"Shikaku, what should we do?"
At the Akimichi clan's residence, the patriarchs of the Ino-Shika-Chō trio sat around a table, their gazes fixed on the sizzling barbecue before them.
"I heard the village will have to start from scratch when it comes to acquiring medicinal herbs," Yamanaka Inoichi muttered, his usual composed demeanor replaced by a rare look of concern.
"And things are different this time..."
His long hair, tied in a single ponytail, swayed slightly as he leaned forward, deep in thought. He didn't even glance at the food in front of him—his mind was too preoccupied with the troubling news.
He knew this was only the beginning. Greater challenges lay ahead.
"You think the Fifth Hokage will go to extremes?" he asked, his voice lower now.
Akimichi Chōza, on the other hand, remained relatively optimistic. He looked at the barbecue, then at his two companions, before reluctantly tearing his gaze away from the food.
"Well, we're still part of Konoha," he said finally, his tone light, though tinged with uncertainty. "It's not really our place to worry… is it?"
"Ah, there shouldn't be any major issues," Shikaku said, exhaling slowly. "But it's safe to say our days of living comfortably are over."
Nearly 60% of the village's medicinal supplies came from the pharmacies jointly operated by their three clans. Now that the Uchiha had taken control, it was only natural for procurement rights to be redistributed.
Moreover, many within their clans had lost their positions in Konoha's administration. A life of ease was no longer a given.
Still, there was some relief. Uchiha Toshiro was a pragmatic leader. He wouldn't push them into a corner.
"Then… tomorrow, should we still follow the Sandaime?"
Yamanaka Inoichi absentmindedly touched the earring on his ear, his meaning clear.
Tomorrow, they would depart. If they continued to align with the Third Hokage, their future would be uncertain—perhaps even dangerous.
Shikaku mirrored the gesture, fingers brushing over his own earring as he fell into thought.
"Do you remember why we allied with the Sarutobi clan in the first place?" he asked.
"In the final years of the Warring Clans era, our three clans rose and fell together. The Sarutobi had no real role in that. But when Konoha was founded… everything changed."
"The Sarutobi clan was on the brink of extinction back then," Shikaku began, his tone measured. "To ensure their survival, they were the first to join Konoha, securing a place for their lineage."
"However, standing between the dominant Uchiha and Senju clans, Sarutobi Sasuke was constantly on edge—haunted by the fear that his clan would either be consumed or reduced to mere pawns in a larger game."
"To counterbalance their influence and secure a voice in the new village, he sought an alliance—with us, the Ino-Shika-Chō."
"In the years that followed, bolstered by our support, Sarutobi Sasuke navigated Konoha's shifting tides with remarkable finesse. The Senju faded into obscurity, and together, we tightened our grip on the village's affairs. Our clans thrived."
Shikaku paused, his gaze steady as he looked at Inoichi. "For decades, we have sailed smoothly, reaping Konoha's rewards and growing stronger. But now, it's time to adapt—to return to a more natural pace of development."
His voice carried an unspoken warning. He knew Inoichi well enough to sense his unease, and he wanted to ensure his friend didn't entertain reckless notions.
The truth was clear—whether it was his own Nara clan, the Yamanaka, the Akimichi, or even the Sarutobi, none had truly stood out during the Warring Clans era. They had endured, yes, and prospered in Konoha's shadow.
But now, with the tides shifting once more, it was time to step back—while they still could.
"Those medicinal herb shares were the price we had to pay for choosing the wrong side that night."
Shikaku's voice was calm but firm. He understood that many within their faction were unwilling to accept this outcome—some had even approached him, seeking a different course of action. But he had chosen to remain still, to assess rather than react.
"Shika, I'm not about to follow those fools and stir up trouble," Inoichi said, recognizing the concern in his friend's voice.
There had indeed been approaches, whispers in the shadows. But after witnessing Toshiro's battle against the Raikage brothers firsthand, how could he even consider acting recklessly?
"What really concerns me is… are we truly going to follow the Sarutobi clan to the bitter end?"
That was the real question gnawing at him. The Yamanaka clan had been staunch allies of the Sarutobi for generations, and this time, they had backed the wrong side. The punishment they now faced was inevitable.
But this wouldn't be the last time. As long as they remained tethered to Sarutobi, this cycle of suppression and exclusion would repeat itself.
"So… is this where we finally part ways with them?"
Akimichi Choza, never one for political intricacies, widened his eyes in surprise as his gaze darted between Inoichi and Shikaku.
He hadn't expected their discussion to shift toward something as significant as their long-standing alliance with the Sarutobi. And from the way things were going… it seemed they were considering an end to it.
"You finally said it," Shikaku muttered, exhaling as he looked at his two closest friends.
But despite his own reservations, he shook his head.
"Breaking ties with the Sarutobi at this moment wouldn't be wise," he said. "We are all Konoha shinobi. No one respects an ally who abandons ship the moment trouble arises."
Reputation mattered. If they became known as opportunists—willing to share in prosperity but unwilling to endure hardship—it could damage their standing in the village for years to come.
"But…"
Inoichi hesitated, fully aware of the weight of Shikaku's words.
Yet, the reality was undeniable. If they didn't start distancing themselves from the Sarutobi now, this loss of influence over medicinal supply chains would only be the beginning.
"Be patient, Inoichi..."
Shikaku's voice was calm as he gazed at the setting sun, his thoughts seemingly adrift.
"The Sandaime... he's getting old."
His words carried a quiet finality.
"Once he's gone, it'll be time for our alliance with the Sarutobi clan to come to an end."
There were no eternal allies in Konoha's shifting political landscape. For years, their clans had worked alongside the Sarutobi to suppress the Uchiha. Cutting ties completely wouldn't be possible without sacrifices.
For now, they needed to lie low, bide their time, and wait. When the Third Hokage was no longer in the picture, they could begin to shift their allegiances—without inviting unnecessary trouble.
"Yeah! I think Shikaku's right," Akimichi Choza agreed without hesitation.
In his straightforward way of thinking, their clans had benefited from their ties to the Sarutobi, so standing by them through hardship was only natural. Betrayal didn't sit well with him.
"But one more thing," Shikaku added, his tone carrying a rare edge of warning. "Stay out of whatever schemes are brewing in the shadows. Anyone who gets tangled in them won't meet a good end."
"Especially the younger members of the clan who have only recently become mission ninjas," Shikaku added with a sigh. "They're used to a life of ease, and now that they have to struggle to make a living, complaints are inevitable. We need to keep a close watch on them."
The thought gave him a headache. It wasn't just the lower-ranked ninjas—he himself had been replaced as the Jonin commander by the Hyuga clan head, and even he couldn't help but feel some resentment.
But as the head of his clan, he had to think beyond personal grievances. His concerns had to encompass the bigger picture, not just immediate frustrations.
"I understand!" "Me too!"
Shikaku nodded, satisfied with their responses.
"Alright, let's drop the topic. We should finish eating before the barbecue gets cold," he said, pushing aside his concerns for the moment.
Unlike Shikaku and Inoichi, who carried the weight of responsibility, Choza—who held no official position in Konoha's administration—remained relatively carefree. With the discussion settled, he eagerly motioned for his friends to dig in.
In his eyes, delicious food is not to be missed. Even if he has any troubles, he can resolve them by having a big meal.
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