https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1051-Sowing-Discord-and-Setting-the-Pace-/13459529/
Chapter 1050: Actors in Position!
Chapter 1050: Actors in Position!
Yes, a few people were indeed controlled by Shikamaru's Shadow Imitation Jutsu.
The problem was, these people were under genjutsu.
All of them were members of the Hawk Faction!
No wonder that Jōnin fought so timidly and lost so miserably.
It was intentional!
They wanted these few 'Hawk Faction' members to stay behind.
Originally, the plan was either to have these few people infiltrate the clan grounds or act as rear guards, only to be captured by the Guard Corps.
They didn't expect Shikamaru, who was sent back by Tang Ping, to capture them. This was the best 'evidence' they could have hoped for.
One could only say that this setup was indeed ingenious.
Ninjas are truly exceptional at these kinds of schemes.
No matter how thoroughly one investigated, these few people would only think they had an opportunity to burn down the Nara Clan, nothing more.
In summary, the Hawk Faction was destined to take the fall.
The only thing Tang Ping was curious about was who had come up with this plan.
Given how clever and foolproof the setup was, even if he were in the same situation, he could at most prepare a few more contingencies, but he couldn't have done any better.
"Quick, quick, put out the fire and save the people!"
Yamanaka Clan ninjas rushed over from a distance.
Leading them was Ino, the new Clan Head.
At this moment, Ino looked like she had just discovered the problem and rushed over to help extinguish the fire and provide assistance.
If one didn't know the truth, no one could find fault with her actions.
The problem was, Tang Ping knew the truth and immediately understood what was going on.
She was trying to seize the initiative!
By arriving first, even if any flaws were discovered, they could be easily covered up, and she could avoid being labeled as the 'culprit.'
Brilliant!
If Tang Ping weren't in a spectator mode, he would have applauded her cunning.
"Shikamaru..." Ino murmured, her voice carrying a strange tone, her eyes flickering for a moment before quickly regaining her composure, as if pleasantly surprised, she greeted, "Shikamaru, Choji!"
At that moment, she genuinely hadn't expected her two good friends to return.
However, for the sake of her clan and her mother, even her childhood friends had to be sacrificed.
That's life, isn't it?
As Ino led the Yamanaka Clan members to the scene, the Akimichi Clan also sent reinforcements.
The Three Clans' compounds were adjacent, with the Nara Clan at the center, which is why these two clans could arrive first upon discovering the fire.
Swoosh, swoosh!
Konoha guards, Anbu, and others also appeared on the scene.
However, all the ninjas were orderly extinguishing the fire, and with no high-ranking village officials present, there was little communication.
Shikamaru maintained his Shadow Imitation Jutsu, not relaxing in the slightest.
He was afraid that if he let up, the captives might be 'suicided.'
Soon, a large number of Konoha ninjas gathered at the perimeter, but most kept their distance, hesitant to intervene.
Seeing the bizarre fire and the sudden appearance of Shikamaru and several masked figures, everyone knew something was amiss, and those not directly involved didn't want to get entangled.
If it weren't for the large amounts of Blackfire Oil, the fire would have been extinguished long ago.
But even with Blackfire Oil, with more and more ninjas arriving and no further supply, the fire was quickly put out.
And at that moment, the 'main characters' arrived.
First to arrive was Tsunade.
The onlookers parted like waves, allowing her, Shizune, and a group of Clan Heads from smaller and medium-sized clans to enter.
Most of these people did not belong to the Hokage Lineage.
It was a bit ironic.
As the founder of the Hokage Lineage, the Senju Clan had now turned away from it.
Either there was a problem with the Senju Clan, a problem with the Will of Fire, or the Will of Fire had been distorted.
"Lady Tsunade!"
A chorus of greetings rang out.
As one of the Sannin, 'Princess Tsunade' commanded such respect.
No matter which faction, they all held her in high regard.
Why shouldn't they?
First, she was from the Senju Clan, which was enough on its own.
Not to mention, Tsunade herself had earned the reputation of a Sannin.
Finally, there was her pioneering Medical Ninjutsu, which had saved countless lives, earning her immense respect.
"Shikamaru?"
Tsunade's gaze swept over Choji and then paused on Shikamaru, who was maintaining the Shadow Imitation Jutsu. She called out his name hesitantly.
It wasn't that she didn't trust her eyes; in a world of ninjas with various jutsu and abilities, impersonating someone else was far too easy.
"Tsunade-sama!"
Shikamaru had taken the opportunity to chat with his clan members while saving the people, so he was well aware of Konohagakure's current situation.
Even if he was competing with Tsunade's Dove Faction, it didn't diminish the admiration all Konohagakure ninjas had for Tsunade.
No, that wasn't quite right.
It would be more accurate to say that the entire Ninja World held Tsunade in high regard.
"Hmm, they started the fire?"
Tsunade's eyes were immediately drawn to the masked figures.
On the way, she had naturally been informed of what had happened here, so she got straight to the point.
However, the situation gave her a headache.
This was completely unexpected.
While her goal was to become Hokage and deal with the Nara Clan, she had left this matter to Ino, following Tang Ping's instructions. She hadn't interfered much, so she genuinely didn't know what was going on.
If Ino had messed up, she would be held responsible.
After all, Ino was someone she had brought back.
However, with so many people present, she couldn't cover up or destroy evidence. She had to handle this as an official matter, acting as if she knew nothing about the inside story.
"Asuma-sama!"
"Asuma-sama!"
...
The crowd parted again, and Asuma, with his pale, moist, and somewhat effeminate appearance, entered with Tsunade's advisors Koharu and Homura, Naruto, Kakashi, Sakura, and a group of Anbu.
The Konohagakure ninjas around them subtly aligned themselves with the two factions.
It was a time to choose sides.
If they dared to associate with the wrong people, they would face dire consequences, so they had to be careful.
In terms of numbers, the Dove Faction was more numerous, but in terms of power, the Hawk Faction, led by the Hokage lineage, was stronger.
Both the Anbu and Root were under the control of Tsunade's advisor Koharu, so they were already aware of what had happened and wouldn't waste time with unnecessary talk.
"Tsunade-sama, I believe we must immediately determine who set the fire in the Nara Clan's territory, don't you agree?"
Asuma asked in a seemingly respectful tone.
As the leader of the Hawk Faction, if he hadn't done this, there was only one possible suspect.
The Dove Faction!
He intended to seize this opportunity to pin the blame on them.
With not only Konohagakure ninjas but also reinforcements from other major forces present, this was the moment to act.
If it could be proven that Tsunade was involved, the Hokage election the next day would be a formality.
A person with an unforgivable stain on their name couldn't become Hokage, even if they were from the Senju Clan.
Thus, after receiving the intelligence, Asuma brought a large group of people.
He planned to resolve the issue today.
With the Hokage position he had longed for within reach, Asuma's breathing had become heavier.
His proposal was a clear strategy.
If Tsunade refused, it would suggest she had something to hide, which would be a devastating blow to her reputation.
But if she agreed to the investigation, she would be setting herself up for failure.
Tsunade didn't immediately agree. Instead, she looked around, noting the gazes of those present.
This was the moment when true intentions were revealed.
However, even if she saw through the ploy, she couldn't act on it today. She had to deal with another matter first.
"Alright!"
Tsunade slowly nodded in agreement.
At this moment, she wasn't sure if her decision was right.
If the investigation uncovered something, not only would Ino be in trouble, but she herself would be implicated.
Root was an expert in investigations.
Keeping secrets from ninjas, even in death, was no easy feat.
(End of Chapter)
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