Aburame Shimi's expression was calm.
Did the Konoha High Command really think he was unaware of their true nature?
Although our Aburame Clan speaks little, we are not fools!
They had already made their choice. Even if the Uchiha Clan wasn't so good, and even without their promise, he couldn't possibly trust the Konoha High Command.
Who knew if the Konoha High Command would come back to settle accounts with them after eliminating the Uchiha?
Of course.
He didn't say any of these words, continuing to calmly brew tea. Only when Jiraiya asked, would he calmly refuse.
Jiraiya: "..."
He felt stifled, an unidentifiable rage rising within him.
No choice!
Facing this silent person, he truly didn't know what to say.
So, in the end.
Even the usually good-tempered Jiraiya slammed his hand on the table in anger.
"Aburame Shimi, speak up!"
"What exactly are you dissatisfied with, or do you have any demands? You can just state them directly."
"You have to let me know what you're thinking!"
Yes.
Although Jiraiya had anticipated that this trip wouldn't be smooth, Aburame Shimi's reaction still made him lose his composure.
And, in response.
Aburame Shimi remained calm, merely shaking his head slowly: "Lord Jiraiya, please return. The Aburame Clan has chosen the Uchiha, and our decision will not change!"
No explanation, no reasons.
The Aburame Clan was not good with words to begin with; saying so much at once was already giving Jiraiya a lot of face.
Jiraiya's expression was grim.
The Aburame Clan's resolve left him somewhat confused.
Why?
In his view, the Ninja Clan's choice this time was merely due to Danzo pushing them too hard. As long as the Hokage could set things right in time, everything would naturally return to normal.
But, what about now?
The reality dealt him a fatal blow. Even if he talked until his mouth was dry, Aburame Shimi remained indifferent, rejecting him without even thinking.
What about the Will of Fire?
Everyone was working for the Village, why had it come to this?
Jiraiya's eyes began to dim. Finally, he reluctantly left the Aburame Clan, then headed directly to the Inuzuka Clan for his second stop.
However, it was a pity.
Although the Inuzuka Clan's attitude was very good, their stance was equally firm.
In a word!
They were with the Uchiha, and no one could change that.
Haha, no choice!
Not to mention that their actions were already a de facto betrayal of the Konoha High Command, the key was that the benefits offered by the Uchiha were truly enticing!
Although the Inuzuka Clan's benefits weren't as much as those of the Aburame Clan or Kakashi, they were definitely not something the Konoha High Command could compete with. Anyone who wasn't an idiot would know how to choose, right?
Jiraiya returned empty-handed again, becoming increasingly dejected.
He then visited other large and small Ninja Clans like a walking corpse, and the results were no exception; everyone had no interest in returning to the Village and was prepared to stick with the Uchiha to the end!
Nonsense.
Whether it was Senju Hashirama's Village integration plan, or Hokages like Senju Tobirama and Hiruzen Sarutobi, they had all overtly or covertly suppressed the Ninja Clans. Did he really think these Ninja Clans couldn't see it?
They finally encountered an Uchiha who didn't suppress Ninja Clans, and even seemed to strongly support them. Anyone with a functioning brain would know how to choose.
Hiruzen Sarutobi? Not even dogs would vote for him!
Now, let alone Jiraiya coming to persuade them, even if Tsunade came, it would be useless.
Although the Senju Clan's influence still existed, in a situation involving family inheritance, even if Senju Hashirama popped out of his coffin, it wouldn't matter.
Everyone was determined to follow the Uchiha. Even the Six Paths Sage would have to step aside!
Finally.
Completely despairing, Jiraiya eventually arrived at the Ino–Shika–Chō residence.
Akimichi and Yamanaka members didn't show up; the one who received him was still Nara Shikaku.
Looking at the disheartened Jiraiya, Nara Shikaku couldn't help but shake his head.
"Lord Jiraiya, please save your breath!"
"Our Ino–Shika–Chō, like other Ninja Clans, are determined to go all the way with the Uchiha, even if it means death or the destruction of our clan, we don't care."
"Even if it means splitting Konoha, we will not hesitate!"
Nara Shikaku's tone was firm.
Before Jiraiya could speak, he directly stated their decision.
Clearly.
Being intelligent, he naturally understood Jiraiya's intention, so he didn't give him a chance to speak and directly stated the Ino–Shika–Chō's intention.
In fact... he had already informed Shikaku and the others about the situation, and it was highly likely that the other half of Ino–Shika–Chō would also arrive soon.
Are you kidding me!
The Uchiha had already openly declared their future governing policy. Even if Ino–Shika–Chō had to shed blood and sacrifice clan members, they would resolutely push Uchiha Jin into the Hokage position.
Yes.
If before, Ino–Shika–Chō and even other Ninja Clans were merely suffering due to Danzo and reluctantly sought refuge under the Uchiha's wing, now they were determined to support the Uchiha!
Simply not suppressing Ninja Clans, and even supporting them, was enough.
Because everyone was truly fed up with the decades of suppression by the Hokage faction against the Ninja Clans. If they had known the Uchiha had this mindset earlier, how could they have supported Senju Hashirama back then?
As for — suspicion?
Suspecting that the Uchiha were making empty promises and would also suppress Ninja Clans after becoming Hokage?
Impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
You could say the Uchiha were arrogant, or even extreme, but you couldn't say they lied.
They didn't have the brains for it. The Uchiha's millennium of credibility was worthy of everyone's trust!
Although there was a clever Uchiha Jin, deep down, he was still of the Uchiha mold. If he wasn't extreme, he wouldn't have awakened the Mangekyo.
"Why?"
"Shikaku, tell me!"
"What exactly are you Ninja Clans thinking?"
"If I wasn't sure your Chakra was fine, I'd truly think you were under a Genjutsu."
"Konoha is everyone's Village, don't you know that?"
"Having one Uchiha is already troublesome enough, why do you choose to get involved? Are you afraid the Village is doing too well?"
"Why can't everyone work together to make the Village better? The Third Great Ninja War just ended not long ago, and Konoha and Kumogakure haven't even signed a peace treaty yet!"
"Your Nara Clan is so smart, how can you not understand such a simple principle?"
Jiraiya's face was grim, and a murderous glint flashed in his eyes.
Yes!
The actions of these Ninja Clans had truly enraged him.
If it weren't for the Uchiha being too strong now, and having so many Ninja Clans supporting them, he would have disregarded everything and carried out a decapitation strike.
The Village was his bottom line!
Even if Tsunade touched it, Jiraiya would directly harbor killing intent.
But, the problem was.
This time too many people were involved, not only the strongest Ninja Clan, the Uchiha, but also all the large and small Ninja Clans of Konoha. This was why he was barely suppressing himself now.
So.
Completely despairing and helpless, he finally voiced his doubts.
He had lost confidence in persuading these Ninja Clans. Now, he simply wanted to know from Nara Shikaku what these Konoha Ninja Clans were truly thinking.