21Nara Shikaku's decision!AI Model: gemini-2.5-flashChapter 21 Nara Shikaku's decision!
Another point is that it would be very easy for Naruto, as a Perfect Jinchuriki, to escape.
Even if he were surrounded, breaking through might not be simple once a hint appeared, but Naruto isn't stupid, so it wouldn't be too difficult either.
As for whether it was deception, Nara Shikakudidn't think so.
Just the fact that Naruto could release this invisible Rasengan already made him very strong.
If he combined it with the mode all Jinchuriki have, plus the unique talent of the Uzumaki Clan.
Oh my goodness,
Nara Shikaku couldn't imagine; this was a powerful mobile artillery platform.
In short, going to the high-risk area would be completely counterproductive.
All sorts of thoughts flashed through his mind, and Nara Shikaku made what he considered the most correct decision: to conceal it and not report.
"I never thought that the Fourth Hokage would father a dragon; he can rest in peace now."
"Rest in peace my ass!"
Naruto sneered, "If he knew how I live now, he'd probably jump out of his coffin."
Nara Shikaku gave an awkward smile.
Indeed, what the Third Hokage and the others did was not very honorable.
However, other Villages generally do the same thing, some even more excessively.
"It's nothing more than seeing that I have no backing."
Naruto rested his hands on his thighs and spoke calmly, "Look at my mother's identity, and then look at the first Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Mito-senpai; would they dare?"
"Bullying the weak, this is the Fire Will of Konoha Village."
"What's wrong with being a Jinchuriki? Is a Jinchuriki not a person? Ridiculous."
After a barrage of complaints, Naruto felt a bit more comfortable inside.
Nara Shikaku couldn't refute and could only silently endure Naruto's tirade.
It wasn't until Naruto stopped that he smiled wryly and said, "We can't manage this matter, nor do we dare to."
"I know."
Nara Shikaku pulled over a stool and sat down, looking at Naruto seriously.
He no longer treated Naruto as a child.
He even felt that Naruto's thinking was too mature, more precocious than his own son.
Wait a minute!
Nara Shikaku's thoughts shifted; Naruto and Hinata had been quite close lately.
Could it be...?
Hiss!
He hadn't paid attention before, but looking at Naruto's performance now, the Hyuga Clan would also be drawn in in the future.
Calculating this, the Uchiha, the Hyuga, and he would also silently support them a little.
With such strength, coupled with his own power, the future looks promising.
At such a young age, his calculations are so far-reaching.
It seems the Third Hokage is about to fall.
He couldn't imagine what kind of expressions the Third Hokage and the others would have when Naruto showed his true colors.
Suddenly, he felt it would be very interesting and wanted to see the Third Hokage's dumbfounded expression.
After a moment of thought, Nara Shikakucontinued, "I won't give you any public support."
"Understood!"
A great clan, huh?
These people always lay eggs on multiple sides; as long as one succeeds, the family can continue.
"From now on, that kid Shikamaru will follow you."
"Alright."
A verbal agreement.
Believe it, or not.
Naruto and Nara Shikaku exchanged glances, and in this dark room, a verbal agreement was reached between the elder and the younger.
Nara Shikaku quietly left, his heart still pounding even after returning home.
This was the boldest decision he had made in years.
It wasn't because he trusted Naruto's character, but because he believed in Naruto's future potential.
From their conversation, it was clear that Naruto's emotions were very stable.
Although he cursed the Third Hokage and the villagers, there wasn't too much hostility.
He completely disregarded them, as if looking at ants.
What gave him such confidence?
The Perfect Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!
Once he matured, he would be a strong person beyond the Kage level.
Would Naruto not mature?
He would definitely mature.
He is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki; the Third Hokagewould not let anything happen to him, and as long as he safely passed these few years, the future would be Naruto's world.
Working under such a strong person, you don't need to worry about something like the Uchihaincident happening.
Just like the First Hokage back then, he wasn't afraid of the Uchiha rising up at all.
He was afraid that you wouldn't be able to grow stronger.
Only when his subordinates grew stronger could he easily do his own things.
"I'm really looking forward to the future."
"Shikamaru, you're still awake?"
Nara Shikaku, returning home, smiled at Shikamaru, who was only five years old.
He himself was very smart, but Shikamaru's performance was even better than his own.
"I was waiting for you, Father!"
"Where did you go?"
Shikamaru's eyes fixed on Nara Shikaku, and he was about to voice his guesses.
Nara Shikaku raised a hand to stop Shikamaru's words, smiling, "It's better to be confused sometimes, understand?"
Shikamaru: "..."
"Aren't you secretly going to a hotel behind our backs?"
Nara Shikaku's face stiffened, a black line appearing.
Is your father that kind of person?
Glaring fiercely at Shikamaru, Nara Shikaku pulled out the Go board from the side and said indifferently, "Let's play a few rounds!"
"I was too hasty!"
Seeing the Go board, Nara Shikamaru's face instantly twisted into a look of agony.
...
"You humans are truly complicated!"
The Nine-Tailed sighed complexly, "Is this Nara Shikaku deciding to follow you?"
"You're thinking too much; it's just betting on both sides."
Naruto slept in his clothes, his mind sinking into the sealing space, casually tossing over a large cabbage.
The Nine-Tailed took it, grunting and gnawing a few bites, then heard his words and was surprised, "Betting on both sides? Isn't that being a fence-sitter?"
"You're wrong; these people just like to do that."
They behave themselves when there's no choice, and when they see a hint, they bet on both sides.
It's merely a way of survival.
Naruto didn't think it was bad; in fact, he thought it was very good.
With Nara Shikaku's invisible help, he would then try to win over the Uchiha.
This way, his strength would be enough to contend with them somewhat.
"I just don't understand, are you working so hard just to become Hokage? Just to get revenge on those people?"
"No!"
Naruto shook his head, "I just want to slack off."
"The highest realm of slacking off is to enjoy all resources while slacking off."
"So, work harder in the early stages, and be more comfortable later."
Nine-Tailed: "..."
"Time to sleep, good night."
...
"Still haven't found it?"
Uchiha Fugaku was a bit strange, and Shisui beside him was also a bit strange.
The Third Hokage and Danzo had turned Konoha Village upside down, yet there wasn't a single clue.
This was very strange.
"Something's not right," Uchiha Itachi frowned. "Logically, Konoha Village has been managed by them for so long; they should know about every little stir."
Uchiha Itachi analyzed step by step, "Even if this time is an exception, with such high-intensity searching, they should have found it by now."
"Even if it's just a little bit of information."
The few of them frowned, also at a loss.
Even with just a hint, they could follow the trail.
But now there was absolutely no clue; how were they to find the person hiding in the dark?
The three frowned.
Now they were already on the opposite side of Konoha Village; the Third Hokage had already begun to subtly target them.
It was imaginable that as time passed, they would find it increasingly difficult to move within the Village.
How to break the deadlock?