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Having a high IQ also has its drawbacks—namely, people of the Nara clan tend to be naturally lazy.
Shikaku was no exception to this.
Unfortunately, the once laid-back and easygoing Shikaku was now busier than anyone else.
To borrow a phrase, he slept later than the dogs and woke earlier than the roosters.
Coupled with the village's big shots occasionally stirring up trouble, he felt on the verge of a breakdown at any moment.
Looking at the pitiful, repeatedly begging Shikaku, Kazuki couldn't help but laugh. He pointed at him, teasing.
"Cut the act. I know exactly what's going on in that head of yours. Your father was busier than you back in the day, and I never heard him complain. From now on, I'll let you know in advance before I do anything. Don't make it sound like I'm flaying you alive."
"Really?"
Shikaku's miserable expression immediately transformed. He leaned in seriously, hands pressing on the desk, staring straight at Kazuki.
Just as Kazuki had said, all his complaining was mainly because he was afraid someone would cause trouble.
In the current Konoha, what he feared most was Kazuki running into problems.
Tsunade was already a lost cause; who knew when she would return?
Since he couldn't rely on Tsunade, he had to focus on Kazuki.
But Kazuki's occasional troublemaking made his job very difficult.
"Of course. Now get lost. If I leave the village in the future, I'll let you know immediately. So stop making that sour face. And another thing."
Kazuki started cursing directly.
"They say greater power comes greater responsibility. I'm already doing the Hokage's job. What's wrong with making you work a little harder? Don't forget, you're the Jonin Commander. If you're really unhappy, I can choose someone to replace you."
As he spoke, Kazuki deliberately raised an eyebrow.
"You know, there are plenty of people and clans eyeing your position. Want to give it a try?"
The position of Jonin Commander was specifically given to the Ino–Shika–Cho clans as a way for the village to court their favor.
Kazuki wasn't wrong. Many people and clans had their eyes on this position.
If Shikaku really said he was willing to step down, the threshold of the Hokage's office would probably be worn flat.
"Ahem!! No, thanks. I'm afraid my father would kill me."
Imagining his father's angry expression, Shikaku quickly shook his head.
He wanted to slack off and find something easier to do, but that didn't mean he wanted to lose the position exclusive to the Ino–Shika–Cho clans.
If he really lost the Jonin Commander position, he would be a sinner in his clan—no, in all three Ino–Shika–Cho clans.
"Since you're afraid your father will kill you, then stop pulling that long face. Go order some food. I feel like having some grilled meat. We can have a couple of drinks while we're at it."
"Here?"
Shikaku was taken aback, pointing at the floor.
Having grilled meat and drinking in the Hokage's office, during work hours... wouldn't that be a bit...
"Not here? Then at your place?" Kazuki retorted.
Shikaku was momentarily speechless.
"I'll have the Anbu arrange it immediately."
If Tsunade and Kazuki could do it, why couldn't he?
Besides, it wasn't his idea. If anyone in the village was unhappy and wanted to cause trouble, they could only go after Kazuki.
But such matters would probably be met with a blind eye from everyone. No one in the village dared to find fault with Kazuki.
Although Kazuki was only the Hokage Advisor, those who knew his character understood that their Hokage Advisor was far more troublesome than the Hokage herself.
Soon, a grill was set up, charcoal was burning, and various cuts of meat were delivered directly from the BBQ restaurant.
It was a restaurant run by the Akimichi clan. Besides the meat, there were also secret recipe seasonings.
"Sizzle~~~"
Flipping a piece of meat that had turned red on the grill, Shikaku clicked his tongue and put down his sake cup.
"I wonder how things are going in the Land of Earth. I hope Orochimaru can keep it together. I'm really afraid he'll lead the village's elite into a desperate fight with Iwagakure."
"Not likely."
Kazuki answered while eating a piece of grilled beef.
"Unless it's within the plan, the team leaders won't follow his orders. Besides, Itachi is leading a group of Uchiha to keep an eye on him. Unless Orochimaru wants to die, he won't dare act recklessly. Not to mention, no matter where he hides, I can find him."
With all kinds of threats and deterrents in place, if Orochimaru still dared to act recklessly, he'd be tired of living.
"Lord Advisor, you should have told me first."
Shikaku recalled the news he'd received a few days ago: Kazuki, alone, had charged into Iwagakure's camp, destroyed the camp single-handedly, and killed many Iwagakure ninja.
When this great news came back, he was dumbfounded.
"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary actions. If I'd told you, you'd just be nagging in my ear again. I'm only Advisor, not the Hokage. You'd better tone it down"
"Even if you punch me, I'll still say it."
A few cups of sake down, Shikaku's neck was red. He spoke stubbornly.
"It's one thing for the Hokage to act irresponsibly. But if you also act irresponsibly, what happens if something goes wrong in the village? Who will manage things? Who will control the situation?"
"Don't tell me there's still the Third Hokage. In today's Konoha, how many people are willing to follow the Third Hokage's orders? You and Lady Hokage worked together to change the village's situation to this, yet you both love to mess around. And Lady Hokage—feeling pressured, gambling around, running off to have fun—I can understand that. I've even accepted it. But it can't go on too long. Otherwise, I'll convene the Council of Elders to discuss this matter. If you can contact the Hokage, you'd better contact her as soon as possible."
With a bit of alcohol in him, Shikaku blurted out what he'd been keeping bottled up inside.
The Hokage of the village playing hooky and running off to have fun was wrong enough. But to do it during wartime? That was just absurd.
One of the Five Great Shinobi Villages going for an extended period without its Hokage in charge—was that acceptable?
If news got out, it would be a laughingstock.
At times like this, the existence of the Council of Elders proved its purpose.
They didn't have the authority to remove Tsunade from the Hokage position, but they did have the right to convene the Council of Elders and hold a new election for Hokage.
This was equivalent to bypassing Tsunade and electing the Sixth Hokage.
"Enough already. Don't you think I have enough on my plate already?" Kazuki rolled his eyes, warning Shikaku.
"Tsunade probably won't play for too long. The shinobi world situation is chaotic, and the village is now involved in the war. She'll come back."
Based on Kazuki's understanding of Tsunade, once she'd had her fun, she would definitely return.
Unless something unexpected happened.
Under the current circumstances, if the Council of Elders convened, the position of Sixth Hokage would fall to him.
Others would be eager to become Hokage, to sit in the Hokage's office. But Kazuki had no such desire.
"If the situation reaches a point where the Council of Elders must intervene, I will activate the Council's authority."
Shikaku refused to back down. Some things couldn't be conceded, even under Kazuki's threats.
Kazuki was both amused and exasperated.