"Are Hyūga Hiashi and Uchiha Sōgen still at the Matsutake Pavilion?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
"Do you know what they're talking about?"
"Forgive me, I failed."
The Anbu agent bowed his head deeply.
Getting close enough to eavesdrop on the heads of the Hyūga and Uchiha clans? Even the most trivial part of the brain would recognize how impossible that is. But, since it was Hokage-sama asking, there's no one else to blame but the Anbu for not doing their job well!
This is Konoha Hospital.
After the meeting was dismissed, the Third Hokage didn't return to his office or the Sarutobi clan's estate. Instead, he came to Konoha Hospital, stepping into the room of Shimura Danzō, his old friend who was slowly but inevitably approaching death.
"You may leave."
The Third Hokage waved his hand, unable to hide the frustration on his face.
Relieved, the Anbu withdrew, leaving the room to the Third Hokage and the two elders… oh, and to the barely clinging-to-life Shimura Danzō, the Hokage's advisor!
Yes, not long after the Third arrived at Konoha Hospital, the two elders, like shadows, also showed up one after another. The famed Konoha F4 reunited once again in this spacious and luxurious hospital room!
"Damn it! Uchiha Sōgen, Hyūga Hiashi—those two bastards!"
As soon as the Anbu left, Koharu Utatane cursed in anger.
"Koharu, calm down. Raging here won't solve anything. Rather than waste your energy, let's calmly figure out how to handle this mess," Mitokado Homura said, though his mood was equally sour. He still managed to maintain some composure and reason.
Koharu pressed her lips together, silencing herself.
"Sarutobi."
Mitokado Homura looked at the Third Hokage, who stood by the window, puffing on his pipe, seemingly unconcerned about the patient in the bed.
"What's your plan? Hyūga Hiashi and Uchiha Sōgen have openly met. If we don't act, the situation will quickly spiral out of control."
"The Hyūga clan has been making widespread contacts with other clans since last month," the Third Hokage said, holding his pipe thoughtfully. "According to Anbu, every clan that's been in touch with the Hyūga has experienced varying degrees of unrest. However, the Anbu hasn't yet figured out what the Hyūga are planning. I used to think the village's problem lay with the Uchiha... but it turns out, these noble clans are all unstable factors. They put their families above the village. I was too careless this time!"
As long as the Hokage remains in power, he is the core of authority in the village.
Konoha's happenings rarely escape the Hokage's notice, especially one like the Third, who has held the position for so long. But with that power comes complacency. He had overlooked the Hyūga's unusual movements while focusing on plotting against the Uchiha, giving the Hyūga an opening to exploit.
"Enough with the pointless chatter, Sarutobi! We need to know what you plan to do so we can help," Homura cut in, dissatisfied with the lack of direct answers. Normally, everyone could engage in double-speak and games, but now wasn't the time for wasting time.
Who knows what kind of storm Hyūga Hiashi and Uchiha Sōgen's meeting could stir? Action had to be taken before they could move.
"What if we just eliminate Uchiha Sōgen and Hyūga Hiashi?" Koharu suddenly suggested.
"Eliminate Uchiha Sōgen and Hyūga Hiashi?"
Homura frowned. If it were possible, it would be a great solution, snuffing out the problem at its source. Even if it risked sparking rebellion from the Uchiha, there were ways to manipulate the situation. As long as Uchiha Fugaku was alive, he wouldn't dare make any reckless moves. With the right manipulation, Fugaku could be persuaded to keep the Uchiha in check.
As for the Hyūga clan, Homura wasn't worried at all. If Hiashi died, the clan would likely descend into internal squabbling over leadership rather than avenge him.
The real issue was figuring out how many people it would take to eliminate both Uchiha Sōgen and Hyūga Hiashi. Send too few, and it would only give their enemies a chance to retaliate. Send too many, and it would be hard to conceal the operation unless they had a good excuse or cover story...
"If only Danzō were still able to move!" the Third Hokage sighed as he walked over to Danzō's bedside, looking at his emaciated friend, who now resembled a ghost more than a man.
Hearing this, Homura and Koharu nodded in agreement after a moment's pause. If Danzō were still active, they wouldn't have to scheme so hard against Uchiha Sōgen and Hyūga Hiashi. Danzō would have willingly taken on the role of striking from the shadows.
But now, Danzō was bedridden, motionless like a zombie, unable to open his eyes or speak. Though technically alive, he was as good as dead.
"Sarutobi…" Koharu's words trailed off.
"Homura, Koharu, Hyūga Hiashi and Uchiha Sōgen are too selfish. They've disregarded the village's interests, focusing only on their clans. To prevent them from doing more harm to the village, I'm prepared to take drastic measures to eliminate them—even if it means paying a heavy price," the Third Hokage declared.
The alliance between the Hyūga and Uchiha was something he never anticipated. The two clans had always vied for the title of Konoha's top clan, their relationship far from friendly. On the battlefield, they might cooperate, but back in the village, they maintained a distant neutrality.
However, the Third Hokage had not anticipated the depth of Hiashi's lingering resentment.
If the two most powerful clans in the village were to truly join forces, the Third didn't want to imagine the consequences. To prevent that undesirable future, he decided to take a gamble. After all, there's no such thing as complete preparation.
"We should've done this from the start!" Koharu growled angrily.
The Third Hokage shook his head. Regret was pointless now; it only highlighted past mistakes.
"Sarutobi, are you going to…" Homura was about to ask which unit the Hokage planned to mobilize when he glanced at Danzō. Suddenly, a thought struck him. "The Root! Sarutobi, are you going to use Root to deal with Uchiha Sōgen and Hyūga Hiashi?"
"There is no more Root. Konoha has only one Anbu," the Third Hokage replied gravely.
If Danzō were still conscious, he would've jumped out of bed in fury upon hearing that. All the years he spent cultivating his elite followers, now fully absorbed into the Hokage's forces, and they were about to be used to take down Uchiha Sōgen and Hyūga Hiashi.
Even if the plan succeeded, the losses would be enormous!
(End of Chapter)