I am the most popular character in Naruto!

"Alright... let's go back and turn in the mission."

Yamato took a deep breath and, after confirming that Sasuke had left, said dejectedly to Naruto and the other two, "This mission was completed very well. Not only did we successfully obtain the data, but we also avoided meaningless battles. We can report back now."

"Based on the mission level classification, this mission is already at the S-rank difficulty level. I'll apply for it for you when we get back."

Yamato gestured to Sai, who then diligently recorded the mission details, waiting to hand them over upon returning.

Uchiha Sasuke, 16 years old, elite Jonin level, can unleash S-rank Lightning Release ninjutsu, threat level: Kage level!

……

"Welcome back, Sasuke-sama."

Kabuto pushed up his glasses and said to Sasuke with a big smile.

"Put down your fake smile, Kabuto Yakushi."

Sasuke said coldly, "I wouldn't mind making sure you never have to laugh again."

"Oh yeah?"

"Lord Sasuke is truly heartless."

Kabuto's eyes widened in surprise as he said to Sasuke, "Even though Lord Sasuke made a slight mistake and left some information with Konoha, he didn't perfectly complete the mission of destroying the underground base."

"Humph."

Sasuke snorted coldly, exchanged a glance with Kabuto who was still faking a smile, and said in a cold tone, "If that information were really important, I suppose you wouldn't be here mocking me, but would go and retrieve it yourself, right?"

"Since you still have the leisure to joke with me here, it proves that you deliberately gave that information to Konoha."

Am I wrong?

Kabuto's smile faded, and he said seriously to Sasuke, "Lord Sasuke, if your intelligence and insight could be used in other ways, perhaps Lord Orochimaru would be even happier."

"get out."

Sasuke's aura surged, forcing Kabuto back several steps. "In this ninja world, strength is everything."

Kabuto hurriedly straightened up, his face grim as he bowed slightly to Sasuke. "Lord Sasuke's talent is truly beyond compare, but please remember, talent is something that only you possess."

"so what?"

Sasuke gave a sarcastic smile. "Go fight, and then win. That's all."

"If there really are so many ninjas more talented than me, then let them fight me. The one who stands at the end will be the victor!"

After saying that, he disappeared into the darkness without looking back, leaving behind a person with a clenched fist.

"I understand……"

Kabuto loosened his fist. For the first time, Kabuto, who had always been immersed in being Orochimaru's assistant and was just as engrossed in scientific research as Orochimaru, had the idea of ​​gaining strength.

Just as Kabuto and Sasuke said.

Talent isn't something Sasuke alone possesses.

Chapter 675: Shogi

"so what?"

"You just let Sasuke get away like that?"

Shikamaru picked at his ear, yawned, and said to Naruto.

Among the twelve Konoha 12, Shikamaru is the most carefree...

Uh.

He appears to be the most relaxed, and also has the highest emotional and intellectual intelligence. Many people are willing to communicate and confide in Shikamaru, treating him as a psychologist and counselor.

That said, Shikamaru is also very happy to answer questions for his friends and be their confidant.

He chats with everyone about all sorts of things, and sometimes he even simulates the situation for the person asking the question and gives the final result, which is also a very meaningful thing for Shikamaru.

It can not only broaden one's experience, but also improve one's ability to handle many things.

"How can I let Sasuke get away with what happened between us!"

Naruto blushed and argued forcefully, "Then let him be no match for me and Sakura-chan! He'll have to run away in defeat!"

"Then didn't they just run away?"

Shikamaru looked at Naruto in surprise, "By definition, failing to capture Sasuke means he escaped."

"...Anyway, we've accomplished our mission!"

Naruto simply stopped arguing with Shikamaru about this topic, since it was an undeniable fact that Sasuke hadn't returned.

"Next time, next time I'll bring Sasuke back!"

Naruto stormed off, grumbling. Clearly, Naruto wasn't planning on getting any advice from Shikamaru this time. After all, Shikamaru had just returned from a mission and shouldn't have any questions for him...

"Naruto Uzumaki, please wait."

Shikamaru, who was lying there looking up at the clouds, was distracted by the sudden appearance of the Anbu. Naruto, who was cursing, also stopped and looked at the Anbu in confusion.

"The Third Hokage invites you, please!"

The ANBU member gestured for Naruto to follow them, but Naruto scratched his head. "What did the Third Hokage want with me? I've already completed my mission..."

"Oh, you're not going to say that I didn't bring Sasuke back, are you?"

"Shikamaru, what should we do?"

That's great. You know to ask questions as soon as you encounter a problem you can't figure out. You're a good kid.

Could you ask me again after the Dark Division has left?

Shikamaru rolled his eyes in exasperation. The Anbu noticed Shikamaru lying there and said happily, "Lord Shikamaru, please come to the Hokage's office. The Third Hokage requests your presence!"

look.

Whenever there's a problem, Shikamaru will definitely be summoned to the Hokage's office.

This is the fate of those who serve as advisors.

If it's a minor matter, Konoha's think tank can handle it.

If the think tank can't solve the problem, then it's Shikamaru's turn to step in.

If Shikamaru can't handle something, then it's Shikaku's turn to step in.

In any case, the father and son are officially recognized strategists by Konoha, and are specifically responsible for solving those difficult and complicated matters.

"Hehehe, Shikamaru, come with me! Then I won't be worried."

Naruto held his head and looked at Shikamaru with a grin.

Shikamaru slapped him on the back in an annoyed tone, "Just go already, it's like you're suffocating if you don't say a word."

He'd only just lain down a short while ago, you bastard!

Shikamaru, who was following the Anbu towards the Hokage's office, observed the situation in Konoha.

Merchants and ordinary people went about their lives as usual. The number of ninjas at each defense point did not increase, and most importantly, the Anbu were not moving fast, indicating that they were not in a hurry.

So it seems that this time it's not about Konoha's survival.

Shikamaru touched his chin and glanced at Naruto, who had no idea what was going on and was simply scratching his head and running forward with the Anbu.

Since we can't count on this guy, let's try to guess what's going to happen ourselves.

Shikamaru prefers to think about the probability of various situations in advance, to predict all possible scenarios, and then to provide corresponding solutions for each scenario. This way, he can be confident when encountering problems.

A skilled player will think three moves ahead with each move, while a top player will see through the entire board after making a good opening move!

This is why playing chess is actually an extremely mentally demanding activity, because it requires predicting a large number of situations and keeping them in mind.

This kind of behavior consumes an extremely high amount of mental and computational power, so the time and energy spent on a single game between top chess players is often several times that of ordinary people.

For shogi masters, there isn't much difference between doing things and playing shogi. In fact, because real life is simpler and many people's actions are easier to predict than those in shogi, it would be easier for them to plan their moves.

For example, the seven-time champion in a certain elementary school detective show next door, his reasoning ability is directly S-level, much stronger than that of a certain elementary school student.

The same applies to Shikamaru. Although he may not be able to compare with his father in terms of experience, with his intelligence, he will inevitably grow into a world-class strategist after learning from Shikaku's experience time and time again.

After the Anbu led Naruto and Shikamaru into the Hokage's office, Shikamaru surveyed the room.

Kakashi leaned against the windowsill, yawning. Beside him stood Yamato, who looked serious and respectful. Sakura and Sai stood quietly in the center, waiting for something.

Meanwhile, on the windowsill opposite Kakashi, Asuma leaned against the window smoking, while Choji Akimichi and Ino Yamanaka stood obediently.

"A mission carried out by two shifts simultaneously?"

"No, that's not right."

Shikamaru's mind raced. "If it's a mission for two classes at the same time, Kakashi and Asuma usually communicate together."

"Ino and Sakura will probably get together too. Given the current situation, there must be two equally important tasks that I need to make judgments on."

"Here they are, Naruto and Shikamaru."

Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped the table and nodded to the two of them. "Join the team."

"Yes."

Shikamaru nodded slightly and walked in front of Ino and Choji.

Ino and Choji breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Shikamaru arrive, and quickly shrank behind him.

Neither of them was used to the atmosphere in the Hokage's office, and they only dared to relax when Shikamaru was around.

Well.

Some people aren't used to the Hokage's office, but there are always others who are, like that certain brainless guy.

"Grandpa, what brings you here?"

Naruto swaggered forward, slammed his hand on the desk, and grinned at Hiruzen Sarutobi, saying, "When are you going to give me my bonus for the mission we just completed?"

"I'm so poor I can only afford ramen!"

Well, regardless of whether they're here to question Sasuke, Naruto decides to strike first!