Konoha: We, the Uchiha, are ready to give up!

Especially when people have already started to have doubts, you should wholeheartedly plan for them.

Because this is your only remaining value!

If you can't even do this, you'll definitely be abandoned by others.

If that happens, their fate will be very tragic after they lose their usefulness.

Haiyi in the mountains nodded solemnly.

"Lu Jiu, don't worry."

"Our survival strategy as a pig-deer-butterfly is that we don't need to trust anyone, and we don't join any core circles."

"Our goal is self-preservation!"

Shikaku smiled.

Yes.

Yamanaka Inoichi is right.

The reason why they, the pig, deer, and butterfly, unite is simply for self-preservation.

If it weren't for the close alliance of the three clans and the help of Nara's strategist, they wouldn't have developed to where they are today, and might not even be as good as the Aburame clan.

There is nothing we can do about it.

They didn't have the bloodline limit like the Hyuga and Uchiha clans, nor did they have the luck of becoming disciples of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

It's truly remarkable that the Ino-Shika-Cho clan has surpassed the Aburame and Inuzuka clans to reach its current position.

"good !"

"In that case, I can rest assured."

After finishing speaking.

Nara Shikaku didn't waste any more words and immediately turned and left.

Yamanaka Inoichi did not linger and turned to head towards his own secret service.

……

Hokage's office.

After Nara Shikaku entered, he first bowed and greeted him, and then took the initiative to explain the affairs of the clan.

He performed very well.

At least.

Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't see anything about me.

However, he knew perfectly well what was going on.

Naturally, he wouldn't easily trust Nara Shikaku, but just as Nara Shikaku said, Hiruzen Sarutobi actually had no choice at the moment.

"Shikaku, it's ready!"

"Even if I don't trust anyone else, I will trust the loyalty of you Ino-Shika-Cho."

"Let's not dwell on things like that. Let's get down to business."

"Let's classify this morning's incident as an attack on an enemy village, and then report it to the entire ninja world later."

"And then there's the most crucial one."

"I hope that you, Shikaku, can go to Kumogakure in my place and make every effort to facilitate the Mukage's peace talks."

"I'm really tired!"

"The losses in this war are too great. Every village needs to recuperate and rebuild. We can't continue fighting."

"Even this time, when Konoha targets Kumogakure, we can even abandon our status as the victorious nation."

"I don't trust anyone else with this task, so I can only rely on you, Shiku."

"You won't let me down, will you?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke in a somber tone.

Yes.

He truly has no one he can trust anymore, so even if he has some doubts in his heart, he can only choose to pretend he doesn't know.

There's nothing we can do about it.

Who made me need their help?

If it weren't for the rise of Uchiha Jin, and if Utatane, Mitokado, and Shimura were still his core friends...

If it weren't for Minato Namikaze...

Then, needless to say.

Given Ino-Shika-Cho's current behavior, even if he has no evidence, he will choose to suppress them forcefully.

However, the situation is pressing.

All he wants now is to end the war as soon as possible and hand over the Hokage position to Minato Namikaze.

Once Minato Namikaze takes over, let him take over the mess in Konoha.

With no distractions, he was able to retreat into the shadows once more and slowly sort out the chaotic forces.

As for whether Watergate truly takes power?

impossible!

Even though Kotori, Homura, and Danzo had completely broken ties with him.

But, same thing.

They also won't listen to Minato Namikaze.

Since the dark and root parts are beyond their control, intelligent beings like Ino-Shika-Cho naturally know how to make choices.

Needless to say, the Hyuga and Uchiha clans are also included.

and so.

Even though his own power base was in disarray, he was still not afraid of Minato Namikaze taking over.

in contrast.

Only after Minato Namikaze becomes Hokage can he calm down, consolidate his power, and then slowly win over others.

Nara Shikaku remained calm.

He had already guessed what Hiruzen Sarutobi had said before coming here.

So, it's not surprising.

He frowned for a moment before slowly speaking.

"…Hokage-sama!"

"To be honest, I'm not very confident in persuading Iwagakure!"

"The Third Raikage, A, is very powerful now, and Iwagakure suffered almost no losses in this war."

"Unless we are willing to pay a huge price, it will be difficult to satisfy the appetite of the Hidden Cloud Village."

Yes.

As the class leader of a Jonin, Nara Shikaku naturally understood the situation of the leaders of various factions better than anyone else.

Convincing the third generation of Ai would be too difficult!

That guy is all muscle and stubbornness; even if you're smart, there's nothing you can do about it.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's brows furrowed slightly. (Qian Liaozhao)

He clearly hadn't expected Nara Shikaku to refuse.

Although Shikaku's words made perfect sense, Hiruzen Sarutobi was not satisfied.

The reason is quite simple.

Even knowing that you guys (Ino-Shika-Cho) have problems, I'm still willing to trust you. To put it bluntly, I just want you to do things for me.

If you can't do your job, then why should I keep you around?

And that is precisely why.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze towards Shikaku Nara naturally began to change.

Meanwhile, on the other side...

Nara Shikaku wasn't stupid either; seeing the change in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, he instantly understood what he was thinking.

only.

He was not flustered.

Without even thinking, he smiled and spoke.

"Of course!"