I was broadcast live while taking the Chunin Exam!

It would be best if the intelligence gathering process could yield any results, but getting the other side to take action is the most important goal.

Once the other side makes a move, it will confirm that they are the mysterious enemy!

Only when the opponent's actions are flawless will Itachi's sense of order have a chance to be used!

Chapter 938 Choji

Kitahara Kaede had already returned home. During his time back in Konoha, Kitahara Kaede had been quite busy most of the time.

Although not everyone is constantly trying to visit Kitahara Kaede, the number of people is still quite large.

Clinging to the powerful is not an uncommon practice in the ninja world; in fact, it might be considered the norm.

"Choji, why are you hiding over there?"

Kitahara Kaede said to the courtyard gate.

"I just happened to be here. I like to take a walk in the evenings." Choji's figure emerged from the shadows.

Kitahara Kaede could tell that Choji had something on his mind, and that his words were just nonsense he used to cover it up.

“Choji, we’re partners, you don’t really need to hesitate like this.” Kitahara Kaede sighed.

He knew that the reason he wasn't bothered by a large crowd at home was largely because his friends were taking on that pressure for him.

While those guys didn't have the guts to directly make demands of Kitahara Kaede, they were quite adept at achieving their goals through Kitahara Kaede's friends.

"Hey, are you free right now? Let's go get some barbecue?" Choji said with a gentle smile.

"It was an invitation from my friends, and I'm available anytime." Kitahara Kaede nodded with a smile.

……

Kitahara Kaede and Choji sat in the Akimichi family's barbecue restaurant.

The barbecue restaurant was actually closed at this time, but as the current head of the Akimichi family, Choji was still able to break some rules here.

More importantly, this might not be Choji's idea, but rather the Akimichi clan's idea.

Having finished ordering, Kitahara Kaede stared thoughtfully at the newly heated grill in front of him.

"Is it because your family wants you to come to me for their own benefit?" Kitahara Kaede said.

“Actually, I am capable of handling this matter. Although I didn’t go with you to space to face the Otsutsuki clan, I know it’s definitely not an easy task.” Choji still seemed somewhat hesitant.

But at this moment he was much more relaxed.

Perhaps waiting a little while to eat delicious food when he's stressed can help him relax.

“Choji, you are a gentle strongman. I’m willing to make an exception for my comrades,” Kitahara Kaede said with a smile.

He had already visited the homes of several of his partners and offered them some benefits.

Like the Hyuga and Yamanaka families, although they keep the benefits they receive a secret, there are no secrets in the world that stay hidden forever.

Those guys always have their own ways of finding out these things, and Kitahara Kaede is fully aware of all of this.

"Actually, there's no need. I'm just troubled by my own weakness." Choji shook his head vigorously.

He didn't like the situation, but most of the time he was just hesitant.

“Choji, your kindness is not a mistake. Even if you make a request of me, I will respond to you seriously. So you don’t need to hide anything.” Kitahara Kaede smiled.

He knew that Choji hadn't discussed this with Shikamaru before coming here.

Otherwise, Choji wouldn't have hesitated so much.

Of course, most of those who try to get benefits from Kitahara Kaede will not start with the Nara family.

It is very difficult to fool intelligent people, and they certainly wouldn't be so arrogant as to think they are smarter than the Nara family.

"That's right. Recently, someone tried to sway the Akimichi family with a lot of benefits. I refused, but those things are indeed very tempting to the Akimichi family." Choji relaxed a little more as he said this.

Perhaps it was Kitahara Kaede's words that calmed him down.

"The Akimichi family is just kind, so why do people always treat you like idiots?" Kitahara Kaede almost laughed.

Most of the Akimichi family members are enormous in size, and they all appear to be exceptionally honest and simple.

However, being kind and honest does not mean they are stupid. In fact, none of the ninja clans that have survived in Konoha to this day are stupid.

Akimichi Torifu, a disciple of the Second Hokage, did not leave a significant mark on Konoha after the Second Hokage's death.

It wasn't that he died young, but rather that he chose to retire gracefully.

Akimichi Torifu exploited his relationship with Konoha's high-ranking officials, such as Hiruzen Sarutobi, to provide the Akimichi family with a powerful protective shield.

Giving up control of Konoha not only made the elders owe the Akimichi family a huge favor, but also made them indebted to them!

Among the three families of Ino-Shika-Cho, the Nara family is favored because of their wisdom, and in the eyes of outsiders, the Nara family is the center of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio!

But in fact, the Akimichi family received the most protection from Konoha!

“We don’t really care about that, but I feel it’s necessary to tell you, but I don’t know how to bring it up.” Choji had completely relaxed.

His posture became somewhat slouching.

"What do they want from me through your family?" Kitahara Kaede asked.

“They want power, they want to be your subordinates, or they want to have your name on their sleeve before they act,” Choji said hesitantly.

"To use my name? How foolish and laughable. Choji, you understand that, don't you?" Kitahara Kaede said with a smile.

Choji nodded.

He understood Kitahara Kaede; Kitahara Kaede mostly seemed indifferent to everything in the ninja world.

All he cared about from beginning to end was the interaction between people.

Faced with this situation, Kitahara Kaede didn't abandon it because he had acquaintances in the ninja world.

"Although they did provide the Akimichi family with very generous gifts, I really didn't want to do this kind of matchmaking for them, after all... sigh." Choji sighed.

After things had come to this point, Kitahara Kaede already had some guesses.

There aren't many people who can make things difficult for the Akimichi family; the target can even be narrowed down to a few names.

Shimura, Sarutobi, Mito, and transfer.

There are only a few of them, and they are indeed of great significance to the Akimichi family.

Even the Akimichi family and this family have a close relationship.

When Hiruzen Sarutobi was in power, he treated the Ino-Shika-Cho trio very well.

They provided a lot of help to the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, with Sarutobi Asuma serving as Choji's mentor Jonin!

While his actions also aimed to strengthen the connection between the Ino-Shika-Cho trio and the Hokage, Sarutobi Asuma was actually a highly underestimated elite Jonin!

Chapter 939 Pig, Deer, and Butterfly

Sarutobi Asuma's battle record wasn't great; he was even killed when facing someone like Hidan.

This is not because Sarutobi Asuma's direct combat ability is poor, but because someone like Hidan can make anyone fall for his attacks when the information is unknown.

If Sarutobi Asuma's direct combat ability were fully displayed, he wouldn't be much weaker than Kisame Hoshigaki.

After all, Sarutobi Asuma was on equal footing with Kakashi and the other elite Jonin.

This kind of performance is not something that can be given to him by the mere status of being the son of the Hokage.

That's because Sarutobi Asuma's strength was recognized by these elite Jonin, which is why he received the corresponding level of respect!

“Actually, we are aware that the Ino-Shika-Cho trio and the Hokage lineage are not simply in a superior-subordinate relationship; they have supported each other for decades,” Choji said.

"In fact, the Third Hokage treated the Ino-Shika-Cho trio far better than he treated other ninja clans. This time, it was the Sarutobi clan that approached you, right?" Kitahara Kaede asked.

"Yes, it's because of Asuma-sensei that I'm so hesitant." Choji nodded.

Sarutobi Asuma and Sarutobi Hiruzen are ultimately different.

As the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi's decisions affect the entire Hidden Leaf Village.

Therefore, it is only natural that he bears any malice. Having gained the power and benefits of the Hokage, he cannot shirk these negative responsibilities.

However, Sarutobi Asuma was not like that; he was just an elite Jonin.

Even within Konoha Village, he didn't benefit from his father being the Hokage, and he didn't even inherit the Third Hokage's fighting style.

Since we did not benefit from this, we should not be punished for it.

"Since the Third Hokage died, Asuma must have had a tough time, right?" Kitahara Kaede asked.

It is a fact that Sarutobi Asuma was the son of the Third Hokage.

Even if he didn't gain anything from it, that doesn't change his identity.

“Asuma-sensei left the front lines after the Third Generation passed away, and he’s aged quite quickly these past few years.” Choji nodded.

“He’s a good teacher. Bring him to see me tomorrow. But only him, not the current head of the Sarutobi clan,” Kitahara Kaede said.

Kitahara Kaede is willing to offer Asuma some assistance, but he will never provide the Sarutobi clan with any power or influence.

Although the Sarutobi clan did not do anything bad in their dealings with Konoha, they were the ones who benefited the most from the Third Hokage.

They shouldn't receive any further help at this time.

"Okay, thank you." Choji nodded vigorously.

Once they had finished their business, the staff at the barbecue restaurant started serving the food.

“Choji, I actually prepared a gift for your clan, but you came to me first instead of waiting for me to visit you,” Kitahara Kaede said while picking up some food.

"Is that so? Actually, the Akimichi clan doesn't have many demands," Choji said with a smile.

He seemed a little reserved at this moment.

After all, he had just received benefits from Kitahara Kaede, so his current behavior was not surprising at all.

“The Nara family’s business is in pharmaceuticals, the Yamanaka family works in the intelligence and interrogation department, and only the Akimichi family relies on these shops. Your treatment is among the worst.” Kitahara Kaede shook his head.

In terms of family businesses, the Nara family certainly has the deepest foundation among the Ino-Shika-Cho clans.

The Yamanaka and Akimichi families had absolutely no chance of expansion; they could only barely maintain a self-sufficient lifestyle.

“This kind of life is actually the best for us. When our family members eat at the family's shops, they only need to pay the cost.” Choji scratched his head somewhat awkwardly.

It's rare for any Akimichi ninja to develop ambition.

Most of them were the most honest kind of people. If it weren't for the Nara family helping them, the Akimichi ninjas would probably be the kind of people who get bullied.

"Aren't you even a little bit curious about what gift I've prepared for your family?" Kitahara Kaede smiled.

Honest and simple people make excellent friends; if you give them a sincere heart, you will surely receive a sincere heart in return.

Having such a friend is something to be very proud of.

“You should bring a friend’s gift home before opening it. It’s inappropriate to ask about it before you receive it,” Choji said emphatically.

"I really don't know how you managed to bring a wife back from Kumogakure. Is it just because you're honest?" Kitahara Kaede said, shaking his head.

"Well, I don't know why either, it just seems like we naturally came together," Choji said with a smile.

He was clearly very satisfied with his family life.

"By the way, Choji, did you tell your wife you were going out today? It's almost midnight now," Kitahara Kaede said with a smile.

He still clearly remembered how Choji and Shikamaru rushed home in a panic during the last gathering.

"Um, I forgot to mention. But this is important business, she should understand, right?" Choji said somewhat uncertainly.

Upon hearing this, Kitahara Kaede smiled and pointed to the window of the barbecue restaurant.

Over there, Choji's wife and daughter are watching him.

Choji looked in the direction Kitahara Kaede was pointing and immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

"Oh right, I forgot to ask, how did you marry the female ninja from Kumogakure?" Kitahara Kaede asked.

"Karui? We met during a mission, and somehow we ended up together," Choji said nervously.

Kitahara Kaede waved to Karui and Akimichi Chocho outside the window, inviting them in.

Kitahara Kaede had no intention of treating Choji's wife and daughter as strangers.

Although the two sides had indeed not met much.

Karui led his daughter through the main entrance and first respectfully greeted Kitahara Kaede.