Nara Hiroshi's tone was grave.
Yes.
Since he dared to test Uchiha Kai, naturally, he had his own backing. It was impossible for him to gamble the fate of the entire clan solely on Nara Kazama.
After all, personal friendships—how much could they really be worth when it came to the survival of a clan?
So, if he was willing to play such a dangerous game, then of course, he had his reasons.
That was why, after confirming that Uchiha Kai was indeed as formidable as rumored, he immediately dropped all his arrogance and began speaking directly of his clan's thoughts, strategies, and even the reasons behind their actions. He revealed the true intentions of the Ino–Shika–Cho.
No fighting, no competing—content with small fortunes and quiet stability.
Their ultimate goal was never to become the core of any faction, only to live peaceful, steady lives.
Their current schemes were simply a matter of necessity!
After all—whether it was Sarutobi Hiruzen or the Uchiha, both were far too powerful compared to the Ino–Shika–Cho.
For the sake of survival, they had no choice!
Yes.
Since Uchiha Kai's mind turned faster than theirs, and the Nara clan's scheming could no longer guarantee safety, the only card they had left to play was sincerity.
To lay all their cards on the table, to willingly place their necks under his blade.
To show him that the Ino–Shika–Cho bore no malice. And the fact that they had not informed Uchiha Kai beforehand—indeed, that was their fault. So, they were willing to offer a great gift in compensation.
"Lord Kai, please, grant us this favor." Nara Kazama shook his head helplessly. "This matter… let it end here."
"My clan uncle and the others, though scheming, never bore any ill will toward the Uchiha. After all, even though the Ino–Shika–Cho possess secret arts, compared to clans like the Uchiha or Hyuga with bloodline limits, we are far too weak."
"For the sake of survival, we could only tread cautiously."
"Otherwise, the Ino–Shika–Cho would not have survived to this day."
He spoke with genuine sincerity.
Though he himself had been deceived for years, once he truly understood his clan's schemes and the harsh reality of the Ino–Shika–Cho's existence, Kazama found himself able to understand—and even sympathize.
Yes.
The Ino–Shika–Cho had it far too hard!
Like the Uchiha, Hyuga, Senju, and Uzumaki, they too had an ancient lineage.
But unlike those clans with powerful bloodline limits, their secret arts, while unique, barely allowed them to defend themselves.
Why did the Ino–Shika–Cho form an alliance?
Because the bloodline clans were too strong! To survive, the three clans had no choice but to join forces.
And yet—even so, survival was still a constant struggle.
To have endured to this day was already an achievement beyond belief.
The fact that Nara Kazama had grown up with steady access to training resources, nurtured with care, was only thanks to the wisdom of generations of elders. Their sacrifices had preserved the Ino–Shika–Cho until now.
And so, having fully understood his clan's plight, he couldn't help but speak a few words in their defense.
Meanwhile—
Uchiha Kai's eyes lit up with understanding.
So that was it.
At last, he fully grasped the picture!
No wonder…
It had to be admitted, the Ino–Shika–Cho truly did have talented people. No wonder they had managed to endure.
Think about it.
Once, the Kaguya clan, the Jugo clan, the Hamura branch clan, not to mention the Senju and Uzumaki—all of them had once rivaled the Uchiha and Hyuga in strength.
But now?
Some had been wiped out entirely. Some were barely clinging to survival.
Even the Hyuga's survival was owed only to constant submission and endless compromise—yet even then, Sarutobi Hiruzen toyed with them easily.
The Uchiha were much the same.
Had Uchiha Kai not disrupted the original timeline, then within a few short years, they too would have been annihilated.
By contrast—
A clan like the Ino–Shika–Cho, with no bloodline powers, yet able to grow step by step into a position of influence, even holding authority in Konoha to this day—this alone spoke volumes of their hidden strength.
Nara Shikaku—captain of the Jounin forces.
Yamanaka Haichi—head of the Analysis Division, and now an Anbu squad leader.
Even the Akimichi clan, though lacking high-ranking officials out of caution toward Akimichi Chōza's strength, still had elites like Chōza himself, Akimichi Dōtō, and Akimichi Shitō—all of them top-tier Jounin, even qualified to fight alongside Namikaze Minato.
Thinking this far, Uchiha Kai slowly nodded.
"Alright. I understand."
"The rest matters little. The Uchiha do not fear such trifles."
"For Kazama's sake, I'll accept half of the Ino–Shika–Cho's loyalty."
"Besides, your alliance shifting toward me is no bad thing. After all, I've just stripped Sarutobi Hiruzen of half his manpower."
"The more shinobi who flock to the Uchiha, the weaker his side becomes."
"As long as we stretch the timeline, I'm certain Sarutobi Hiruzen's good days are numbered."
"However—"
"What intrigues me most is this so-called great gift Hiroshi mentioned."
"Care to explain?"
Uchiha Kai spoke with a domineering air.
Indeed.
Such trivial matters, he hardly spared a thought for.
The Ino–Shika–Cho? Even if they refused to submit, even if he eventually took full control of Konoha, he would never wipe them out.
What he wanted was a strong Konoha—one that would obey his commands, let him live the easy salted-fish life.
If he slaughtered every dissenting voice, Konoha would only wither. A weakened Konoha would be nothing but a feast for other villages. And who would have to bleed and fight to save it then? Him.
Thankfully, the Ino–Shika–Cho were far more sensible than expected. While they had their own little schemes, overall, they remained manageable.
That was only natural.
Another power might hate them for it, instinctively excluding them from the core.
But not Uchiha Kai.
He had no desire for absolute control. If not for Hiruzen's constant oppression, he wouldn't even bother with Konoha's leadership.
Even now, he had no interest in becoming Hokage—that job was far too exhausting.
That was why he was willing to work with Namikaze Minato, not interfering with his rise to leadership.
Kai knew Minato well.
Even without becoming Hokage himself, he was confident he could hold Minato firmly in hand—much like Hiruzen's own style.
The difference was—
Though both worked from the shadows, Uchiha Kai's knowledge and vision would only make Konoha flourish.
That was the gap between them!
Thus, under these circumstances, the Ino–Shika–Cho's little schemes were hardly worth his concern.
Meanwhile—
Nara Hiroshi, hearing Kai's words, finally let out a long sigh of relief.
Yes.
Though they had prepared countless contingencies, he had never been certain of success.
But now, hearing Uchiha Kai himself, the stone in his chest finally dropped.
Without wasting a breath, he revealed everything at once:
"Sarutobi Shin'nosuke—was killed by Danzō!"
"This was uncovered by Yamanaka Haichi, head of the Analysis Division, who under Hiruzen's orders extracted memories from the late Sarutobi Arashi."
"Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado have already sided with Danzō. Just days ago, with Sarutobi Arashi's collusion, Root struck and eliminated Sarutobi Shin'nosuke."
"The Sarutobi faction has now fallen into total infighting!"
"And this—this is our chance!"
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