Konoha: Who's the good guy?

Nara Shikaku is, after all, a formidable individual with an IQ exceeding 190 according to official data.

Having grown up with Yamanaka Kei since childhood, he understood what it meant to be both offensive and defensive after only a little thought.

But... Danzo?

This is such a shocking secret that it completely shattered his worldview!

His face wore an extremely strange expression.

Nara Shikaku rubbed the goosebumps on his arm and winked at Yamanaka Inoichi beside him.

Having worked together for many years, Yamanaka Inoichi, who already had an unparalleled understanding with him, immediately used the telepathic technique to connect their minds.

Nara Shikaku's voice finally resonated in everyone's hearts.

"The number of ninjas in Konoha has now exceeded its capacity, and the ninja clans within each department are also deeply entrenched..."

Yamanaka Kei listened with a frown to Nara Shikaku's analysis.

In general, the high-ranking positions in Konoha are now overcrowded.

In order to maximize the mobilization of Konoha's resources to actively respond to the impending war, the Third Hokage would not easily disrupt the current balance.

This is why, although he and Minato Namikaze were allowed to attend high-level meetings, they were never granted real power.

Once Konoha joins the war.

As a member of a normal ninja team, he would inevitably be sent to the battlefield as a commanded spearhead.

With his strength, he could certainly stand out in the war, just like Minato Namikaze in the original work, and his status and position would rise rapidly.

But his identity as a member of a mountain tribe sealed his fate.

His potential is far less than that of a commoner genius like Minato, whose background is clean!

Moreover, strength can be both a strength that brings success and a strength that can also lead to failure.

The Konoha leadership was well aware that his strength had surpassed Jiraiya's, and many Konoha ninja clans also knew this.

During war, one may suppress their fears, but what about after the war?

We want to prevent this from happening.

Joining the root system and becoming a high-level member is undoubtedly a good choice.

Even if Danzo secretly harbored some other intentions.

With the strength of Yamanaka Kei, the support of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, and the added threat of Kushina as a fighting force, the team's strength is formidable.

With more planning and strategy, gaining actual control over the roots is not difficult.

Strength, influence, and the Root's ruthless and unscrupulous way of doing things.

Who would dare to provoke Shan Zhongjing?

"If Orochimaru can successfully become the Fourth Hokage after the Third Shinobi World War, you will be the undisputed Hokage's assistant, second only to one person in status."

Nara Shikaku summarized the situation and painted a bright future for Yamanaka Kei.

"Second only to one person? I'm fucking one person down!"

Yamanaka Kage responded inwardly with a hint of annoyance before speaking again.

"That's a good analysis. Don't do it again next time. I have some news for you: on the third day of my mission, I took down a tough guy."

"Huh? Who? Which ninja village are they from?"

"Konoha".

"???"

"Uchiha Madara".

"!!!"

Nara Shikaku opened his mouth.

Just as he was about to say something, the mind-to-body technique transmitted a scene of the duel between Yamanaka Kei and Uchiha Madara.

A Susanoo that blots out the sky, a world of trees that can destroy the heavens and the earth, wooden figures and dragons wreaking havoc in all directions, a fierce clash between Fire Release and Water Release...

Even though I had read the information recorded in the clan's historical records more than once, I was still amazed when I actually witnessed this scene.

The impact it had on his soul almost made Nara Shikaku's eyes pop out.

Akimichi Choza and Yamanaka Inoichi, who were standing to the side, even dropped their sake cups onto the table. They opened their mouths several times, but remained silent.

"Damn it! If you had that kind of ability, you should have said so earlier!"

Nara Shikaku grabbed Yamanaka Kei by the collar, his eyes already bloodshot.

"Ahem... I've recently made a small breakthrough in my strength."

Yamanaka Keigo coughed and pushed aside Nara Shikaku, who was too excited to contain himself.

He didn't have this kind of strength before he went to find Madara Uchiha!

How so?

"Kei~ Do you want to become the Fourth Hokage? Just say the word, and we'll start working on it for you right away!"

"Stop joking, what's the point of that location?"

"You! You! You..."

"Think about it, if I were in that position, who would be the busiest person?"

"..."

Nara Shikaku's eyes twitched upon hearing this, and his expression began to shift.

He knew Shan Zhongjing's personality all too well.

This guy is only slightly diligent when he's cultivating; otherwise, he'd rather lie down than stand up.

Once the other party becomes Hokage.

As the Jonin squad leader, he'll almost certainly be treated like an animal!

And it wasn't just him; any intelligent person in the Nara clan would probably not have a chance to catch their breath.

Even the Akimichi and Yamanaka clans will become the main force in the work.

But the opportunity for the rise of the three races of pig, deer, and butterfly is right in front of them.

Consider the development of the Sarutobi clan in recent years since Hiruzen Sarutobi became the Third Hokage.

He was truly unwilling to give up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so easily!

"Don't even think about it. The Senju clan is gone, and the Uchiha have been marginalized by the village. They might be killed at any time. The Sarutobi clan, ha~"

Yamanaka Kei patted Nara Shikaku on the shoulder.

In the environment of a ninja village, any ninja clan's extraordinary development will ultimately bring about a strong backlash.

Whether it's those in power, other ninja clans, or ordinary ninjas, none of them want a ninja clan to lord it over them for long.

"...Phew~"

Nara Shikaku remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a long breath.

Everything that reaches its peak will decline; things that reach their extreme will reverse.

The visible benefits are certainly tempting, but they and the scenery in the mountains cannot live forever.

Just like the Third Hokage will age and step down.

The family business must eventually be passed down to the next generation of young people.

If the burden is too heavy, decline is inevitable.

"Alright, now that we've finished with the serious stuff, let's have something fun to liven things up!"

Yamanaka Kei's ill-intentioned gaze swept over Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Choza, and Yamanaka Inoichi.

These guys didn't even bother to say hello; they were just plotting to get him into the Root.

Even if it's for his own good.

They arranged everything so clearly for him without even discussing it with him. How can we let this go so easily?

When Akimichi Choza saw the look in Yamanaka's eyes, he shuddered violently.

The fat on his body jiggled three times.

They grew up together, and he knew this guy's true nature all too well.

"Jing, you know me. I've never been very bright, so the idea definitely wasn't mine."

Nara Shikaku looked at Akimichi Choza, who had abandoned him first, in disbelief.

Before he could even question why his best friend was so disloyal, Yamanaka Inoichi chimed in.

"Jing, you know me. I'm like a sieve in front of you. If Lu Jiu had told me earlier, how could you not have known?"

"You! You..."

Nara Shikaku was shocked.

We promised to be brothers forever.

We share both good times and bad.

We were just drinking together, and you guys abandoned me?

"Ninja Art: Mind-Body Disorder Technique!"

With a single hand seal, Yamanaka Kei unleashed a secret technique of the Yamanaka clan. Sensing something was wrong, Nara Shikaku, who had been trying to run away, was immediately immobilized.

"Wait a minute! Kei, let's talk this out! Yoshino's still at the front desk! Give me a break!"

Nara Shikaku looked terrified.

They clearly anticipated what terrible things might happen next.

"Heh~ Don't worry, I've also learned some medical ninjutsu quite well recently."

Magical Paradise!