Uchiha Kai's eyes flickered.
He truly couldn't figure it out.
But in his view, the meeting could only be about two things:
either something to do with the front lines, or something aimed at the Uchiha.
Nothing else.
And precisely because of that—
Though he looked lazy on the surface, his mind was already racing at full speed.
The Uchiha had survived to this point not by luck, but through endless struggles and close calls.
The pie that was Konoha was only so big.
If the Uchiha wanted a slice, they had to snatch it from someone else's mouth.
No one would hand it over willingly.
That was why he considered the "Will of Fire" believers to be fools.
At its core, whether in Konoha or the entire shinobi world, the true law was still survival of the fittest—jungle law.
So when Hiruzen suddenly convened this meeting, Kai instinctively sensed danger.
"Kai-kun, is there danger?" asked Aburame Shibi at his side, lowering his voice.
"Should we send word back to prepare the clan, just in case?"
He wasn't stupid.
Though not as sharp as Nara, he had his own good sense.
At least—far better than Fugaku.
In fact, Fugaku had been silently gloating, proud of the Uchiha's rising status and inwardly sneering at the Hyuga.
But Shibi's warning made him shudder.
He immediately dropped the smugness and whispered:
"W-what? Maybe I should just slip back.
I never wanted to come to this damned meeting anyway. If there's danger, I should start mobilizing the clan."
Yes.
In the past, he might have hesitated.
But now it is different.
The Uchiha had proven themselves. The reforms were working.
Their rise was real.
For the clan's sake, he truly was prepared to fight.
But Kai only shook his head.
He cast a glance at the two serious men, then smiled faintly.
"No. No need.
If we start acting defensive before anything happens, we'll just look weak.
With our current strength, even if Hiruzen wanted to kill us here, he couldn't hold us.
So let's just wait.
This may not even be about us.
Hiruzen isn't a fool. Until the war is over, he won't dare touch the Uchiha lightly."
Yes.
He couldn't guess the Hokage's intent.
But he trusted his own judgment.
Unless Hiruzen had gone mad, he wouldn't risk Konoha's survival just to strike the Uchiha.
Only someone insane like Danzo would do such a thing.
Hiruzen, at least, still had some sense of the bigger picture.
Time passed slowly.
As the three exchanged quiet words, Hiruzen and the rest of the so-called "Konoha F4" entered through the side door.
"Greetings, Hokage-sama!"
Everyone rose at once, bowing in unison.
Even Uchiha Kai did not exempt himself.
If one wanted to play within the system, one had to follow its rules.
Whatever struggles raged in the shadows, the surface forms had to be observed.
He wasn't honoring Hiruzen the man, but the office of Hokage.
"Mm, good to see you all."
"No need for formality, everyone sit.
This meeting is to share two announcements, and then put one issue to a vote."
"First, the announcement.
Anbu Commander Sarutobi Shinnosuke was struck down last night in a vile sneak attack by Cloud Shinobi. His death has been confirmed.
This will be formally announced to the entire shinobi world.
Let all know the shamelessness of the Cloud!
We do not fear open battle.
But if they keep resorting to cowardly tricks, then Konoha will not hesitate to dispatch our best to carry out precision strikes in the heart of their village."
"Second, the matter of Anbu leadership.
As of today, Yamanaka Inoichi will temporarily serve as Anbu Commander.
Of course, since he is unfamiliar with Anbu's workings, a special appointment is made—Uchiha Shisui will serve as Deputy Commander, to assist him."
"Lastly, the issue for vote.
The war has dragged on to this point. Konoha is utterly exhausted.
I propose convening a Five Kage Summit in the Land of Iron to discuss bringing this conflict to a definitive close.
Overall, Konoha holds the advantage. With us making the proposal, I believe peace can be secured without much difficulty.
Now, let us vote."
Hiruzen's tone was cold and sharp.
He wasted no words, laying everything bare.
Shinnosuke's death could not be hidden, so he placed the blame squarely on the Cloud.
That alone bolstered Konoha's stance.
As for the new Anbu appointments, he allowed no debate.
Anbu was Hokage's prerogative—his command.
Inoichi's promotion was a signal to Ino–Shika–Cho.
He no longer trusted Danzo, Koharu, and Homura.
He needed new allies.
And the Ino–Shika–Cho were the perfect choice.
As for Shisui…
That was pure expedience.
Not one of his own, so he could use the boy ruthlessly. Even waste him if needed.
The deputy post was a token of generosity, but real power—especially intelligence—would never be placed in Shisui's hands.
He would be a weapon, nothing more.
In fact, Hiruzen already had his role mapped out: set him against Root, against Danzo, Koharu, Homura.
Let the dogs tear each other apart.
"I do not agree!"
Danzo's eyes gleamed with ice as he spoke first.
"Inoichi may be qualified, but he knows nothing of Anbu.
And Shisui? He is Uchiha.
Hiruzen, have you lost your mind?"
Yes.
Danzo could not accept this.
He didn't care about seizing Anbu for himself.
But to give such authority—even nominally—to an Uchiha? Unthinkable.
But Hiruzen only cast him a cold glance, then spoke in a voice like steel:
"Danzo. Remember your place.
Anbu is under the Hokage alone. I may appoint whomever I wish.
Do not forget—I am Hokage."
To read the full FanFic, head over to Patreon:
patreon.com/WhiteDevil7554