"Not bad, Nara Shikaku. We are all ninjas, we are warriors. We have missions we must complete."
"If the worst happens, even if it costs my life, we eliminate him."
Shibi Aburame spoke without hesitation, his tone steady and resolute.
The other clans of the Ino Shika Cho, along with the Inuzuka Clan, voiced the same stance.
At a moment like this, not a single one of Konoha's clan leaders stepped back.
Their resolve was absolute.
"Uchiha Ryūjin is powerful, yes, but we each have our own strengths. We are not without a chance."
"In a real fight, it might not be us who die."
Inoichi Yamanaka placed a hand on Nara Shikaku's shoulder as he spoke.
No matter how strong someone was, they were not invincible.
Every technique had a limit. Every shinobi had weaknesses.
The classic Ino Shika Cho combination was proof of that.
Shadow Imitation Technique to restrain, followed instantly by Mind Transfer Jutsu to seize control.
If that sequence landed cleanly, even Ryūjin would be helpless.
And then there was Shibi Aburame.
His insects carried deadly poison. If even a few made contact, it could be fatal.
They had more advantages too.
This time, they were not walking in blind. They already had a rough understanding of Ryūjin's abilities, unlike the chaos during the Nine Tails incident.
That alone gave them room to plan.
Because of that, despite everything they had witnessed, none of them truly believed Ryūjin was untouchable.
"Nara Shikaku, I am not being pessimistic," Shikaku replied evenly. "I prepare for the worst before I make a plan."
His gaze swept across the group.
"I do not question anyone's resolve. But think about this carefully. Our clans have stood for generations. We are pillars of Konoha."
"If we all fall here, the damage to the Village will be catastrophic."
His voice lowered slightly.
"If that happens, who will keep the Uchiha Clan in check? At that point, no one in Konoha will be able to suppress them."
Silence followed his words.
"In the end, this is a problem we cannot avoid," Inoichi said after a moment. "Even if we delay it, the conflict with the Uchiha will only grow worse."
"If it explodes later, the consequences could be even more severe."
He met Shikaku's eyes.
"This needs to be dealt with now. Painful or not."
He paused, then added,
"And as long as Ryūjin is alive, who exactly is going to suppress the Uchiha? Whether our clans survive or not won't change that."
Shikaku did not immediately respond.
Instead, he continued his analysis.
"And what about the other villages? If Konoha weakens, places like Kumogakure won't sit still."
"They will take advantage of it. Another war becomes very likely."
That point hit just as hard.
No one spoke.
After a long pause, Jiraiya stepped forward.
"What you're saying makes sense," he admitted. "But right now, the Uchiha are the greater threat."
His expression hardened.
"We may or may not face war in the future, but we are already in one now."
"If we don't resolve this quickly, Konoha is no different from a building about to collapse."
He exhaled slowly.
"Ryūjin has likely already killed Homura Mitokado. That means he knows everything, including the plan to wipe out the Uchiha."
Jiraiya's voice grew heavier.
"You think he's going to show mercy after that? He killed the Hokage without hesitation."
No one could argue that.
If someone tried to wipe out their clan, would they stay quiet?
Of course not.
They would fight back.
The memory of Ryūjin taking the Nine Tails surfaced in their minds. Back then, he had restrained everyone but did not kill anyone.
But after being targeted by the Hokage and Homura Mitokado, he responded with lethal force.
That alone spoke volumes.
Silence returned.
Every argument made sense.
Every path led to disaster.
"Nara Shikaku, what exactly are you proposing?" someone finally asked.
Shikaku lifted his head.
"We prepare for the long term. No matter what happens, we protect Konoha's foundation."
He turned to Jiraiya.
"You cannot die here."
Jiraiya frowned.
"If this operation fails and the Village suffers heavy losses, we will need someone strong enough to stabilize everything."
"Right now, only you can do that."
Jiraiya shook his head.
"Tsunade is more suitable. We can bring her back to become the Fifth Hokage."
Shikaku did not argue that point.
"Even so, we need someone to connect Konoha to powerful allies."
His eyes sharpened.
"Mount Myōboku."
Jiraiya fell silent.
"You are the only one who can reach it, the only one who can speak to the Great Toad Sage."
After a long pause, Jiraiya nodded.
"If things go wrong, I'll withdraw."
Shikaku shifted his attention.
"Hyuga Hiashi, your clan cannot fall either. You are the second strongest clan in Konoha."
"If the Hyuga collapse too, then Konoha truly becomes the Uchiha's domain."
Hiashi remained quiet for a moment before nodding.
"If it comes to that, I will retreat."
"Good."
Shikaku looked at the rest.
"Then the plan is simple. If we must kill Ryūjin, we act as the main force."
"If things go wrong, Jiraiya, Hiashi, and I withdraw."
The meaning was clear.
The others would stay behind.
Shibi Aburame spoke again.
"Then we take that role."
His gaze swept across Inoichi, Akimichi Dōtō, and Inuzuka Tsume.
None of them hesitated.
"We hold the line if it comes to it."
That settled it.
The plan was decided.
"Don't get too tense," Shikaku added after a moment. "This is only the worst case."
"If everything goes well, we can still win."
He turned to Hiashi.
"Use your Byakugan. Check inside the Hokage Building."
Hiashi activated it immediately.
His expression changed almost at once.
"Homura Mitokado is dead."
The atmosphere dropped to freezing.
"Then we proceed as planned," Shikaku said firmly.
Jiraiya nodded.
"Make the battle plan. Quickly."
Shikaku did not waste time.
"Hiashi, track Ryūjin's position."
Hiashi had already done it.
"He's on the first floor. He's about to leave the building."
"Everyone, hide. Do not let him notice you."
The group scattered into the surrounding streets, blending into shadows and corners.
Shikaku looked up at the sky.
The moon was bright enough.
Even at night, it cast clear shadows.
That was all he needed.
Good.
His technique would work.
Even a brief moment of restraint would be enough.
Shadow Imitation Technique to lock Ryūjin in place, followed instantly by Mind Transfer Jutsu.
At the same time, Shibi's insects would strike from the darkness.
A complete plan formed in his mind.
"Hiashi, keep tracking him and report everything."
"I will look for the right moment."
"Inoichi, once I succeed, you move immediately."
Inoichi nodded.
"I'll take control of him right away."
"Shibi, your insects need to be ready at all times. The moment he's restrained, you attack."
Shibi gave a silent nod.
His role was reinforcement, ensuring nothing went wrong.
"Jiraiya, Tsume, support from the side and adapt."
Both acknowledged without question.
The plan was set.
"Ryūjin has left the building. He's heading toward the Uchiha Clan Compound," Hiashi reported.
Shikaku analyzed the terrain, the moonlight, and Ryūjin's likely route.
After a few seconds, he made his choice.
"We take another route. Move ahead and set the ambush."
They moved immediately.
With Hiashi's Byakugan guiding them, obstacles meant nothing.
They arrived at the chosen location ahead of Ryūjin.
The area was perfect.
Moonlight covered the ground, ensuring a clear shadow.
Nearby trees provided cover for Shibi's insects.
A pile of debris at the corner gave Shikaku the ideal position to launch his technique.
He even placed several explosive tags in advance.
If they detonated at the right moment, Ryūjin's attention would shift just enough.
And that moment would decide everything.
The trap was ready.