Akimichi Torifū was stunned.
Shikaku's other explanations he could just about accept—but this about Minato Namikaze? Impossible!
What a joke!
Others might not know Hiruzen Sarutobi well, but Torifū was his old comrade—he knew exactly how the man thought.
There was no suspense.
Minato was the Fourth Hokage.
No other outcome existed.
Even if Hiruzen was reluctant, even if he schemed for power, he had no other choice.
In such a situation, how could Hiruzen possibly risk offending Minato?
When Minato ascended, he would be the true Hokage. Even if Hiruzen clung to power, without Minato's cooperation the village would tear itself apart.
And if they fell out? Even if Hiruzen forced his will through, his hard-earned reputation would be shattered instantly.
That was why Torifū couldn't understand.
On the other side, Shikaku's face remained calm. He explained simply:
"Because of Rin Nohara.
You may not have heard yet. On the battlefield, she was captured by the enemy. They implanted the Three-Tails into her, intending for her to lose control after returning to Konoha.
But—unfortunately for them—Minato rescued her. And then had Kushina, the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki, teach Rin how to control tailed beast chakra.
That is where the true problem lies.
Rin is Minato's disciple. He will protect her no matter what.
But Hiruzen, as Hokage, must consider the Mist. What happens when, after the war, they demand the Three-Tails back?
That's the irreconcilable conflict.
Even if Hiruzen steps down, it won't matter.
Knowing Minato's temper, he'd rather fight the Mist outright than hand over his student.
But Hiruzen would never agree to such recklessness."
The others sat dumbfounded.
Yes.
This was top-secret information—fewer than a handful in Konoha even knew of it.
Hearing it now, the three were completely floored.
The Three-Tails…
Any other problem might have a solution. But this? A tailed beast!
Once extracted, the jinchuriki dies. And this particular jinchuriki was Minato's student.
Asking him to give her up? Impossible.
From Hiruzen's side, though, his reasoning wasn't wrong either.
Go to war with the Mist over a mere Chunin? And while conflicts with Cloud and Sand were still unresolved?
Both sides had logic. Both sides had cause.
Which only meant… sigh.
Chōza and Inoichi both shut their mouths.
Even Torifū fell silent for a long time before finally speaking, resigned:
"Very well. I understand.
I support Shikaku's decision. Each clan will split off half its members and send them to Kōji under Uchiha's banner.
This must be done immediately—we don't have much time.
By the morning after tomorrow, the shinobi from the Hidden Stone front will return to the village.
We're all allies here, no need for ceremony.
Go back and prepare. By tomorrow afternoon, this must be finalized.
Each clan's representatives will report to Kōji.
Shikaku—I take my leave."
Torifū didn't hesitate.
He was a man of action.
If Shikaku's reasoning made sense—and if even Kōji agreed—then Nara's greatest minds had judged the time had come.
And after hearing about Minato and Hiruzen, Torifū too sensed something amiss.
So—do it.
He rushed off with Chōza, hurrying back to the Akimichi clan to prepare.
Inoichi, the same.
After a brief word with Shikaku, he too departed in haste.
Shikaku didn't stop them.
He said his farewells, saw them off—then wandered back to the tea room and lazily poured himself tea.
Yes.
After running himself ragged for so long, he deserved a little rest.
Just then, Yoshino entered.
"Shikaku, I heard everything.
The Yamanaka and Akimichi are already preparing. Shouldn't Nara be making arrangements too?"
She looked puzzled.
Not that she doubted her husband's decisions—she trusted his judgment.
But she couldn't understand why he was just sitting there.
Shikaku blinked. Then he shook his head with a smile.
"Wife, you forget.
We have Kōji. What am I rushing for?
Since I became clan head, I've been working myself like a dog. Isn't it about time I rested?
Kōji, on the other hand, has been slacking all this time. Now it's his turn to do some work.
This matter—I won't meddle in."
Yes.
Ever since taking the position, he'd been endlessly busy.
While Kōji? Idling away.
Time he carried some of the burden.
Yoshino was speechless.
Of course.
So her husband just wanted to slack off!
She rolled her eyes in exasperation.
But alas—fate had other plans.
Before he could even enjoy lunch, an Anbu messenger arrived.
The Hokage required him at once.
Shikaku: "…"
A black line ran down his forehead.
He had a thousand curses in his heart but nowhere to utter them.
All he wanted was to sneak a little break—but heaven itself refused him.
What misfortune!
Still, helpless though he was, he sighed, rose reluctantly, and left—while Yoshino snickered at his misery.
But once outside, his demeanor changed.
Though sulky at home, beyond the clan compound he became serious and solemn.
Arriving at the Hokage's office, he bowed deeply.
"Greetings, Hokage-sama!"
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