Nara Kōji's gaze flickered.
The Nara clan knew well enough that the relationship between Minato Namikaze and Hiruzen Sarutobi was, at this stage, somewhat strained because of Nohara Rin.
And also—
Uchiha Kai and Minato Namikaze had carried out some missions together.
But as for the details—
They weren't very clear.
Nara Kazama knew a little, but he hadn't had the chance to tell Kōji.
After all—
Last night, when Kazama had just gone to find Nara Kōji, the clan had dropped a bombshell on him, shocking him so much that he couldn't even think of these "small matters."
"Brother Minato, huh?" Uchiha Kai smiled. "I'd say he counts as a hidden ally."
"Counting on him to completely join us? That's absolutely impossible."
"In our struggle against the Hokage, at best he'll remain neutral."
"On a personal level, I get along with him fairly well. At the very least, he's absolutely not an enemy of the Uchiha."
"That much you can be assured of!"
"Of course, don't spread this around, or it could affect his succession as the Fourth Hokage."
He didn't hide it.
Since Nara Kōji had joined the Uchiha, he naturally had the right to know this much.
On the other side—
Nara Kōji was dumbfounded.
He looked at Uchiha Kai in disbelief and blurted, "Kai-kun, you don't intend to fight for the Hokage seat?"
"Of course not interested." Uchiha Kai shrugged. "Up earlier than a chicken, sleeping later than a dog, opening your eyes to a mountain of documents that need signing every day."
"I'd have to be insane to be Hokage!"
"But don't worry."
"Even if I won't be Hokage, I'll still seize the power necessary to create a stable environment for lying flat."
"Just like Hiruzen Sarutobi — even after stepping down, he still controls the village's core authority."
"The game of power isn't that simple."
"Controlling the village from the shadows is enough. The position of Hokage doesn't interest me."
"I only want to build for myself a stable, salted-fish life of leisure."
Uchiha Kai didn't hide a thing.
Hokage? He had no interest in that.
Being the king behind the scenes — that was just fine.
The key was—
On major issues, as long as everyone listened to him, nothing would interfere with his "lying flat" lifestyle.
On the other side—
Nara Kōji's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
Good heavens!
A kindred spirit!
Now he understood.
Why Nara Kazama always said that Uchiha Kai seemed more like a Nara than an Uchiha.
Indeed!
If not for the Sharingan, he'd really have a hard time believing this man was an Uchiha.
Taking a deep breath, he raised his thumb.
"Good, this is truly great!"
"Your thinking, Kai-kun, is the same as mine. Comfortable lying flat is the way to go — why work yourself half to death every day?"
"Of course, you're stronger than me."
"In my eyes, as long as nothing major threatens the Ino-Shika-Cho, I can lie flat and enjoy life."
"After all, the Ino-Shika-Cho's abilities are limited."
"But for the Uchiha, with your power, controlling the village's authority from the shadows isn't all that difficult."
"In that case, lying flat becomes even more comfortable."
"Being able to follow you, Kai-kun, is indeed a blessing for Ino-Shika-Cho!"
"Now I genuinely hope the Uchiha succeed."
Yes.
Before, his joining the Uchiha was just for the sake of preserving the clan.
But now—
He truly hoped Uchiha Kai would succeed, and sincerely wanted to help him.
Because this philosophy could ensure his clan's long-lasting prosperity.
Uchiha Kai wasn't surprised.
The Nara clan having such thoughts was only natural.
As they chatted, Kai invited Kōji to sit, pouring him a cup of tea.
Then—
Nara Kōji didn't hide anything, and revealed the stance of the Ino-Shika-Cho.
There was no choice.
If they had encountered an easy-to-fool leader, the Nara clan would have concealed this.
But Uchiha Kai wasn't one of those. He was too clever.
Sincerity — that was the ultimate weapon.
Half an hour later—
After hearing Kōji out, Uchiha Kai finally nodded.
"Mm, I understand."
"The Ino-Shika-Cho who join the Uchiha will fight wholeheartedly for us."
"Even if they face their counterparts on the other side, they won't hold back in the slightest — life and death, no mercy."
"And likewise—"
"Nara Shikaku's side will also fully commit themselves to Sarutobi Hiruzen's cause."
"But when the Uchiha win, you want me to spare the lives of the remaining Ino-Shika-Cho, correct?"
"In exchange for that, you don't ask for resources or high office."
"You only want to ensure the survival of your clan, yes?"
"I must say — impressive."
"No wonder the Ino-Shika-Cho have endured to this day. You truly know what you're doing!"
Uchiha Kai's eyes gleamed.
Yes.
The Ino-Shika-Cho were very pragmatic.
They knew when to advance, when to retreat, never greedy, never grasping.
Though their "fence-sitting" behavior might irk some factions, still—
They would fight for you with all they had, asking for no special resources, no favoritism.
Only the survival of their clan.
What force wouldn't be tempted by that?
After all—
The Nara intellect, the Ino mind arts, the Akimichi secret techniques — they might not be overwhelming, but they were certainly useful.
Thinking of this, Kai nodded.
"Mm. Very fair!"
"I have no problem with this. I accept the deal."
"As for the Ino-Shika-Cho, I won't tilt resources in your favor — except for Kazama."
Uchiha Kai agreed.
He didn't pretend generosity by offering resources.
As a leader of a faction, he had to be fair.
Contribution and reward had to be proportional.
Otherwise—
For clans like the Aburame and Inuzuka, who had joined him fully, it would be the height of unfairness.
That would only make the faction collapse faster.
Since the Ino-Shika-Cho had already made their choice, the best he could do was nod.
As for why Kazama was an exception—
It was simple: personal friendship.
"Good, thank you!"
"Of course, as a return gift, I'll give Kai-kun some intel."
"Originally, I shouldn't be telling you this, since it concerns the other half of the Ino-Shika-Cho."
"But since Kai-kun is willing to make an exception for Kazama, as his uncle I can't be stingy."
"Minato Namikaze's side — Nohara Rin is in danger!"
"Under Hiruzen Sarutobi's orders, Shikaku will soon meet Rin in secret, persuading her with the so-called 'greater good of the village.'"
"Rin is too kind-hearted. She's someone who doesn't want to trouble others."
"To avoid hindering Minato's succession as Fourth Hokage, to avoid becoming the cause of war between Konoha and Hidden Mist Village —"
"Nohara Rin… will absolutely commit suicide!"
To read the full FanFic, head over to Patreon:
patreon.com/WhiteDevil7554