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Chapter 111: The Hokage's Invitation
"So, can you explain what exactly is going on here?"
Uchiha Fugaku's expression was grim as he stared hard at Ritsu.
In this office belonging to him, Ritsu hadn't just returned alone—he'd brought Hatake Kakashi, a genuine successor of the Hokage's line, into this room where they were plotting rebellion.
This made everyone exchange glances, momentarily choosing to close their mouths and observe the situation.
"Kakashi is a like-minded comrade."
Ritsu sat down, gesturing for Kakashi to find a seat as well. However, Kakashi chose to stand beside Hyuga Arima.
"Ritsu, what do you mean?"
Hiruko looked somewhat puzzled at the youth standing beside Arima.
"We share the same objectives. I need those old bastards who want me dead to fall from power. The Uchiha clan needs to overthrow this regime that discriminates against and suppresses them. And Kakashi wants to uncover the truth about his father's forced suicide and restore the honor Sakumo-senpai deserves."
"So Kakashi will be joining our plan. Moreover, with his participation, I believe we can modify our plan to a certain degree."
Ritsu began discussing rebellion matters right in front of Kakashi.
Kakashi stood unmoved to the side.
"Ritsu, this... is too risky!"
Hiruko sighed, speaking without reservation. "Have you considered that Hatake Kakashi might be a spy sent by the Third Hokage? His purpose could be discovering what we're doing gathered here."
"Hiruko-senpai, I'm not a spy. I only want to uncover the truth about my father's death and clear his name."
Kakashi earnestly denied this.
But Hiruko didn't even bother lifting his eyelids, completely ignoring him.
"Teacher, Kakashi will move with me from now on. If he has the ability to make moves under my nose without me noticing, then I deserve to be killed."
Ritsu's posture was quite relaxed. His gaze swept around the room as he smiled. "Teacher, Clan Head Uchiha, Izumo-kun, Teyaki-kun—everyone relax. It's just rebellion. Speaking frankly, with the Hyuga and Uchiha united, our success rate is actually quite high. Moreover, even if we fail, at most only we few will die. It won't implicate too many people. Without the Uchiha and Hyuga, Konoha could never again face the other four great ninja villages alone."
These words were somewhat harsh.
What did he mean by "at most only we few will die"?
But honestly, no one present feared death. They seriously considered Ritsu's words and found them sound. With the Senju clan hidden away, the Uchiha and Hyuga were Konoha's only two great houses. The Uchiha clan produced outstanding experts endlessly, while the Hyuga clan was Konoha's indispensable foundation.
Losing either clan would be like Konoha severing its own arm. If they simultaneously lost both the Hyuga and Uchiha, unless the Senju clan rose again with someone like the First Hokage appearing, Konoha's decline would be inevitable.
Therefore, as long as the upper echelon's brains weren't broken, even if the Uchiha and Hyuga's rebellion failed, they wouldn't be utterly exterminated. The village's other families wouldn't allow the upper echelon to do so.
"Teacher, truly no need to worry. Don't forget what our real foundation is. If not for considering the consequences, considering the family and village's future, we two joining forces could actually solve all problems, couldn't we?"
Ritsu waved his fist at Hiruko.
Hiruko first frowned, but then his brow relaxed, his face showing relief. "You're right. I got a bit stuck in a rut. Rebellion really does make one's vision narrow without realizing it. I nearly forgot again that times have changed from the past."
Or rather, he still hadn't adapted to his own changes.
He still lacked a higher-intensity battle where he could go all out to clarify his position. Otherwise, he truly couldn't determine what level he now stood at, and thus couldn't make reasonable judgments accordingly.
"Ritsu, you handle it. Whatever specifics you decide, just tell me what I need to do. I won't waste time participating in discussions—I need to hurry and continue researching these Kekkei Genkai."
After speaking, Hiruko pulled out a notebook and pen, propping the notebook on his leg and beginning to write and draw. These past days squatting in Fugaku's office, aside from dispatching shadow clones to spread rumors, he'd basically spent all remaining time researching the four Kekkei Genkai on his body, developing and excavating the power within.
"Teacher, as you wish."
Ritsu had no objections to this.
He turned to look at Fugaku and Izumo. "Clan Head Uchiha, Izumo-kun, let's continue discussing plan modifications. With Kakashi joining, I don't think we need to contact any more supporters. With just the Hyuga and Uchiha clans supporting Kakashi's investigation into Sakumo-senpai's suicide years ago, we can publicly accuse village leadership of betraying and harming your clan's four jonin, and accuse them of selling my intelligence to the Mist ninja."
Ritsu proposed a more aggressive plan.
"What? Public accusation? Will that work?"
Fugaku's eyes widened.
"If it were just our two families, probably not. The matter of your clan's four jonin being betrayed has no evidence. I was betrayed but didn't die, so people won't think the situation is serious. It's hard to trigger public opinion—they might even think we're fighting with the Hokage over power. But Sakumo-senpai's matter is different. He wasn't from a ninja family—he has deep influence among civilian ninja. Moreover, his suicide has many problems. These matters are household knowledge. With slight guidance, people can discover the issues. This is why Sakumo-senpai's suicide could trigger heated discussion years later."
"Simply put, everyone in the village isn't foolish. They can also see problems with Sakumo-senpai's death. It's just that back then no one dared voice dissent, no one stood up to question it, allowing those old bastards to easily cover it up."
"But just because they covered it up then doesn't mean this matter is permanently closed. As Sakumo-senpai's son, Kakashi has both the right and duty to investigate his father's death's truth. What we need to do is help and support Kakashi in uncovering the truth, help him make those who killed Sakumo-senpai pay the appropriate price. Incidentally, we can also settle our own debts."
By this point, Ritsu had completely calculated everything in his heart. With the legitimate reason Kakashi provided, there was no need to play sneaky tricks anymore. Moreover, he now possessed the strength to support acting openly and honorably. He'd simply take a stance and face village leadership squarely.
He controlled both righteousness and force!
Therefore, there was no reason to lose.
"This is too fast, isn't it?"
Fugaku frowned deeply.
"Didn't I just say? For rebellion, sooner is better than later, fast is better than slow. Of course, if Clan Head Uchiha thinks it's too fast, you can deliberate slowly. But I can't wait anymore, I—"
Before Ritsu finished speaking, another report came from outside.
"Clan Head, someone else has arrived, saying they're under the Hokage's orders to find Clan Head Hyuga and Jonin Hiruko."
"Hmm?"
Fugaku looked at Ritsu and Hiruko.
"Looking for me and Teacher?"
Ritsu raised his eyebrows, looking at Hiruko raising his head opposite him. He slowly said: "Teacher, feels like they're not coming with good intentions!"
"Simultaneously seeking both of us teacher and student... looks like they're coming for our technique."
"Nine out of ten chance."
"Then let's go."
Hiruko put away his notebook and pen, standing up.
"Then, Clan Head Uchiha, Izumo-kun, you can continue discussing whether to act according to my new plan. We need to handle the immediate trouble first."
Ritsu greeted the landlords, stood up, and called the two youths. "Arima, Kakashi, come with us to see the Hokage!"
The four arrived at the Military Police Force building's entrance, meeting four Konoha ninja waiting there.
"Clan Head Hyuga, Jonin Hiruko, I am Shirakumo Hayama. Under the Hokage's orders, I've come to invite you both to the Hokage building. There are very important matters to discuss with you."
The leading young jonin Shirakumo Hayama stepped forward, speaking respectfully.
"Do you know specifically what important matters need discussing?"
"I'm not clear. I'm only following orders to invite you both."
"Then let's go!"
Seeing he couldn't extract any information, Ritsu didn't bother wasting more words. He simply had Hayama's squad lead the way. The group split into two waves, one before and one after, heading toward the red Hokage building located not far below the Hokage Rock.
Fugaku and Izumo stood at the window, staring at Ritsu's group's departing backs.
"Clan Head, what do you plan to do?"
"He's too young, too impulsive, too hasty."
"But I think Clan Head Hyuga is right. Not everything requires caution. For such matters, how could there be no risk? The longer we drag things out, the more variables emerge—the risk actually increases."
"I understand the logic you're stating, but you completely don't understand what I'm worried about."
Fugaku looked at this youngest clan elder beside him. "We're different from the Hyuga clan. The Hyuga's Byakugan has too great an auxiliary role on battlefields. Without the Hyuga's Byakugan, village battlefield casualties would multiply several times. But without the Uchiha... though certainly a painful loss for the village, they only need to cultivate enough civilian ninja to fill the gap and still stabilize the situation."
"Therefore, Konoha can exist without the Uchiha, but cannot exist without the Hyuga. Clan Head Hyuga can be aggressive, can be impulsive, but we cannot. We don't have that capital and confidence. For matters like... coups, either don't do it, or if doing it, naturally ensure maximum certainty of success."
Fugaku's voice wasn't loud, but his words plunged Izumo into long silence.
He'd indeed never considered what Fugaku mentioned, never realized the Uchiha and Hyuga clans had such tremendous differences regarding the village.
Perhaps the clan head was right. The Hyuga clan could take risks and gamble. That didn't mean their Uchiha clan could take risks.
Ritsu didn't know this clan head's calculations. Or rather, even knowing, he wouldn't care. Even if the Uchiha clan backed down at the last moment, unwilling to charge into battle alongside them, it didn't matter.
Because he now had Hatake Kakashi—this open and aboveboard banner.
A reason so reasonable and legitimate it was impeccable.
Simultaneously, he possessed the strength to negotiate equally with the Third Hokage and others.
Therefore, he followed Hayama's squad to the Hokage building.
"Clan Head Hyuga, Jonin Hiruko, the Hokage summoned only you two, so..."
Hayama looked somewhat awkwardly at Arima and Kakashi.
"Arima, wait outside for a moment."
"Yes, Clan Head."
"Shirakumo Jonin, is this acceptable?"
Ritsu asked with a smile.
Hayama's facial muscles twitched. Steeling himself, he said: "This Hatake Jonin is also not within the Hokage's summons."
"Then please inform the Hokage that Hatake Jonin and I have very important matters to report."
Ritsu's attitude was resolute.
Hearing this, Hayama said no more. He obediently came to the Hokage's office door, knocked with his finger, then reported loudly: "Hokage-sama, Clan Head Hyuga and Jonin Hiruko have arrived. Accompanying them is Jonin Hatake Kakashi. Clan Head Hyuga says he has important matters requiring joint report with Jonin Hatake."
After he finished reporting, about seven or eight seconds passed.
Only then did a voice emerge: "Come in!"
With permission granted, Hayama finally pushed open the unlocked door, walking in first. He knelt on one knee before the desk, saying respectfully: "Hokage-sama, everyone has been brought."
"Hayama, you've worked hard. Go rest."
Sitting behind the desk, wearing the Hokage's hat and robes, holding his pipe, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke gently.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Hayama breathed relief, swiftly withdrawing from the Hokage's office.
Ritsu, Hiruko, and Kakashi stood before the desk. Ritsu once again locked eyes with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
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