Killer B was dissatisfied that he hadn't been sent to the front lines. He immediately launched into an awkward rap.
"Big bro's decision-making style is cool and slick—
Didn't pick me though, now I'm feeling heartsick!"
"Baka yarō, kono yarō!"
The Fourth Raikage slapped a palm over Killer B's face.
I'm already irritated—don't keep yapping in my ear!
Rolling his eyes, Killer B tried to keep muttering.
The Raikage didn't give him the chance and suppressed him on the spot.
Having a younger brother like this was exhausting.
Couldn't he learn from Darui and be a quiet, handsome man for once?
…
Land of Frost
The Kumogakure allied force led by Yugito Nii had arrived at the battlefield and now stood in a tense standoff with Konoha.
Konoha Allied Camp
After several days of rest and preparation, Konoha had established a fortified camp.
At its center stood a large, luxurious tent—the command headquarters.
Inside the tent—
Uchiha Akihito, Hyūga Hiashi, Nara Shikaku, and other key figures gathered.
Seated at the head, Akihito's expression was solemn.
"Hiashi, what's the situation?"
Hiashi's face was equally serious.
War was no child's play. Everyone's nerves were stretched tight.
"Reconnaissance is complete. Kumogakure's forces number around three thousand as well."
"Their frontline commander appears to be the Two-Tails' jinchūriki—Yugito Nii."
Tailed beasts were a village's most important military assets.
That Kumogakure had deployed one immediately created invisible pressure across the Konoha ranks.
To ordinary shinobi, a tailed beast was a nightmare incarnate.
The Nine-Tails' attack on Konoha was still fresh in memory.
Even someone as powerful as the Third Hokage had only managed to drive it out of the village.
To truly defeat a tailed beast?
One word—difficult.
Yet upon hearing that Kumogakure had mobilized a tailed beast, Akihito remained calm.
"The Two-Tails' jinchūriki, Yugito Nii?"
"Interesting."
He swept his gaze across the room.
"Let's hear your thoughts."
"How should we proceed?"
His eyes landed on Nara Shikaku.
This was the moment for high-IQ strategists to perform.
Though appointed by the Third Hokage as frontline strategist, and not someone Akihito fully trusted, Shikaku's opinions were still worth hearing.
Shikaku cleared his throat under Akihito's gaze.
"I believe caution is advisable. We should send a probing unit first."
Akihito nodded slightly.
"Reasonable. We'll proceed that way."
Without hesitation, he began assigning personnel.
"One jōnin each from the Uchiha, Hyūga, and Ino–Shika–Chō clans will form a squad to scout Kumogakure's true strength."
"If you encounter Yugito, withdraw immediately. Understood?"
As soon as he finished, Hiashi spoke in agreement.
"I find Clan Head Akihito's plan thorough. The Hyūga agree."
Shikaku had originally planned to keep a low profile, but with both Uchiha and Hyūga already on board, he had no reason to object.
Intelligence was critical.
Concealing true strength was also a ninja's fundamental skill.
Though Yugito led on the surface, who knew what Kumogakure might be hiding?
If they stumbled into an ambush, regret would come too late.
Within the allied army, the only ones Akihito truly trusted were his fellow Uchiha.
A trusted Uchiha had to be included in reconnaissance.
The Hyūga, with the Byakugan, were ideal for observation—one of them was essential.
As for Ino–Shika–Chō—they always operated as a trio. If one went, all three would.
With a wave of his hand, Akihito finalized the arrangements.
"The rest remain on standby and maintain vigilance."
"Kumogakure will likely send their own scouts."
"Each patrol shift must change the password. We cannot risk infiltration."
His calm and capable handling of matters carried the bearing of a true commander.
Many present couldn't help but nod inwardly.
The Third Hokage had claimed Akihito was too young.
From today's conduct, that hardly seemed the case.
Meticulous, decisive, composed—
He was no less steady than veteran shinobi.
The war had only just begun.
Both sides were still probing.
Whoever gained more intelligence would hold the initiative in the battles to come.
Most of the Konoha forces were experienced veterans.
Many tasks required no explicit instruction—they carried them out efficiently on their own.
Ino–Shika–Chō Camp
Nara Shikaku gathered his two longtime comrades for a private discussion.
"Chōza, Inoichi—I believe our three clans should move closer to the Uchiha."
Akimichi Chōza looked puzzled.
"Why? Shikaku."
"Weren't you always in favor of aligning with the Third Hokage?"
Yamanaka Inoichi, however, understood.
He sighed softly.
"The Third Hokage is old."
Shikaku nodded.
The once-mighty "Professor" was now in twilight years.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Akihito was rising like a new star.
Though Konoha's leadership still held power, who could guarantee Akihito wouldn't rise suddenly—just as Namikaze Minato once had?
Shikaku's political instincts were sharp.
His clan had maintained good relations with every Hokage.
Offering quiet support to Akihito carried little risk.
If Akihito became the next Hokage, their early goodwill would be rewarded.
None of their clans had the standing to compete for Hokage themselves.
If they wished for long-term prosperity, they needed foresight—aligning with those most likely to hold power next.
The Hyūga already seemed to be building ties with the Uchiha.
They couldn't afford to fall behind.
With tensions already brewing between the leadership and both Uchiha and Hyūga, the higher-ups would not dare create further conflict with Ino–Shika–Chō.
Even if Hiruzen learned of their quiet support, he would likely turn a blind eye.
And if the Uchiha failed?
They could always extend goodwill to whoever rose next.
Maintain ties with the current power holders—
And hedge bets on potential successors.
Balancing both sides. Thriving regardless.
That was true stability.
If this war ended in victory, Akihito's rise would be unstoppable.
At that point, suppressing the Uchiha would be far more difficult.
In two or three years, even the Third Hokage might be forced to step down.
If Jiraiya refused to return—
The Hokage's seat would almost inevitably fall to Uchiha Akihito.
Shikaku had a gut feeling.
The Konoha leadership under Hiruzen would not be able to outmaneuver Uchiha Akihito.
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