Yes, the Hokage!

"Hmm." Obito forced a smile. "I'll definitely be fine."

“That’s right, you’ll be alright.” Kakashi held his hand. “I’ll stay here and watch over you until you wake up.”

“Me too…” Rin grasped Obito’s other hand, hesitated for a moment, and finally did as Feng Lan had suggested, whispering in Obito’s ear, “If you die, I will definitely follow you, no matter if the goal is the Pure Land or the other shore…”

Obito: "!!!"

These words, which were no different from a confession, made his entire body's chakra tremble. At this moment, Orochimaru, with a touch of personal emotion, plunged the needle in, deeply injecting Hashirama's cells.

"Ah ah ah ah ah!"

The next second, a shrill scream echoed throughout the base.

"Obito!"

Kakashi and Rin were heartbroken and wanted to rush forward, but Feng Lan stopped them: "The experiment has already begun. All you can do now is... trust him."

Chapter 17 The Scholar Meets the Soldier

The fusion with Hashirama's cells was a long and painful process. Feng Lan watched for a while longer before taking Itachi away. However, before leaving, he pulled Shizune aside and gave her a few careful instructions.

Jingyin seemed reluctant, but Fenglan repeatedly assured her and made some kind of promise before she reluctantly nodded.

After that, Feng Lan still split his body to train with Dai while his main body went to work in the office. It can only be said that humans are indeed amazing creatures with a high degree of adaptability. Under the continuous high-intensity training, he felt that he was slowly getting used to it.

When it was time to leave work, he put away his clones and caught his breath for a while before letting Itachi go home by himself. He was going to meet the top strategist of Konoha.

"No." To everyone's surprise, Itachi seemed a bit stubborn. "Shisui-nii instructed me that Orochimaru has ill intentions and that I must protect you well today."

Orochimaru had twice shown his killing intent during the day, and there was no reason why a master like Shisui wouldn't have sensed it. But... was he really joking to order Itachi to protect him? No matter how outstanding his talent was, this little guy was only six years old.

“We’re going to an izakaya, you know,” Feng Lan said helplessly. “You’re just a little kid, you can’t go to a place like that.”

“It’s alright, I can conceal myself and protect you as a shadow,” Itachi said earnestly. “Please don’t need to worry about my presence, just go about your business.”

"Alright, it's a ninja world after all..." Feng Lan stretched. Here, no one would criticize him for being a capitalist and making child laborers work 996 or anything like that. If this guy insists on coming along, then he can come along.

Meanwhile, in the Nara clan's territory.

"Sigh, I really don't want to go." Shikaku sighed as he finished packing.

“If you don’t want to go, then don’t go.” His seemingly shrewish but actually very gentle wife persuaded him from the side, “Our Nara clan has always maintained neutrality, and with the Yamanaka and Akimichi clans standing together, do you really think a mere Hokage advisor can force you to do anything?”

"The Hokage advisor isn't the key issue; the key issue is that he has that group of lunatics from the Uchiha clan behind him." Shikaku sighed again. Fenglan knew that his invitation might not be enough to persuade this powerful figure, so he kindly brought up the matter of the Root organization cutting down Inahashi in the book.

While the Uchiha clan is universally disliked in Konoha and no one wants to be associated with them, they do command respect from everyone.

Not only are they powerful, but they're also insane. The way they awaken the Sharingan destined the Uchiha to be a bunch of lunatics. If it weren't for the steady clan leader Fugaku keeping them in check, they probably would have already caused countless troubles.

If these lunatics find out that the Nara clan killed the Uchiha, what will they do?

Shikaku already knew about this, but the Third Hokage promised to suppress it, so he wasn't too worried. But now that Kaede has brought it up again, things are completely different.

First of all, he was the one who was assassinated. To put it bluntly, it could be said that the Nara clan wanted to assassinate him, the chief advisor to the Hokage.

Secondly, Feng Lan is very close to the Uchiha clan. If he were to spread rumors within the Uchiha clan that the Nara people had killed the Uchiha, even if the Third Hokage helped him, these lunatics would probably be furious.

As the saying goes, "a scholar can't reason with a soldier," and Lu Jiu is currently in such an awkward situation. So even though he knows that tonight's banquet is a trap, he has no choice but to bite the bullet and go.

……

Inside the private room of the izakaya, the lighting was dim and the atmosphere was subtle. Feng Lan had already ordered the food and drinks and was waiting with a smile.

"I apologize for keeping you waiting, Advisor." Soon, Shikaku pushed open the door and entered. Although he was extremely intelligent, he and his son Shikamaru... or rather, his son and father were both like social interactions, so he didn't say anything polite.

"I'd like to offer you a toast." Shikaku raised his glass and gave a slight nod.

"It's an honor," Feng Lan said, raising her glass in return.

After the two shared a drink, Lu Jiu got straight to the point: "Lord Fenglan, let's not beat around the bush. You must have come to see me for more than just the Root Organization, right?"

"Lord Danzo can handle that little matter himself, of course he wouldn't bother you." Feng Lan chuckled and poured another cup for the two of them. "I invited you here mainly to discuss the matter of reducing redundant projects at the middle management level."

"Lord Fenglan, you wouldn't be planning to punish me, would you?" Lu Jiu jokingly drank another cup.

"How could that be? You are the Third Hokage's right-hand man, a veteran of many dynasties. Cutting you off would be like cutting off our own arm." Although Feng Lan didn't like socializing either, he could say such insincere things all night long if he wanted to.

"I'm hardly a right-hand man; I'm just someone who tries my best to protect the family." Shikaku sighed, picked up a piece of tempura, and took a bite.

His words came from the bottom of his heart. His position was actually quite awkward. If he were just one step up, he would be the true Hokage advisor, wielding great power, the creator of the Will of Fire, looking down upon all living beings from a high place.

The next step is for ordinary family heads who don't need to worry about so much and won't be targeted by people like Feng Lan. They can live their lives peacefully and happily as long as Konoha doesn't completely collapse.

He was the only one who, despite being the class leader of a Jonin, had to be present for the Hokage election, yet he had no corresponding authority. He was stuck in the middle, neither here nor there.

"Mr. Shikaku, you're too kind. Everyone knows how much the Third Hokage trusted you. You could say you're at the pinnacle of power. I think for an ordinary ninja, reaching your level would be the limit." Fenglan smiled and continued to pour more wine.

"You flatter me too much. The limit that an ordinary ninja can reach is undoubtedly the Fourth Hokage, isn't it?" Shikaku's hand was on the wine glass, but he didn't pick it up. Instead, he looked sharply at Fenglan. "And you, the chief advisor to the Hokage, are second only to the Hokage. Why would you need to pour wine for a nobody like me?"

“I am not second only to the emperor, but I am just an outsider who can be insulted by the villagers at will.” Feng Lan raised his wine glass without changing his expression. “Someone like me with an unknown background can only go so far, no matter how much the Fourth Hokage trusts me. But Mr. Shikaku, you are different.”

He didn't drink; he simply put down his glass and leaned forward slightly: "Haven't you ever thought about taking it a step further?"

Shikaku suddenly tightened his grip on the wine glass, his expression quickly returning to normal, but Fenglan still caught a fleeting glimpse of the unusual behavior.

If we take another step forward, wouldn't that be... the Council of Elders?

Once you join the Elder Council, you'll be in a completely different position from the powerless chief strategist of Konoha. You'll truly have real power and countless benefits, and you can even keep the Hokage in check. You can expand your clan to an astonishing extent in an instant!

Are you tempted? Of course I am.

Would they dare to move? They definitely wouldn't.

Even this fleeting moment of attraction was quickly suppressed by Shikaku, who knew that Konoha had already been divided up so much that it couldn't accommodate a new powerful family!

If they want to call themselves a powerful family, the Nara clan is just the next Uchiha!

He was a smart man and knew very well what he could strive for and what he couldn't be greedy for. The vague and illusory thing that Feng Lan was promising right now was clearly something he couldn't be greedy for.

"Shikaku dedicated his entire life to Konoha, never seeking any empty fame." He declared righteously, "Lord Fenglan, please forgive my bluntness, but I absolutely cannot agree to your proposal. Farewell!"

He didn't even ask what the other party wanted him to do, because Shikaku knew that someone who could use the elders as a lure must have a huge demand behind them, and might even be planning a change of dynasty!

The reason why the Ino-Shika-Cho trio has been able to maintain its position in Konoha for so long is because it has maintained absolute neutrality. In addition, the three major clans have worked together, not seeking personal gain, but only hoping that no matter who is in power in Konoha, they can have a peaceful corner in this chaotic world.

Feng Lan's words had clearly violated the rules of the Ino-Shika-Cho triad, which touched a nerve with Shika Ku, so he naturally did not want to stay any longer.

Just as Shikaku's hand was already on the doorknob, Fenglan's voice rang out: "The Fourth Hokage and I have discussed this for a long time and feel that it is time to make some changes to the members of the Elder Council. Perhaps soon there will be vacancies."

Upon hearing this, even though Shikaku was determined to leave, he couldn't help but pause.

He then heard the following words: "And I... will strongly recommend Mr. Shikaku at the meeting to become a new member of the Elders' Council."

"I don't need your recommendation." Lu Jiu turned his head and said calmly, "Lord Feng Lan, whatever you want to change or who you want to target, it has nothing to do with the Zhu Lu Die family. As long as you don't provoke us, we can all live in peace."

He was clearly somewhat wary, having already brought out all three major families in an attempt to make the other party back down. However, Feng Lan's next words made Lu Jiu's vision go black.

"My recommendation isn't based on whether you need it, but on whether I need it." Feng Lan smiled slightly. "I don't even need anyone from the Elders' Council to actually step down; I can directly and strongly recommend you. Do you understand?"

"you!"

Shikaku's gaze sharpened instantly. How could he not understand the meaning behind Fenglan's words? He might not have wanted to get involved in this mess, but he couldn't stop someone from dragging him in. No matter how much he declared that he would remain neutral, he couldn't stop this scoundrel from strongly recommending him to be the Hokage advisor at the elders' meeting!

Oh, so you say you have no relationship with Feng Lan? If you have no relationship with him, why would he recommend you like this?

This is an old trick used by scheming people. If they want to ostracize someone, they praise them excessively, to the point that their original excellent qualities seem undeserved, making people think that this person is an unworthy, greedy and petty person.

To put it even more darkly, Fenglan could easily make the Uchiha clan visit the Nara clan every few days. Would you entertain them or not? If you don't entertain those crazy Uchiha, they won't listen to reason. If you do entertain them, does that mean it's confirmed that you and Fenglan are having an affair?

Lu Jiu's mind worked extremely fast, even figuring out Feng Lan's backup plan, but he felt a sense of indignation, like a scholar encountering a soldier.

He was completely unable to reason with the other party who was being so unreasonable and irrational.

But Lu Jiu was not the kind of reckless man. After only a moment's thought, he sat back down, his expression unchanged: "What does Lord Fenglan want?"

This wasn't about backing down; it was the start of a true battle of wits. He needed to deduce what Feng Lan was planning to do from what she wanted, and then act accordingly.

Unexpectedly, Feng Lan shrugged and smiled, "Mr. Shikaku, I have never been a greedy person. As long as you provide me with a list of mid-level ninjas, with their job responsibilities and salaries marked on it... I will handle the rest. You don't need to do anything more."

"That's all?" Lu Jiu was slightly taken aback. What the other party asked for was far less than he had expected, and even gave him a pleasant surprise of "getting a good deal".

"That's all." Feng Lan nodded with a smile. "If I had to leave everything to you, then my time as chief consultant would be over, wouldn't it?"

Chapter 18 Killing the Chicken to Warn the Monkey

Although Fenglan's request wasn't too difficult, Lu Jiu carefully analyzed the pros and cons before nodding in agreement.

"I will definitely deliver the list to you within three days."

……

After leaving the izakaya, Itachi appeared out of the shadows at just the right time. It has to be said that his stealth technique is indeed excellent. Fenglan could not find him at all without using his senses.

After watching Lu Jiu leave, Feng Lan suddenly asked, "What do you think?"

"Me?" Itachi looked somewhat surprised, clearly not expecting Fenglan to suddenly ask him.

"Didn't you say you would secretly observe me and draw your own conclusions?" Feng Lan glanced at him. "Now I'll ask you what your conclusions are after observing me all night."

“I…” Itachi fell silent. Of course, he didn’t want to say it, but his current status did not allow him to refuse. This straightforward boy could not lie. “I think you made a lot of noise but didn’t deliver. You made such a big show but only wanted a list in the end. It’s a bit unexpected. I thought you would also bring Mr. Shikaku on board.”

“He’s a smart man, not so easily swayed.” Feng Lan smiled. “Besides, the Nara clan doesn’t have the same predicament as the Uchiha. He’s cautious and careful, and he doesn’t have any leverage for me to use against him. Rather than asking too much and causing a falling out, it’s better to leave him some room to maneuver in the future.”

"Are you sure a list is enough for you?" Seeing that Fenglan was willing to explain his actions, Itachi pressed for an answer, seeing it as a great opportunity to learn.

"Of course not. The job responsibilities and salaries of all middle-level personnel... I can always find out these things by going to more places and spending more time, but they won't be as detailed as what he gave."

Feng Lan said calmly, "What I need to do is to convey a feeling through Lu Jiu, to make those people feel that I am about to take action. Then naturally some people will become restless... At that time, we can deal with whatever moves they make. Sometimes it is not better to take the initiative. Passively waiting for the rabbit to come to the tree stump is also a tactic."

He turned his head and saw that Itachi was actually scribbling down his words word for word, and he couldn't help but chuckle.

"Please continue. Although I'm taking notes, I'm also listening attentively." The kid then surprisingly took the initiative and started talking.

“Okay, if you want to hear it, I’ll analyze it for you.” Feng Lan shrugged. “Why did I choose Nara Shikaku? First, because he’s smart enough. Sometimes it’s easier to outsmart smart people than stupid ones, because you can never imagine what stupid people will do, while smart people… they will definitely analyze the pros and cons before acting, so they are easier to control. Take the private room just now, for example. If it were someone else with a bad temper, they might have kicked the door and left, but Shikaku sat back down and listened to what I had to say.”

"I see." Itachi's eyes lit up, feeling that he had learned something real.

"The second point is that the Ino-Shika-Cho trio will advance and retreat together. This is Shikaku's confidence, but it is also his weakness. After he knows that I asked for a list, he will definitely notify the Yamanaka and Akimichi clans to prepare. At that time, with more people and more gossip, the news of 'I'm going to make a move' will spread much faster than relying on gossip in izakayas."

"You've certainly thought this through carefully." Itachi nodded seriously and continued writing rapidly.

The two walked and talked, and soon returned to Fenglan's residence. Itachi stood at the bottom of the stairs and bowed deeply: "Thank you, I have learned a lot today... but my observation will continue!"

"That's why I said, if you want to observe someone, at least don't say your purpose so openly." Feng Lan waved her hand and slowly closed the door.