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Just look at Sunagakure. With their example as a cautionary tale, who would dare be careless?
Who could guarantee the Hokage's disappearance was simply playing hooky, not... something worse?
Konoha had only just stabilized for a few years. Homura didn't want to see the village thrown into chaos again.
If Tsunade had truly met with disaster, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"No, I need to find Hiruzen."
In his urgency, Homura wanted to consult with the Third.
But as soon as he took a step, he was stopped.
"Elder Homura, do you think this is a matter the Third Hokage should intervene in? Or do you believe we need to invite the Third Hokage out to take charge?"
Shikaku's expression was grim.
Bring the Third Hokage back?
Don't be absurd!
He'd rather have Kazuki return to oversee things, even if Kazuki directly declared himself the Sixth Hokage.
But the Third Hokage could not come out of retirement again. Otherwise, the entire village would face another round of upheaval.
Various factions would also start replacing personnel.
In the end, after all the turmoil, the village would be the one to suffer.
"Why not?" Homura retorted.
Shikaku lowered his raised hand, speaking casually.
"Then go ahead. I've already sent a message to Lord Advisor. I believe he's likely on his way now. When Lord Advisor returns and learns you invited the Third Hokage out... you'll bear the consequences yourself."
Are you threatening me?
Homura's eyes widened. He couldn't believe Shikaku, who had always sided with the Hokage, would threaten him over this.
Had he completely join Uchiha Kazuki side?
Seeing the other's reaction, Shikaku knew he'd been misunderstood. He patiently explained.
"Elder Homura, the village has only been stable for a few years. I don't think you want to see another round of power reshuffling, do you? Leaving aside whether the Hokage ran off on her own or something else happened... Secondly, do you think Lord Third could restrain Lord Advisor?Haven't you considered what would happen to the village if the Third Hokage and Lord Advisor clashed?"
"This..." Homura paused. He truly hadn't considered that.
Seeing this, Shikaku continued.
"To put it bluntly, even if the Third Hokage returned, how many people do you think would still follow his orders?"
Inviting the Third Hokage out now wasn't about taking charge; it was about stirring up trouble.
Though Shikaku appeared indifferent on the surface, if Homura dared to go to the Third Hokage, he'd have him apprehended immediately.
I don't care if you're an elder or who you are. No one can cause trouble at this time.
"That's not what I meant. I'm not seeking Hiruzen to regain power, but—"
After wrestling with it for a while, Homura let out a heavy sigh, ultimately unable to take that step.
Shikaku was right. In the current Konoha, even if the Third Hokage made a comeback, how many would listen to him?
At the very least, over half of Konoha's ninja clans would refuse.
Never mind that Tsunade was just missing and couldn't be found. Even if she were dead, they would only heed the orders of the Hokage Advisor, Kazuki.
Not let the Third Hokage sit above them issuing commands again.
They had only just managed to erase the Third Hokage's shadow. Who wanted to see him pop up again?
If the Third Hokage truly emerged, and Kazuki returned to the village... who knew what would happen.
Homura sighed.
"Regardless, we must prepare for the worst mentally. Sunagakure of the past is the most classic example. I don't wish to see what happened to Sunagakure befall us."
If that speculation became reality, Konoha would likely face significant trouble.
They might even be dragged into war immediately.
After experiencing the turmoil of three Great Shinobi Wars, no one wanted to be inexplicably pulled into another at this time.
Seeing Homura had no intention of inviting the Third Hokage back, Shikaku relaxed slightly, offering a faint smile.
"Elder, you can rest assured. Whether the Hokage is missing or... whatever the case, the village won't be shaken. You should have faith in Lord Advisor."
"....."
Faith, my foot!!
As long as no chaos erupted in Konoha, as long as no one stirred trouble, the village could remain stable.
Apart from fearing Konoha suffering Sunagakure's former fate, Homura also worried that upon returning, Kazuki might use Tsunade's disappearance as a pretext to seat himself on the Hokage's throne, declaring himself the Sixth Hokage.
Becoming the first Hokage in Uchiha history.
"So, Elder Homura, please accompany me to rest in the Hokage's administrative building. What do you think?"
Regardless of whether he had such intentions...
Shikaku wouldn't let Homura leave the Hokage's office building for a second unless Kazuki returned to the village.
'I'm being confined.' Homura's mouth twitched. He knew Shikaku was worried he'd go leak information.
"Recall half of the Anbu personnel. Guard the Hokage's administrative building and important locations in all village departments. Until Lord Advisor returns to the village, no one is to leave the Hokage's administrative building."
*****
Border Camp.
Anbu ninja barged in directly in broad daylight. Shikaku hadn't dared to send the message via messenger hawk.
Fearing interception, he had to send Anbu personnel personally, using various disguises and traveling covertly.
The Hokage missing—this was a major incident. The pressure on him overseeing the village was immense; he couldn't afford any negligence.
"Village emergency. All non-essential personnel, leave immediately."
After their identities were verified, the Anbu began driving people out, clearing the entire camp, allowing no one near the command headquarters.
Anbu?
What happened to warrant such a large operation?
Everyone obeyed orders, speculating silently in their hearts. With Anbu watching, no one dared discuss it openly.
"Lord Advisor, this is an urgent letter ordered by Lord Shikaku for delivery. Only you may view it."
As he spoke, the Anbu operative glanced toward Izumi standing nearby.
What matter is so serious?
Kazuki raised an eyebrow slightly, saying to Izumi, "Izumi, you may go rest for now."
"Yes, sir."
Izumi hurriedly made her escape.
Having been by Kazuki's side for so long, this was the first time she'd seen the Anbu so serious, even wary of her, the Advisor's secretary.
It really doesn't let people rest peacefully for a few days.
The New Year had just passed, and now this.
Sighing internally, Kazuki deciphered the seal on the scroll using a code. He opened it, scanned the contents, frowned briefly, then quickly relaxed.
"Send a message to Shikaku. Tell him the situation isn't severe. Maintain stability. I will return to the village immediately."
"Yes, sir."
The Anbu operative breathed a sigh of relief. At a time like this, the village needed someone authoritative to take charge.
Then they could consider other methods to find their missing Hokage.