Young Shikaku Nara was, to be fair, easy on the eyes—almost a copy of the son he'd one day have: the clan's signature top-knot, a green jonin vest, and that steady, deliberate air of a man who'd seen more than his years suggested. No wonder Hiruzen trusted him so much, so early.
"Thanks for coming. Since it's the Hokage's order, shall we head out now?"
With nothing urgent on his plate, Uchiha Sogetsu nodded.
"Please—no need to thank me." Shikaku smiled, all courteous polish. "With a Uchiha prodigy helping proctor this Chūnin Exams, I'm relieved. I'll be counting on you."
They traded the customary polite flattery, then left the Uchiha compound together.
"I've heard you're especially skilled with genjutsu, Sogetsu?" Shikaku asked suddenly, tone light but pointed.
"That's right, Mr. Shikaku." Sogetsu pushed his frames up, voice even. "My Sharingan trends toward genjutsu talent. What brings it up?"
He eased Spirit Sight open. Shikaku's mind flickered with wariness, suspicion, curiosity—emotions shifting like fish in a shaded pond.
"Ah—haha, nothing serious. Just curious." A quick gleam crossed Shikaku's eyes and vanished. He kept it casual. "Between us…I've had something on my mind. I heard your 'therapy' is effective. I may try a session."
"In that case, I can offer a twenty-percent discount." Sogetsu's smile was warm; his face and cadence gave nothing away.
"Then once this rush is over, I'll book it." Shikaku looked away, shelving his suspicion for now. "Let's hurry—the others should already be there."
"Of course."
So, Danzo's recent stunts hadn't moved the needle, but they had drawn eyes. Judging by Shikaku's probes, Hiruzen had quietly tasked him to investigate Genjutsu: Wish-Fulfillment—to see whether it threatened Konoha.
If Sogetsu guessed right, there'd be one more investigator: the only clan that specialized in the mind—the Yamanaka, of Ino–Shika–Cho.
Investigate away, Sogetsu thought, amused. He'd expected this and buried his suggestions deep in each target's internal "island." Even if Yamanaka Inoichi dove through those minds, he'd never find the seeds Sogetsu planted. The Spectator path at Rank VI didn't fold to a casual peek. If it did, he might as well switch to the Thief Path and call it a day.
They reached the Hokage Tower.
The room was already full—senior leadership and rising stars both. At the head sat the Hokage with his two advisors. Beside them: Orochimaru, Minato Namikaze, the Ino–Shika–Cho heirs, a Hyuga representative… Almost everyone who mattered.
All this for a Chūnin Exam? Sogetsu found it odd. Important, yes—but not this important. Which meant this exam wasn't going to be simple.
"Since everyone's here, let's begin."
Hiruzen tapped his pipe against the table. "This Chūnin Exams will differ from past years. Given the tense state of the world, I intend to reform the old format and invite Sunagakure and Hidden Stone to co-host. Thoughts?"
The chairman had set the tone: propose solutions.
At the far end, Sogetsu glanced at Orochimaru—and found the sannin mentally somewhere else, bored as a cat in the sun.
"I disagree, Hiruzen," counselor Koharu Utatane said first. "Too dangerous. If ill-will hides among the guests, they could strike inside our walls."
"I'm with Koharu." Homura Mitokado leaned on the weight of the past. "Don't forget—Tobirama set this system. Tampering with it risks more than it solves."
Hiruzen's cheek twitched. He looked to Shikaku.
"With respect, our honored counselors aren't wrong to worry," Shikaku began, orderly and calm. "But I judge the Hokage's plan to be a net positive."
Before either advisor could snap back, he continued. "After Lord Second's death, the great villages only paused their wars. Tension is rising again. We can't sit and wait. Co-hosting serves two purposes—first, to open the door to an alliance; second, to flex our muscle."
Orochimaru's mouth bent—amusement, perhaps scorn—but he kept quiet.
"War doesn't delay itself because we're afraid," Shikaku said. "We must prepare early, gather allies early, and display power early. They must see this: even without Lord Second, Konoha remains beyond their reach."
Koharu and Homura exchanged a look, suddenly less sure.
"Good," Hiruzen said, tapping ash from his pipe. His eyes were half-lidded, his words not at all. "That is precisely my intent. Koharu, Homura… the times have changed."
The map rolled to the end—and the dagger showed.
Faces shifted around the table: the Hyuga delegate stiffened; the counselors went pale. The meaning was plain. This wasn't Lord Second's age anymore.
It was Hiruzen Sarutobi's.
Refusal? Not on the menu. The two advisors looked at each other, seesawing between anger and resignation. Hiruzen had consolidated power. What would saying "no" even do?
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