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In the Hokage's Office.
The air was filled with a pungent smell of smoke. Although Nara Shikaku was averse to trouble, his sharp mind quickly pieced together the events.
He was averse to trouble, but the Ino-Shika-Cho Clan was clearly aligned with the Hokage, especially his own clan, known as the Hokage's think tank. He could never truly escape this role.
Seeing Nara Shikaku remain silent for a long time, the Third Hokage slowly put down his pipe and said in a hoarse voice, "The Anbu captain visited the Nara Clan three days ago, although you were on duty at the time."
The Third Hokage's simple words instantly made Nara Shikaku's face turn serious, and he broke out in a cold sweat. This was the Third Hokage warning him.
"Lord Hokage, I only learned about it after I returned."
Although Nara Shikaku was part of the Hokage's faction, his sharp mind made him reluctant to get involved. After all, the higher-ups had not yet taken a stance. The current Third Hokage was not yet in his twilight years, and his combat strength was still maintained at its peak.
Listening to Nara Shikaku's explanation, the Third Hokage slowly shook his head and sighed, "Anew is strong for his age, but he still lacks the respect of the masses."
With these words, Nara Shikaku's mind raced. He looked up at the Third Hokage's silent expression, trying to gauge his thoughts.
"Lord Hokage, the Anbu captain offered the position of Jounin Squad Leader." In an instant, Nara Shikaku realized that the Third Hokage's scales had tipped, and he respectfully said these words.
Their conversation seemed to be at cross-purposes, but it was filled with subtle negotiations.
By mentioning Anew, the Third Hokage had already shown his inclination. Privately, Anew was his son, and a father and son both becoming Hokage would ensure their names would be remembered for generations.
Publicly, Konoha had just recovered from the Third Shinobi World War and then faced the Nine-Tails Disaster, losing the Fourth Hokage in the process. This was a devastating blow, and Konoha could not afford further turmoil. The Third Hokage's political philosophy was always to maintain stability, so he chose the most stable candidate for the succession.
Nara Shikaku cautiously mentioned this position, currently held by Anew, who had risen through the ranks of Anbu and now commanded the border.
If Nara Shikaku took over as the Jounin Squad Leader, Anew would have to move up.
Thinking about this, Nara Shikaku swallowed nervously. His mind was one thing, but this was the Hokage, who held the power of life and death over the strongest village in the Five Great Nations.
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly refilled his pipe and, with his nearly perfect control of chakra, easily lit the tobacco through the ordinary wooden pipe.
Smoke filled the office again. Hiruzen Sarutobi lowered his Hokage hat and said solemnly, "The village cannot afford more turmoil. Orochimaru's character would bring unpredictable changes to Konoha. If the village were in its prime, Orochimaru would be the best choice."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was always cautious, as the leader of the village could not afford to take risks. His character determined his fate.
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned and looked through the window toward the Hokage Monument, his cloudy eyes filled with confusion, muttering to himself, "Teacher, I am doing this for Konoha."
Was Hiruzen Sarutobi wrong? Nara Shikaku sighed deeply. Politics had no right or wrong.
To maintain stability, the most stable method of power transition was chosen. The next Hokage would inherit his governance philosophy, and the village would become strong again within a decade.
If Orochimaru became the Fifth Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that he might lead Konoha to new heights, but he could also plunge it into a bottomless abyss.
The two major political crises Orochimaru would face were unacceptable to Hiruzen Sarutobi. One was the turmoil that would arise during the transition of power.
The second was that Orochimaru's political philosophy was entirely at odds with his own. The village might be plunged into war, resulting in two possible outcomes: either Konoha would regain its dominance under Orochimaru's leadership, or its strength would wither away.
"Lord Hokage, the Nara Clan requests to assist Lord Anew at the border."
Nara Shikaku was a smart man. After the Third Hokage's stance became clear, he knew that the Hokage had abandoned the unpredictable Orochimaru. The village was likely to face significant events soon, and he did not want to get involved. The best course of action was to go to the front lines.
Seeing Nara Shikaku's respectful demeanor, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not expose his thoughts but sighed wistfully, "The front lines indeed need someone like you to assist Anew."
These words brought a smile to Nara Shikaku's face. It was almost a promise that he would become the Jounin Squad Leader in the future.
Although the position had little real power, it carried the same status as the six major department heads in Konoha. In times of war and special circumstances, he could command an entire division.
"Please convey my message to Anew when you go to the front lines. Tell him to focus more on his training. I can help him for a while, but not for a lifetime."
Strength! Anew met all the criteria, except for his strength. As for reputation? When all the high-ranking officials supported him, the issue of reputation would not exist.
If the strength of the village leader was inadequate, it would be a disgrace to Konoha and a laughingstock in the ninja world.
Nara Shikaku sighed in relief. By staying away from the center of village politics and aligning with the future Hokage, he achieved a win-win situation.
Unfortunately, no one could have predicted that Orochimaru would defect, sacrificing the Third Hokage's eldest son and daughter-in-law. The Third Hokage ended up with nothing and plunged Konoha into turmoil.
It seemed that the only winner was Nara Shikaku, who became the captain of Konoha's Jounin Squad.
...
A black shadow appeared behind him like a flea. Nara Shikaku, who had just left the Hokage's office, smiled bitterly.
"Captain, the Third Hokage has ordered me to assist Lord Anew at the border."
Seeing Nara Shikaku's bitter smile, the Anbu captain, who was also the Third Hokage's eldest daughter-in-law, laughed lightly. Her eyes, the only part visible beneath her mask, were filled with confidence.
"Jounin Squad Leader Shikaku, rest assured, we have never intended to hide anything from the Hokage."
Looking at the Anbu captain, Nara Shikaku's face remained calm, but he was deeply wary.
This woman was not simple. She played her cards openly, calculating the Third Hokage's thoughts precisely. Everything was out in the open, under the Hokage's watchful eye.
Very clever. If the Third Hokage had not tacitly approved, he would have taken action long ago. Clearly, the Hokage had given his tacit approval.
She had gauged the Third Hokage's political philosophy of stability, which is why she was so brazen in contacting the various high-ranking officials of Konoha.
Please support me.
...
(End of Chapter)