Nara Hiroshi was as straightforward as ever.
Unlike his cousin Shikaku, his luck had been quite good—he'd ended up serving a boss like Kai, who actually trusted him.
Because of that, he could speak freely without worry.
"Mm, I understand." Uchiha Kai smiled. "If you're putting on a show, you might as well sell it to the end."
"But since the three elders and Jiraiya have all stepped down, it looks like there's no need to vote anymore."
"Let's just sit back and watch."
Of course—something this simple didn't need Shikaku's cousin to point out. Kai already knew exactly how to play it.
Hiroshi nodded. With such a worry-free master, he truly felt fortunate.
Instinctively, he glanced at Shikaku across the room, his gaze carrying a trace of pity.
There was no helping it.
Unlike his own good fortune, his cousin's days couldn't be easy.
After all—serving under Hiruzen Sarutobi meant living every moment on eggshells.
By coincidence, at that very moment, Shikaku turned his head as well.
Their eyes met.
Shikaku instantly understood the meaning hidden in Hiroshi's look.
His lips twitched.
A long line of exasperated black marks might as well have appeared on his forehead.
Clearly—Hiroshi was right. His life really wasn't easy right now.
Fortunately, Hiruzen hadn't noticed any of this. Otherwise, he'd probably have been angered to death on the spot.
Instead—
At this moment, Hiruzen's face was grim and his mood foul.
He could faintly sense something was off.
Yes—
The three elders had all abstained, and even Orochimaru had stepped aside.
Especially Danzō!
Of all people, Hiruzen knew his old "friend" best.
Danzō dreamed of power, of becoming Hokage himself. An opportunity to appear on the grand stage of the Five Kage Summit? He'd never willingly pass that up.
So why now?
What were his three "old friends" and his wayward pupil plotting behind his back?
The more he thought about it, the less secure he felt.
He couldn't even focus on the summit itself.
What if the moment he left Konoha, Danzō and the others stabbed him in the back?
Just as his thoughts spiraled, Koharu spoke up.
"Hiruzen!"
"The three of us, and Orochimaru, have all withdrawn. There's no need for a vote."
"The only candidates left are Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Kai."
"It's time for you to announce the result."
Her words snapped Hiruzen from his brooding.
After a pause, he forced a smile and nodded.
"Koharu is right. Since four of the candidates have stepped down—"
"—the confidence vote is unnecessary. Minato and Kai-kun will both automatically represent Konoha."
"Everyone, return and make your preparations."
"Tomorrow morning, gather at the village gates. We set out together."
With that, Hiruzen rose to his feet and strode toward the exit.
Naturally—before leaving, he summoned Shikaku to accompany him to the Hokage's office.
Meanwhile, with the meeting adjourned, Danzō and the two elders exchanged a knowing glance before departing together.
The civilian Jounin saw nothing unusual.
They didn't understand the cruelty of Konoha's upper-level politics. So the elders' strange withdrawal barely registered.
They continued smiling, chatting in small groups, making plans to celebrate peace with drinks.
Only the great clans wore no such joy.
On their faces was worry, even dread.
With greater access to resources and deeper roots in the village, they were far more attuned to the undercurrents of power.
The mass abstentions of the elders—and Jiraiya's withdrawal—had them sensing danger, like wolves circling just out of sight.
Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen sat behind his desk, brows furrowed, pipe in hand.
The air was thick with smoke.
"Shikaku, tell me."
"What are Danzō and Orochimaru plotting?"
"Even willing to give up the summit? That's not like them at all."
"My gut says something's about to happen."
"Can you guess what it is?"
His tone was calm, but his eyes burned with killing intent, his whole body radiating cold.
Shikaku could only give a bitter smile.
Damn it all.
This job was getting harder by the day. Sometimes he wanted to just throw in the towel.
How was he supposed to know? He wasn't a worm living in Danzō's gut!
Of course he could guess—but with no information, what was there to guess from?
The Nara clan was clever, sure, but they weren't prophets!
The more information he had, the more accurate his deductions could be. But right now? Not a shred of evidence.
You want me to divine an answer out of thin air? What a joke.
If it weren't Hiruzen asking, Shikaku would've slapped the man for the question.
But—of course he couldn't say any of this aloud.
Instead, he forced a smile. After a moment of thought, he spoke solemnly.
"…I'm sorry, Hokage-sama. The clues are far too few. I can't deduce their intent."
"But in my opinion, there's no need to panic. Just be prepared."
"Minato has the Flying Thunder God. If he leaves a marker with the village's commander, then in the event of any real crisis, a messenger toad can summon him back instantly."
"With Minato at our side, we can return to Konoha at any time."
"And, of course…"
"If Jiraiya or Tsunade could return to sit in the village, that would be even better."
Shikaku's words were steady, his tone grave and sincere.
Even faced with such an impossible question, he still managed to offer a practical solution.
With Minato's Flying Thunder God, they could respond to any emergency.
And if Jiraiya and Tsunade returned, then no matter what schemes Danzō hatched, the village would have the strength to deal with it.
"Yes. You're right," Hiruzen said in a low voice. "Minato's Flying Thunder God… that is the solution."
"I've already sent word to Jiraiya and Tsunade. They'll return as soon as they can."
"But even so, we must make our own preparations."
"Go rally the Ino-Shika-Cho trio. I'll reassign ANBU and the Sarutobi clan. Have Yamanaka Haichi lead."
"Time is short. Go."
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