166 - LAPD Opens Up

In the original storyline, Nagato ended up being manipulated by Obito into attacking Konoha as his unwitting pawn, ultimately losing to Naruto's Talk no Jutsu, even sacrificing his life in the process.

As for Konan, after Nagato's death, she tried to kill Obito with six hundred billion explosive tags, but got ambushed by Obito's Izanagi and was killed on the spot, drenched in blood.

Yahiko? This tragic kid didn't even make it to fifteen.

A bit of manipulation by Danzō led Hanzō to capture Konan, and used her as leverage to force Nagato to kill Yahiko.

Yahiko didn't even struggle—he just impaled himself on Nagato's kunai and died.

But now, with the intervention of Kei, Obito is still in Konoha helping old ladies cross the street, while also serving double duty as a sycophant for Rin and Kakashi.

Madara and Black Zetsu? He already wiped them out cleanly.

So, what was still missing?

"Is it because I don't have the 'Talk no Jutsu' trait?" Kei muttered, recalling the lives of the three from the original work.

After pondering for a while, he could only think of two possibilities.

First possibility: The three's parents all died during the Second Great NInja War, and Nagato even witnessed his parents being killed by Konoha ninjas.

Nagato, deep down, never truly let go of that hatred.

Second possibility: With the reemergence of the Great Ninja War, Ame fell into chaos again after Hanzō's death, and the three still return to fight for their dream in Ame.

But considering Ame's current chaos… Three half-grown kids wouldn't likely meet a better fate than in the original storyline.

If it was the first scenario, that was actually easier to handle.

His modified Kotoamatsukami, although he hesitated to burn too much spiritual energy to leave a long-lasting mental imprint, still had no cooldown, unlike the original.

A few repeated uses should be enough to alter their mindset.

Even if Nagato's fake Rinnegan noticed his interference, could a pair of fake eyes really resist [Yin-Yang Sage Master]?

Come on, they were not even on the same level!

But if it was the second scenario…

Do I have to moonlight as a shinobi world political analyst?

Kei looked at the rising sun and smiled slightly.

The ninja villages were the strongest military forces of their nations. He had already started integrating the military power of Suna and Iwa.

Once the three great villages merged… The daimyōs of the Land of Fire, Earth, and Wind would either understand the situation and obediently pay up to support the ninja villages, or—if they didn't—they'd be forced to.

He had people who could help them see the light.

Once a new elite training system was established and mass-produced professional administrators…

The Land of Fire, Earth, and Wind could smoothly transition to a new national management system.

As for those who didn't comply? They'd either go to the vegetable market or be strung up on street lamps.

With the unification of the three great countries, Ame, which once served as a buffer zone, would naturally lose its necessity.

Didn't Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan just want to change the Land of Rain and free it from war? Now, as the central, peaceful region of the newly unified country—how could there not be peace?

Of course, this whole process wouldn't be completed in just a year or two.

But as long as Kei's plan kept progressing, for Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, wasn't that also walking the path to realizing their dreams?

Dreams, huh… Kei thought of his old boss painting big dreams for employees and nodded.

Gotta learn how to do that well!

When the three came to spar with him, he'd first draw them a big picture—unified, peaceful nation. Wouldn't that make them eager to become the vanguard?

He walked to Danzō's tent. Waved at the two Root ninjas standing guard.

They saluted and left.

Lifting the tent flap, he heard hushed conversation.

"Senpai~ How long have you followed Kei? Also, did you open your eyes yet?"

"O-One month… Open eyes? Sharingan?"

"As expected, he only gave me special treatment. You didn't get it! Hahaha~ I'm the most trusted one!"

"You still haven't said what opening eyes means."

"Of course, it's the Eyes of Dreams! I've already planned it all—forests, lakes, sky, earth, Madara's grave, Hiruzen's Hokage Rock…"

"Ahem!" Kei cleared his throat and lifted the flap, lines on his forehead. He felt he could no longer take the word "dream" seriously. Besides, didn't he already gain full control over Root's members, and complete initial screening and brainwashing?

Root genin were adapting well to the changes. Some even applauded quietly.

Hearing Tobi and Danzō talk like that… Those two guards outside had to be buzzing in the head, right?

As for Tobi… So [Self-Flight] meant this?

You want to pee on Madara's grave? Sure, that's understandable on an emotional level. But what did Hiruzen ever do to you?

You just had to pick the flashiest spot, huh?

"Kei~" The moment Tobi saw Kei, he immediately straightened up and entered full no-nonsense mode.

He was determined to be the most obedient and best-performing one of them all! All in hopes of getting on Orochimaru's operating table sooner.

"You two, come back to Konoha with me. Azō, change back."

"Yes."

Tobi nodded obediently, and the Danzō next to him reverted back into White Zetsu.

After Kei wrapped them both, they vanished instantly from the spot.

Plans couldn't keep up with changes.

At first, he had thought about arranging for Hiruzen to heroically sacrifice himself. Then he could smoothly place one of his own in power and take over Konoha's leadership. That way, any action he wanted to take would be unimpeded.

But who could've guessed? Rasa just had to land the final blow on the "Trait Counter Platform," letting him get one red and one gold trait—his power surged again!

And Black Zetsu, that scheming hand behind the scenes, just had to walk right into him. And then, even in death, dropped a fat loot bomb.

At his current level?

If he didn't become the nation's founding father, fly to the moon, and fire a Crescent Kick at Kaguya, it would already count as being reasonable.

What, was he supposed to imitate Hashirama and kneel at a Five Kage Summit first?

He didn't want to judge Hiruzen's pros and cons. But with negotiations approaching for village mergers with Iwa and Suna…

He couldn't guarantee that sending Hiruzen along with Koharu and Homura wouldn't end in some ridiculous screw-up.

To avoid unnecessary headaches, best to nip this in the bud early.

As for what reason Hiruzen would use to step down, and who would become the Fourth Hokage…

Swoosh—

Light and shadow blurred, space-time distorted.

When Tobi and Danzō opened their eyes again, they were standing in front of Shikaku's house.

"LAPD, open up! I've got something big to discuss with you!"

As he rang the doorbell, Kei urged Nara to hurry.

Whether it was about swiftly unifying Konoha's clans and factions under his control, or merging the three great ninja villages to establish a new order, how could he possibly do it without dragging this 200+ IQ genius in as his workhorse?

Was he supposed to scratch his own head and figure it all out?

"Yoshino-chan… should I not drink this… porridge? Looks like Kei needs something from me."

"Oh come on—can't you talk while drinking?"

Click—

The door opened.

Yoshino greeted them with a beaming smile, glanced curiously at Tobi and White Zetsu, then invited Kei inside.

Tobi and White Zetsu, knowing the drill, stood outside the door acting as bodyguards.

"Breakfast… is very unique." Kei looked at Shikaku's bowl, filled with berries and deer antler slices, with barely a single grain of rice in the porridge. He almost laughed out loud.

What kind of frailty was he treating that needed this level of supplementation?

Also—Shikaku, those dark circles under your eyes… are you trying to cosplay Gaara?

If this keeps up, won't Shikamaru be born early?

"This is a wife's most sincere care and affection for her husband, Kei, you get that, right?"

Shikaku rubbed his sore lower back, his expression a mix of embarrassment and exhaustion.

"You haven't had breakfast, right? Here, have a bowl." Before Kei could even say anything, Yoshino placed a large steaming bowl of super tonic porridge in front of him.

"Uh…" He stared at the overflowing bowl, feeling nothing but inner resistance.

Shikaku leaned in with an excited grin and egged him on.

"Eat up, eat up! Yoshino's cooking is top-notch. What? You're not gonna look down on her, are you? This is her most sincere love and care for you! You wouldn't refuse, right? You wouldn't, right? Right??"

"Thank you so much!"