"As for the remaining three groups, we'll have to convene a Jōnin Conference," Hiruzen Sarutobi declared.
"The major ninja clans must contribute as well. The village's registered shinobi alone won't be enough to handle three battlefronts."
"We agree!" Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura said in unison.
"Me too!" Danzo Shimura nodded, but his face quickly darkened.
"However," he added coldly, "if the major clans are sending their forces to the frontlines, that will leave Konoha dangerously exposed."
"It's time for the Uchiha clan to contribute as well!"
"I don't want to see them sitting comfortably at home while the rest of us bleed."
Danzo's eyes gleamed maliciously.
He wasn't just worried about Konoha being unguarded — he was worried that the Uchiha clan might take advantage of the situation.
Even if they didn't actively betray the village, their lack of losses would make their influence grow stronger by comparison.
No, that couldn't happen.
If anything, Danzo wanted the Uchiha clan to suffer more casualties than the others.
Ideally, the majority of their elites would fall in battle — that would be perfect.
And if Konoha emerged victorious, it would be easy to blame any major losses on the Uchiha, painting them as weak or incompetent.
"Best of all..." Danzo thought with a twisted smile, "...if most of their elite die, I can quietly send my Root agents to collect their Sharingan. With enough of those eyes, I'll have the power to protect the village my way."
"Danzo, enough!" Hiruzen barked, his face stern.
"No matter what, the Uchiha are still part of our village. I won't allow deliberate sabotage!"
Danzo scoffed inwardly.
"Hypocrite..." he sneered in his mind.
Danzo knew Hiruzen well — they had grown up together.
"You're only acting righteous because you're Hokage now. If I had been chosen instead... none of these problems would exist. You manipulated our teacher into choosing you over me with your fake humility. If you hadn't stolen my rightful place as Hokage..."
His fists clenched beneath the table.
"...Konoha would have become the strongest village in the world by now."
On the surface, however, Danzo kept his expression neutral.
"I'm not suggesting we sabotage them," Danzo said smoothly. "But there's a simple solution to this concern."
"Send the Uchiha clan to the Mist Shinobi battlefield."
Hiruzen's brow furrowed.
"Think about it," Danzo continued.
"Mist Shinobi is our greatest threat right now. The Uchiha clan is powerful — they're the best choice to handle it."
"Of course," Danzo added with a smirk, "they specialize in Fire Style, while Mist Shinobi excel in Water Style... But surely the mighty Uchiha can overcome that disadvantage, right?"
He paused dramatically.
"Or are they too cowardly to face the challenge?"
Hiruzen sighed heavily, pretending to consider it.
In truth, he knew Danzo's suggestion was calculated to cause maximum Uchiha casualties.
Still...
"Perhaps this is an opportunity to weaken their influence," Hiruzen thought.
"Fine," Hiruzen said. "We'll send them — but we'll also deploy some of the Hyuga clan alongside them. Their Byakugan will counter Mist Shinobi's Hidden Mist Jutsu."
"That's it, Hiruzen!" Danzo thought with a wicked smile.
With both clans on the same battlefield, their long-standing rivalry would ensure they undermined each other.
"In addition," Hiruzen added, "I'll place Orochimaru in command of the vanguard to oversee the Mist Shinobi front. His leadership will ensure things don't spiral out of control."
Danzo chuckled darkly.
"Heh... Hiruzen, you're more ruthless than you let on..."
The Uchiha Clan Meeting
In the Uchiha Clan Hall, Fugaku Uchiha and his father, Uchiha Tenma, sat across from each other.
"What do you think of this deployment?" Tenma asked.
Fugaku's eyes gleamed with ambition.
"Father, this is our chance! An opportunity to prove ourselves and solidify my claim to leadership!"
"The other clans are leaning toward Uchiha Gen's family, and if this continues, I'll never become the next clan head."
Fugaku clenched his fists tightly.
"But if I lead our forces to victory against Mist Shinobi, the clan will have no choice but to recognize my strength."
"And then..." Fugaku's gaze hardened. "...I'll make them regret doubting me. Especially Gen... and that traitor Mikoto."
"Good," Tenma nodded. "I'll support you fully."
"Thank you, Father. I won't let you down!"
The Uchiha Clan Meeting - Heated Debate
The next day, the clan assembled to discuss their deployment.
"This is absurd!" Uchiha Hiroshi slammed his fist on the table.
"They're sending us to fight Mist Shinobi on purpose! They know our Fire Style will be at a disadvantage!"
"Exactly!" another elder agreed. "This is clearly a ploy to weaken us."
Fugaku stood and raised his voice.
"You're all overreacting!" he declared.
"Didn't Lord Hokage say himself? Mist Shinobi is powerful, and only our Uchiha clan has the strength to face them."
"We've mastered Sharingan and Fire Style — we're the only ones who can stop them!"
"Idiot!" Uchiha Hiroshi snapped, pointing at Fugaku.
"You're either a fool or a traitor! Can't you see this is exactly what they want?"
Fugaku's face twisted with rage.
"What did you just say?"
"I said," Hiroshi shot back, "that you're either too stupid to see the trap — or you're working with those cowards in the Hokage's office!"
The room erupted in shouts as clan members took sides.
"Enough!" Uchiha Tenma barked, silencing the room.
"We'll fight if we must... but we won't walk blindly into their trap. We'll use strategy and precision — not pride — to ensure victory."
Fugaku clenched his fists tightly.
"Fine," he muttered under his breath.
"But when this war is over... they'll all see who's truly worthy of being clan head."
In his mind, his thoughts burned with bitterness.
"And as for you, Gen... Mikoto... you'll both regret crossing me."
Adavance chapter in PATREON
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