Chapter 13: Lack of Manpower
Hokage's Office.
After listening to Kakashi's report, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.
"Go and summon Hizashi," he ordered.
It was unbelievable—someone with the Byakugan, renowned for its powerful reconnaissance abilities, had been ambushed.
In the past, the outskirts of Konoha had been guarded by the Uchiha, and there had never been such a major security failure.
But ever since the Hyuga took over, the Mist had dared to attack.
Thankfully, the warning fireworks were released in time. If not, the Mist might have infiltrated the village—the consequences would've been unimaginable.
After Kakashi left, the sound of a cane echoed through the room.
"Hiruzen, I've told you countless times—Konoha's perimeter defense is a top priority. These clans can't be trusted. You should've let Root handle the garrison."
The speaker was none other than Shimura Danzo, recently stripped of his title as Hokage's assistant.
His appearance didn't surprise Hiruzen. Despite his demotion, Danzo was still an elder advisor.
Being Hokage's assistant had been mostly symbolic. Hiruzen had always relied on Danzo for certain... tasks.
The Third Hokage lit his pipe and took a puff.
"Danzo, the recent issues with public safety are your responsibility, too."
"Hmph. I don't know what you're talking about."
"Now that the Uchiha have completely withdrawn from the garrison, the few that remain only protect their shops. You need to back off."
Danzo had stirred up trouble over the past few days, but after realizing the Uchiha weren't taking the bait, his actions had become a joke.
Ignoring the reprimand, Danzo returned to his proposal:
"Root is loyal. We're the perfect fit for the garrison."
Hiruzen knew exactly what Danzo was aiming for. He waved his hand, slightly annoyed.
"We'll talk about that later. I need to hear from Hizashi first."
"Think it over, Hiruzen," Danzo muttered before slowly walking away on his cane.
Meanwhile, news of the attack on the garrison—and the death of a Hyuga clan member—had already reached the Uchiha district.
Inside the compound, Kaien sat beside Shisui, who had just undergone an eye transplant.
Shisui's Sharingan had been successfully restored. Eye replacement surgeries were surprisingly simple in this world—even without a special constitution.
Even Nohara Rin had managed to transplant Obito's Sharingan into Kakashi on the battlefield.
Thanks to advanced medical techniques—especially those developed by Tsunade, like the Mitotic Regeneration Jutsu—injuries that would once be fatal could now be healed rapidly.
If it weren't for a few other lingering injuries, Shisui wouldn't have been bedridden for a week just from the transplant.
"Senior, I'm fine. Why do I have to stay home so long?" Shisui asked.
He had initially addressed Kaien as "Deputy Patriarch," but Kaien had insisted he use "Senior" instead—to keep things casual.
"Konoha is going through a turbulent time," Kaien replied. "Many eyes are on us, Uchiha. I want you to rest—not just to recover but also to let the situation stir a bit."
Kaien knew Shisui's intellect wasn't his strongest trait, but his talent was undeniable.
Shisui was still young and had plenty of room to grow.
But for now, he shouldn't overuse his Mangekyō Sharingan or Susanoo—it could take a heavy toll on his body.
"Deputy Patriarch! There you are! How's the recovery going?"
The one who arrived was Uchiha Yaoya, a relatively obedient, hawkish member.
A week ago, after Kaien had humiliated the Hokage's faction, Yaoya had become one of his most vocal admirers.
Interestingly, his younger brother was Keiaki Uchiha.
One was big and strong, the other intelligent—how two such opposites became siblings was anyone's guess.
The Third Elder had left Yaoya in Kaien's care. He now came bearing news.
"The garrison was attacked. Strangely, it involved a Hyuga member. They barely managed to release the flare."
"As expected," Kaien said, unfazed by Yaoya's excitement.
"The Hyuga aren't as reliable as the Uchiha. The moment we're replaced, the attacks begin."
But Kaien understood the real reason.
Despite their powerful vision, Byakugan users had limitations.
Their ultra-long-range vision only worked when focused in one direction—not in their full 360° field of view.
When trying to see far ahead, they'd often turn their bodies slightly to focus, leaving a narrow blind spot.
This flaw originated from the first thoracic vertebra, creating a 1° blind angle behind them.
Thus, if someone could suppress their visual range, they'd spot the moment the Hyuga shifted position.
Only members of the main family with high-purity Byakugan and Jonin-level strength could match this detection range.
Since the Mist Village was involved, it was likely the work of Ao.
He had previously tried to cause trouble in Konoha, only to be scared off by Shisui's genjutsu.
Ao was a cautious man.
"Now that Hinata Hiashi has gone to report to the Hokage, do you think he'll ask us for help?" Yaoya asked.
Kaien couldn't help but chuckle.
Although Yaoya was a Jōnin with a three-tomoe Sharingan, he lacked strategic experience.
He'd been promoted through sheer strength, not leadership.
To him, the Uchiha were the strongest, and anyone weaker would naturally come asking for help.
"They will come, yes. But we're not jumping into this mess."
"Go summon the Patriarch to the conference room. Tell him I'll be waiting."
"Yes, Deputy Patriarch!"
Excited by the prospect of action, Yaoya dashed off.
Kaien turned to Shisui.
"Get ready. We'll need you in a few days."
Shisui gently touched his eyes and nodded firmly.
When Kaien arrived at the conference room, Fugaku was already there waiting.
"What's your take on this, Kaien?"
Fugaku had passed the intel to him earlier.
"The Hyuga are qualified to defend the perimeter. This attack was simply an accident."
He then explained the Byakugan's limitations: the caged bird seal, the blind spot behind the first thoracic vertebra, the varying purity of Byakugan, and how all this affected their visual range.
He also shared his suspicion that the Mist Village was involved.
Fugaku's eyes widened in realisation.
So that's why the Hyuga were ambushed... They weren't invincible after all.
He looked at Kaien with admiration.
Could this insight be the ability of Kaien's Mangekyō Sharingan?
"Kaien…" Fugaku said seriously. "Don't overuse your Mangekyō. You'll go blind."
Kaien nodded. "Don't worry, Patriarch. I know my limits. Thank you for your concern."
Seeing Kaien's confidence, Fugaku relaxed.
"So, what will Hinata do now?"
"They can compensate for their weakness by sending two branch members per team. But the Hyuga face a bigger problem—they lack manpower."
The Uchiha had fewer members overall, but everyone with a Sharingan was a capable fighter.
The Hyuga, on the other hand, didn't allow main family members to leave the compound. All patrols were handled by the branch members, cutting their usable force in half.
And patrols needed at least Chūnin-level strength.
With most of their people spread thin maintaining internal order, they didn't have enough ninjas for outer defense.
"You're both the Deputy Patriarch and Captain of the Police Force. They'll definitely come to you to negotiate."
"When they do, we can…"
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Translated By – Ancient Lores
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