Chapter 104: Bridge, Danzou~ Kei, let's talk this through calmly~

Shikaku Nara was no ordinary man—he was officially recorded as having an IQ over 190.

Having grown up alongside Kei Yamanaka since childhood, he only needed a moment to grasp the concept of "Balanced Offense & Defense."

But… Danzo?

That was truly shocking—an explosive secret that shook his entire worldview!

His face twisted into an utterly bewildered expression.

Shikaku Nara rubbed the goosebumps on his arm and gave Hayato Yamanaka a meaningful glance.

Years of working together had made them perfectly attuned to each other. Immediately catching the signal, Hayato activated the Mind Body Transmission Technique, linking their consciousnesses together.

At last, Shikaku's voice rang out clearly in everyone's minds.

"The sheer number of ninja in Konoha has already surpassed what the village can sustain. The various ninja clans throughout the departments are deeply intertwined..."

Listening to Shikaku's analysis, Kei Yamanaka frowned slightly.

Overall, Konoha's current situation was one of overcrowding at the top levels.

The Third Hokage couldn't afford to upset the current balance—he needed to maintain unity in preparing Konoha for the coming war.

This was also the reason why both he and Minato Namikaze were allowed to attend High Council meetings but never actually granted real authority.

Once Konoha entered the war,

as a member of the standard ninja ranks, he'd inevitably be used as a weapon—deployed at the front lines under someone else's command.

With his abilities, he could certainly shine in the war, just like Minato did in the original storyline, quickly rising through the ranks.

But his position as Yamanaka Clan Head limited how high he could rise, unlike Minato—a civilian-born genius with no political baggage.

Moreover, it was both his strength's blessing and curse.

Konoha's leadership—and many of its clans—were painfully aware that his power had surpassed even Jiraiya's.

During wartime, others might suppress their unease—but after the war?

To prevent such problems from arising,

joining Root and becoming a high-ranking member there seemed like a solid choice.

Even if Danzo secretly harbored some hidden ambitions,

with Kei's power, supported by Ino–Shika–Cho, plus Kushina as a deterrent force,

if they planned carefully, seizing actual control of Root wouldn't be difficult.

With his strength, connections, and Root's ruthless tactics,

who would dare cross Kei Yamanaka?

"If Orochimaru becomes Fourth Hokage after the Third Great Ninja War, you'll be the ironclad Lord Advisor—second only to him."

Shikaku summarized everything, painting a bright future ahead for Kei.

"Second to someone? I'll be second to *no one*, dammit."

Kei irritably replied inside their linked minds before speaking aloud again.

"Solid analysis. But please, don't do that again. Now listen up—I took down a huge threat just three days into my mission."

"Hmm? Who? From which village?"

"Konoha."

"???"

"Madara Uchiha."

A long silence followed.

Shikaku Nara gaped in disbelief.

Just as he was about to speak, a vision of Kei Yamanaka's battle against Madara Uchiha appeared via the Mind Body Transmission Technique.

A [Susanoo] that blocked the skies, a [Wood Release: Creation Rebirth], a technique capable of world-shaking devastation—wooden giants and dragons rampaged in all directions, with fierce clashes between Fire Release and Water Release techniques...

Even though they had seen accounts of this battle multiple times in their clan's chronicles, witnessing it firsthand still sent an overwhelming shock straight to their souls. Shikaku Nara nearly bulged his eyes out at the sight.

Beside him, Choza Akimichi and Hayato Yamanaka were so stunned that their drinking cups slipped from their hands and clattered onto the table. They opened their mouths several times but couldn't utter a single word.

"Damn it! With power like that, why didn't you say something sooner?!"

Shikaku grabbed Kei Yamanaka by the collar, his eyes already bloodshot.

"Cough... I just recently had a slight breakthrough in strength," Kei replied dryly while brushing off the overly excited Shikaku.

He hadn't even reached this level before he went off to fight Madara Uchiha, right?

How should he even explain this?

"Kei~ do you want to become the Fourth Hokage? If you say the word, we'll start making arrangements for you right away!"

"Don't mess around. What's the point of that position?"

"You—you—you..."

"Just think about it. If I took that seat, who do you think would end up working the hardest?"

"…"

At those words, Shikaku's eye twitched and his expression started shifting rapidly.

He knew Kei's personality better than anyone else.

The guy only ever showed any real diligence during training; otherwise, he preferred lying down over standing, given the chance.

If he ever did become Hokage…

Then he, the Jonin squad leader, would almost certainly be worked like a beast of burden!

And not just him—any talented members of the Nara Clan with decent intelligence wouldn't get a moment's rest either.

Even the Akimichi and Yamanaka Clans would end up as the primary labor force.

But at the same time, the opportunity for the Ino–Shika–Cho triad clans to rise was right in front of them.

Just look at how the Sarutobi Clan flourished after Hiruzen Sarutobi became the Third Hokage.

It really was hard for him to accept giving up such a rare chance so easily!

"Forget it. The Senju Clan is gone, the Uchiha have been marginalized by the village and could face execution at any moment, and the Sarutobi… Hmph."

Kei patted Shikaku on the shoulder.

In the environment of the hidden villages, excessive growth by any single clan would eventually lead to strong backlash.

Whether it was the ruling authorities, other ninja clans, or civilian ninja—they would never allow one clan to remain above them all permanently.

"...Sigh..."

Shikaku stayed silent for a long time before finally exhaling deeply.

Prosperity eventually gives way to decline, and extremes lead to reversal.

The visible benefits were undoubtedly tempting, but both he and Kei wouldn't live forever.

Just like how the Third Hokage aged and eventually stepped down.

In the end, the family's future must be passed into the hands of the next generation. And if they're weighed down too much, decline becomes inevitable.

"All right, enough serious talk. Let's switch gears and check out some fun extras~"

Kei cast a mischievous glance toward Shikaku Nara, Choza Akimichi, and Hayato Yamanaka.

These guys had been scheming behind his back, not even giving him a heads-up, trying to rope him into joining Root.

Of course not, even if it's for his own good.

You think things can just be settled that easily—deciding everything for him without even discussing it first?

Choza Akimichi shuddered the moment he saw the look in Kei Yamanaka's eyes. His body jiggled three times over.

Having grown up together, he knew better than anyone what this guy was like deep down.

"Kei, you know me. My head's never been too sharp; it definitely wasn't my idea."

Nara Shikaku couldn't believe it when Choza—the one who'd betrayed him first—turned away.

Before he could demand an explanation from his dear friend about how he could be so disloyal, Hayato Yamanaka cut in from the other side.

"Kei, you know me. You know I've got no secrets from you. If Shikaku had come to me sooner, there's no way you wouldn't have known everything by now."

"You guys! You guys...!"

Shikaku was stunned.

We swore we'd be brothers forever. Share joy and sorrow alike.

We're still sitting here drinking together, and you two are just going to leave me hanging like this?

[Ninjutsu: Mind Body Disturbance Technique!]

Kei Yamanaka formed a single hand seal and unleashed the Yamanaka Clan's secret technique. Nara Shikaku tried to flee the moment he sensed danger—but was instantly paralyzed in place.

Wait a minute! Kei, let's talk! Yoshino is at the front desk! Give me a fighting chance!

Nara Shikaku's face paled with fear.

He could already tell what kind of horror was coming next.

Hmph~ Don't worry. I've gotten pretty good at medical ninjutsu lately too.

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