The day after the final preparations were made, an expanded meeting was held in a conference room in the Hokage’s office. In addition to the four high-ranking officials of Konoha, three clan leaders from the Ino-Shika-Cho combination were present, all staunch supporters of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The meeting’s topic was:
How should we respond to the Uchiha rebellion?
“What else can we do? Fight! Summoning so many ninjas and temporarily halting external missions was all in preparation for this.”
“Sarutobi, I think we should start getting ready.”
The Third Hokage nodded. With peace becoming increasingly elusive, it was time to display their decisive power. He looked at the man beside him:
“Shikaku, please report on the progress of our battle plan preparations.”
“Yes, Hokage-sama! Everyone, please look at this. These are the preliminary plans to counter the Uchiha rebellion. Since confirming their intent to rebel, related actions actually began last night.”
“All the Jonin in the village have been notified under the guise of a drill. The ANBU teams have completed their contraction and are now in deployment mode. The celebrity will arrive two days earlier, and while most residents will be drawn to the opera house, the few staying home will be properly relocated. All traps will be set within two days.”
“Based on our force comparison, the rebellion will likely be quelled within three hours, with two of those hours being street fighting within the Uchiha compound, causing no damage to external facilities.”
The room’s occupants momentarily pondered the deployment list on the plans, most nodding in agreement. Koharu Utatane, however, frowned and voiced her concern, suggesting that relocating nearby residents might alert the Uchiha and lead to unexpected consequences.
For example, the Uchiha might rebel early, catching everyone off guard.
“I agree,” Homura Mitokado nodded.
They considered the overall situation. Compared to the deaths of a few residents, Konoha’s overall safety was far more critical.
Moreover, these residents were already closely tied to the Uchiha. Though they might suffer casualties, the Uchiha’s rebellion ultimately caused it. Konoha did not initiate this battle, so that Konoha wouldn’t bear the moral responsibility.
Danzo also expressed tacit approval.
Seeing no further objections, Sarutobi nodded at Shikaku:
“Make the changes they suggested.”
Shikaku then crossed out the section on relocating residents.
Apart from that, the plan satisfied everyone. There were no other oversights.
Having prepared against the Uchiha for so many years, they knew each other well. Konoha finally had a chance to showcase their hidden strategies. The enemy was known, and they were unknown. The Uchiha couldn’t cause much trouble; the only question was how much Konoha would sacrifice for victory.
As the high-level meeting drew close, the doors opened, allowing Jonin and ANBU captains responsible for executing the plan to enter the room. Sarutobi stood up slowly, addressing everyone present:
“Let me reiterate, this battle is not about annihilation but about eliminating evil and maintaining Konoha’s stability. The Uchiha clan has been misled by a few ambitious individuals with ill intentions. We must demonstrate Konoha’s strength and resolve to set an example.”
“But throughout this process, we must minimize innocent casualties, especially among women and children. This is our duty as ninja.”
“The Uchiha clan has made significant contributions to Konoha in the past. Reaching this point is my failure as Hokage. For Konoha, it is a painful trial. I hope that after this battle, we can find a way to rebuild peace, and they can return to the right path, making Konoha more united and preventing such tragedies in the future.”
His words echoed in the room, and the young Jonin and ANBU captains showed determined expressions.
Danzo, however, wore a contemptuous smile.
In terms of leadership and righteous facade, he was far inferior to Sarutobi.
The deal between him and Itachi Uchiha was not discussed in the meeting, which was understandable. After all, relying entirely on a Uchiha traitor to solve the Uchiha crisis would be reckless and irresponsible.
As the saying goes, there is always a regular and unexpected strategy in war. Itachi Uchiha was the surprising move. For Sarutobi, it was best if it worked, minimizing Konoha’s overall loss. If not, then a fair battle on the battlefield would suffice.
The Third Hokage and the Jonin and ANBU captains discussed specific tasks. Danzo was about to leave when he suddenly paused. He glanced at the crowd but didn’t see a familiar figure, prompting him to ask:
“Where is Neji?”
Everyone looked at him, but no one answered.
As the captain of the Root division monitoring the Uchiha clan, he wasn’t among the assembled team.
Neji was missing.
Danzo quickly realized this.
Without any explanation, he had been absent since last night.
“That Neji, could he have leaked information?” Koharu Utatane, who had reached the door, turned back, frowning.
Is it disappearing at such a critical time?
Danzo recalled Neji’s suggestion to frame the Uchiha at Root.
No.
He couldn’t be aligned with the Uchiha.
Shaking his head:
“He shouldn’t leak anything. He’s from the Hyuga branch family.”
That settled it.
A minor figure from the branch family.
“Maybe he was captured by the mysterious hand targeting the branch family.” Even Koharu Utatane had heard about the recent troubles faced by the Hyuga branch. It was puzzling that the culprit only targeted branch members.
After a brief discussion, they concluded it wouldn’t significantly impact their plan.
The high-level officials’ essential considerations for Neji included notifying the central Hyuga family and assigning an ANBU to investigate his whereabouts.
The meeting continued.
Shikaku reviewed the operational details with the team leaders.
Standing among the crowd, Kakashi withdrew his gaze from the direction Danzo and the others had left.
The Konoha Twin Stars, Itachi Uchiha, and Neji Hyuga were well-known in the village for their genius and unique backgrounds. It was understandable why Itachi wasn’t there due to his role, but Neji’s absence, likely because he was in trouble, was quite shocking.
…
After the meeting, people began to leave. Kakashi was at the back of the line when a carrier pigeon flew in through the window to the Third Hokage.
Opening the letter, the Hokage’s expression changed from calm to shock and uncertainty.
Kakashi was curious about its contents but was pushed out by Shikaku.
As he left, he faintly heard the usually composed Hokage say:
“Neji has discovered…”
“… The culprit behind the branch family attacks is…”
“Uchiha… Madara!”
Can you guess what Neji plans to do?
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