Inoichi Yamanaka's tone was certain.
He clearly didn't have high hopes for the Aburame Clan.
As he said, the Aburame is only a mid-tier Ninja Clans, and their population size is even smaller than any single family within Ino–Shika–Chō.
Even combined, Ino–Shika–Chō can only barely protect themselves.
What about the Aburame Clan?
Due to the characteristics of their clan, they have almost no friendly Ninja Clans, nor do they have friends who would advance and retreat alongside them.
This mid-tier Ninja Clans, however, possesses very comprehensive abilities.
Faced with Danzo's coercion, what can the Aburame Clan do?
It seems... apart from wholeheartedly defecting to the Uchiha, there is no other option. They have too little room to maneuver when facing a crisis.
"Inoichi, Choza."
"I wonder if you've noticed? The fact that Danzo is still alive feels extremely perplexing!"
"Let's not forget one thing: Uchiha Jin has a feud with Danzo."
"Danzo captured his parents, yet despite this intense hatred, Danzo has failed to truly die time and time again. Does Uchiha Jin really lack the ability?"
"Think about the Forest of Death that night a few days ago—that black giant, fully thirty meters tall."
"Anyway, I don't believe it!"
Shikaku's eyes flickered.
His brain began to spin rapidly, and then he voiced his doubts.
And, regarding this.
Inoichi Yamanaka and Akimichi Choza instantly darkened upon hearing this.
They weren't fools!
Since Shikaku had already spelled it out, if they still couldn't understand, then they deserved nothing more than to sit at the same table as the Uchiha.
"Shikaku, are you suggesting..." Akimichi Choza looked completely stunned.
However.
Before Shikaku could speak, Inoichi Yamanaka coldly stated, "Uchiha Jin must have deliberately spared Danzo, intending for Danzo to disgust us Ninja Clanss, thereby forcing us to defect to them as soon as possible!"
Akimichi Choza sighed.
Even if they knew this, what could they say?
After all, Danzo was the one doing the dirty work; they couldn't possibly blame Uchiha Jin!
And, regarding this.
Shikaku pondered silently, shaking his head after a long while.
"Forget it, it doesn't concern us!"
"But this point is enough to show that Uchiha Jin is a man capable of great forbearance."
"Konoha is about to descend into chaos!"
Inoichi Yamanaka and Akimichi Choza could only sigh in response.
Yes!
Although they were Ninja Clans heads, they had no right to be players on the Village's chessboard.
Even if they tried their hardest, they might not be able to protect their families!
...Meanwhile, on the other side.
In the Uchiha Clan Compound, within Jin's large courtyard.
The front courtyard, reception hall.
After Uchiha Yue skillfully prepared the tea, she bowed slightly and left the room.
Uchiha Jin picked up the teacup, then couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
"Clan Head Zhiwei, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"I actually anticipated that a Ninja Clans would come to defect to the Uchiha, but I didn't expect the first clan to defect entirely would be the Aburame Clan."
"Is it convenient to tell me?"
"How many people did Danzo demand from your Aburame Clan?"
Uchiha Jin was full of curiosity.
Yes!
He was genuinely surprised!
Currently, the Uchiha have scattered many spies throughout the Village, so Uchiha Jin was naturally aware that Danzo had begun visiting the major Ninja Clanss today.
Therefore.
He had naturally prepared for this, and had been constantly guessing in his heart which Ninja Clans would be the first to defect.
But the problem was.
He truly hadn't expected the first ones to arrive would be the Aburame Clan!
One must know.
Compared to Ino–Shika–Chō or the Hyuga, the Aburame Clan might be considered a smaller Ninja Clans, but looking at Konoha as a whole, the Aburame Clan's scale is actually quite significant.
Therefore, in Uchiha Jin's opinion, even if the Aburame Clan came to defect, they should have at least taken a few days to think it over, right?
But now?
Danzo had only just left the Aburame Clan when Aburame Shimi came directly to defect to him.
This truly made him feel a little startled for a moment.
After all, in Uchiha Jin's view, the first Ninja Clanss to defect should have been smaller ones like the Mitarashi, Kato Clan, and Kurama Clans.
Therefore.
He immediately asked the question, not even bothering to deny that he had anticipated this beforehand.
Furthermore... if a clever person heard these words, they would know that Danzo remaining alive was Uchiha Jin's doing!
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Aburame Shimi, dressed in black robes and wearing sunglasses, couldn't help but let out a deep sigh after hearing Uchiha Jin's words.
He drained the tea in his hand, placed the cup steadily on the table, and then spoke in a very heavy tone.
"All of them!"
Uchiha Jin was somewhat bewildered.
That's it?!
Although he knew the Aburame Clan wasn't known for eloquence, you are still the Aburame Clan Head; isn't this a bit too poor for conversation?
But, wait.
What does that mean?
Uchiha Jin pondered for a moment before tentatively asking, "Clan Head Zhiwei, I don't quite understand your meaning."
Immediately after.
Considering Aburame Shimi's personality, conversing like this seemed too dreary.
Therefore.
He immediately called Uchiha Yue, instructing her to prepare a few dishes and even bring several jars of wine.
Following this.
Uchiha Jin immediately raised his cup and began pouring drinks for Aburame Shimi.
And, regarding this.
Although Aburame Shimi didn't particularly like alcohol, considering he was here to defect today, he reluctantly began to drink.
After three cups of wine, Aburame Shimi loosened up a bit.
"Yes, all of them!" Aburame Shimi's expression was slightly cold: "Danzo is too greedy."
"Before, he only wanted one or two Aburame geniuses. At that time, I hardened my heart and gritted my teeth and gave them up. After all, the Aburame Clan lacks sufficient foundation, so when it was necessary to bow, we had to bow."
"After all, too many Ninja Clanss have been wiped out since Konoha was founded."
"The Fūma Clan, which was similar in size to the Aburame before, and even the founding Senju Clan are all gone. The Aburame Clan realized this, so naturally, we had to humble ourselves for the sake of our clan."
"The Village has changed!"
"Ever since Hiruzen Sarutobi took the position of Third Hokage, the Village has long ceased to be what First Hokage-sama promised when it was first established."
"But..."
"Danzo is still going too far!"
"This time, he actually demanded that I, the Clan Head, lead the entire Aburame Clan to merge completely into Root."
"Is there any difference between this and clan annihilation?"
When he reached this point, Aburame Shimi was extremely furious.
Especially combined with the alcohol he had consumed, his Chakra control became somewhat erratic, causing insects to begin flying around various parts of his body.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Uchiha Jin didn't pay attention to the trivial matter of the insects, but was shocked by the audacity of that idiot, Danzo.
Holy crap!
Is he insane?
He previously thought that no matter how crazy Danzo was, he would at most demand half of the clan members.
But now?
You bastard, you're practically inhuman, demanding the entire Aburame Clan merge completely into your Root organization?
Damn it.
He must be out of his mind!