Chapter 326: Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou [326]
The Nara Clan.
"Shikaku, what should we do now? People from the two elders' sides have already come, and they've likely informed Danzo too."
Yamanaka Inoichi frowned, looking troubled. He had thought that Tsunade's time in power would remain stable for a while, but who would have expected things to change so suddenly?
Akimichi Choza, usually enjoying his meals, now wore a rare frown on his round face.
"Shikaku, give us your analysis. What should we do now? We can probably forget about staying neutral. If we stay neutral, no matter who wins or even if things reach a stalemate, we'll eventually face retaliation."
In situations where factions are vying for power, neutrality is the most dangerous stance. Especially in a place like Konoha, which can function perfectly well without you, being neutral is pointless!
The truth is, anyone who stays neutral in a conflict between two major factions is either supremely confident that they'll still be needed by the victor or delusional. Otherwise, the first to be eliminated will always be the so-called neutral parties who fail to recognize their strength—or lack thereof.
Of course, there's one exception: those who think they're important but aren't. People or groups who do not influence the overall situation can afford to remain neutral because they don't matter to anyone.
Take, for example, the minor Kurama Clan in the village, which only has a handful of members. Does anyone care about them? No.
"It's difficult."
Nara Shikaku wore a deeply troubled expression. As smart as he was, this wasn't a problem that could be solved by intelligence alone.