Although Arashi’s request was not particularly unreasonable, Shikaku still carefully weighed the advantages and risks before finally nodding.
“I’ll have the list delivered within three days.”
…
After leaving the izakaya, Itachi emerged from the shadows at the perfect moment.
His concealment technique was genuinely excellent.
Without actively using his sensory abilities, Arashi could not detect him at all.
Arashi watched Shikaku depart before suddenly asking, “What do you think?”
“Me?”
Itachi looked surprised, clearly not expecting Arashi to ask for his opinion.
“Didn’t you say you would secretly observe me and reach your own conclusion?”
Arashi glanced at him.
“Now I’m asking what you concluded after observing me all evening.”
“I…”
Itachi fell silent.
He naturally did not want to answer, but his current position did not allow him to refuse.
Worse, the painfully honest boy was incapable of lying convincingly.
“I think your threats were far greater than the final result.”
“You created such an intimidating situation, but ultimately asked for only a list.”
“That was unexpected.
I thought you would force Shikaku-san onto your ship as well.”
“He’s intelligent.
Someone like him cannot be dragged aboard so easily.”
Arashi smiled.
“Besides, the Nara are not trapped like the Uchiha.
Shikaku is cautious and has no obvious weakness for me to exploit.”
“Demanding too much would only make him turn against me.
It’s better to leave some room so we can meet again later.”
“Is a single list truly enough?”
Seeing that Arashi was willing to explain, Itachi continued asking questions.
To him, this was an excellent opportunity to learn.
“Of course not.”
“Given enough time and effort, I could obtain the duties and salaries of every middle-ranking shinobi myself.”
“The information simply wouldn’t be as detailed as Shikaku’s.”
Arashi spoke calmly.
“My real goal was to use Shikaku to create the impression that I’m preparing to act.”
“Once those people believe that, someone will inevitably panic first.”
“Then I’ll respond according to whatever move they make.”
“Taking the initiative isn’t always superior.
Sometimes waiting for your prey to reveal itself is also a valid strategy.”
Arashi turned and saw Itachi rapidly writing down every word he said.
He could not help laughing.
“Please continue.
I may be taking notes, but I’m listening carefully as well.”
The boy had somehow begun ordering him around instead.
“Fine.
Since you want to learn, I’ll explain.”
Arashi shrugged.
“Why did I choose Nara Shikaku?”
“First, because he’s intelligent.”
“Sometimes manipulating an intelligent person is easier than manipulating a fool.”
“A fool may do something you could never predict.”
“But intelligent people always analyze the costs and benefits before acting, which makes them easier to control.”
“Take what happened in the private room.”
“A hot-tempered man might have kicked open the door and left.”
“Shikaku, however, returned to his seat and listened until I finished.”
“I see.”
Itachi’s eyes shone as though he had finally learned something valuable.
“Second, the Ino-Shika-Cho clans always advance and retreat together.”
“That unity is Shikaku’s source of confidence, but it is also his weakness.”
“After agreeing to provide the list, he will certainly warn the Yamanaka and Akimichi clans to prepare.”
“With more people involved, the rumor that I’m about to act will spread even faster.”
“That will be far more effective than relying on gossip from an izakaya.”
“You truly considered everything.”
Itachi nodded solemnly while continuing to write.
The two talked as they walked and soon reached Arashi’s residence.
Itachi stopped beneath the stairs and bowed deeply.
“Thank you.
I learned a great deal today.”
“But I’ll continue observing you!”
“I already told you that if you want to observe someone, you shouldn’t openly announce your intentions.”
Arashi waved and slowly shut the door.
…
Meanwhile, inside Orochimaru’s laboratory…
“His condition appears to have stabilized for now.”
Orochimaru looked at Obito inside the cultivation tank and nodded in satisfaction.
“His life is no longer in immediate danger.”
“However, as more Hashirama cells are introduced, death will continue following him like a shadow.”
“Obito will be fine.
I believe in him!”
Kakashi stood beside the tank and stared unwaveringly at Obito.
“Hmph.
Reality never changes merely because someone wishes it to.”
Orochimaru sneered.
“Outcomes are produced by the interaction of physical forces.
Belief alone accomplishes nothing.”
“No, it will work!”
Rin spoke with equal determination, clenching her small hands.
‘Advisor Kaeda told me that as long as I said those words to Obito…’
Her thoughts returned to the previous evening, when Arashi had spoken to her with unusual seriousness.
“Do you know that Obito loves you?”
“I-I…”
Before Rin could answer, Arashi continued.
“It doesn’t matter whether you love Obito or Kakashi.”
“But if you want Obito to survive, you must do exactly as I say.”
“C-Can that truly work?!”
After hearing Arashi’s suggestion, Rin’s face turned bright red.
“It will.”
Arashi answered with complete seriousness.
“Whether or not you return Obito’s feelings, tell him you’re willing to die with him.”
“If you say that, then for your sake…
he will definitely survive.”
Obito was a monster who had endured the agony of becoming the Ten-Tails’ jinchuriki entirely because of Rin.
Arashi believed resisting Hashirama’s cells for her should be far easier.
As long as something seemed remotely useful, he would throw it into the plan.
As for the future relationship between the three children?
That was none of his concern.
The Hokage’s chief advisor was not responsible for romantic disputes.
“Hmph.
You’re still children who have never experienced true separation through death.”
Orochimaru sneered and walked away, only to find Shisui blocking his path.
“Where are you going?”
“Am I not allowed to sleep?”
Orochimaru responded mockingly.
“You’ve watched me throughout the entire procedure.”
“Does the Uchiha’s greatest expert intend to watch another man sleep as well?”
“You may leave.”
Shisui remained unmoved.
“But I will continue guarding this room.”
“Do as you please.
Call me if any harmful reaction appears.”
Orochimaru waved dismissively.
As long as Shisui was no longer watching him, nothing else mattered.
The boy named Obito would produce a result within three days at most.
Before then, Orochimaru needed to finish stealing the forbidden techniques and transfer certain materials elsewhere.
…
Early the next morning, Arashi entered the office and immediately saw Minato’s bitter expression.
Although he already knew the likely reason, he still asked, “What happened, Minato?”
“N-Nothing.”
Minato immediately shook his head, apparently unwilling to place more pressure on his friend.
“The standing army proposal isn’t progressing smoothly, is it?”
Arashi dragged over a chair and sat across from him.
“You shouldn’t blame the old clan heads too harshly.”
“They naturally sent their elites to the front lines during wartime.”
“But now that peace has returned, they’re unwilling to surrender their family retainers and private forces for you to command.”
As he spoke, Arashi suddenly turned toward Itachi.
“Itachi, answer this.”
“If I hadn’t established a relationship with Clan Head Fugaku beforehand, would he willingly provide talented Uchiha youths for the Fourth Hokage to command?”
Itachi jumped in surprise.
Arashi had identified the boy’s weakness the previous night: he was too young to lie properly.
As expected, Itachi hesitated for a long time before stammering, “I-I don’t think he would.”
“You see?”
Arashi spread his hands.
“I first need to establish a foundation for us.
Only then can we slowly pursue more.”
Minato released a long sigh.
“This is supposed to be Konoha, yet…”
“Does the Hokage govern the village, or do the clan heads?”
“That is an interesting question.”
Arashi smiled with clear ill intent.
“I discuss it with the Elder Council quite often.”
Minato frowned.
“And what conclusion did you reach?”
“My opinion is somewhat heretical.”
Arashi shrugged.
“Personally, I believe the Hokage should have the final say.”
“But apparently, I’m part of the minority.”
“So that’s how it is…”
Minato did not become angry.
He silently accepted the situation and only raised his head again several minutes later.
“Arashi, what should we do next?”
Although unwilling to accept defeat, Minato had no better solution and could only depend on Arashi.
That was precisely what Arashi wanted to see.
“Kill the chicken to warn the monkeys.”
Arashi spread his hands.
“Punish whichever faction is making the most noise, and the rest will naturally become more obedient.”
“Which faction is making the most noise?”
Minato’s eyes brightened.
“Danzo’s Root.”
Arashi gave the answer as though it were obvious.
Minato fell silent.
“That sounds somewhat reasonable, but I can’t shake the feeling that you’re using public authority to settle a personal grudge.”
“Of course I am.”
Arashi admitted it without the slightest shame.
“Settling a personal grudge is an excellent place to begin.”
“As long as the chicken’s death frightens the monkeys, does the reason truly matter?”
“You seem rather prejudiced against Danzo-sama.”
Minato considered his words.
“Although even I admit that many of his actions are deeply disgraceful.”
“Arashi, may I hear your honest opinion of him?”
“Your completely honest thoughts.”
“Don’t regret asking.”
Arashi immediately answered.
“Danzo values his ambition above Konoha.”
“He raised the average age of the Hokage’s advisors while lowering their average intelligence.”
“You…”
Minato smiled bitterly.
“Isn’t that a little too harsh?”
“You asked for my honest opinion.”
Arashi shrugged.
“In any case, targeting Danzo is perfectly reasonable.”
“We can use his recent attempt to assassinate me as justification while also giving the Uchiha an outlet for their anger.”
“But when Danzo apologized, you clearly said the incident was over.”
Minato frowned.
“I said it was over.”
Arashi looked completely innocent.
“You didn’t.”
“This time, you’re the one killing the chicken, so naturally, you must raise the subject.”
“Me…?”
Minato appeared uncomfortable.
He clearly disliked playing the role of the villain.
“If you find it difficult, we can wait.”
Arashi immediately retreated to advance.
“Once I’ve achieved some results with the middle-ranking reductions, we can select another chicken to kill.”
“No need.
I’ll do it!”
Minato knew Arashi far too well.
If Arashi wanted to delay something, he could easily drag it out for three or five years.
“Summon the advisors immediately.
We’ll begin the meeting now!”
Arashi’s scheme had succeeded, and he knew he would profit from what followed.
A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
“Yes, Hokage-sama.”
…