Chapter 1048: The Darkened Ino!
Chapter 1048: The Darkened Ino!
"No way!"
"We'll die if we have to, but we're staying in Konohagakure to fight the Blazing Sun Kingdom!"
"You traitors!"
...
Several Jounin and Elders from the 'Shikabutterfly' clan were now angrily berating Ino, who was dressed in a purple combat suit.
The few people surrounding Ino were just as unyielding in response to the Jounin and Elders' fury.
"With the Blazing Sun Kingdom's current strength, can Konohagakure really hold them off?"
"Are you trying to let the Three Clans perish?"
"Even if some will die during the relocation, it's better than all of us dying!"
...
When it came to verbal sparring, none of them were afraid, especially since Ino had Tsunade's backing, which gave her the confidence to stand her ground.
This situation arose because the Three Clans had already begun to fracture under Ino's manipulation.
She first used Tsunade's authority to forcefully subdue the 'Yamanaka Clan,' even going so far as to hospitalize the newly appointed Clan Head, ensuring he would be out of commission for months.
Then, she ascended to the Clan Head position herself.
As the daughter of the former Clan Head, she was certainly qualified to take the throne.
Similarly, Shikamaru could have become the Nara Clan's Clan Head, but he was currently serving as a 'Battery' in the Shinju, unable to return, leaving the Nara Clan to be governed by its Elders and Jounin.
The two sides were 'passionately' trading insults, almost coming to blows.
This spectacle left Tang Ping, who was leaning against the wall, hoping for a fight, feeling somewhat disappointed.
Is that it?
If you're going to fight, just do it!
You look like you're about to draw your blades and start hacking at each other, but all you do is bark and not bite.
Listening to the heated exchanges, Tang Ping began to understand the situation.
Ino had taken the position of Clan Head of the Yamanaka Clan and was now working with the Akimichi Clan to persuade the Nara Clan to relocate from Konohagakure to avoid the impending threat.
If the Three Clans left Konohagakure, she could easily betray the Nara Clan and ensure the safety of the Akimichi and Yamanaka Clans.
It was a well-thought-out plan, but it wasn't easy to execute.
Many in the Three Clans opposed the idea, which is why in the hall, Ino, as the Clan Head, was surrounded by only a few supporters, while the majority were opposed.
It wasn't that they were unaware of the danger in Konohagakure.
But no one wanted to leave.
It was like if a powerful family in a metropolis, enjoying various privileges and wealth, was suddenly told to move to a remote countryside. Who would be willing to do that?
Even if they knew staying was dangerous, they would find all sorts of reasons to convince themselves otherwise.
Moreover, there were promises and support from various factions, which is why the majority of the Three Clans opposed Ino's proposal, with the Nara Clan being entirely against it.
The Nara Clan's opposition wasn't solely due to their attachment to Konohagakure.
They had sensed the 'danger.'
Even though Ino's disguise was flawless, the fact that she returned with Tsunade and had the backing of the Blazing Sun Kingdom couldn't help but make them suspicious of whether she was intentionally trying to trick them into leaving Konohagakure.
Thus, they were firmly resolved to stay in Konohagakure.
"Elder Ichi, if we continue to stay in Konohagakure, we might end up like the Uchiha Clan!"
Ino spoke up, and the moment she did, the verbal sparring ceased.
Her words were not without merit.
The Uchiha Clan was powerful, yet they were wiped out in a single night.
And it happened right in the village.
Even if the Three Clans were strong, they did not believe they could match the Uchiha Clan.
"It's impossible. We have no desire for the Hokage position!"
Nara Ichirou shook his head, his aged eyes shimmering with wisdom.
The Nara Clan was in a precarious position, and he would not make rash decisions, as such decisions could affect the future of his clan.
"But if we don't leave before the new Hokage takes office, we might not have the chance once the new Hokage is in power!"
Ino reminded them.
Tomorrow's election would have only two outcomes.
One, Tsunade of the Dove Faction would become Hokage, or two, Asuma of the Hawk Faction would take the position.
The former was straightforward.
If they surrendered to the Blazing Sun Kingdom, the Nara Clan would be eliminated. The latter, while seemingly beneficial to the Three Clans, might not be as advantageous as it seemed.
Just like the Uchiha Clan!
Once the benefits outweigh the risks, even allies might turn against each other. Using them to trade with the Blazing Sun Kingdom or taking the opportunity to erode their interests is not out of the question.
Nara Ichi is extremely wise. If Ino can think of it, how could he not?
And it goes beyond that!
He even suspects that Ino might have 'betrayed' them.
Although she claims to have been sent by the Root to infiltrate the Blazing Sun Kingdom, a claim backed by Tsunade's Advisor Koharu, who even considers her an important piece in their game, her identity as such has led the village's Hawk Faction to not oppose her ascension to the Yamanaka Clan Head position.
Otherwise, it wouldn't have been so easy for her to rise to power.
While Ino's proposal sounds promising, Nara Ichi senses an invisible danger, which is why he has been hesitant to make a decision.
"Let's wait until the Hokage election is over!"
Nara Ichi finally gave his response.
He decided to wait until the new Hokage is in place before making any moves, and this was also a test.
"If it's too late by then, it will be too late!"
Ino appeared calm, but her hands were clenched into fists.
If her mission fails, the Yamanaka Clan will be finished.
Although she and her mother were marginalized after her father's death, the clan had once provided her with much support, and the blood ties compelled her to make this decisive move.
But even with her resolve, achieving her goal is not easy.
If her plans fail, Tsunade won't be able to help. While she is part of the Dove Faction, which aims to have Konohagakure 'join' the Blazing Sun Kingdom, she can't afford to openly target the Nara Clan if she wants to become Hokage. She can provide political support but not military backing.
In the end, no matter what Ino said, Nara Ichi did not agree to the immediate relocation of the Three Clans from Konohagakure.
And the reasons were plentiful.
Danger on the road, property disposal, migration targets, and so on.
Ino left with a cold face, her mind set on dealing with the Nara Clan, even if it meant a confrontation.
Even if the Three Clans' bond is strong, she would put her family's interests first.
She has already used up about a third of the time given to her, and if she fails, she doesn't know what the consequences will be.
"When a woman is determined, men are nothing!"
Tang Ping watched Ino's transformation with satisfaction, nodding.
Yes!
This is what makes it interesting.
If she did nothing, he would find it boring.
By using mental simulation, the presence of Hyuga Aikotsuki was reduced, allowing Tang Ping to follow Ino and observe her using various means to rally support and take drastic actions.
Blackfire Oil!
Everyone knows its effects.
Desperate, she plans to use this against the Nara Clan and frame the Hawk Faction.
The reasoning is simple: the Hawk Faction aims to plunder the Nara Clan's resources and control this valuable asset.
Tang Ping found this situation exhilarating and even sent a message to Hyuga Aikotsuki, who was stationed in the Land of Lightning, instructing him to immediately rescue the two old members of New Team 10 from Shinju and have Meiko bring them to Konohagakure.
Yes, such an interesting show couldn't be complete without Shikamaru's appreciation.
This would make the man, who lives in the brutal Ninja World yet remains so nonchalant, understand the pain of realization.
In the past, Tang Ping wouldn't have bothered with such details.
But now, nothing is more important to him than the entertainment value.
Upon receiving the message, Hyuga Aikotsuki used his Byakugan to see through the countless cocoons on Shinju, found Shikamaru and Akimichi Choji, and released them from the Infinite Moon Reading, freeing them from the genjutsu world. Then, Meiko used the Flying Thunder God Technique to transport them to Konohagakure.
Though it sounds complicated, it took less than a few hours.
Such is the efficiency.
Twilight!
Shikamaru and Akimichi Choji awoke in a corner of Konohagakure.
Tang Ping, standing nearby and being ignored, chuckled to himself.
"The actors are finally in place; it's time for the grand performance to begin!"
Under his guidance, the two managed to avoid the guards and checkpoints, reaching the outskirts of the Nara Clan just in time to witness a scene that made their eyes turn red with envy.
(End of Chapter)
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