Shisui's expression remained calm.
Remembering Uchiha Kai's instructions, he spoke slowly.
"Reporting to you, Lord Hokage!"
"A few days ago, you ordered me to closely monitor Root, to investigate thoroughly, correct?"
"These past two days, under my surveillance, I discovered Root indeed had major problems—and even uncovered several enemy spies hidden within."
"After careful planning, this morning I finally locked down their location."
"So, I led the Anbu's Uchiha operatives to launch a raid on the Root safehouse hiding those spies."
"However, during the capture, we met with Root's stubborn resistance. In order to quickly eliminate the enemy infiltrators, our Anbu clashed with Root."
"Though we successfully killed all the spies, regrettably some Root operatives were injured."
"I have already explained this to Lord Danzō, but it seems he didn't accept it. He retaliated—killed my Anbu men, and even blew up our Anbu headquarters!"
"Lord Hokage!"
"I suspect Lord Danzō himself is the greatest spy in the village. Should I immediately take men to apprehend him?"
Shisui's face carried unshakable confidence.
And in truth—he hadn't lied. Hiruzen really had given him this order.
Of course, Shisui also understood. The Hokage had only wanted him and Danzō to clash, to keep each other in check.
But now? Kai had spoken. Shisui would naturally follow his lead.
On the other side of the desk, Sarutobi Hiruzen was dumbfounded.
What the—?
So this mess came back to him?
Yes, he had told Shisui to keep an eye on Danzō. But wasn't this approach a little too direct?
Root harboring enemy spies? What nonsense!
Even if spies had infiltrated, once subjected to Root's brainwashing and Tongue Binding Seal, they would no longer be spies—they'd become loyal Root operatives.
And as for Danzō?
Heh! Ridiculous. Yes, the bastard had killed his son. But he was still the personal disciple of the Second Hokage, Tobirama, and Hiruzen's fellow student. To call him an enemy spy—what a farce!
But now what?
Even if Hiruzen wanted to scold Shisui, he couldn't.
After all, the order had come from him. If he punished Shisui for carrying it out, what message would that send? Who would obey him afterward?
So, with a long sigh, Hiruzen rubbed his brow, exhausted.
At least… at least he now knew why the village had been in chaos all morning.
Given Danzō's character, after being humiliated like this, a violent retaliation was only natural.
After a moment of silence, Hiruzen spoke gravely:
"Enough. I understand."
"But Shisui—your methods must be tempered. I asked you to monitor Danzō, even collect evidence, but it must be within the rules and backed by solid proof."
"This matter will be let go… but it must not happen again."
"As for today's incident, we'll say it was sabotage from Hidden Cloud Village operatives."
"That's all. You may go. I'm tired. I need rest."
Yes—his temples throbbed as he massaged them.
So much chaos, all within just a few days. His head was splitting.
And yet—though Shisui had caused such trouble, he could not punish him.
As for Danzō? That bastard had killed his son, but until Uchiha and Hyuga were dealt with, Hiruzen could only grit his teeth and play along with him.
And so, once again, the blame was pushed onto Hidden Cloud Village.
Hidden Cloud: "..."
If only they knew of Konoha's shamelessness, they'd be spitting blood in fury.
Unbelievable! Konoha stabs itself in the gut, and we're the ones carrying the blame forever?
Meanwhile…
Once dismissed, Shisui went off to reorganize the Anbu.
Haichi Yamanaka, on the other hand, headed straight for the Jounin Commander's office, where he found Nara Shikaku lounging leisurely.
After recounting the morning's events, Shikaku frowned slightly.
But after thinking for a moment, he chuckled softly.
"So that's it, then."
"If I'm not mistaken, Shisui must have received instructions from Uchiha Kai—that's why this spectacle played out."
"The clash between Anbu and Root? Just a cover for the great migration of the Ino–Shika–Chō clans."
"But truly, it's just like the Uchiha…"
"Out of countless possible methods, he deliberately chooses the one that causes the most upheaval."
"And yet—what cunning."
"He turned a simple migration into a chance to further weaken the Hokage's authority, and at the same time, strained his relationship with the elders."
"Three birds with one stone. Impressive."
Shikaku sighed in admiration.
With enough information, he pieced together Kai's plan in no time.
A simple move, spun into three results. Brilliant.
Haichi blinked, suddenly enlightened. Without Shikaku's explanation, he never would have thought of it.
Softly, he murmured:
"If so… then it's good."
"The stronger Uchiha Kai proves, the more it shows we chose correctly."
"But, Shikaku—"
"Earlier, on the rooftop, I sensed it faintly. The Hokage already harbors suspicions about us Ino–Shika–Chō."
"What should we do?"
Haichi frowned deeply.
Yes—compared to the clans that had already moved under Uchiha's wing, those left behind were in far greater danger.
Hiruzen had been Hokage for decades—how could he not notice their maneuvers?
That was what Haichi feared most.
But across from him, Shikaku looked utterly at ease.
Smiling faintly, he answered.
"No matter. I've long accounted for this—and I already have a solution."
"Understand this: today, Sarutobi Hiruzen is already a lonely man."
"In his inner circle, he and Danzō are sworn enemies now. With Koharu and Homura, relations are nearly the same."
"Tsunade? You think she doesn't know how her brother Nawaki and her lover Dan truly died—or how the Senju Clan crumbled overnight? Of course she does. She only chose to step away for Konoha's sake."
"Jiraiya? He's checked by Minato."
"Orochimaru? Once Minato takes the Hokage position, he and Hiruzen will be irreconcilable."
"And us? Even if the Ino–Shika–Chō have issues, what of it?"
"If Hiruzen wants things done, he has no choice but to feign ignorance."
"Otherwise, if he forces us into Uchiha's arms, who would he have left to rely on?"
"As for trust? That's laughable."
"Even without today's incident, we were never part of the Hokage's true inner circle. No matter who sits in the chair, we never will be."
"That distance—that's precisely the foundation of the Ino–Shika–Chō's survival."
"So, there's nothing to regret. In fact… this situation is just right."
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