Even the Third Raikage felt a trace of discomfort when he saw his son standing there in a daze, staring at him as if he had suddenly realized something or was about to say something profound.
"If you have something to say, then say it already. Why are you looking at me like that?"
After a moment, he couldn't take it anymore and snapped irritably.
"Dad… you've actually become smart!"
"…"
The Third Raikage stared at him blankly.
What was this idiot son trying to imply?
Yes, he usually preferred to solve problems with his fists but that didn't mean he didn't have a brain.
So hearing his own son say something like that…
Wasn't that basically calling him stupid before?
"Was I stupid before?" he asked slowly.
"Mm." A nodded without hesitation.
"…"
That instant, the Third Raikage fell into silence.
Then—
"You insolent brat! I'll knock some sense into you myself!"
He roared and immediately raised his fist, chasing after A without mercy.
A fled in panic, shouting as he ran, while the Raikage pursued him with murderous intent.
"Bee! Help me, you idiot! Old man's gone crazy!"
Killer B, who had been leaning against a nearby wall, opened one eye lazily. He watched the chaotic chase unfold, completely unfazed.
Then, instead of moving to help, he raised a finger and began rapping calmly,
"Run, big bro, run, don't stop your feet,
Anger of the Raikage brings the thunder beat.
Talked too much, now you face defeat, fool, ya see? Can't save you now—this ain't on me!"
A's face twisted in disbelief.
"YOU TRAITOR! I'M YOUR BROTHER!"
Behind him, the Third Raikage's fist crackled with lightning as he closed the distance.
"STOP RUNNING AND TAKE YOUR BEATING LIKE A MAN!"
"ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL YOUR OWN SON?!"
Killer B watched the scene unfold, nodding his head to his own rhythm, completely immersed in his rap.
The atmosphere, however, remained strangely lively.
--
"So… aren't you going to explain the situation with the Two-Tails jinchūriki?"
That night, inside Shiki's home.
Tsunade and Kurenai sat side by side, both staring directly at him.
Naturally, Shiki didn't hide anything about what had happened in the meeting earlier that day.
When they heard that the elder faction had suffered losses, both of them had been pleased.
But the moment Yugito's name came up—
Their expressions immediately turned serious.
After all, Yugito's residence was right next door to theirs.
"How would I know?" Shiki said helplessly, spreading his hands. "I only had her confined for a year. I didn't do anything else."
"Kurenai can confirm that as well. She knows the situation." Shiki added, glancing toward Kurenai as if to reinforce his words.
He wasn't particularly concerned about such suspicions, but he still didn't like being accused of something he hadn't done.
Back during the war, Yugito had been confined under strict supervision, and there had been very few opportunities for interaction.
Tsunade turned to look at Kurenai, since she had been present during that time.
Though reluctant, Kurenai still nodded.
"Indeed. Shiki-nii and Yugito haven't met many times."
"…That just makes it stranger."
Tsunade frowned.
They hadn't interacted much.
Yet now Yugito was living in Konoha—and she was the Two-Tails jinchūriki.
There was no way Kumogakure would allow her to remain in Konoha without reason.
Although Tsunade didn't know what Kumogakure was planning…
She was certain Yugito must have some kind of interest in Shiki.
Otherwise, she and Kurenai wouldn't be confronting him like this now.
"Who knows?" Shiki said, scratching his head thoughtfully. "Maybe it's because I'm too handsome."
"…"
His answer left both Tsunade and Kurenai speechless.
It was unbelievably narcissistic.
But at the same time…
They couldn't exactly deny it.
Shiki wasn't just handsome—his confidence, his presence, and his natural pride were things few could match.
"Bang!"
Tsunade suddenly slammed her fist onto the table.
"The more I think about it, the angrier I get! Tomorrow, I'm going to have a proper talk with her myself!"
If it weren't already late at night, she would've stormed next door immediately.
Anyone daring to set their sights on her man—
She wouldn't let them off easily.
"Forget tomorrow," Shiki said calmly, waving his hand.
"Huh?"
Tsunade looked at him in disbelief, thinking he was trying to protect Yugito.
"What are you thinking?" Shiki said, rolling his eyes. "Tomorrow, I have a meeting with Nara Shikaku. Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Chōza will be there too. You should come with me."
The Ino–Shika–Chō trio.
Not only were they Konoha's strongest strategic combination—
They were also the heads of their respective clans.
"Really?"
Tsunade's expression became serious.
Still, she couldn't understand why he wanted to meet them.
Seeing her confusion, Shiki smiled faintly.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen doesn't want to remain Hokage… but he also doesn't want to step down."
"So we'll help him make that decision."
Hiruzen's reputation among civilians had already declined severely.
Among the ninja, dissatisfaction was quietly growing as well.
Normally, ninja wouldn't oppose the Hokage.
There was no reason to.
No justification.
But—
If there was a leader whose strength and prestige surpassed the current Hokage…
Then everything would change.
After all—
Helping the next Hokage ascend…
Was a merit no ninja would refuse.
"I see…" Tsunade said slowly, then smiled. "Then I'll leave it to you, Shiki."
Political matters weren't her strength.
But she trusted Shiki.
She blinked playfully as she said it.
Shiki simply smiled in response, his gaze shifting between Tsunade and Kurenai.
"It's late," he said casually. "We should rest."
"…"
Neither of them responded.
But neither objected either.
The next day, Shiki brought Tsunade with him to meet Nara Shikaku.
As for Kurenai—
He left her at home.
Her current experience wasn't enough for something like this.
She still needed more time—more experience, more exposure to the world, and more opportunities to grow.
--
"Lord Shiki."
Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Chōza all greeted him respectfully.
Shiki didn't waste time.
The moment he sat down, he spoke directly.
"Shikaku. Inoichi. Chōza."
"Do you want to become Konoha's elders?"
"…What?"
Even someone as intelligent as Shikaku froze.
Inoichi and Chōza were completely stunned.
Even Tsunade stared at Shiki in shock.
"Shiki… this…"
Shikaku hesitated.
Becoming an elder wasn't a trivial matter.
Shiki waved his hand dismissively.
"The current elders—Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane—are useless."
"…!"
Such blunt criticism toward Konoha's elders…
Only Shiki would dare say it so openly.
But no one refuted him.
Because deep down...
They all knew it was true.
Those two had contributed nothing of value for years.
They only clung to authority.
"But even so…" Shikaku said cautiously. "They've held those positions for decades. Removing them won't be simple."
"You don't need to worry about that," Shiki said calmly.
"After you become elders, you'll have the authority that comes with the position."
He paused briefly.
"The real power of Konoha…"
"…still lies with the Hokage."
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