Naruto: The Shadow Lord of the Nara Clan

The Nara clan chief's family.

Nara clan chief Nara Shikaku stared at the Hokage token in his hand for a long time without saying a word.

After repeatedly pondering the meaning of each sentence and each word, he pinched the bridge of his nose, his expression serious.

"What does the Hokage mean by this?"

"Let the Root and all the major ninja clans act together."

"But the Anbu went to monitor the Uchiha."

Looking back at the recent political changes in Konoha, Shikaku narrowed his eyes slightly, vaguely sensing Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts.

—Is this an attempt to get me to oversee the actions of the Root organization?

After realizing this, Shikaku pondered for a long time.

He realized that a huge change was about to happen in Konoha.

Whether the Nara clan can continue its former glory depends on the choices it makes in this political vortex.

Lu Jiu did not hesitate for long.

Because he had already made his decision.

"Notify the Nara clan ninjas so they can head to the outskirts of Konoha to provide support."

"Inform the Yamanaka and Akimichi clans that they are preparing to hold the Ino-Shika-Cho Conference."

"Convey the Hokage's message to the other major ninja clans, instructing them to gather their forces and prepare for battle."

……

Unlike the Nara clan, who acted swiftly.

Within the Uchiha clan's territory, a deathly and oppressive atmosphere still lingered.

Some of the pro-war Uchiha members were gathered at Fugaku's residence, each with a grim expression on their face.

As a major clan in Konoha, they were naturally aware of the beast riot.

However, before they could react, Hiruzen Sarutobi dispatched a large number of ANBU ninjas to surround the Uchiha clan's territory.

It's as if they were the masterminds behind this incident!

This feeling of distrust stemming from being slandered brought back memories of the past.

They suffered the same treatment on the night of the Nine-Tailed Fox's rampage!

Since then, the Uchiha clan's situation has gradually declined.

Now, Hiruzen Sarutobi has done the same thing to them again!

Even though they didn't do it, no one believed them; everyone thought the Uchiha were the murderers!

Again and again!

Even the most timid person will harbor resentment if they are repeatedly discriminated against and slandered.

What about the Uchiha clan members who are always emotional?

A pro-war cadre looked at Uchiha Fugaku and said coldly:

"Chieftain, let's rebel!"

As this cadre made his stance clear, the surrounding pro-war supporters all became red-eyed:

"That's outrageous!"

"That's outrageous!"

"Shut up!"

The powerful sound completely silenced all the protests at the scene.

With a cold expression, Fugaku Uchiha swept his gaze across the suppressed anger on the faces of his clansmen and roared:

"This is not the Naka Shrine!"

"They're surrounded by ANBU ninjas!"

"They can hear everything you say!"

"You bunch of idiots!"

The cadre who spoke first was so angered that his face turned red. He gritted his teeth and replied:

"So what should we do?"

"We can't just do nothing and wait, can we?"

"Once this is over, the Uchiha clan will definitely take the blame!"

"Just like last time!"

"Now we Uchiha are like rats, hated by everyone. What will happen to us after this is over?"

Upon hearing this, Fugaku felt his mouth go dry.

He knew this all too well.

but……

Fugaku glanced out the window without making it obvious.

A ninja wearing a cat-face mask was crouching silently on a telephone pole.

Through the mask, he could clearly see those scarlet eyes.

—Itachi…

Fugaku knew very well that this was Itachi's warning to him.

If the Uchiha dared to make any unusual moves, these ANBU ninjas would not hesitate for even half a second.

Because the incident happened so suddenly, Fugaku had no time to gather the clan's remaining strength.

If he chooses to resist when the enemy has already set up the battlefield, it will be a catastrophe for the entire Uchiha clan, especially if the enemy is intentionally attacking him but not intentionally, and the enemy has already set up the battlefield.

Therefore, he can only endure it for now.

Just like back then.

I can't do anything, I dare not do anything.

"Keep quiet, I know what I'm doing."

After forcibly suppressing the anger of the pro-war faction, Fugaku sighed inwardly.

Shisui's death made their emotions extremely unstable.

Now this has happened again.

Fugaku has already seen the future.

He was about to lose control.

It's likely that this group of pro-war elements will rise up and rebel soon.

As the clan leader, he had lost the power to refuse.

……

As a former Root member, Kabuto Yakushi, who had been hiding in Konoha for many years, naturally had many sources of information.

Although he wasn't there immediately, he quickly gathered information about all parties in Konoha.

After confirming that everything was developing as Lord Orochimaru had predicted, Kabuto Yakushi, following his past memories, arrived at the Root headquarters.

Using his former codename and by claiming to be Orochimaru's messenger, Kabuto Yakushi successfully met Danzo.

The moment Kabuto saw Danzo, a barely perceptible look of hatred flashed in the depths of his eyes.

—It was him who killed the dean!

However, Kabuto did not show his strong emotions, but buried them deep in his heart and regained his calm and rationality.

He is now Orochimaru's subordinate.

Slowly lowering his head, Kabuto Yakushi respectfully said:

"It's been a long time, Lord Danzo."

Danzo looked down at the person in front of him and recalled his past memories.

"So it was you."

An orphan with some talent.

He originally thought that Kabuto had died in the mission, but he never expected that he had become Orochimaru's man.

Although Danzo was very unhappy about Kabuto's "betrayal," he still had to give Orochimaru some face since Kabuto had become one of Orochimaru's men.

More importantly, Kabuto himself wasn't actually that important to him.

He had many orphans under his command who were used as spies to gather intelligence.

Danzo nodded casually, tilted his head, glanced at Kabuto Yakushi, and said indifferently:

"Orochimaru, what's the matter?"

Danzo is currently waiting for Orochimaru to research the Hero's Water and develop a method to reduce the recovery time of Kotoamatsukami.

Therefore, he would agree to any request as long as it wasn't excessive.

Instead of playing riddles with Danzo, Kabuto said directly:

"Lord Danzo, the beast riot was orchestrated by Lord Orochimaru."

"He hopes you can delay, or even interfere with, Konoha's actions."

"It would be best to keep Hiruzen Sarutobi from getting distracted for a short period of time."

Upon hearing this, Danzo frowned.

He never expected that Orochimaru was behind this.

A surge of anger welled up inside him.

If Orochimaru hadn't caused all this trouble, he wouldn't have been targeted like this by Hiruzen Sarutobi.

But now that things have come to this, it seems he really has no other choice but to bring more trouble to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi already had a knife to his neck.

Moreover, this was his original plan—to stand aside and preserve his strength.

This is just a further step.

"Can."

Danzo waved his hand impatiently, his eyes full of disdain and disgust.

"Go on, I don't believe Orochimaru did all that just to give that old man Sarutobi a headache."

Kabuto chuckled softly and continued:

"That's right, Lord Danzo."

"Lord Orochimaru's true purpose is actually..."