Chapter 94: Hokage-sama is Going Too?
After putting on his Hokage robe and tidying his clothes, Uchiha Fugaku strode out of the Hokage's office.
Big matters call for small meetings, small matters call for big meetings, and urgent matters call for no meetings.
Before the troops assembled, he first needed to hold a small meeting with the Hokage's assistant and the two advisors to inform them.
After all, he was leading an expedition to the Land of Lightning—impossible to hide such a move from Konoha's high command.
Once he departed, Hokage Assistant Nara Shikaku would be responsible for stabilizing the rear.
One of the Hokage's advisors, Uchiha Setsuna, already knew about the plan, so Fugaku only needed to inform Nara Shikaku and Hyūga Hiashi.
As for what followed, Shikaku would appease the other clan heads. Fugaku only needed to bring back news of a great victory.
Then he could strike directly at the heart of the enemy—invading the Hidden Cloud Village in the Land of Lightning and seizing the fruits of war.
Plundering Kumogakure's resources would further develop Konoha, sparing them from waiting on aid from the Fire Daimyō. Instead, they would take what they needed from the Land of Lightning itself.
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Hokage Assistant's Office
A few minutes later, inside Shikaku's office.
Even Nara Shikaku was stunned by Fugaku's announcement, and Hyūga Hiashi was even more shocked. Only Uchiha Setsuna, who already knew, remained calm.
Shikaku looked at Fugaku, pondered for a moment, then asked after steadying himself:
"Do you have confidence?"
Fugaku nodded firmly.
"Absolute confidence."
Seeing Fugaku's unwavering expression—and recalling how decisively he had slain the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi—Shikaku decided to trust him. He exhaled slowly, his eyes resolute, even showing a faint smile.
"Good. I will stabilize the village. You don't need to worry about the rear."
This was exactly the response Fugaku wanted. He smiled.
"I will not take the Anbu with me. Thirty Uchiha with fully awakened three-tomoe Sharingan will remain at your disposal. If anyone dares cause trouble…"
Fugaku raised an eyebrow, leaving the rest unsaid. Shikaku understood the meaning.
Shikaku was startled. Fugaku wasn't even taking the elite three-tomoe Uchiha with him? Was the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan truly so overwhelming?
The Fourth Raikage would not be easy to deal with. But since he had chosen to trust the Fifth Hokage, Shikaku would not hesitate.
"Good."
"Kakashi, your mission is to cooperate with the Hokage Assistant and the Konoha Military Police Force to maintain order in the village."
From behind Fugaku, a white-haired figure in an Anbu uniform stepped forward.
"Yes."
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Hyūga Hiashi's Request
Hyūga Hiashi hesitated for a moment, then his eyes turned red with suppressed hatred.
"Hokage-sama… may I accompany you?"
He had once thought there would never be a chance to avenge his brother. The one who had killed Hyūga Hizashi was Kumogakure, and the Third Hokage had been complicit.
Everyone knew—though it was never spoken aloud—that if Hizashi had not willingly sacrificed himself, then Hiashi, the one who killed the Kumogakure envoy, would have been taken instead.
This was why the Hyūga Clan had remained silent after Fugaku's coup and the Third Hokage's death. Hiashi had long held hatred in his heart, but lacked the means to act.
Fugaku had slain Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Hiashi had secretly applauded.
Now, with Kumogakure once again invading, and the Fifth Hokage personally leading troops—perhaps even planning to march directly on Kumogakure itself—Hiashi finally saw his chance.
Did the Fifth Hokage truly have the strength to do this? Hiashi wasn't sure. But he was willing to stake his life on it.
It was a unique opportunity for revenge.
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The Clan's Rule
It was fortunate that no other Hyūga main family members were present, or they would have stopped him.
The Hyūga Clan had long established a rule: main branch members were forbidden from the battlefield.
This rule came from a bloody lesson.
In a past war with Kirigakure, a Hyūga main family member had died in battle. His body was taken, and for the first and only time, the Byakugan was nearly stolen by outsiders.
Because branch family members bore the Caged Bird Seal, their Byakugan was automatically destroyed upon death. The main family, however, had no such protection.
Since then, with the Hokage's tacit approval, the Hyūga had forbidden main family members from the front lines.
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Fugaku's Decision
Surprise flashed in Fugaku's eyes at Hiashi's sudden request. After a moment of thought, he agreed.
It would serve him well to let respected Konoha ninja witness his true power. This war would bind the clans' loyalty to him.
"Good. Advisor Hiashi, you may come."
Fugaku's tone was calm.
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The Summons
Soon, the jōnin who had been summoned gathered outside the Hokage Building.
They murmured among themselves, trying to understand why Hokage-sama had suddenly called them, but none knew the details.
The notice had instructed them to come fully armed and supplied with kunai and soldier pills. Even veterans of many battles looked uneasy.
This was only the second large-scale mobilization since Fugaku had taken power. The first had been the all-village hunt for Hiruzen's remaining loyalists.
The atmosphere was heavy, tense.
When no more jōnin arrived, Fugaku finally stepped out of the Hokage Building. On his left and right were Hyūga Hiashi and Uchiha Setsuna, both in battle attire.
The assembled jōnin's eyes locked on their Hokage.
Expressionless, Fugaku addressed them.
"We just received word: Kumogakure has broken its alliance and sent troops across our border. The outpost requires immediate reinforcement. Our objective is the border. Full speed ahead—move out!"
No rousing speech, only the facts.
The jōnin exchanged grim looks.
There was only one message to take from the Fifth Hokage's words:
War is coming.
And the most shocking thing—
Hokage-sama himself would be leading them to the front.
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