Chapter 58: Flexing Muscles

Not long ago, the rumors about Kakashi spreading through the village had left everyone uneasy. They worried that if Kakashi could be targeted today, then they might be next tomorrow. Besides, most of these ANBU had received favors from Kakashi; many had been present at his gatherings. So, their choice to stand by and do nothing now was not surprising.

On the other side, after receiving orders, the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi clans urgently gathered their ninja. But before they could even step out onto Konoha's streets, a squad of ninja and a pack of ninja dogs headed straight for their compounds.

Leading the group, Inuzuka Ago and Aburame Shibi smiled as they faced Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Choza.

Seeing this, Shikaku sighed and asked, "May I ask why you two have brought your clansmen to the territory of our Ino-Shika-Cho alliance?"

Inuzuka Jaw grinned, "Clan Head Nara, you're being too formal. We're just here for a visit, nothing more."

"Just a visit?" Inoichi frowned at their fully armed stance, even their ninja dogs outfitted for battle.

"Of course," said Inuzuka Ago. "But it seems we've come at a bad time. It's so late, why are the three of you leading your clansmen out? Don't you know there's a curfew tonight?"

"We're acting on Lord Third's orders to maintain order in the village. Please allow us to pass," Shikaku replied in a deep voice.

"But our orders are that, except for police department members, anyone moving around tonight is to be treated as a rioter," Aburame Shibi said.

"When did the Aburame and Inuzuka start following police department orders?" Shikaku frowned.

"It's not that we're following their orders," Inuzuka Ago replied. "It's just that unlike your Ino-Shika-Cho trio, our clans don't have many members in important village positions. Now that we finally have two clan members serving as police squad leaders, we as clan heads naturally have to support them. If we offend you, please forgive us."

At this moment, in the private mental channel set up by their secret jutsu, Choza asked, "What now, Shikaku? Should we fight?"

Shikaku thought for a bit before replying, "No, their timing is actually good. Let's just wait here with them until things are over."

"But the Third won't be happy if we just stay," Inoichi added.

"Having them here is explanation enough," Shikaku replied.

There was no way they'd actually start a fight. While the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance had more jonin overall, and their combined techniques gave them an edge, Shikaku had to consider the Uchiha clan standing behind the Inuzuka and Aburame. If they fought now, that grudge would be set in stone, and their trio would be forced to stick with Hiruzen Sarutobi's camp. Even if Hiruzen won the coming political battles, how much longer could he stay in power at his age?

As for the next Hokage, Shikaku figured only Jiraiya or Tsunade were suitable. If Tsunade came back and wanted the job, he'd bet on her in a heartbeat—but she'd rather be in debt than return to the village.

As for Jiraiya—Shikaku would never risk his clan's future on a man chasing a prophecy around the world.

Other than those two, only Kakashi remained a possible successor—not strong enough yet, but still young. But even if Kakashi really did side with the Third, they couldn't intervene now. If they stopped the police on Kakashi's behalf, they'd be ruined in the future.

So, after considering all this, Shikaku realized that waiting here with the Inuzuka and Aburame was the best plan—give the Third an explanation, but keep their own hands clean.

…

Back in the Hokage office, the Third realized the situation wasn't improving and resorted to his telescope jutsu to see what was happening.

When he saw the ANBU slacking off and the standoff at Ino-Shika-Cho's compound, Sarutobi's heart sank. He never expected the fully armed Aburame and Inuzuka to block the trio's path.

He'd seen the welcoming ceremony when Uchiha Seiryu visited the Inuzuka, and knew they'd already sided with the Uchiha. But he hadn't expected them to go all-in like this, showing up with every chuunin and above. And the Aburame interfering as well? That was a shock.

He had to admit, ever since Danzo died, his grip on the village had weakened.

Sarutobi puffed his pipe and looked at the last remaining ANBU in his office, "Go mobilize the jonin squads to help the ANBU."

"Yes, Lord Hokage." The ANBU left, and Koharu and Homura started complaining again, but Sarutobi couldn't even muster the patience to listen.

He understood: today's events were more than just the police using a pretext—Uchiha Seiryu was flexing his muscles. In less than a month since Danzo's death, Seiryu had assembled enough cards for an armed revolt, and what made Sarutobi's scalp tingle was that Seiryu had done everything by the book—so cleanly not even the Hokage could find fault. He was totally different from previous Uchiha leaders.

The only good news was that Seiryu was restrained enough not to let things spiral out of control.