"It's so annoying! The bunch in the Mist Village can't even put in a little effort and kill Hiruzen Sarutobi!"
…
Fortunately, Nara Shikaku had long been used to the behavior of his own boss. Even hearing such outrageous remarks no longer surprised him.
Still, Shikaku always felt that Hiruzen Sarutobi might try something against Shiki.
But after carefully considering Shiki's strength, Shikaku decisively shook his head.
The gap was simply too large.
Even if the Third Hokage had schemes or calculations, they would be meaningless in front of absolute power.
…
"Did he really say that?"
On the Mist Village side, inside the conference room, Hiruzen Sarutobi listened to his subordinate's report. His expression was heavy, calm like still water.
After a year of war, the Third Hokage carried a faint but undeniable aura of slaughter about him.
When he heard that Shiki said it would take half a year before any support might arrive, the last trace of hope in Sarutobi's heart vanished.
"Yes, Hokage-sama… and there is more."
The reporting ninja hesitated, clearly unsure whether to continue.
Hiruzen didn't want any unnecessary delay. He said coldly, "Say it."
"Yes! Before leaving, that Shiki also said—
'Hokage-sama… why are you not dead yet?'"
…
Angry?
Perhaps.
But deep down, the Third Hokage knew the truth.
If he didn't die, Shiki would never support him.
"Leave."
After adjusting his emotions, Hiruzen waved his hand casually, dismissing the room.
"Yes!"
The ninjas withdrew, leaving him alone in the conference room.
Hiruzen Sarutobi muttered Shiki's name under his breath. Veins bulged faintly on his forehead, making his suppressed fury painfully obvious.
At that moment—
"Hokage-sama!"
The doors opened as Uchiha Fugaku stepped inside.
Hiruzen immediately concealed his anger and put on a pleasant expression.
"Fugaku. How is the battle progressing?"
Fugaku didn't suspect anything and replied solemnly,
"It's manageable, but evenly matched. With our strength alone, we can't completely defeat the Mist Village."
"Sigh… this time, Konoha truly owes thanks to the Uchiha clan."
"Hokage-sama, this is what we should do, there's nothing to be thankful for."
Since Konoha still needed the Uchiha's strength, Sarutobi naturally wouldn't make them a target.
"By the way," he added casually, "I heard there's an exceptional talent in your clan?"
At this, Fugaku's stern expression softened into a proud smile.
"Yes. Uchiha Shisui is indeed remarkable."
"Although he's only been out of the Academy for a year, the cruelty of war awakened his potential. He's already reached the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, and earned the title Shisui of the Body Flicker."
"Excellent," Sarutobi nodded.
"When the war ends, let Shisui join ANBU."
"…!"
Fugaku froze for a moment—then his face lit up.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
So the Hokage was finally acknowledging the Uchiha clan… willing to truly make use of their power?
Perhaps the Uchiha's good days were finally coming.
Hiruzen smiled and nodded outwardly, but inside, his thoughts were cold.
A dangerous clan…
So young, yet already possessing such power.
This wasn't acceptance.
It was merely a method to stabilize the Uchiha—
and send them to fight harder on the battlefield.
"Lord Hokage is truly admirable," Fugaku said sincerely.
"You trained the Sannin, and even your student Namikaze Minato has already built his reputation."
"In just one year, Minato has earned the title Yellow Flash, sweeping across the battlefield against Iwagakure."
"Though he hasn't yet reached the level to decide the outcome of a war, his strength is undeniable."
"Yes… Minato," Sarutobi nodded—
Then suddenly, he froze.
"Hokage-sama?" Fugaku asked, confused.
"It's nothing," Sarutobi said, recovering quickly.
"Fugaku, you may go. I have matters to attend to."
"Understood."
Though puzzled, Fugaku bowed and left.
Once alone, Hiruzen's lips curved into a smile.
"That's right… I still have Minato."
A year of war had made him almost forget the man who mastered Flying Thunder God.
"If the Cloud Village battlefield is already so stable…"
A plan formed.
You won't support me?
Then I'll send someone who will.
Hiruzen immediately wrote an order scroll and handed it to ANBU.
"Go. Dispatch Namikaze Minato to take charge of the Cloud Village battlefield."
"Then… send Shiki to the Iwagakure front."
"Yes!"
Three days later.
Namikaze Minato appeared in the Konoha command tent on the Iwagakure battlefield.
His arrival surprised Shiki—
but what surprised him even more was the contents of the scroll Minato delivered.
"Hahahaha!"
After reading it, Shiki showed no anger at all.
Instead, he laughed.
Nara Shikaku, curious, took the scroll and read it carefully. The further he read, the darker his expression became.
"Lord Shiki… Shikaku-san! Please believe me!" Minato said earnestly.
"I will definitely handle everything at the Cloud Village battlefield!"
Neither Shiki nor Shikaku paid much attention to his words.
Shiki continued smiling casually.
Shikaku glanced at Minato, then looked back at Shiki.
"Lord Shiki… Hiruzen Sarutobi is trying to split the credit."
Anyone with eyes could see it.
The Cloud Village battlefield was already close to resolution—it only depended on whether Shiki wished to end it.
Sending Minato there was clearly to let him harvest merit and swiftly conclude the war.
You won't support me?
Fine. I'll send someone who will.
Shikaku didn't avoid Minato when speaking.
Minato hesitated slightly but said nothing.
Though deeply influenced by the Will of Fire, he wasn't blind.
He could see Sarutobi's intentions clearly.
But… Minato wanted to become Hokage.
And this credit—he wanted it.
"Hahahaha!"
Shiki laughed, completely unconcerned.
Angry? Not really.
Credit meant nothing to him.
What amused him was how confident that old Monkey was in Minato's strength.
Noticing Shikaku's gaze, Shiki waved his hand casually.
"It's fine. If Minato wants to command that battlefield, let him."
"I'll go deal with Iwagakure."
"Thank you, Lord Shiki!"
Minato looked at him with genuine gratitude.
He had thought Shiki wouldn't relinquish such merit—
but now it seemed…
Lord Shiki is truly a good person.
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