I, Uchiha: Split Konoha

Chapter 83 The Third Hokage's Scales Have Shifted

Inside the Hokage's office.

The air was filled with a pungent smell of smoke. Although Nara Shikaku disliked trouble, his clever mind immediately figured out the reason behind it all.

He was afraid of trouble, but the Ino-Shika-Cho clan was clearly part of the Hokage's faction, especially his own clan, which was known as the Hokage's strategist. He would never be able to get rid of them.

Seeing that Nara Shika remained silent for a long time, the Third Hokage slowly put down his pipe and said hoarsely, "The head of the Anbu visited the Nara clan three days ago, although you were on duty at the time."

The Third Hokage's simple words instantly made Nara Shikaku's expression turn serious, and a layer of cold sweat broke out on his forehead. The Third Hokage was giving him a warning.

"Lord Hokage, I only learned of this after I returned."

Although Nara Shikaku was from the Hokage lineage, the intelligent man did not want to get involved. After all, no one above had made a statement, and the current Third Hokage was not yet old enough to take the Chunin Exams; his combat strength was still barely at its peak.

Listening to Nara Shikaku's explanation, the Third Hokage slowly shook his head and sighed, "Shin-nosuke is quite strong for his age, but he still can't convince the masses."

After those words, Nara Shikaku's mind started racing. He looked up at the Third Hokage's silent expression, as if he were trying to figure out what the Third Hokage was thinking.

"Lord Hokage, the Anbu chief has promised you the position of Jonin squad leader." In an instant, Nara Shikaku realized that the Third Hokage's scales had tipped, and he immediately spoke these words respectfully.

The two seemed to be exchanging words, but their conversation was full of veiled discussions.

Since the Third Hokage mentioned Shinnosuke, it proves that his heart has strayed. From a selfish perspective, this is his son, and the fact that one family has two Hokage is enough to ensure that the names of the father and son will be remembered for generations to come.

From an official standpoint, Konoha had barely caught its breath after the Third Shinobi World War when the Nine-Tails calamity struck, and the loss of the Fourth Hokage was a devastating blow, adding insult to injury. Konoha could not withstand any more turmoil. Or rather, the Third Hokage's political philosophy had always been to seek stability, so he chose the most prudent candidate for the transfer of power.

Nara Shikaku tentatively mentioned the position, and the current candidate for this position is Sarutobi Shinnosuke, who came from the Anbu and is now stationed at the border.

When Nara Shikaku took up the position of captain of the Jonin team, then Sarutobi Shinnosuke, who was originally in charge, could only move up the ranks.

Thinking of this, Nara Shikaku nervously swallowed. His mind was one thing, but this was the Hokage, the one who held the power of life and death over Konoha, the strongest of the five great nations.

Hiruzen Sarutobi leisurely refilled the pipe, and with his near-perfect control over chakra nature, he easily lit the tobacco through the ordinary wooden pipe.

Smoke filled the office again. Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly lowered his Hokage hat and said in a deep voice, "The village can't afford any more turmoil. Orochimaru's personality would bring uncontrollable changes to Konoha if he were in this position. If the village were at its peak, Orochimaru would be the best candidate."

Hiruzen Sarutobi always sought victory through stability, as his position as the village's Kage did not allow him to take risks, and his personality predetermined his fate.

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his head and looked out the window towards the Hokage Rock, his cloudy eyes filled with confusion. He murmured to himself, "Sensei, I'm doing this for Konoha."

Was Hiruzen Sarutobi wrong? Nara Shikaku sighed softly as he thought about this, for politics has never been about right or wrong.

If stability is the priority, then the most secure way to transfer power will be chosen. The next Hokage will inherit his village governance philosophy, and the village will become strong again in at most ten years.

If Orochimaru were to become the Fifth Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew in his heart that he might lead Konoha to new heights, but he could also drag Konoha into an abyss of decline.

Orochimaru faced two major political crises upon taking power, which Hiruzen Sarutobi could not accept. One was the unrest that would occur in the village during the change of power.

Secondly, Orochimaru's political ideology is completely in conflict with his own, which would likely plunge the village into war. At that time, there would only be two possible outcomes: either Konoha would once again dominate the ninja world under Orochimaru's leadership, or Konoha's remaining forces would be depleted once more.

"Lord Hokage, the Nara clan requests permission to go to the border to assist Lord Shinnosuke."

Nara Shikaku was definitely a smart man. After the Third Hokage made his statement, he knew that Orochimaru, who had abandoned the unpredictable factor, was likely to cause a major event in the village soon. He didn't want to get involved, but he also wanted to choose a side. The best way was to go to the front line.

Seeing Nara Shikaku's respectful demeanor, Sarutobi Hiruzen did not expose the other's ulterior motives. Instead, he sighed wistfully and said, "The front lines do indeed need someone like you, Shikaku, to assist Shinnosuke."

The Third Hokage's words immediately brought a smile to Nara Shikaku's face; it was practically a promise that he would become the captain of the Jonin team in the future.

Although it is a position without much real power, its status is on par with the six ministers of Konoha. In times of war or special circumstances, it is entirely possible to command a legion.

"When you get to the front lines, please do your best to report Shinnosuke to him and tell him to put more effort into his training. I can help him for a while, but I may not be able to help him forever."

Strength! Sarutobi Shinnosuke meets all the requirements except for strength. As for reputation? With all the high-ranking officials backing him, there is no issue of insufficient reputation.

If the village's Kage's strength is insufficient, it will be a disgrace to Konoha and a laughing stock in the ninja world.

Nara Shikaku secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. He was away from the center of the village's struggles and could also get close to the future Hokage—a win-win situation.

Unfortunately, no one expected that Orochimaru would defect, and the Third Hokage's eldest son and eldest daughter-in-law would be killed. The Third Hokage ended up with nothing, and even plunged Konoha into turmoil.

It seems that the only winner is Nara Shikaku, who became the captain of the Konoha Jonin team.

……

A dark shadow appeared behind him like a flea. Nara Shikaku, who had just come out of the Hokage's office building, gave a wry smile.

"Minister, the Third Hokage has ordered me to go to the border to assist Shinnosuke-sama."

Seeing Nara Shikaku's wry smile, clearly indicating he didn't want to get too involved in the political struggle, the head of the ANBU chuckled, his eyes, the only part of his face visible beneath his mask, brimming with a confident smile.

"Team Leader Shikaku, don't worry, we never intended to hide any of this from the Hokage."

Looking at this head of the Anbu, who was also the eldest daughter-in-law of the Third Hokage, Nara Shikaku showed no outward expression, but inwardly he was filled with apprehension.

This woman is no simpleton. She uses only overt schemes, completely understanding the Third Hokage's thoughts. She doesn't hide anything, exposing everything to the Hokage's very eyes.

Very clever. If the Third Hokage hadn't tacitly approved, he would have intervened long ago. It's obvious that this Hokage acquiesced.

This person has accurately grasped the Third Hokage's political philosophy of seeking stability, which is why he has been so unscrupulous in contacting various high-ranking officials in Konoha.

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(End of this chapter)