It split.
Konoha's upper ranks split apart!
Even people who weren't that bright could clearly see it now, with Danzo and the Third constantly tearing at each other.
Danzo wanted to establish authority—by planting it straight on the Third's head.
The Third tried to suppress his deputy through "work," but Danzo threw it right back with "same office, same status."
Anyone with eyes could tell the Third was at a disadvantage for now.
And that made Sasuke Sarutobi miserable. He started dragging Kangetsu out to drink every day to drown his worries.
Kangetsu could only feed him a few empty comfort-lines.
But privately, he was thinking.
This won't do…
If the old man is already in a weak position, one-sided politics isn't good politics.
You need balance. You need left hook, right hook—some kind of equilibrium built on mutual damage!
If you can't even keep the water level, how is Konoha supposed to develop?
How are the powers beneath supposed to play both sides?
Fortunately, Danzo wasn't someone you could bully.
Even if he couldn't strike back immediately, the authority in his hands was locked down tight.
The ANBU, the education system, the Interrogation Division, the Barrier Team, the military department… all of it.
And that made Danzo feel like he'd run into a brick wall.
The Third was like a turtle shell—totally unbiteable…
No.
He couldn't let Hiruzen keep dictating everything.
I'm Hokage too. Naturally I need to stick my hands into the powers a Hokage should have!
Mm.
That's more like it.
When news came that the two old geezers were at each other's throats again, Kangetsu finally smiled in satisfaction.
I told you—making the Uchiha put on a little show was useful, wasn't it?
Yes.
The fact that Danzo even started thinking in terms of "fighting for power" was largely thanks to Kangetsu working behind the scenes.
You can't beat the Third?
Then let the Uchiha give you a rehearsal first.
Convenient, right?
The Uchiha just happened to have three Clan Heads.
Was it hard to have Shisui and Itachi demonstrate a little?
Of course.
The Third could also find a solution in it.
Balance.
He had to keep the bowl of water level, one way or another.
On this point—
Itachi agreed wholeheartedly.
Political struggle was just this, wasn't it?
Today you sing the opera, tomorrow I dance.
Simple.
In the Uchiha, so-called political prestige came with a "cash machine."
What was a political prestige cash machine?
Fugaku.
Whoever could beat Clan Head Fugaku, their prestige would shoot up "whoosh whoosh."
So Itachi proposed:
"Shisui, I'll go first today. Tomorrow it'll be your turn."
Shisui wore a stiff, expressionless face.
This…
Isn't that… bad?
You being the "filial son" who beats his dad, Shisui wouldn't interfere.
But you want him to also…
"No problem! It's all for Konoha! All for the Uchiha!"
Fine. If you're putting it like that, what could Shisui even say?
He silently handed Itachi a pair of gloves.
And he couldn't help feeling a little unwilling to look at Fugaku inside, who was currently hiding a stash of private money.
Then Shisui watched with his own eyes as Itachi did his warmup… and pushed the door open.
"Father! You're hiding your coffin money again!! Don't you know the Uchiha are short on cash lately?!"
"Huh?"
Fugaku was clutching a pitiful few dozen ryō, completely dumbfounded.
"Wait, Itachi? You're even robbing fifty ryō?!"
Are you even human?
"Shut up!! Today I'm cleansing the Uchiha of corruption!!"
Outside the room.
Shisui's face went numb. (Remove promotional banner text.)
Listening to the crack crack of Fugaku's bones inside, he waved and called to the clan members.
"Come quick! Clan Head Itachi is beating—no, challenging Clan Head Fugaku again!"
And the Uchiha were genuinely interested.
Because Itachi was farming prestige again.
It proved Clan Head Itachi's strength had improved again.
That was a good thing for the entire Uchiha.
The next day.
Shisui was inside the room, and Itachi was outside.
And the clan members were cheerfully critiquing.
"I think Clan Head Itachi's Fire Release is basically at the summit! Look what he did to Clan Head Fugaku—he's smoking!"
"I disagree! Clan Head Shisui's Konoha Dai Senpū (Leaf Great Whirlwind) isn't worse! Look at Clan Head Fugaku—he can't even see straight!"
"In my opinion, Clan Head Itachi's methods are more vicious!"
"I think Clan Head Shisui's methods are more imposing!"
"My Clan Head Itachi beat Clan Head Fugaku until he spat blood!"
"My Clan Head Shisui kicked Clan Head Fugaku until he trembled!"
…Tch.
Danzo secretly peeked, then gave a quiet evaluation.
Psychos.
He couldn't learn the Uchiha's political tactics.
Was he supposed to find his own political prestige cash machine and compete with Itachi for the chance to farm face?
The problem was—who would be the cash machine?
The Third fell into deep thought.
Koharu? Or Homura?
He could hit Danzo's allies and farm prestige at the same time.
But thinking it through, it wasn't really appropriate.
Then who?
He couldn't exactly drag the First and Second back from the dead and beat up his own teacher and his teacher's brother, could he?
He shook his head and threw that suicidal thought away.
Better to keep trading punches with Danzo.
Because of their mutual clawing, most resources and power didn't sink downward.
Everyone could only watch.
Before, nobody had to think—just pick a side and stand with the Third.
But lately the Third's moves hadn't looked human at all, and everyone's hearts had gone cold.
And Danzo was still the newcomer—whether he could even sit steady in that chair was questionable.
With both sides risky, things only got murkier.
In this delicate balance, Konoha returned to a calm life.
Why?
Because Kangetsu stopped stirring things up.
He wanted to slow down for a bit.
He couldn't actually play the old geezers to the point of breaking, could he?
So Kangetsu spent his time teasing a few lolis, and occasionally trying seafood at home.
By now, Kangetsu also understood what Ino–Shika–Cho meant.
Ino was the signal they'd sent.
And honestly, Ino really was fun to play with… no.
I mean—using "youthful cuteness" as a signal was perfectly appropriate.
It didn't force Ino–Shika–Cho to personally step onto the stage, but still expressed their friendly intent.
As for whether Konoha's upper ranks would overthink it…
Do I need a reason to flatter the god of wealth?
No, I don't.
However, that move made the Hyuga somewhat dissatisfied with Ino–Shika–Cho.
What?
My Hinata blows pillow-wind, and now your Ino is trying to blow tail-wind too?
Parroting?
Picking up scraps?
Do you Ino–Shika–Cho have no shame?
That's the Hyuga's husband!
What does he have to do with you?
(End of Chapter)
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