Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 84: Shifting Hearts

The Yamanaka and Akimichi clans had been allied with the Nara for generations, sharing the same "trench" since the Warring States period. Their cooperation was seamless and rarely prone to mistakes.

But for the other ninja clans… if an emergency occurred and there was no time to communicate, Shikaku worried that things could go terribly wrong.

This time, with Elder Meisei taking the heat, the Nara clan could have done more. Yet just by feigning a slight alignment with Danzo, without even making an official stance, some clans behind them began leaning towards Danzo, forcing them to stop and remain neutral.

They couldn't afford to sabotage their own allies and let them fall victim to the Fourth Hokage's retaliation.

But in Konoha at that time, maintaining neutrality meant falling under the strict surveillance of the Root. As a result, some plans had to be executed solely by their own hand.

The division plan hadn't been fully implemented.

Hearing Shikaku's helpless tone, Hyuga Fuji smiled. "That only shows how much the ninja clans trust in the Nara's abilities."

Across the ninja world, it was hard to say which clan had it worst, but the Nara clan undoubtedly had it best.

Every Hokage had entrusted the Nara clan with important responsibilities. Shikaku had served under the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Hokages, all of whom spoke highly of him.

As for the Sixth Hokage, Kakashi… though his tenure wasn't extensively documented, it was clear he wouldn't abandon the Nara clan.

And the Seventh Hokage, Naruto, had an undeniable bond with Shikamaru.

In mission teams, the Nara clan's ninja often served as the brains. Their exceptional intelligence and respectable strength allowed them to thrive better than clans that relied solely on brute strength.

This was obvious to everyone in Konoha. That's why the clans who hadn't been blinded by greed would follow the Nara, waiting for the smart ones to make decisions for them.

"You're overpraising us," Shikaku sighed. "We didn't achieve our full goal. We had a chance to redistribute more of the top clans' interests."

The interests of ninja clans weren't always aligned.

The powerful clans aspired to produce a Hokage and taste the pinnacle of power.

Smaller clans often followed along, hoping to benefit from the scraps.

Most of the time, they had no choice, sometimes being drawn into conflicts without understanding why.

But they, too, hoped to become top-tier clans someday.

Yet this was incredibly difficult.

What were ninja clans?

They were prestigious families built on bloodlines, secret techniques, kekkei genkai, power, and influence.

Would the major clans, enjoying such prestige, want civilian ninjas competing with them for power?

No.

Would the most powerful clans allow smaller clans to rise and enjoy the same opportunities?

Also no.

"Powerful clans don't want Konoha to produce new clans of equal strength. That would reduce their share of power. So, if anyone rises up, they'll try to push them down."

Shikaku shook his head, his gaze complicated. "The Fourth Hokage faced a similar situation. His success represented the rise of a powerful clan."

The Uzumaki clan was strong enough already. Minato, with his extraordinary talent, was a potential threat even without the Nine-Tails.

"Some clans failed to see this. Danzo gave me an opportunity to show them the gap between themselves and the powerful clans—and gave us leverage over them."

Shikaku's voice turned cold. "Nine clans may not seem like many, but considering their associated clans, the numbers become significant. Once they realize their interests differ from the powerful clans and receive our warning, they'll be more cautious in the future."

The clans involved in Danzo's plan would never dare reveal their intention to undermine the "one nation, one village" system. Being among the powerful clans would only make them uneasy.

By accepting these clans now, they could be reassured.

"This doesn't solve the core issue. They're weak and will always follow the strong," Hyuga Fuji said, pouring tea for the two of them. "This only temporarily disrupts the current structure. Eventually, a new structure will form around us."

"For individuals, their closest bonds are often with their descendants. Ninja legacies are largely passed down by blood. The clans won't disappear."

Shikaku sighed. "As long as clans exist, Konoha's structure will naturally revolve around the strongest. It's unavoidable."

This issue was unsolvable. Destroy the old system, and a new system would form with its own alliances.

If the Uchiha and others won, it was impossible to deny them any rewards.

Dividing and warning some clans to break their old alliances would inevitably lead to new power dynamics in Konoha.

"There's no way around it…"

Hyuga Fuji murmured, smiling as he glanced at Shikaku, who seemed puzzled, before changing the subject.

"Still, there's another benefit to this approach. After this warning, these clans won't dare to dream of dismantling the 'one nation, one village' system."

Hyuga Fuji looked directly at Shikaku and asked calmly, "Who are you guarding against, Shikaku?"

Shikaku was silent for a long time. He looked to the left, as if his gaze pierced the walls to the Hokage building.

Lowering his eyes, Shikaku said, "Fuji, you know it too. The resistance to destroying the 'one nation, one village' system is a little too weak for that person…"

If Danzo wanted to dismantle the system, he had to worry about betrayal from the clans under him. So he cautiously probed to gauge the opposition.

What about Minato?

He was a civilian ninja. Most of his supporters were civilians, too.

"Civilian ninjas don't have the same concerns as the clans. If the Fourth could claim the Daimyo's position, they stand to gain far more than the clans."

"So even though I know the Fourth doesn't have that ambition, I still worry. Sometimes, personal intentions are pushed by collective will."

Shikaku stared at Hyuga Fuji. "That day, the Fourth publicly humiliated the Daimyo in front of the ninjas."

"Although he salvaged the Daimyo's dignity by visiting his residence via the Flying Raijin, lately, I've heard some civilian jonin say… 'If only the Fourth could be the Daimyo, he'd bring peace to the ninja world.'"

In their eyes, the Daimyo was useless, someone who meddled after victories and slowed progress. They'd rather eliminate him and unify the Land of Fire's power. The Fourth could achieve so much more.

Were they wrong?

From their standpoint, supporting the Fourth, it made sense.

But the implications were different.

The smaller clans wanted to change the system for advancement. Civilian ninjas, who saw the Fourth as their hope, supported the idea, too.

Shifting hearts… sometimes, that wasn't a good sign.

If not for the fact that everything seemed reasonable, with Danzo orchestrating the plan to gauge resistance, Shikaku would have wondered if someone had intentionally steered events this way.

Konoha and the Land of Fire were beginning to fracture.

Hyuga Fuji met Shikaku's gaze, took a sip of tea, and said softly, "Shikaku, you're overthinking it. The Fourth would never do that."

(End of Chapter)