After leaving the Hokage's office, Shikaku Nara walked through the administrative corridors with a carefully neutral expression. He needed to act immediately, but he also needed an airtight alibi.
Once he reached a blind spot devoid of Anbu surveillance, he wove a single hand sign.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu."
System Explanation: A technique that divides the user's chakra to create a solid duplicate. When the clone dispels, its memories and accumulated experiences instantly transfer back to the original body.
The clone immediately slipped out a side exit and darted toward the Nara compound. The real Shikaku simply turned around and walked back to his desk, fully visible to any watching guards.
***
The Nara Compound
Ten minutes later, Shikaku's clone summoned Inoichi Yamanaka and Choza Akimichi to his private tearoom. As the two clan heads took their seats, Shikaku calmly poured the tea.
Inoichi looked tense. "It is not your day off, Shikaku. Why are you drinking tea at home during work hours? Did the Hokage strip you of your advisor title?"
Inoichi's Internal Monologue: Since the Fourth Hokage died, Hiruzen has systematically marginalized our three clans. Shikaku's nominal title as Jonin Commander and Advisor is the only political shield protecting our families' economic assets. If he loses that position, our survival in the village hierarchy is in jeopardy.
Shikaku shook his head. "Do not worry. My position remains intact. You are currently speaking to my Shadow Clone. The real me is at the office."
Both men relaxed slightly, but their expressions quickly grew grim. If Shikaku was using a high-level jutsu to bypass surveillance and hold a secret meeting during the day, the situation was critical.
"What happened?" Inoichi asked, leaning forward.
"Jin Uchiha successfully weathered Danzo's assassination attempt last night," Shikaku reported smoothly. "Furthermore, Kakashi Hatake officially resigned from the Anbu this morning. The crucial detail is that the Uchiha Clan submitted the resignation letter on his behalf."
Inoichi and Choza inhaled sharply. Jin's military competence was alarming, but Kakashi's defection was a political earthquake.
System Explanation: Kakashi Hatake is not just a single elite operative. Within Konoha's political ecosystem, he is the nexus of two dormant but highly influential factions.
Shikaku laid out the tactical board. "Kakashi's defection shifts everything. First, he carries the legacy of his father, Sakumo Hatake. The veterans in the Anbu and Intelligence divisions who served under Sakumo will silently sympathize with him. Second, Kakashi is the sole surviving student of Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage."
Shikaku's Internal Monologue: Our three clans secretly supported Minato over Hiruzen years ago. That is precisely why Hiruzen has suppressed us since he reclaimed power. The traditional 'Ino-Shika-Cho' oath of loyalty to the Sarutobi clan is dead in all but name. We are part of Minato's lingering faction. If Kakashi mobilizes that base, the political landscape shatters.
"We cannot wait any longer," Shikaku declared, his tone absolute. "Initiate our contingency plan, but double the scale. Divide our clans immediately. Send exactly fifty percent of our personnel and half of our family resources to defect and seek asylum with the Uchiha."
Choza nodded heavily. "Understood. The logistics and personnel lists are already prepared. I will give the order." Choza trusted Shikaku's intellect completely on matters of clan survival.
However, Inoichi frowned. "Wait, Shikaku. Jin Uchiha is a brilliant strategist. He will see right through a half-measure. If we are abandoning Hiruzen, why not go all-in? The Sannin are unreliable, and the Hokage is rapidly losing control. Let us commit completely to the Uchiha and secure a dominant position in their new regime."
Shikaku's clone paused, processing the variable. After a moment of rapid calculation, he shook his head.
"No. We proceed with the split," Shikaku stated firmly.
Shikaku's Internal Monologue: A true strategist must account for catastrophic, unpredictable variables. Over-committing to a single asset is a fatal flaw.
"We learned a harsh lesson with Minato," Shikaku explained coldly. "We bet everything on a young, brilliant, and immensely powerful leader. And he died unexpectedly within a year of taking office. Survival is our primary directive. Growth is secondary."
Shikaku looked at both of his lifelong friends, his gaze calculating. "Jin Uchiha looks unstoppable right now, but he could be assassinated tomorrow. Conversely, Hiruzen still holds the public mandate and is likely recalling Jiraiya and Tsunade as we speak. The victor of this civil dispute is entirely unknown."
He tapped the table. "By splitting our clans, we hedge our bets. If Jin wins, the half that defected secures our place in his administration; he lacks experienced bureaucrats, so he will need us to run the village. If Hiruzen wins, the half that stayed loyal preserves our bloodlines and assets. It damages our clan's reputation for loyalty, but it guarantees our survival regardless of who sits in the Hokage's chair."
The memory of the Fourth Hokage's sudden death weighed heavily on the room. Understanding the cold, necessary logic of Shikaku's strategy, Inoichi and Choza nodded in absolute agreement. The Ino-Shika-Cho would divide.