I am the most popular character in Naruto!

From the very beginning, Hatake Sakumo said he wanted to treat himself as invisible. At first, Nara Shikaku was a little unaccustomed to this and would occasionally call him down for a meal.

However, he eventually got used to it and simply ignored Hatake Sakumo.

Nara Shikaku showed off his superior intelligence to Chiaki, a smirk playing on his lips as he waited for Chiaki to respond.

However, Chiaki blinked and waited for Nara Shikaku for a while. Seeing that he looked expectant of her asking questions, she simply lowered her head again and looked at the scroll.

People with high IQs shouldn't be spoiled. Why spoil them? Does it make you look like you have a low IQ?

Nara Shikaku is the same, as is the washing machine next door; these guys are smart and want to show off.

Show off, show off, show off until you die.

Nobody engaged with them, and these highly intelligent individuals couldn't demonstrate anything of substance.

When they get restless, they'll naturally beg you to let them show off their intelligence.

As expected, Nara Shikami Chiaki had no intention of paying attention to him at all, and he immediately started scratching his head in frustration.

Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Choza laughed so hard they collapsed on the spot, secretly marveling at how Chiaki had so quickly grasped Nara Shikaku's weakness. Aburame Shii pushed up his sunglasses, revealing a glint of wisdom in his eyes.

Wearing sunglasses late at night, I really couldn't see anything.

"Alright alright……"

Nara Shikaku chose to surrender, saying, "Fine, I'll just tell you directly."

Chiaki rested his chin on his hand, leaned against a rock, and gave Nara Shikaku a look, looking every bit like an old empress waiting for Nara Shikaku to perform.

Nara Shikaku was not annoyed at all; on the contrary, he was quite pleased to show off his strategy.

"The Land of Wind suddenly allied with the Land of Earth at this moment in order to stop the invasion of the Land of Lightning and us."

"However, there is not much exchange between the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth, because the Land of Earth also possesses the minerals and metals mined by the Land of Wind, and the two countries have serious conflicts in trade."

"In fact, our Land of Fire is the largest and best dumping ground for merchants from the Land of Wind. We in the Land of Fire will accept all the materials and unique products that the Land of Wind provides."

Nara Shikaku tapped his head. "All the business information is stored in my mind. I know exactly what the specialties of each place are, and I also know exactly how the trade flows in each place."

"For the Land of Wind, the Land of Fire has provided them with far too many conveniences, not only in terms of sales channels, but also in terms of fresh water, plants, food, and all sorts of resources that the Land of Wind lacks."

"In the hearts of the people of the Land of Wind, they still side with our Land of Fire, with Konoha."

Nara Shikaku crossed his arms and smiled grimly, "I suppose Ebizo made many difficult choices in order to get the Land of Earth's forces to join him."

"After all, we inflicted heavy losses on the Land of Wind during the Second Shinobi World War. Even if the people are on our side, the higher-ups are unlikely to ally with us."

Qianqiu nodded understandingly. People's hearts are people's hearts, and the decisions of the higher-ups are still the decisions of the higher-ups.

They hurt themselves badly in the last war, and now they have the nerve to ask the people who attacked them for protection?

No one wants to do something so embarrassing, right?

"Therefore, we can start from here."

Nara Shikaku shifted his position, casually lying on the ground. He picked a blade of grass, put it in his mouth, and mumbled, "By taking advantage of the contradictions and estrangement between the high-ranking officials and the masses of the Land of Wind, we will create a public opinion that even the high-ranking officials of the Land of Wind cannot refuse, so that the Land of Wind can launch a counterattack against the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning."

"For us, the benefits from the Land of Wind are actually negligible; the majority of the profits still come from the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning."

"If we can join forces with the Land of Wind to inflict heavy casualties on both the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning this time, it will be much more worthwhile than taking some benefits from the Land of Wind."

"But... is the Land of Wind so easily shaken?"

Yamanaka Inoichi couldn't help but voice his thoughts, "Since they have chosen to ally with the Land of Earth, they must have paid a heavy price, right?"

"Good question!"

Nara Shikaku got up from the ground with shining eyes and looked at Yamanaka Inoichi with great enthusiasm. Yamanaka Inoichi was stunned for a moment, and then quickly patted his mouth.

Oh no, this has really ignited Nara Shikaku's desire to give a speech. It's all my fault for having such a loose tongue and this insatiable curiosity.

With a sigh, Akimichi Choza picked up the vegetable and meat soup from the pot and started eating the whole pot of rice.

"I think the Land of Wind didn't pay a huge price; at most, it was an equal exchange..."

At this moment, Chiaki suddenly spoke up, taking over Nara Shikaku's topic, and said thoughtfully, "If the Land of Wind had paid a price that would have hurt them enough, then Kikyo Mountain's defenses wouldn't have been so passive; instead, they would have fought us with everything they had."

"But so far, we haven't encountered a single reconnaissance ninja, nor have we encountered any traps along the way, which is very strange."

"Perhaps it is because the Valley of the Wind felt that it still had a way out, and was not particularly satisfied with the cooperation with the Land of Earth, that the subordinates naturally showed this negative attitude."

"..."

As Chiaki analyzed the text word by word, Nara Shikaku felt like he really wanted to say "MMP" (a vulgar expression).

But he dared not speak, for there was still Sakumo Hatake sitting above him. What if he opened his mouth and a pair of white teeth fell down and "accidentally" killed him? Who would be responsible then?

"Well... well... that's how it is..."

Nara Shikaku waved his hand with a bitter face. The sweetest part had been stolen by Chiaki, and he could only add one last thing.

Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Choza secretly gave Chiaki a thumbs up, quite pleased with her for interrupting Nara Shikaku's long-winded speech.

"It is precisely because of the passive resistance of the Wind Kingdom that we have the opportunity to completely bring them into our camp."

Nara Shikaku gestured and said, "To completely subdue someone, it only takes two steps."

"The first step is to let him experience the ultimate terror and despair."

"The second step is to offer a glimmer of hope amidst this despair and terror, so that he feels that this despair is not so unbearable."

"The third step is to completely control the hearts and minds of the people."

"The same principle applies to controlling an individual and controlling a group of people."

Sakumo Hatake leaned against a high tree branch and looked down.

Nara Shikaku's shadow stretched long, and he wore a carefree smile.

This is Konoha's genius strategist, the mastermind behind the shadows...

Chapter 253 What organization is Akatsuki?

"I wonder how Chi-chan is doing..."

I'm so worried.

As night fell, Tsunade sat quietly in her tent, flipping through document after document.

After a short while, she impatiently tossed the documents aside, sighed, and looked at the oil lamp burning quietly on the table.

Brush

The tent door was opened, and a girl with short black hair walked in, carrying a large bowl in her hands, and carefully approached Tsunade's side.

"Lady Tsunade, your sweet soup."

Shizune smiled sweetly at Tsunade and placed the sweet soup in her hand in front of Tsunade.

"Oh! Mute it..."

Tsunade's eyes lit up, and she smiled as she ruffled Shizune's hair. "Thank you."

"whee."

Shizune looked at Tsunade with admiration, enjoying the sensation of Tsunade rubbing her head.

Tsunade led a large force heading to the Fragrant Plains. The force moved slowly, and the daily encampment consumed food and supplies. All kinds of intelligence had to be processed at all times.

Normally, these matters are handled by Jiraiya or Orochimaru, with Tsunade acting as a hands-off manager. But this time is different; she has to take on this responsibility.

Swoosh

With a flash of golden light, Minato appeared before Tsunade, bowed to her, and reported, "Lady Tsunade, the rear guard is in position, and the supply and food convoys have also arrived. We are still nearly two months away from the Fragrant Plains of the Land of Grass. Please give your instructions."

At the same time, Minato gave Tsunade a complete explanation of the main force's consumption, itinerary, and situation over the past month.

Tsunade's eyes lit up after listening to Minato's report.

Huh?

It seems... I don't have to shoulder this burden myself.

This young man has outstanding professional skills.

Tsunade looked at Minato with delight in her eyes. She had been so busy for the past month that she was dizzy with work, and Minato had also been quite busy and hadn't given her much of a report.

This time, Tsunade caught him red-handed.

Just then, Tsunade got annoyed, and just then, Minato appeared.

Isn't that a coincidence?

"Come on, come on."

Tsunade quickly stood up from her position as commander, rubbing her hands together and laughing as she pulled Minato over.

"???"

Completely bewildered, Minato was abruptly forced into the commander's seat by Tsunade.

"Lady Tsunade! You mustn't!"

Minato stood up in fright, sweating profusely as he spoke.

What a joke.

He's an elite Jonin now, participating in this battle as Tsunade's assistant. Tsunade is putting herself in the position of commander-in-chief, isn't she just asking to be criticized to death?

"What do you mean 'no'? Yes, it's allowed!"

Tsunade pressed Minato back into the commander's seat, smiling broadly as she said, "I see you handle things quite efficiently. How about you help me with these official duties?"

"No, Lady Tsunade, this won't do! You're the commander-in-chief!"

Minato pleaded desperately, even considering using the Flying Thunder God Technique to leave.

boom

Tsunade slammed her fist on the table, instantly creating a large hole in it.

"If I say it's okay, then it's okay. If you keep dawdling, I'll tear you apart!"

Tsunade smiled and said to Minato, who swallowed hard and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Goodness, the pressure Tsunade is putting on me is just too much.