Uchiha Kai's tone was relaxed.
Yes.
Although he was shocked by the news and pleased by Ino–Shika–Cho's "greeting," a single report like this didn't count as a grand gift.
Even for Nara Kazama's sake, he wouldn't go out of his way to trouble Ino–Shika–Cho.
However —
He wanted to use this opportunity to probe the newcomer's depth.
What was his true ability?
From Kazama's tone earlier, this Nara wasn't simple; this was the one who'd once defeated Nara Shikaku.
So after saying that, Kai looked at him with mild interest.
Nara Kazama frowned slightly.
He understood exactly what Uchiha Kai meant: Kai wanted to test the clan elder's strength.
So even though he and Kai were friends, Kazama really couldn't help with that.
At the same time, Kazama himself was curious — what level was this elder actually at?
After all, if that elder hadn't revealed himself back then, Kazama would never have guessed he could be the one who beat Nara Shikaku.
Over on the other side, when he heard Kai's words, Nara Hiroshi first let out a breath of relief.
Because that remark meant the Ino–Shika–Cho had truly been accepted into the Uchiha camp.
But again — Kai wanted to test their strength!
Hiroshi's expression remained calm.
If he dared to bring this up, he'd already prepared himself for the consequences.
He gave a faint smile, sipped his tea, and then spoke gently.
"Mm — as for the method."
"After thinking it over these past two days, I've actually got an immature suggestion."
"Those two elders, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, stick out like sore thumbs."
"Whether they help the Hokage faction or turn to Danzo, they'll unbalance the Hokage side's power."
"A balance of forces is more interesting."
"I think we should stop all the scheming. The more elaborate the plan, the bigger the flaws — so let's be straightforward."
"Kill those two elders."
Nara Hiroshi smiled, but his words were rife with killing intent; his eyes closed and opened with cold, murderous light.
Simple. Direct. No nonsense — just kill them.
Nara Kazama: "..."
He had a head full of question marks.
He stared at the lazy-faced Hiroshi like he'd never seen him before.
Good grief — was this still the same always-lazy uncle in his memory?
That suggestion was way too crude. Kazama couldn't help but protest.
"Uncle!"
"This is way too violent. We can't do this!"
"Even though I can't stand those two elders either, if we do something like that it'll provoke universal outrage!"
His mouth twitched — he really didn't approve of the idea.
Hiroshi didn't change expression and didn't bother to look at his foolish nephew.
Instead he looked across at Uchiha Kai with interest.
He was curious about the man who would steer their faction.
Uchiha Kai frowned slightly.
Like Kazama, his first thought upon hearing that suggestion was to refuse.
What a joke!
This wasn't the time for the Uchiha and the village leadership to tear themselves apart.
But at the same time, Kai's mind clicked. Even if the suggestion seemed crude, the logic was simple enough that even a fool could see it.
After a short moment of mental gears turning, Kai suddenly stiffened.
"That's right!"
"Hiroshi, you're brilliant to think of this."
"Damn—this is high-level."
Kai couldn't help but speak up.
He looked at Hiroshi — this character who didn't appear in the original story — and a trace of respect flashed across his eyes.
You really can't underestimate people.
Nara Kazama was stunned.
He instinctively wanted to argue and half-thought Kai was being foolish.
But he also knew Kai was clever; his uncle Hiroshi, after all, was a Nara — he wouldn't suggest something so dumb.
So… was he the fool for not seeing the plan? That realization rankled.
"Looks like you understand, Kai," Hiroshi said, smiling. "Why don't you give my dumb nephew here a brief explanation?"
He narrowed his eyes. He was increasingly intrigued by the man who would be their future leader, and couldn't resist probing further.
Kai felt no anger. A lord chooses his vassals and vassals choose their lord — that was normal. High pride deserved respect.
He glanced at Kazama and shook his head.
"Kazama, you forget."
"The situation is changing."
"The Hokage faction is already in disarray and even fighting among themselves."
"If we kill these two elders and leave no evidence, no one will suspect it was us."
"…even more likely, Danzo will suspect Hiruzen Sarutobi."
"He has motive and means."
"The death of Shinnosuke is the reason!"
"If you dare kill my son, why wouldn't I kill your allies?"
"Danzo can't be killed — Root is evil but also crucial to the village."
"Most of Root's power is hidden in other countries and other villages; Hiruzen doesn't command them."
"Even to deal with the Uchiha, Hiruzen wouldn't dare kill Danzo."
"But those two elders? They're expendable."
Uchiha Kai spoke softly.
Yes — he truly approved of Hiroshi.
He was a capable man.
Kai knew something about Nara Shikaku and already thought him difficult to deal with, but compared to Hiroshi he seemed a touch short.
No wonder Hiroshi had been hidden — his unconventional, free-spirited style even made Kai, with his two-lifetime soul, quietly admire him.
On the other side, the previously baffled Kazama listened to Kai's explanation and suddenly everything clicked; he felt enlightened.
He couldn't help but speak up.
"I see!"
"Not only would Danzo not suspect us, Hiruzen wouldn't either."
"He'd think this was Danzo's scheme."
"Those two elders give Danzo little direct assistance, and because their status is similar, an alliance between them would be restrained."
"So why not just kill those two and pin the blame on Hiruzen?"
"Then we can use the incident to absorb the Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado clans into Danzo's Root."
"This move is brilliant!"
"Not only does it weaken the Hokage faction's power and influence, it frees two elder seats for us to fight for."
"Even if we don't need them ourselves, we can use it to pull in other clans."
"More importantly, it will make the Hokage and Danzo more wary of each other, and their hatred will deepen!"
"We score two wins at once while keeping the Uchiha out of it."
"And even though this is covert, over time other great clans will pick up on the signs."
"When they see it clearly, they'll grow more disappointed with the Hokage faction."
"With such a strong enemy at the gate, they won't just refuse to unite — they'll start fighting among themselves."
"They'll incline more toward the Uchiha."
"Even if they don't join us immediately, they'll at least stay neutral and won't easily side with the Hokage."
"Uncle, you're amazing!"
—
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