Chapter 610

Especially when the other party had already started to suspect them, they had to scheme for them even more wholeheartedly.

Because this was their only remaining value!

If they couldn't even do this, they would certainly be discarded directly.

Once that happened, after losing their utility, their end would be very miserable.

Inoichi Yamanaka nodded gravely.

"Shikaku, don't worry."

"Our Ino-Shika-Cho survival strategy is that we don't need anyone's trust, and we don't join any core circles."

"Our goal is self-preservation!"

Shikaku smiled.

Yes.

Inoichi Yamanaka was right.

Why did their Ino-Shika-Cho unite? To put it bluntly, it was for self-preservation.

If not for the close union of the three clans, and the help of the Nara's brains, they might not have developed to their current state, and perhaps might not even compare to the Aburame clan.

This was also something that couldn't be helped.

They didn't have the Kekkei Genkai of the Hyuga and Uchiha, nor did they have the luck of Hiruzen Sarutobi and others to become disciples of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

It was truly not easy for Ino-Shika-Cho to surpass clans like the Aburame and Inuzuka and reach their current position.

"Good!"

"Since that's the case, I can rest easy."

After saying this.

Shikaku Nara stopped talking nonsense and immediately turned to leave.

Inoichi Yamanaka didn't linger either and turned to head toward his Anbu unit.

Hokage Office.

After Shikaku Nara entered, he first bowed in greeting, then took the initiative to report on matters within the clan.

He performed very well.

At the very least.

Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't see any problems.

However, he was perfectly clear in his heart.

Naturally, he wouldn't easily trust Shikaku Nara, but just as Shikaku Nara had said earlier, the current Hiruzen Sarutobi actually had no choice at all.

"Shikaku, that's enough!"

"Even if I don't trust anyone else, I will trust the loyalty of you Ino-Shika-Cho."

"There's no need to say more about such things; let's talk about the real business first."

"Define this morning's incident as an attack by an enemy village, and announce it to the entire ninja world in a moment."

"Also, the most critical thing."

"I hope you, Shikaku, can represent me in a secret visit to Cloud Village to facilitate the Five Kage peace talks as much as possible."

"I am truly tired!"

"The losses in this war are too great; every village needs to rest and recuperate, and we cannot continue fighting."

"We can even abandon our status as the victorious nation in this conflict with Cloud Village."

"I don't trust anyone else with this matter; I can only trust you, Shikaku."

"You won't let me down, will you?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was soft.

Yes.

He truly had no one he could trust now, so even if he had suspicions in his heart, he could only choose to pretend he didn't know.

This was unavoidable.

Who told him to be the one asking for help?

If not for the rise of Uchiha Jin, if Koharu, Homura, and Danzo were still his core friends.

If not for the matter of Minato Namikaze...

Then, it would go without saying.

Given the current behavior of Ino-Shika-Cho, even if he didn't have evidence in his hands, he would choose to forcefully suppress them.

But, the situation was pressing.

He only wanted to end the war quickly and then hand the position of Hokage to Minato Namikaze as soon as possible.

After Minato Namikaze took office, let him take over this mess of a Leaf Village.

With no distractions, he could retreat into the shadows again and slowly sort out these chaotic forces.

As for Minato truly holding power?

Impossible!

Even though Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Danzo Shimura had completely broken with him.

But, likewise.

They would also not listen to Minato Namikaze.

The Anbu and Root could not be controlled, and clever people like Ino-Shika-Cho naturally knew how to choose.

The Hyuga and Uchiha, needless to say.

Therefore.

Even if his own forces were in chaos, he was still not afraid of Minato Namikaze holding power.

On the contrary.

Only after sending Minato Namikaze to the position of Hokage could he calm down to gather his forces and slowly win others over again.

Shikaku Nara's expression was calm.

He had guessed Hiruzen Sarutobi's instructions before coming here.

So, he was not surprised.

He only frowned for a moment before speaking slowly.

"Lord Hokage!"

"To be honest, I don't have much confidence in persuading the Rock Village!"

"The Third Raikage A is very strong, and the Rock Village basically suffered no losses in this war."

"Unless we are willing to pay a huge price, it will be difficult to satisfy Cloud Village's appetite."

Yes.

As the Jonin Commander, Shikaku Nara naturally knew the high-level officials of the major powers better than anyone else.

Persuading the Third Raikage A was too difficult!

That guy was a stubborn fool with a head full of muscles; no matter how good his own brain was, there was no way.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's brows furrowed slightly.

He clearly hadn't expected Shikaku Nara to refuse.

Although what Shikaku said made a lot of sense, Hiruzen Sarutobi was not satisfied.

The reason was simple.

Even if I know you Ino-Shika-Cho have problems, I am still willing to trust you; to put it bluntly, it's because I hope you can do things for me.

If you can't do things, then why would I keep you?

And it was precisely because of this.

The look Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Shikaku Nara naturally began to change.

And, on the other side.

Shikaku Nara was not stupid; seeing the change in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, he naturally understood his thoughts instantly.

However.

He was not panicked.

Without even thinking, he smiled and said.

"Of course!"