Naruto: Tenseigan Eye

The Third Hokage sat silently, watching the escalating tensions between his advisors. His expression betrayed frustration, but he kept his composure.

Why does it always come back to me? Hiruzen thought, exasperated. He hadn't even spoken, yet the accusations and blame were already circling him.

Mitokado Homura, however, was relentless. He turned his attention to Utatane Koharu. "You were so vocal when pushing for this alliance, and now you're complaining about taking responsibility. If you lack the awareness to bear the consequences, why do you even speak?"

Koharu remained silent, her anger simmering beneath the surface. It was clear to everyone in the room that silence had become their shield.

An Open Warning

Homura, noticing the quiet, let out a bitter laugh. "Fine, do what you want. But let me remind you—I haven't forgotten everything that's happened. I've just been waiting for the right opportunity."

He looked directly at Hiruzen, his words sharp. "This time, it's about the Shimura clan. Decide, Hokage. Will you send the Shimura clan to the frontlines, or will you send your own Sarutobi clan?"

The room tensed.

Meanwhile, Shinki, having left the conference room, strolled leisurely alongside Akimichi Torifu and Nara Shikashin. As they walked, Shinki glanced at Torifu, who waddled slightly as he moved. The man's large frame seemed to grow more impressive with each passing year.

"Torifu, how do you keep getting bigger?" Shinki teased, giving Torifu's belly a playful pat. "You must really commit to it—it's not easy for a ninja to get this big."

Torifu groaned, half-annoyed and half-amused. "You're always making fun of me. What's the point?"

Shinki chuckled. "Just trying to lighten the mood. Now, about the war. If the Cloud and Mist Villages truly fight, Konoha might be dragged in. Aren't you worried?"

Torifu sighed. "Of course I'm worried. Aren't you?"

Shinki shrugged, his tone indifferent. "What's the point? Worrying won't change anything. Besides, if war does break out, it won't affect me directly."

"Won't affect you?" Torifu frowned.

"I'm in ANBU, Torifu. My role will be intelligence and sabotage, not the battlefield. And let's be real—the Hokage and his advisors will bear the brunt of public anger, not me."

Torifu wanted to argue, but Shinki cut him off. "You've retired, haven't you? Focus on resting and let the Hokage handle the politics. If Konoha is truly in decline, it's not your job to fix it."

Torifu scowled. "I'm just trying to buy the village some time to recover."

"Then go convince someone else," Shikashin interjected, shaking his head. "If you keep pushing, you'll only alienate Shinki further. He already tolerates more than most would."

Torifu sighed in defeat. "Alright, fine. But do you think the war is inevitable?"

Shikashin hesitated before responding. "It's hard to say. The alliance with the Cloud Village is a done deal, so we have to follow through. But whether Iwagakure truly attacks the Cloud Village is still uncertain."

The Rock Village's Calculations

Shikashin continued, his analytical mind laying out the situation. "Onoki hates the Cloud Village, that much is true. But he's no fool. Look at the Sand Village—they're the perfect cautionary tale for Iwagakure."

"If Onoki wages war and fails to decisively defeat the Cloud Village, he risks leaving Iwagakure in the same position as the Sand Village: impoverished, weakened, and unable to recover quickly."

Torifu nodded, his brow furrowed. "And if he succeeds?"

"Even then, the Rock Village would face a slow recovery. Unlike the Cloud Village, which has significant resources and can rebuild quickly, Iwagakure's financial and resource constraints would leave them vulnerable for years."

Shikashin paused, letting the implications sink in. "Onoki also has to consider Konoha's potential involvement. If Konoha provides meaningful support to the Cloud Village, or even involves the Sand Village, the Rock Village could end up fighting a multi-front war."

"Do you really think the Third Kazekage would refuse Konoha's assistance?" Shikashin asked pointedly. "Even a weakened Sand Village could cause trouble for Iwagakure if it were backed by Konoha and the Cloud Village."

The Sand Village Factor

Torifu rubbed his belly thoughtfully. "So the Sand Village could tip the scales?"

"Exactly," Shikashin confirmed. "Onoki has to weigh all these factors carefully. Starting a war isn't just about venting his anger at the Cloud Village—it's about ensuring Iwagakure's survival afterward."

Shinki, listening quietly, smirked. "See? The real issue isn't whether the Cloud and Mist Villages fight. It's whether the Rock Village believes it can afford to get involved. And that depends on how we, and the Sand Village, position ourselves."

Torifu sighed. "I understand now. The Sand Village is the key."

Shikashin nodded. "Precisely. Onoki may hate the Cloud Village, but he won't move unless he's confident it won't destroy Iwagakure in the process. For now, all we can do is prepare for the worst and hope for the best."

The group fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts. Despite the looming uncertainty, Shinki's calm demeanor reminded them that sometimes, the best course of action was to wait, observe, and act only when the time was right.

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[Naruto: Maelstrom Of the Uzumaki]