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"Join forces with the Cloud ninja?"
"Use the Six-Tails and Seven-Tails as bargaining chips for negotiation!?"
It had to be said that the boldness of Shikaku Nara truly far exceeded the expectations of Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane. Both revealed looks of surprise, and even Danzo Shimura on the side couldn't help but narrow his eyes at that moment, focusing his gaze.
Tsunade, sitting at the head of the table, also raised an eyebrow at this moment.
"Do you know what you are saying, Shikaku?"
Koharu Utatane, who hadn't spoken before, opened her eyes directly, looking at Shikaku with a slightly deep gaze, speaking in a low voice.
"That's the Hidden Cloud Village, and you're using the Six-Tails and Seven-Tails as bargaining chips. Once the Hidden Cloud Village successfully obtains them, for our Hidden Leaf, no, it should be said for the entire ninja world, that would be an existence that breaks the balance."
In their youth, they were definitely steady factions. But back then, it was because the situation of the Hidden Leaf was indeed very critical, forcing them to be steady. However, it was also because over time, a custom was formed. Among the Hidden Leaf F4, excluding the hawk Danzo, the remaining three still chose to be steady controllers rather than adventurers.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane could certainly understand the meaning of Shikaku's words.
But the risks contained within were also very high. Given the personalities of the two advisors, it would be difficult for them to approve of this plan.
The same went for Danzo.
However, his reason for opposition was different from the two advisors.
He simply felt that such a distribution of benefits was unacceptable. How could they let the Hidden Cloud Village obtain two Tailed Beasts!?
In Danzo's view.
Those should be prey for their Hidden Leaf.
Possessions that their Hidden Leaf must take!
"Yeah, Shikaku, such an approach is still a bit too risky."
Tsunade, on the main seat, also pondered for a short while before slowly shaking her head. It was certainly executable, but too unstable.
This was Tsunade's view.
"Lord Fifth, Lord Mitokado, Lord Utatane, this is just a plan. Whether the Hidden Cloud Village can achieve the goal is still an unknown. The Seven-Tails can be put aside for now, but the Six-Tails belongs to the Hidden Mist Village. In this aspect, we completely don't need to be anxious. Just push it to the Hidden Mist Village at the appropriate time. Even for the sake of political stability, the Hidden Mist Village cannot possibly watch helplessly as the Six-Tails is let go. We just need to take this opportunity to recapture the Nine-Tails. This is the matter our Hidden Leaf must prioritize dealing with and handling currently."
The opposition from Tsunade and the others didn't shake Shikaku's opinion.
From the perspective of this Hidden Leaf strategist, what they must distinguish now was which matter was most important for their Hidden Leaf.
Undoubtedly!
It was to reclaim the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
As long as the Nine-Tails could return to the control of their own ninja village, the remaining problems were all minor issues.
Why did the news of the alliance between the Hidden Waterfall Village and Hidden Grass Village seem so glaring? Wasn't it because Menma's existence was mixed in?
If the key factor of Menma were missing...
Just the alliance between the Hidden Waterfall Village and Hidden Grass Village, the Hidden Leaf wouldn't even look at it directly. The combined power of two ninja villages would be at most comparable to a Hidden Sand Village. What was there to worry about?
The Six-Tails and Seven-Tails were not owned by their Hidden Leaf Village originally.
At most, they would be considered in the second sequence.
Additionally.
Another more important point was that even if the Hidden Waterfall Village and Hidden Grass Village were weak...
Once his conjecture was true...
The combination of Six-Tails, Seven-Tails, plus Nine-Tails was too violent. Their Hidden Leaf currently didn't have the ability to steadily digest such a combination. Even taking ten thousand steps back, if the Six-Tails and Seven-Tails weren't very strong...
Menma Uzumaki might not be able to fully transform into a Tailed Beast either.
Their Hidden Leaf could defeat, or even capture three Tailed Beasts.
But the price to be paid would inevitably be extremely heavy.
At that time, would the Hidden Cloud, Hidden Stone, and Hidden Mist let go of such a good opportunity!?
The answer was obvious!
Therefore.
Shikaku felt they must drag the Hidden Cloud Village, and even the Hidden Mist Village, into the water together!
This wasn't increasing risk.
But dispersing risk!
"Even if everything goes too smoothly and the Hidden Cloud Village obtains the Six-Tails and Seven-Tails, it might not be a bad thing. Because at that time, not only the Hidden Mist Village but also the Hidden Stone Village will definitely not be able to sit by and ignore it. Instead, we can use such an opportunity to strike at the Hidden Cloud Village. Of course, there are risks, but for us, this is the best approach, and also the approach with the highest success rate for controlling the Nine-Tails again."
Shikaku added with a serious expression.
A decision without risk couldn't exist, especially when involving huge changes in relationships between national ninja villages.
Wanting to taste 100% sweetness could only happen in dreams.
Shikaku was a very realistic person.
Under the circumstance where the main purpose of his own ninja village was clarified...
This plan made naturally was the most appropriate one.
At least, Shikaku himself had confidence in this aspect.
And Tsunade, Danzo, and the other four fell into brief contemplation upon hearing Shikaku's latter remarks.
A person, a group, a force.
Whatever they do, they need a clear goal. All plans formulated must revolve around this goal. They cannot be indecisive, nor can they be fickle. Identifying a goal and then walking down firmly might not succeed, but the former will definitely fail.
Especially for their Hidden Leaf.
As the number one ninja village in the ninja world, even with the loss of the Nine-Tails, whether in foundation or scale, it could still be called number one.
Any plan.
Must be very decisive and clear.
Why could Hiruzen Sarutobi be called the "God of Shinobi" (Ninja Professor/Hero) in his youth? After Tobirama Senju died in battle, he could lead the Hidden Leaf out of difficulties and usher in the second peak period of the Hidden Leaf, but later, instead, he led the Hidden Leaf downhill continuously?
There were certainly many reasons, but the most important point lay in Hiruzen Sarutobi losing that "Heart of a Ninja Hero"!
He became weak, hesitant, stubborn, selfish, and reluctant to let go of power.
The more outstanding he was in his youth.
The more it reflected his stupidity in his old age.
When Tobirama Senju chose his successor back then, he didn't choose the wrong person, but he certainly couldn't have predicted that the successor he valued and appreciated would undergo earth-shaking changes later.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was like this.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane were even more so.
That was extreme conservatism and weakness.
Danzo would be tough.
However, his toughness often led to fatal mistakes in many places.
That was, the goal wasn't specific and clear enough.
As the person in charge of the Jonin Council of the Hidden Leaf Village, especially since their Ino-Shika-Cho trio was already completely bound to the Hidden Leaf...
Shikaku had to consider the overall interests of the Hidden Leaf comprehensively.
Just as Tsunade would make up her mind in this situation, Shikaku, with surpassing strategy, could see at a glance the crisis his ninja village was about to face.
He must help his ninja village smoothly overcome this crisis.
This was what his identity and stance should do correctly.
As for whether he would be worthy of the Fourth Hokage?
Sorry, Shikaku wouldn't consider these. Unless Menma remained in the Hidden Leaf Village, but since Menma defected last year...
These things, at most, would be a condemnation of conscience at night. For the rest, do what should be done.
Decisions of a national ninja village.
Are not playing house.
Private feelings cannot be mixed in.
On this point, Shikaku was very clear.
If the Hidden Leaf was finished, their three clans wouldn't have a good ending either. Their interests had long been deeply bound to the Hidden Leaf, unless the high-level officials of the Hidden Leaf collectively got water in their brains and wanted to engage in some flashy operations.
"The main goal?"
Tsunade muttered to herself.
Just a few seconds later, a look of determination appeared on Tsunade's face.
Indeed, their Hidden Leaf couldn't consider too much now. They must clarify what their intention was, which was to recover the Nine-Tails.
As long as this point could be completed smoothly.
The rest were not particularly big problems.
Worried about the Hidden Cloud Village becoming too big?
Hehe, no matter how strong the Hidden Cloud Village was, could it be stronger than their Hidden Leaf at its peak? This was simply not the first priority.
The Nine-Tails!
Was the top priority.
"Mhm, indeed this is more reasonable."
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane were just a bit pedantic and stubborn, which didn't mean the two were fools.
With Shikaku speaking so thoroughly, the two naturally could weigh the pros and cons clearly.
Even Danzo nodded subconsciously.
Capturing the Nine-Tails back again.
Was what their Hidden Leaf Village needed to do most now. Other goals could be set, but they could only be ranked behind, belonging to the incidental kind.
"And it has to be as fast as possible. Delaying for a period of time gives the Hidden Waterfall Village and Hidden Grass Village time to integrate. My suggestion is to negotiate with the Hidden Cloud Village immediately, then assign respective tasks. Once confirmed, act immediately. We can even pull the Hidden Mist Village along. We don't necessarily have to expect how many troops the Hidden Mist Village can send; the key is to drag them all in together to reduce risks and increase the success rate."
Shikaku obviously had a complete plan.
Targeting Menma Uzumaki.
And the subsequent Hidden Waterfall Village and Hidden Grass Village.
What was needed was to destroy them instantly with thunderous momentum.
Only in this way could the interests of their Hidden Leaf be ensured to the greatest extent.
"Mhm, three elders, do you have other opinions?"
Tsunade nodded, looking at Danzo, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane on the side and said.
She herself had roughly approved Shikaku's plan in her heart, but she still had to ask for the views of the three elders.
"I agree."
"I also agree."
After Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane looked at each other, they also nodded slowly and said.
Danzo didn't hesitate much either.
However, he obviously had his own intentions.
"Roughly, I also approve. However, I want to add one point: before the formal action, we must confirm the specific location of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki Menma Uzumaki before assigning attack tasks. That Fourth Raikage of the Hidden Cloud Village is an insatiable beast. Once there is a gap, this old man worries that the Hidden Cloud Village will directly take the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki away together. This is absolutely not allowed!"
Danzo snorted coldly and said.
"This is natural. Elder Shimura doesn't need to worry. The specific location of Menma Uzumaki will definitely be determined first. Shikaku, this aspect of the problem is left to you. Regarding the negotiation with the Hidden Cloud Village, Shikaku, notify Suzaku later to be the head of the mission. I authorize him fully to negotiate with the Hidden Cloud Village."
Without giving Danzo a chance to continue speaking, Tsunade waved her hand and said directly.
They already knew each other inside out.
Once Danzo opened his mouth.
Tsunade could guess what this old guy meant.
Wasn't it just wanting to grasp the dominance of capturing Menma Uzumaki? Tsunade wouldn't give Danzo such an opportunity.
This old schemer was getting more restless day by day now.
But the stability of the village...
And some indeed very special missions requiring the Root under Danzo to execute forced Tsunade to tolerate Danzo's existence.
But that was all.
In the remaining affairs, Tsunade would absolutely not allow Danzo to dip his finger easily. Moreover, it wasn't that Tsunade looked down on Danzo.
But with the strength Menma displayed now...
Tsunade really didn't think a mere Root could suppress him.
On this point, Jiraiya personally guaranteed it.
Even for the smoothness of the plan, Tsunade had to keep this point in her own hands.
"Yes, Lord Fifth."
Shikaku also immediately stepped forward, responding loudly.
This was completely forcibly blocking words back.
Making Danzo's expression darken by three points, but he wouldn't easily let go of this opportunity.
"Shikaku needs to oversee the overall situation, so it's better not to be too distracted. Moreover, regarding search work, my Root is more adept. It's better to leave it to this old man to handle. Rest assured, this old man will let Root act with full force and will definitely determine Menma Uzumaki's location in the shortest time."
Danzo said with a stern expression.
This was both a statement of position and a different kind of warning to Tsunade.
The village was now at a very dangerous time.
You can't continue to restrict my Root anymore.
These almost undisguised words could be clearly heard by everyone present.
"!?"
Seeing Danzo still so relentless.
Tsunade's brows frowned tightly immediately.
"Mhm, I also think Root is relatively adept at this aspect of work. Shikaku's burden next is indeed relatively heavy. It's better to share some."
And the concurring words Koharu Utatane said at this moment on the side.
Also made the corners of Danzo's mouth rise slightly very secretly.
"Tsunade, let people from Root assist Shikaku. Then let Kakashi participate together as well. In this way, the efficiency of the search will also improve a lot. Shikaku just needs to do the final check. Inoichi should also do follow-up work to reduce the induction of false intelligence as much as possible. The final capture task should also be generally responsible by Jiraiya. Currently, the person in the village most capable of capturing Menma Uzumaki back is still Jiraiya."
However, the smugness was only momentary.
After a slight pause...
The words Koharu Utatane continued to say...
Made Danzo's smile that hadn't spread yet freeze directly.
Tsunade's eyebrows rose accordingly immediately.
Originally, Tsunade thought the two advisors were going to stand openly on Danzo's side to beat her this time.
Looking at it now, the two advisors were still the same old way.
This also made Tsunade breathe a sigh of relief.
"Mhm, Elder Utatane makes sense. Shikaku, Inoichi, you two take general responsibility then. Also send someone to notify Jiraiya and Kakashi."
Without waiting for Danzo to say anything.
Tsunade immediately finalized and said.