"Kakashi-senpai is one thing, but can the Uchiha clan and the Hyuga clan agree?" Shinji rubbed his chin, asking uncertainly.
A smooth promotion to Jonin would at most require a few Jonin to acknowledge his qualifications after a test. That way, everyone would avoid embarrassment, as Hiruzen had rarely used his own name to recommend anyone.
However, to have him promoted by absolute suppression, the testers would have to cooperate and 'act'.
Kakashi was a pure lone wolf, and he wouldn't care about such a small matter. But if the Jonin testers from the Uchiha clan and the Hyuga clan were suppressed by someone about to be promoted to Jonin, it wouldn't sound good when word got out.
"Fugaku and I already talked it over before I came, so you can rest assured." Shikaku shook his head.
Ever since the Uchiha clan and Konoha reconciled, Fugaku's main direction had been centered on Konoha. There were almost no dissenting opinions within the clan. Life had improved, and the clan leader's son could be said to be the clan's strongest on the surface.
Who would dare cause trouble?
"As for the Hyuga clan, something happened at the meeting today, and Hiashi is probably having a headache right now."
Hearing Shikaku's words, Shinji couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
In other words, almost everything was arranged?
Not entirely, as it was just a heads-up. The key was still his own sufficient strength.
"Do you have confidence?"
Although Shikaku told Shinji to do it this way, he still asked, after all, Hiruzen had not agreed to his plan.
"Shikaku-senpai, this really isn't an easy task." Shinji smiled wryly.
Strength was one thing, but achieving that kind of 'performative' victory was another. After all, this wasn't a fight to the death. He had to display his abilities with ease.
"Shikaku-senpai, does this Advisor have any expert around him?" Shinji pondered for a moment, then asked Shikaku.
Shikaku said, "No, they are all rogue ninja, the strongest of whom are only Chunin. After all, among Jonin, who isn't arrogant?"
"Of course, Jonin from small countries are an exception, as their quality is a bit diluted."
To get things done, some necessary information had to be understood.
"I'll talk to sensei later and have him send someone to confirm it." Shinji had an idea in mind, but he still needed to confirm the specific situation first.
"You have an idea?" Shikaku was curious when he heard this.
Shinji said with a smile, "As far as I know, this Advisor is simply a civil official."
"If he and the people around him can't understand profound Ninjutsu, they can only intuitively sense some large-scale Ninjutsu."
"Shikaku-senpai, don't you think it would be easier to handle?"
Shikaku's lips twitched when he heard this. This tactic was quite cunning. However, it was not a bad method. Moreover, the effect it produced might be far better than what he had prepared.
"We can try it, but what about Hokage-sama?" Shikaku nodded in agreement, only worried that Hiruzen would not agree.
"Don't worry, I'll go with you later." Shinji gestured for Shikaku to relax.
—
Inside the Hokage Office, Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, looking at Shikaku before him. The atmosphere was slightly heavy.
Shikaku bowed and said, "Hokage-sama, I acted on my own initiative."
After all, it was his own decision to seek out Shinji. The Ino–Shika–Chō and Hiruzen were the most deeply intertwined. Once Hiruzen made any mistake, their three clans would inevitably suffer a huge impact.
Or rather, neither the Hokage nor Konoha could have problems, otherwise, their three clans would be the first to bear the brunt.
And so far, the next Hokage candidate had not been confirmed. If it had been confirmed, he wouldn't have taken such a risk and acted on his own.
Hiruzen slowly put down the pipe in his hand, his gaze solemnly fixed on Shikaku, and after a long while, he finally asked, "Shikaku, I've been Hokage for about twenty years, haven't I?"
Shikaku replied, "Hokage-sama, it should be exactly twenty-six years."
Hiruzen's tone gradually deepened as he spoke, "Hmm, in these twenty-odd years, from your father to you, your strategies and wisdom have countless times saved the village from danger. You are indispensable pillars of Konoha."
"However, precisely because of this, I will absolutely not allow you to have any more 'self-initiated' actions."
Shikaku, head bowed, felt Hiruzen's piercing gaze, like a tangible force seeing through him.
"The village is a whole. Where the tree leaves dance, fire also burns eternally. This fire is not just one or two people, but all of Konoha."
"Shinji is one of these fires. If, due to your arbitrary decision, a fire that should have grown strong burns out prematurely, such a thing, for Konoha, would be a huge loss, and even a distortion of the Will of Fire."
Thump... Thump...
Hiruzen tapped the table with his finger as he spoke.
Then, his tone softened, yet carried an unshakeable resolve, "No matter what your starting point is, I hope you will act within the framework of rules and guardianship in the future."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Bearing these words, Shikaku immediately knelt on one knee, solemnly responding to Hiruzen.
Hearing Shikaku's answer, Hiruzen then picked up his pipe again, took a deep puff, and exhaled a long plume of smoke.
"Originally, I didn't want Shinji to appear in the sight of some people too early, after all, a genius has never been a complimentary term in the Ninja World. The existence of this word is often accompanied by misfortune and some price."
"But Shinji just said something that wasn't wrong."
Hiruzen recalled a sentence Shinji had just said to him in the office as he spoke.
"Sensei, when you pour all your heart into protecting this 'Jewel,' this protected Jewel also responds to your will."
Hiruzen's gaze was filled with profound depth. He never would have thought that the one who could best understand his will now was not his son Asuma, but rather his last disciple.
It was also because of these words that he felt a bit of trepidation about Shikaku's self-initiated action this time.
After all, if Shinji hadn't come to him, and something went wrong then, he would again be forced to endure the pain he had experienced in the past.
In the Ninja World, accidents are often fatal.
Nawaki, his eldest son, his eldest daughter-in-law… countless others.
"Therefore, Shikaku, regarding the investigation of the Land of Fire Advisor's group's strength and the test two days later, I hope you can use all your wisdom and strategy."
"Resolve all potential factors that might arise, can you do it?"
Hiruzen looked at Shikaku, commanding him with the authority of the Hokage.
"Yes, Hokage-sama. I, Jonin Shikaku, will do my utmost."