The Hyuga Shall Stand Above, In The Heavens!

But let's not talk about that for now.

At present.

After the blame has been shared, the meeting continues.

Hyuga Hitoshi, from the perspective of a spectator, enjoyed the old village chief's performance.

 Hitoshi actually holds the old village chief's response measures in high regard.

Under Fugaku's relentless assault, most would have given up resistance, but not the old village chief. He stood up again, discarding what needed to be discarded and soothing what needed to be soothed.

You could argue he's not a qualified Hokage, but you can't say he's not a qualified politician.

Just after the blame was distributed, Hyuga Hitoshi received a new task.

He glanced at the corner where Kakashi, with a very different expression from Danzo, sat, and Hyuga Hitoshi smiled.

The old village chief had assigned the Hyuga clan the task of monitoring Kakashi.

This was a test.

It was also a warning, but more so, it was laying the groundwork.

What the old village chief didn't know was that his actions had already influenced the future.

The teacher of the child of destiny would become completely corrupted under him, and then he would teach a completely corrupted child of destiny!

Although challenging, it's not impossible to erase Naruto's saintly nature ahead of time.

There are saints in the world.

Especially in such passionate worlds.

But the reality is, in this tangible world, some ideas are simply incomprehensible.

 Hitoshi feels it's his duty and responsibility to wake up the protagonists of a world, to help them establish the correct values.

Regardless of what the so-called correct values are.

After all, if someone slaughters your parents and you forgive them in return, that's clearly not right.

If you slaughter my parents, I'll annihilate your family.

That's the way it should be!

The burden on Hitoshi has grown heavier.

Returning his gaze, Hyuga Hitoshi's attention went back to the meeting.

The old village chief is still showing off, playing his role to the fullest.

"Regardless, I was responsible for the security during the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's childbirth, and I still bear the primary responsibility for the Nine-Tails' chaos. This is my sin, and I will not deny it!"

"But now, with war upon us, protecting the village is my mission as Hokage. So, until the war is over, I will do my utmost to fulfill my duties, and I hope everyone will cooperate with me!"

Alright, he's said his piece, but what about them?

This was a roundabout way of telling everyone that this matter is in the past. What needs to be done now is to face the enemy from Kumogakure Village. There's no need to be distracted by the causes and consequences of the Nine-Tails' chaos unless necessary. If anyone causes trouble, they're adding stress to the village and will be criticized!

But Fugaku was left feeling awkward by his speech.

So what did he gain?

After all that effort, did he only manage to clear the Uchiha clan's name? The Third didn't step down, he just shifted the blame away?

Fugaku was not pleased with this.

He decided to go against the Third Hokage, to put pressure on the old village chief.

But how to apply that pressure, he would need to consult with Hitoshi.

"Third Hokage, the report on the front lines has been compiled."

Yuuhi Shinku, holding the documents, distributed them to the assembled elites. With his action, the atmosphere of the meeting grew heavy.

Even if they were reluctant to face it, unwilling to continue the war, they had no choice but to confront it now.

Behind them are their loved ones; a single step back means death!

Kumogakure Village has seized this opportunity all too well.

The previous wars had already left Konohagakure extremely vulnerable, compounded by Orochimaru being driven mad by Hyuga Hitoshi and fleeing prematurely. Jiraiya couldn't withstand the misfortunes befalling Konohagakure and chose a tactical retreat, leaving the village.

Moreover, the Nine-Tails chaos resulted in the death of countless elites, including the Fourth Hokage.

Even facing Kumogakure Village alone, Konohagakure would find it exceedingly difficult to cope.

"Besides Kumogakure Village, we must also guard against other ninja villages."

As Konohagakure's strategist, Nara Shikaku was the first to speak after reviewing the battle reports.

"Although the previous wars have depleted Sunagakure Village and Iwagakure Village, it doesn't mean they won't intervene."

The Land of Fire's geographical location is advantageous, being the best resource area among the five great nations.

But this also means that enemies surround them on all sides.

With Kumogakure Village's attack, they can't just focus on battling Kumogakure Village; they must be wary of their rear. Konohagakure suffered greatly in this regard during the previous wars. If it weren't for Orochimaru's bloody battle at Kikyo Mountain and the divine explosion at Kannabi Bridge by the 'Minato,' the heartland of the Land of Fire might have already been penetrated by Sunagakure Village and Iwagakure Village.

"However, Kumogakure Village's tactics this time seem overly simplistic."

After some thought, Nara Shikaku's face didn't relax but instead showed a hint of worry.

"It seems they haven't prepared any complex tactics, with no tendency for their main forces to disperse, relying solely on a frontal assault."

To be honest, Nara Shikaku really has a headache over this kind of brute-force approach.

Forget your schemes and tricks; I'll just take you head-on. After all, any sneak attacks will eventually be detected by the Byakugan, so I'll just compete with you in sheer strength, face-to-face!

Konohagakure is now vulnerable, and Kumogakure Village is all pumped up!

They're telling you outright.

This is a contest of strength, and brashness will end it.

"Does the Fourth Raikage want to prove that even in a head-on fight, Kumogakure Village isn't afraid of Konohagakure?"

Yuuhi Shinku pondered and gave his own answer.

To be honest, taking advantage of Konohagakure's weakness to plunder is not a fair fight to begin with, and using this battle to distinguish the number one ninja village is a joke; it doesn't prove that Kumogakure Village is stronger than Konohagakure.

But looking at it from another angle, Konohagakure's weakness is their own doing, unrelated to others. History is always written by the victors, and everyone understands the principle of the victor being the king. So, no one will accuse Kumogakure Village of taking advantage of the situation.

After all, if Kumogakure Village were in trouble, others would do the same to them. If there's blame, it's only because they gave others the opportunity.

"As for the war deployment, I already have a plan in mind."

Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke solemnly.

"The Nine-Tails disaster was a grave responsibility of mine, and it's only right for me to redeem myself through my deeds. The Sarutobi and Shimura clans will spare no effort in heading to the battlefield! They will serve as the vanguard, staunchly defending the Land of Fire's frontlines!"

"The coordination of intelligence will be entrusted to the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, along with the Aburame."

If one were to speak of the most daring moment in a person's life, it would be none other than when they command the landscape and shatter the enemy ranks with laughter.

Hyuga Hitoshi now expressed his profound respect for the impassioned elder village chief.

Without a doubt, the elder village chief needed an opportunity to prove himself, but he turned this clear chance to showcase his abilities into an act of atonement, which is truly admirable.

The art of language has been masterfully played by the elder village chief.

Hitoshi, however, remained calm, treating the elder village chief's words as mere bluster.

But Fugaku listened intently, afraid of missing where the Uchiha clan should go and when to take action.

Until the end...

"The previous contributions of the Uchiha guard are well recognized. During the war, the village will be vulnerable, and we hope that the Uchiha clan will continue to strive, maintaining the village's security environment, providing everyone with a safe rear."

What does this mean?

Stay behind?

Uchiha Fugaku was immediately shocked and wanted to retort, but the elder village chief clearly hadn't finished speaking. After glancing at Fugaku, he threw out his trump card.

"The lessons of the Nine-Tails disaster are etched in everyone's hearts, and the only ones in Konohagakure who can control the Nine-Tails to a hundred percent, even in the event of turmoil, are the Uchiha clan! This responsibility is one the Uchiha clan cannot shirk!"

As he spoke fervently, the elder village chief's face turned red as he grasped Patriarch Fugaku's hand, his eyes brimming with sincerity.

"Patriarch Fugaku! All of this is for the sake of the village!"

To hell with doing it for the village.

Fugaku's face turned red as he struggled to free his hand from the elder village chief's grasp.

Damn.

He's been outmaneuvered!

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