I might be a fake Ultraman.

Fire Nation.

Konoha Village.

Finally, the ninjas from the front lines returned.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, along with his superiors and villagers, welcomed the returning ninjas from the front lines.

The article highlights the achievements of ninjas such as Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Minato Namikaze, and even praises the Uchiha clan.

As for the Hyuga clan and the ninjas standing beside them, they were only mentioned briefly.

What made Hiruzen Sarutobi feel uneasy was that Akimichi Torifu had sided with the Hyuga and didn't even smile at him.

At the entrance to Konoha Village, the returning team strangely split into two camps.

One faction was led by Jiraiya and others. The Uchiha clan was also on this side, or rather, the Uchiha clan hadn't quite figured out the situation yet.

The other faction was led by the Hyuga clan, and standing at the very front was none other than Hyuga Hibiki.

Hibiki Hyuga had to admit that Hiruzen Sarutobi was truly a master of "ninjutsu"—he was incredibly patient.

When Hiruzen Sarutobi saw him, Hibiki Hyuga could clearly see the contraction of his pupils, but Hiruzen Sarutobi ignored him completely, showing no sign of the countless anger and doubts in his heart.

"According to intelligence, Hiruzen Sarutobi has decided to go to war with us. Heh, ignorance is bliss."

"Or does he think that by fooling the villagers and altering his achievements, he can completely suppress the Hyuga clan?"

Hyuga Hibiki sneered inwardly, completely unconcerned.

Many people are interested in Hyuga Hibiki, but it's Hiruzen Sarutobi's turn to speak, and no one is going to interrupt the leader's speech at this time.

Jiraiya and the others, who were on the other side, also sensed that something was wrong, except for Orochimaru, who had some understanding of the current situation.

But neither of them spoke.

Jiraiya was giving face to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Orochimaru didn't want to get involved, but he was aware of some things about Shimura Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen.

On the contrary, Orochimaru secretly looked forward to the Hyuga clan's actions.

Will the Hyuga clan become a breath of fresh air in the stagnant village of Konoha?

The boring welcome party will soon come to an end.

The ninjas went home.

Hiruzen Sarutobi convened a meeting of all Jonin and the heads of various ninja clans to discuss matters related to the post-war period.

However, what embarrassed Hiruzen Sarutobi was that many ninja clans, led by the Hyuga clan, did not attend the meeting.

Including the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, the Inuzuka clan, the Kurama clan, the Gekko clan...

Even some Jonin from commoner backgrounds did not attend the meeting.

Hiruzen Sarutobi then realized that the Hyuga clan's methods of recruiting people were even more terrifying than he had imagined.

Half of the high-level combat force has already sided with the Hyuga clan!
Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his cigarette ash to officially begin the meeting. He knew he had to win over the remaining forces and the ninja clans; otherwise, a civil war in Konoha could break out at any moment.

The chieftain of the Aburame clan sat quietly in the corner, taking notes on the contents of the meeting.

Well, actually he's an undercover agent; he came here to gather information.

Moreover... there's more than one undercover agent.

In the Anbu behind Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke, the eldest son of Hiruzen Sarutobi, gazes at his father through his mask.

"Father, I hope you won't make any more mistakes..."

……

"The situation is already very serious."

In the office, Hiruzen Sarutobi smoked a cigarette while talking with Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.

"How are your preparations going?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.

"The ninjas of our three clans, along with some ninjas from other clans who are willing to stand with us, have been integrated and are hiding in the Forest of Death, ready for battle," Mitokado Homura said. Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. "I will have Shinnosuke lead the Anbu to join them, with Shinnosuke as the commander."

Mitomon En nodded without refuting.

However, both he and Koharu Utatane understood what Hiruzen Sarutobi meant—if something went wrong, Shinnosuke Sarutobi would become the new leader, and if they won the battle, Shinnosuke Sarutobi would be the next Hokage candidate.

“The Hyuga clan isn’t ready yet; the number of ninjas remaining in the Hyuga clan is far fewer than the number we’ve gathered,” Koharu Utatane continued. “But those ninjas and clans that have chosen to stand with the Hyuga clan…”

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke up, "It doesn't matter. As long as the Hyuga clan falls, the others are nothing to fear."

"Hiruzen, are you really sure?" Koharu Utatane asked worriedly. "That kid named Hyuga Hibiki, his bloodline limit seems to have evolved, and he now possesses power no weaker than the Mangekyou Sharingan."

"Don't worry, I'm confident," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, feigning ease.

Recently, he learned a forbidden technique, which gives him the ability to replace anyone.

"Moreover, the Uchiha clan has also agreed to take action."

"In addition, the Nine-Tails is also under the control of the Anbu."

"At that time, besides the three of us, there will also be the Uchiha clan, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Minato, and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki..."

"The Hyuga clan cannot cause any trouble."

Unfortunately, Tsunade did not agree to come back.

Hiruzen Sarutobi assessed their side's strength and finally exclaimed, "The advantage is on our side!"

Mitokado En and Utatane Koharu exchanged a glance, but neither of them spoke.

Anyway, they won't be the ones fighting against the Hyuga clan.

After this matter is over, Konoha will still need their help in managing it.

Hiruzen Sarutobi merely glanced at his two old friends beside him.

After Akimichi Torifu's "betrayal," he made a decision: if he could not survive, then Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu absolutely could not be spared either.

Akimichi Torifu was probably disappointed in them; perhaps they had also made mistakes.

The new Konoha doesn't need these people who made mistakes. If sacrificing them can get the Ino-Shika-Cho clan and other ninja clans to rejoin the Sarutobi clan, then it will be worthwhile.

Moreover, Sarutobi Shinnosuke might not be able to suppress his two old friends.

"Back then, our teacher was misled by the Uchiha clan and failed to see through the Hyuga clan's wolfish ambitions. Now, for the sake of Konoha's future, we will help Konoha eliminate this mistake!" Hiruzen Sarutobi concluded.

Mitokado En and Utatane Koharu nodded.

The Second Hokage did not discuss the Hyuga clan with them back then.

……

Shinnosuke Sarutobi received a secret letter from Hiruzen Sarutobi, and his heart was heavy.

Within the Hyuga clan's territory, at the shrine.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke sat cross-legged on the futon, placing the letter on the altar, awaiting guidance from Hyakuri Yuen.

"My father doesn't realize his mistake. Oh God, what should I do?"

After reading the letter, Baili Yuan understood Hiruzen Sarutobi's plan, and he sighed.

"Hiruzen Sarutobi has gone down the wrong path."

"The Will of Fire has become his will, and he has used it as a tool to enslave Konoha. The honor of the Sarutobi clan and the Hokage has been tainted by him."

"How to do it? You should ask yourself. Only by coming from the bottom of your heart can you find the answer."

"The ninja villages and the Kage are products of the old era. The three Shinobi World Wars proved the First Hokage's mistakes."

"Mistakes are not terrible. As long as we change them, we can move towards the light. If we keep covering them up and relax our efforts, we will eventually fall into darkness and head towards destruction."

"In this new era, there is no longer a position of Hokage!"

Sarutobi Shinnosuke closed his eyes and entered a meditative state, seeking answers. (End of Chapter)