Chapter 104: Hiruzen Sarutobi: I Am Preparing to Surrender!

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was full of displeasure.

Could he not understand such a simple principle?

If it were merely this, would he have needed to seek out Shikaku Nara?

However.

Though extremely displeased in his heart, trusting Shikaku Nara, he forced himself to continue reading.

Then, there was silence!

Only after truly finishing the letter did he understand Shikaku Nara's reasoning.

In Shikaku's words, cutting the Military Police Force's budget was itself an error.

The reason nothing happened before was simply that the Uchiha were stupid enough.

The other ninja clans would not speak up for the Uchiha, so this course of action was naturally acceptable.

But now, things are different.

The sudden emergence of Uchiha Jin has completely changed this.

In this situation, winning or losing in the short term does not matter.

What matters most is plugging the weaknesses and making oneself flawless.

Therefore.

We must quickly replenish the Police Force's funding; even lowering our stance is acceptable.

Because only in this way.

can we completely extinguish this weakness, and naturally become much more composed when dealing with the Uchiha in the future.

Otherwise.

even if we scheme extensively now, even if we eventually break the deadlock...

so what?

The weakness remains; this Hokage would still be flawed.

Even if the Uchiha lose this time, they will still seize upon this single weakness to plot a second, third, or even countless future attempts.

Take a step back, and the sea and sky open up.

He who does not plan for the long term cannot plan for the short term.

He who does not plan for the whole cannot plan for a part.

This is the same principle as chess; fighting over short-term gains is the most foolish thing.

Therefore.

The more one does, the more one errs.

In this matter, the Uchiha have already gained the upper hand.

This is their home ground!

And the greatest taboo in warfare is fighting within an enemy's territory.

Since admitting defeat will not affect much, involving only some expenditure of funds, why not admit defeat immediately?

Admit defeat quickly and end the war.

Then plan carefully and prepare for the next confrontation.

Once the layout is set.

force the opponent to fight on our home ground, allowing us to act with ease and mastery.

Moreover, doing this has another benefit.

It will make the opponent lower their guard, believing we are nothing special, thereby reducing their vigilance.

This will increase the probability of success in future schemes.

Admitting defeat.

is for the sake of greater success!

"This makes sense!" Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke softly, "I truly have become obsessed."

"For such a trivial matter, I almost walked myself into a dead end."

"Truly, Nara Shikaku, Itachi have my complete respect."

"Shikaku is right; since this path is blocked, we simply take another."

"In the future, there is plenty of time."

"Uchiha Jin, I have remembered Itachi!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed with emotion.

Having grasped this point, he instantly felt a sudden clarity.

His body and mind felt a surge of relief!

Sitting behind his desk, he continued to puff on his pipe for a while before speaking faintly to the empty air.

"Summon the three Elders."

"As Itachi command!"

A figure from the Anbu Black Ops materialized, knelt on one knee to pay respects, and then immediately left the room.

Time passed slowly.

About an hour later, the three Elders finally arrived late.

"Hiruzen, everything is in chaos."

"The Uchiha are too excessive; their actions show no responsibility toward the villagers."

"We must... we must deal with them!"

Koharu Utatane's face looked grim.

These past few days, she had been in terrible pain, especially seeing the village in such disarray.

She truly wanted to rush to the Police Force without hesitation and kill those unscrupulous bastards.

Simply despicable!

If Itachi Uchiha are dissatisfied with the village leadership, then fight us honorably!

Creating chaos in the village and kidnapping villagers to pressure the leadership?

How shameless!

Yes.

This is called double standards!

Back then, when they used that move to frame Hatake Sakumo, they were nowhere near as angry as they are now.

"Koharu is right; I fully support it," Homura Mitokado spoke up immediately. "These damn Uchiha are a cancer in Konoha."

"We must find a way to completely eliminate this group of Uchiha."

His face turned iron-pale.

Clearly.

The Uchiha's actions during this period had truly enraged him.

Most crucially,

even though he was seething with rage, he still couldn't take it out on the Uchiha.

Tell me, isn't that infuriating?

But, right at this moment,

Danzo, who was closest to Hiruzen Sarutobi, couldn't help but speak directly.

"Enough, Hiruzen!"

"Judging by your expression, Itachi must have a plan."

"We are all on the same side; stop putting on an act."

"If Itachi have a plan, say it quickly!"

"I've been sick of the Uchiha for a long time; I just want to kill them off right now."

Danzo looked utterly certain.

Yes.

The moment he entered, he had spotted the issue.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was far too calm.

He was very familiar with this state; it was a sign of having a well-thought-out plan.

And, on the other side,

it was only after Danzo spoke that Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado belatedly realized this.

Immediately, the two of them couldn't help but speak up.

"Hiruzen, speak quickly."

"I am also very curious; what exactly is the plan?"

For a moment,

all three stared intently at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi: "..."

He wore a bitter smile.

He wasn't putting on an act now; though he had mentally worked it out and essentially accepted Nara Shikaku's plan,

but damn it,

this decision was too humiliating—he simply couldn't accept it!

Yet, there was no other way!

The matter had to be handled, or else, as Shikaku said, the longer it dragged on, the worse it would be for him.

Thinking this, he let out a long sigh.

"Don't rush; I'll speak."

"Though I do have a plan, it will surely differ from what Itachi expect."

"I was just afraid Itachi wouldn't accept it, so I was thinking it over."

"Since Itachi've all said so much, I'll just say it directly."

"I intend to admit defeat!"

"Immediately convene the Jounin Council, and in front of everyone, apologize directly to the Uchiha."

"Then make up for all the funds owed to the Police Force over these years."

Hiss!

As Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, Danzo and the other two were completely stunned.

Clearly,

they never imagined that Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage, would come up with such a ridiculous plan.

"Hiruzen, have Itachi lost your mind?"

"I absolutely disagree; how can we bow to the Uchiha?"

"No, absolutely not!"

"..."

Almost instantly,

the three began arguing heatedly, their emotions running high.

Especially Danzo!

Hearing those words, he nearly smashed the Hokage's desk to pieces.

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained calm.

Before speaking those words, he had anticipated this reaction.

So,

there was nothing to be surprised about.

Next, without further words,

he immediately produced Shikaku Nara's letter and spoke in a low, somber tone.

"This is a letter from Shikaku."

"Don't get angry yet; read the letter first, then speak."

"..."