Third, for so-called protection, deliberately concealed his identity, allowing him to be bullied by the entire Village as a monster."
"Protection? What kind of protection is that?! Who knows. Perhaps he was afraid that others would find out that he, as Hokage, couldn't even take care of his own hero's descendant."
At the same time, regarding the Third Hokage conspiring with Danzō to spread rumors and force Sakon's father to his death; releasing Konoha's S-rank rogue shinobi, Orochimaru; using his authority to cultivate shinobi of the Sarutobi clan; and greedy for power, letting the young Fourth die in battle, and then reassuming the Hokage's throne...
Throughout the streets and alleys of Konoha, negative rumors about the Third Hokage spread at an alarming rate.
Uchiha Clan territory, training ground. Hinata was panting, sweat already soaking her training uniform.
"Hinata, your punches are too hesitant. The essence of Gentle Fist is not softness, but precise destruction. Put away your cowardice."
"Yes… Teacher!" Hinata gritted her teeth and resumed her stance.
Just then, Uchiha Kenji's figure silently appeared at the edge of the field.
"Clan Head."
Akira raised a hand, signaling Hinata to stop.
"Speak."
"Everything, as you expected." Kenji knelt on 1 knee, his voice carrying a hint of irrepressible excitement. "The Nara Clan's intelligence network is highly efficient. Now the entire Village is discussing the Third Hokage's mistakes. Especially regarding his release of Orochimaru, which has already caused dissatisfaction among many Jōnin, especially Anbu shinobi."
"Very good."
What Uchiha Akira wanted was to completely nail the "Will of Fire" represented by Hiruzen Sarutobi to the pillar of shame.
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