Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 210: Astounding Wisdom

Chomei wasn't sure what choice Obito would make, but the man before it could provide an answer. "Fuji, what do you think Obito will do when he encounters Rin?"

"He'll attack her without any hesitation."

Chomei froze in shock.

What?! Obito is that ruthless?!

"How do you know?"

Chomei couldn't help but ask, "Sure, Obito is cold-hearted, unfaithful, and lacks any sense of justice or morality. But his feelings for Rin run deep—there's no way he'd hurt her, right?"

Of course, there was a slight chance that Obito, completely consumed by his delusions, would still harm Rin despite her attempts to reason with him, turning their relationship into one of love and hatred.

But based on Chomei's recent experience living among humans in disguise, Obito's infatuation with Rin was unlikely to change, right?

"..."

Maybe Chomei should add a research topic to its observations: How long does it take for an intelligent creature living among humans to be fully assimilated into human thinking?

Glancing at the intrigued Chomei, Hyuga Fuji said calmly, "Because they've already fought."

…

A Few Days Ago

In the Land of Wind, at the Daimyo's palace.

The Daimyo sat in the keep, staring blankly as Uchiya Shinji delivered his report.

"...And that's how it happened. At the critical moment, Captain Kohei betrayed us, defecting to the Land of Fire and causing the fall of Getsugakure."

Before a gathering of nobles and shinobi, Uchiya Shinji, with an unchanging expression, skillfully shifted all blame onto Kohei, the person in charge of Getsugakure.

After all, the dead couldn't speak.

Unbeknownst to him, the previously unaware Captain Kohei had actually toughened up at the last moment, deciding to fight the Land of Fire to the bitter end. Naturally, Uchiya Shinji hadn't allowed him the chance.

The Sand ninja who finally stood his ground had fallen with regret and unwillingness in Getsugakure.

Everyone present knew there was something suspicious about how easily the city had fallen, but that didn't stop them from directing their anger at Captain Kohei.

A shinobi dressed in luxurious attire sneered, "Despicable! I always suspected Kohei was ambitious. Now it's clear! The losses he caused the Land of Wind must be repaid with his life!"

"Exactly! I suspect he had ties with the Land of Fire long before this. Why else would he choose Getsugakure after defecting to us? What a shameless traitor."

This came from one of the older Sand elders who had pledged loyalty to the Daimyo. He trembled, seemingly outraged. "He lived in comfort under the Land of Fire but brought disaster upon the Land of Wind. No matter what, he must be made to pay!"

Another shinobi glanced around, noticing the righteous indignation among the gathered nobles and shinobi. With a fervent expression, he declared, "Fortunately, Elder Uchiya Shinji was present. His quick thinking and decisive action during the crisis saved our main forces from being sacrificed. Without him, we'd have no chance to fight back!"

Those around him were taken aback by this sudden praise.

Wait, isn't it too early to compliment Uchiya Shinji?

How could you hog the spotlight like this?

However, the shinobi seemed genuinely convinced. "Elder Ueno Shinji is the hope of the Land of Wind! He's the one who can lead us against the Land of Fire..."

As he continued speaking, even he seemed to believe his own words.

Without Uchiya Shinji, would the Land of Wind have already fallen?

Uchiya Shinji's expression remained calm, though his slightly narrowed eyes betrayed satisfaction with the shinobi's remarks.

Except for the Daimyo, the others exchanged glances and reluctantly joined in, praising Uchiya Shinji despite their own bitterness.

After all, Uchiya Shinji's position was now unparalleled. Leading thousands of border troops back to the Daimyo's palace, he was effectively second in command.

In fact, given the Daimyo's repeated missteps, their roles seemed almost reversed.

If not for the precarious state of the Land of Wind, an internal conflict might have already erupted.

Watching the sycophantic display before him, the Daimyo's face turned pale.

Their puppets destroyed, Ōtsutsuki Shinichi gone, and reinforcements from the Lands of Earth and Lightning withdrawn.

All his efforts over the past months had come to naught. Instead, the Land of Wind's resources had been squandered repeatedly, leaving them with nothing but losses.

Now, with no aid from other nations, attacked on two fronts, and the puppeteers without puppets, the Land of Wind teetered on the brink of collapse. What options were left?

Could he afford to lose Uchiya Shinji and the troops under him?

Despairing, the Daimyo made no attempt to lash out. Instead, he flattered Uchiya Shinji, saying, "Elder Shinji, do you have any brilliant strategies to help the Land of Wind through this crisis?"

"My lord, if I may speak frankly, without reinforcements, we stand no chance of victory."

But Uchiya Shinji, a seasoned schemer, wouldn't let the Daimyo gain the upper hand. "What's needed now is your leadership, my lord. It was the treachery of the Lands of Earth and Lightning that caused this—taking our payments only to turn against us. Were it not for their betrayal, Getsugakure would still be ours. Your strategies were flawless."

The words pleased the Daimyo, though they offered no real solutions.

Still, they sparked an idea. His eyes brightened as he fixated on Uchiya Shinji.

"You mentioned that Konoha's White Fang has allied with Hyuga Fuji?"

"Indeed," Uchiya Shinji confirmed. "According to our scouts in Roran, his words suggest no hostility toward Hyuga Fuji."

"And Konoha's Kakashi is his son, correct?"

The Daimyo's eyes gleamed with excitement as he issued an order. "Spread the word in every city that Kakashi has defected to Hyuga Fuji. Slow his army's advance."

"..."

The gathered officials and shinobi exchanged glances. Seeing that Uchiya Shinji offered no objection, they didn't protest either. But in their hearts, they doubted this strategy would work.

Would baseless rumors really disrupt the Land of Fire's forces?

To their surprise, the plan yielded unexpected results.

Though the rumors were baseless, the Land of Fire's army seemed genuinely affected. Their march slowed noticeably, with each city visit requiring significant time before they moved on.

Only Uchiya Shinji knew that this wasn't merely due to the rumors—it was the result of careful arrangements he had put in place.

When the Daimyo received this intelligence, he smirked at the reactions of the assembled nobles and shinobi, then explained:

"Konoha's White Fang was one of its most revered shinobi. His mysterious death was likely due to internal strife within Konoha.

"Now that he's joined Hyuga Fuji, his son Kakashi is surely viewed with suspicion by the Land of Fire's leadership. By exploiting this, we can delay their advance."

As he spoke, the Daimyo had someone fetch a map. "Meanwhile, the ninja forces from the Land of Demons are advancing toward the Daimyo's palace. At the current pace, both armies are set to converge at Wind Border City!"

This was his astounding wisdom! Hahaha!

"..."

The gathered nobles and ministers stared silently at the Daimyo's manic grin.

Astounding wisdom?

Forget about wisdom—this was certainly astounding!

After all, Wind Border City was practically on the doorstep of the Daimyo's palace!

Was the Daimyo losing his mind under the pressure?

(End of Chapter)

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