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When Kazuki said the Uchiha had more backbone than the Hyūga, he wasn't just trying to glaze the Uchiha.
Throughout recorded history, the Uchiha had never backed down.
It was only after joining the Konoha Village that they mellowed.
Plus, the timid ways of Fugaku and his father had worn down the Uchiha's spirit considerably.
"Good." Kazuki nodded and said nothing more, continuing his work.
Seeing Kazuki had no follow-up, Shikaku hesitated, then couldn't help asking.
"Lord Advisor, keeping the Hyūga compound surrounded like this isn't sustainable. Many people have asked me about Hyūga Hiashi's situation. I'm afraid problems will arise if this continues."
Concerning the stability of a major clan, Shikaku couldn't help but worry.
Even if he wanted to act heartless, he couldn't.
People of the Nara clan might hate trouble, but that didn't mean they were heartless.
On the contrary, while they hated trouble, they were good at finding it for themselves.
"What are you afraid of?"
Kazuki didn't look up from the documents he was reading.
"I'm not afraid. You've got nothing to be afraid of. Just keep it like this. As long as no one escapes, you don't need to worry about anything. Within five days, the Hyūga matter will be completely resolved."
"Five days?"
What can five days do?
Some Hyūga elders showed no sign of changing their minds.
Though the Hyūga couldn't leave the compound, Shikaku could go in. He'd had several private conversations with the Hyūga Grand Elder.
From the Grand Elder, Shikaku learned that many Hyūga elders' positions were wavering.
Only the Main House elders, who valued power, were still unwilling to let go.
He wanted to ask what Kazuki's plan was.
But Kazuki showed no intention of sharing. After thinking for a while, Shikaku gave up.
Since Kazuki said to wait, he'd wait. Five days wasn't long. He'd just see how the Hyūga issue would be resolved.
"Lord Third..."
At the Sarutobi compound, many were waiting for the Third Hokage's return. They wanted to know the Hokage's office's attitude and position.
Whether these matters were the Hokage office's doing.
As for who did it, that didn't need saying. The person with the most power in the village was the prime suspect. Only they had the ability.
Looking at his agitated clansmen, the Third Hokage sighed and signaled them to calm down.
Sitting down, he lit his pipe and took a deep drag.
"This has nothing to do with Kazuki."
"What? That's impossible!"
"If it's not Uchiha Kazuki – ahem, not Lord Advisor – who has the power to manipulate public opinion in the village?"
"This is clearly retaliation! Weren't we even already?"
The Sarutobi clan members argued animatedly.
The Third Hokage was quite troubled. He could only raise a hand to quiet them.
Seeing this, the agitated clan members gradually calmed down, though anger remained on their faces.
Ever since the Third Hokage retired, the Sarutobi clan had been living cautiously, working hard to earn merit, hoping to improve the clan's difficult living situation.
Most felt that if they worked hard and earned merit, the past would no longer be held against them.
At least Kazuki wouldn't keep targeting them.
Because they had already lowered themselves enough. Any lower, and they'd have to be like the Shimura clan – playing the grandson.
The Sarutobi clan couldn't do that.
They could improve Kazuki's prejudice through other means, and they could earn merit to change the clan's situation. They could lower their heads. They could do that.
But playing the grandson? They couldn't.
"Don't say such things anymore."
The Third Hokage frowned, exhaled smoke, and put down his pipe in irritation.
"I went to the Hokage's office. Kazuki showed me some intelligence scrolls. The basic information about the clans was released by Kazuki. He did the same for all clans. It wasn't targeting us. We were just unlucky to be used by spies from Iwagakure and Kirigakure."
The Third Hokage briefly explained what happened, to prevent his clansmen from targeting Kazuki.
If their actions angered Kazuki, he might just flip the table and go after the Sarutobi clan.
After all, flipping the table wasn't something Kazuki hadn't done before. Quite a few times, actually.
"What? Spies?"
"Lord Third, is this true?"
Hearing this, the Sarutobi clan members were stunned. It wasn't the Hokage's Advisor targeting us, but spies?
"It's true."
The Third Hokage's aged, spotted face was grim. He cursed through gritted teeth.
"Those bastards planned to use our Sarutobi clan to manipulate public opinion, trying to throw the village into chaos. The Anbu have already arrested many and are conducting further interrogations."
"Damn it!!"
"Those spies deserve to die!"
Learning it wasn't Kazuki or the village targeting them, the Sarutobi clan members relaxed. Compared to spies, they were more afraid of Kazuki's targeting.
They immediately started cursing, not caring if the Third Hokage was present. They wouldn't feel better without cursing.
The Third Hokage didn't stop them. He also thought the spies deserved it.
After letting his clansmen curse for a while, the Third Hokage slowly spoke.
"In short, this has nothing to do with the Hokage's office. The basic information about ninja clans was released for village harmony. All clans were included, not just us. Don't look at this through colored glasses. Don't do anything impulsive, or you'll risk implicating the clan."
"So we just let this slide?"
Having their clan's reputation destroyed – no one could accept that.
"Let it slide?"
The Third Hokage said coldly.
"How can it be that easy? I've already requested permission from Lord Advisor. Tomorrow, I'll don my armor and head to the front lines. Kirigakure is too far, but the village is at war with Iwagakure. I will make Ōnoki answer for this!"
Five days wasn't long, but it wasn't short either. News of the incident in Konoha had spread through various channels. The Hyūga and Sarutobi clans were famous again – just not in a good way.
At least, members of these two clans weren't happy about it.
Unfortunately, circumstances were beyond their control.