"Shikaku, it's been a long time."
The day after Kazuki single-handedly defeated Kirigakure, Shikaku arrived at the front line with the main forces.
Upon seeing Shikaku, Kazuki welcomed him into the main tent. Kazuki's enthusiasm gave Shikaku a bad feeling, there's no good deed without a hidden motive.
Kazuki was usually a relatively easy-going person, but he wouldn't be so overly enthusiastic towards him.
He was, after all, the number one ninjas in the Ninja World in many people's eyes, the future Hokage. Did he need to be like this towards him?
"Haha, it's really been a long time since we met after graduation. I didn't expect that after a few years, you would have made such a huge name for yourself." Shikaku said with a sigh of regret.
Coming here this time, Shikaku wanted to build a good relationship with Kazuki. As a smart person, he naturally understood Hiruzen's intention. This was not only paving the way for Kazuki but also for their Ino–Shika–Chō.
Although Torifu was Kazuki's uncle, their relationship wasn't particularly solid. It was very necessary for their peers to get along well with Kazuki.
Kazuki was the future Hokage, and getting along well with him was essential. Now that the opportunity was before him, if he didn't seize it well, he would miss a good chance.
"Hehe, I'll have to trouble you this time. I haven't touched any of those affairs yet, and I hope you can help me take over." Kazuki said to Shikaku with a hint of embarrassment.
"You, I…" Shikaku stared blankly at the tall stack of scrolls placed on the small table.
"We're both just getting started. A lot of these are Homura's matters, but he is still receiving treatment and is unable to manage any of this. We just need to study them a bit, try to maintain the front line's operations, and compile casualty lists and merits."
Kazuki said with some embarrassment, "I will end Kirigakure's front as quickly as possible. I won't let you waste too much time."
"You're going to end the war quickly?" Shikaku blinked.
Can a war just end when you say so?
Kazuki said, "I've already blown up Kirigakure, and the main forces of Kirigakure have also been scattered by me."
"If it weren't for many of them invading the Land of Fire to cause indiscriminate destruction, I would have fully eliminated them."
Kazuki said with a sigh of regret, "The main reason was that we didn't have enough manpower before. Even those who weren't dead or injured weren't in good shape, and morale had huge problems. Fortunately, the village now has a large number of reinforcements. We can now clear out those guys."
"Is that so? Are you going to lead the team yourself?" Shikaku's heart tightened.
He knew Kazuki was going to personally lead a team to deal with those Kirigakure ninjas.
"Yes, to end the battle as quickly as possible, I, with the Flying Thunder God Technique and absolute strength, am the best choice." Kazuki nodded slightly.
"So, I'll still need your help with those troublesome political affairs. This can also be considered a test for you, Shikaku."
A test? Shikaku gave a bitter smile.
If it were just for himself, Shikaku didn't want to do such brain-draining work.
However, he knew that what Kazuki said was true. After a brief thought, he realized this was the best choice.
Could he refuse? Whether for his own future or the future of Ino–Shika–Chō, he had to diligently complete the tasks Kazuki gave him.
"I'll try my best." In the end, Shikaku accepted the task.
"By the way, from Konoha's perspective, do you think we should end all wars as quickly as possible?" Suddenly, Kazuki asked Shikaku.
"War?" Shikaku's eyes flickered slightly.
"War has brought great suffering to Konoha, but it has also brought great tempering to Konoha's ninjas. If the scale of combat can be controlled, perhaps small-scale drills would be a good thing."
Kazuki nodded slightly and said, "If it's just small-scale training, it's indeed good. War has brought huge casualties, but many ninjas have also grown rapidly during the war."
"Just like Mikoto, Rinka, and Nawaki from my previous team, they now possess Jonin-level strength, and even their mission count has met the standard. Minato's strength is also not bad."
Shikaku's heart tightened upon hearing this. Were Mikoto and the others really that strong?
He didn't think Kazuki was bragging, as such matters would soon be verified. Jonin were considered high-ranking in the village and had certain voting rights.
Shikaku had not yet reached Jonin level, he was barely a Special Jonin.
Is this the difference between a genius and an ordinary person?
"Alright, I'll leave things here to you. I'm going to clear out Kirigakure first." Kazuki patted Shikaku's shoulder and said earnestly.
It was as if his previous conversation with Shikaku had never happened.
In reality, Kazuki was debating whether he should quickly end the battlefields in Sunagakure and Iwagakure. He could easily explain it by saying his eyes were uncomfortable.
After all, using Susanoo on such a scale, if there wasn't some price to pay, many people wouldn't believe it. And no one would be able to force Kazuki to continue fighting on the battlefield.
Shikaku watched Kazuki's departing figure, then looked at the thick stack of work tasks in the tent, and couldn't help but give a bitter smile.
He was very happy that Kazuki could trust him, but the other party's attitude was a bit too much.
Never mind, let's work first. After all, work was the most important thing.
Thinking that Kazuki alone had slaughtered so many Kirigakure ninjas, Shikaku couldn't help but sigh, why was the difference so great?
If the Nara clan could also produce someone as powerful as Kazuki, they wouldn't need to do such hard work and could hand over these troublesome matters to others.
Kazuki wouldn't care what Shikaku was thinking, as long as the other party obediently did things for him.
As for whether the other party would do things for him, after a slight probe, Kazuki understood Shikaku's attitude. Therefore, he could use him with great confidence.
It was precisely because the other party was smart that Kazuki could trust him. At the same time, it was also a statement to Hiruzen: I've used your people, so be ready for me to become Hokage.