Inside the Hokage Tower, the lights still burned brightly.
Aozora pushed open the door to the Hokage's office and found not only Kyudai, but also Shisui, dressed in Anbu uniform, standing inside.
Raising an eyebrow at the sight of Shisui, Aozora turned to Fugaku and asked, "What's going on?"
This wasn't his normal time to be at work—something serious must be happening.
Fugaku gestured toward Shisui, who nodded before reporting, "The Sarutobi Clan has been holding frequent clan meetings recently. Their clansmen have been bitterly complaining. They gathered again tonight…"
As he listened to Shisui's report, a wave of dizziness washed over Aozora.
In Aozora's previous life, Shisui had also reported a coup within his own clan to the Hokage. The difference now was that Shisui was reporting the coup plans—not to the Hokage, but to Fugaku.
Talk about divine justice—the wheel of fate sure does turn!
After hearing Shisui's report, Fugaku nodded grimly. "Aozora, it looks like you were right. The Sarutobi Clan really is causing problems now."
Aozora nodded in agreement. Although he'd suspected as much, he hadn't expected things to develop this far.
After all, Fugaku hadn't treated the Sarutobi Clan harshly. He hadn't even punished a single ninja from their clan for actions related to Hiruzen Sarutobi!
Seeing Aozora's surprise, Kyudai explained, "We haven't persecuted them, but some of their ninja lacked virtue despite their positions, so other departments dismissed them one after another. Even if we didn't go after them on purpose, the Sarutobi would never see it that way."
Fugaku continued, "Now the Sarutobi Clan has become an unstable factor. That's why I asked you here to discuss how to handle this matter together."
Aozora nodded understandingly and asked, "What's your opinion then?"
Kyudai spoke up first. "The Sarutobi Clan is too dangerous now. They control massive intelligence networks in the village, and their strength isn't weak either. If we continue to sit back and watch, they might cause serious damage to the village."
He paused, then looked at everyone before adding, "My suggestion is—better strike first before they make their move!"
He had absolutely no love for the Sarutobi Clan. Previously, he had managed the Uchiha Clan's propaganda efforts.
Although he hadn't directly confirmed exactly who had been slandering and demonizing the Uchiha behind the scenes, he generally knew the Sarutobi Clan were the ones pulling the strings.
"No!"
It was Shisui who rejected Kyudai's suggestion, shaking his head. "The Sarutobi Clan is also part of Konoha. Besides, our Hokage just took office. No matter how we handle the Sarutobi Clan, it will affect the Clan Leader's reputation."
Fugaku nodded. This was precisely what troubled him.
In his view, the best approach to such a situation would be to take preemptive action against the Sarutobi Clan before they made their move.
That way, they could resolve the conflict with minimal cost without harming Konoha's foundation.
However, striking based purely on suspicion could also bring endless repercussions.
He had just assumed leadership—annihilating the bloodline of the previous Hokage would deal a fatal blow to his reputation.
As for whether they could completely destroy the Sarutobi Clan, he felt no concerns over that aspect.
He himself had awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan. Shisui and Aozora were also both at Kage level. Even with support from the Daimyo's court and help from Jiraiya, he didn't believe the Sarutobi Clan could stir up much trouble.
Kyudai hesitated for a moment before saying, "As Hokage, sometimes difficult choices must be made according to specific circumstances..."
Fugaku folded his hands together, closing his eyes in thought.
"Wait—"
After considering briefly, Shisui looked firmly at Fugaku and said, "Perhaps there are other countermeasures..."
Previously, he had believed his Mangekyou awakened solely to save his clan. However, as the Uchiha situation improved steadily, he gradually forgot about his Mangekyou's abilities, truly sealing them away as Aozora suggested.
Now seeing the Sarutobi Clan facing similar difficulties once encountered by the Uchiha Clan, he suddenly recalled the tremendous power of his Mangekyou.
Though he failed to change his own clan's fate using it, he considered preventing the village from experiencing conflict completely worthwhile.
Besides, he'd been cultivating the 'Yin Yang Eye' secret technique developed by his younger brother, Aozora. He felt this technique could restore vision lost through using the Mangekyou.
Hearing Kyudai's words, Shisui frowned and asked, "Other countermeasures?"
Fugaku also turned to Shisui curiously and asked, "Which one do you mean?"
Thinking about how clever Aozora always was, surely his older brother wouldn't have a bad mind either?
Aozora didn't even bother showing curiosity. As soon as Shisui opened his mouth, he knew exactly what his older brother was planning.
Most likely planning to use his strongest Genjutsu again to eliminate the village's conflicts.
Before Shisui could even speak, Aozora mocked, "Is this really that difficult to resolve?"
He certainly didn't want Shisui wasting his Mangekyou on something so trivial!
Shisui and Kyudai looked at Aozora in surprise. Fugaku chuckled and shook his head. "Aozora, do you have any ideas?"
In his opinion, Aozora was simply trying to outdo Shisui.
Shisui fell silent too, watching Aozora patiently listen to his plan.
Aozora asked, "Is Jiraiya still in the village?"
Fugaku nodded solemnly and replied, "Because he worries about Naruto's life, he remains in the village now. Rumor has it he mastered the legendary 'Sage Mode', which makes him extremely formidable!"
Listening to Fugaku's serious words, Aozora shook his head and asked, "Hokage-sama, you don't seriously see Jiraiya as a threat, do you?"
Kyudai responded, "While Jiraiya has a good reputation, the Third died because of us. He is also within our scope of vigilance."
Aozora tried putting himself in their position and finally understood their concerns.
The Sarutobi Clan had maintained stability and development for many years, second only to the Uchiha and Hyuga Clans in strength.
With backing from the Daimyo's court and assistance from Jiraiya, they would immediately become a powerful Ninja Army. The damage such an invading force could cause would be unbearable for Konoha.
Shaking his head, Aozora said, "You're overestimating the threat—Jiraiya isn't that kind of guy!"
Unlike the young, Jiraiya was already an experienced middle-aged man who had long established his own mature values.
He wasn't the kind to lose his grip on his core beliefs because of a single incident, so Aozora still placed great trust in Jiraiya's character.
Kyudai frowned and said, "Aozora, looks can be deceiving!"
Fugaku added, "Although you and Tsunade are quite close, you don't really have much of a relationship with Jiraiya."
Aozora shrugged. "Regardless of whether Jiraiya deserves trust or not, I believe he's the best person for handling this matter."
Fugaku lowered his head in thought for a moment before saying contemplatively, "So you're suggesting we force him to suppress the Sarutobi Clan's rebellion?"
Aozora smiled slightly. "That's correct."
Aozora paused briefly, choosing his words carefully, before continuing confidently.
"I suggest we hold a small high-level meeting, summoning both the Elders and Jiraiya, directly revealing the suspicious movements within the Sarutobi Clan. Then we'll state that you personally believe in the clan's loyalty to Konoha, but just in case, will have Jiraiya look into it. If the Sarutobi Clan isn't actually planning defection, assigning Jiraiya to handle it won't provoke any conflict or misunderstanding."
Upon hearing this, Kyudai asked curiously, "What if Jiraiya supports the defection?"
Aozora chuckled, "Wouldn't that be better?"
At Aozora's response, Fugaku, Kyudai, and Shisui all wore confused expressions—how could that possibly be good?
Aozora explained, "If Jiraiya indeed supports the defection, they would certainly discover our precautions and consequently hesitate to act rashly. After all, their ultimate goal isn't necessarily to destroy Konoha village itself, is it?
And if they remain inactive a little longer, the Anbu under the Hokage's command will be fully mobilized, further reducing their chances of success.
Moreover, most of the Sarutobi Clan's ninja who consider defecting are driven by resentment from recent demotions.
As time passes, those grievances will fade, making it much harder for thoughts of betrayal to reemerge."
After finishing his first scenario, Aozora gradually introduced the second possibility.
"But if Jiraiya doesn't back the Sarutobi Clan, then when push comes to shove, he'll always choose duty over personal ties!
The Third gave his life for the Will of Fire — the unyielding spirit that binds the heart of every true Leaf ninja. Do you really think Jiraiya would let the Sarutobi Clan besmirch his teacher's legacy?"
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