Starting the fourth generation Hokage

The meeting in the afternoon took so long that Namikaze Minato's shadow clone missed the agreed moment of handover with the main body.

The reason for this is naturally because Namikaze Minato suddenly made the decision to postpone the increase of troops, which caused controversy.

Putting most of Konoha's strength at this time into the war against the Iwa Ninja was a strategic strategy unanimously approved by the two advisors, Danzo and Nara Shikaku.

Namikaze Minato was really worried about Danzo's intelligence, and knowing the plot of the original novel, the Kumo ninja would definitely join the war, so he chose this delaying tactic without explicitly rejecting the strategic plan to reinforce the front line of Grassland.

In the end, after making excuses that Datong needed to prepare before the war, he temporarily excused his advisor and Danzo.

"Captain Shikaku, you want to ask me why I opposed the strategy of immediately increasing troops on the front line of Kusa no Kuni at the meeting, right?"

Namikaze Minato rested his chin on his hands and looked at Nara Shikaku in front of him with a faint gentle smile.

Of course he didn't have to hide anything about Shikaku.

Although he is a neutral faction, he is a young ninja with far-sightedness. He especially has a good impression of Minato Namikaze, a civilian-born Hokage. In the afternoon meeting, he also helped cover the final proposal on whether to postpone the reinforcement of troops. Without his help, Namikaze Minato might not have been able to prevaricate the two advisors and Danzo.

"Well, I am indeed a little curious about this matter."

Nara Shikaku didn't have any scruples and admitted with a calm smile.

Although the fourth-generation Hokage's style of conduct has changed somewhat since the Nine-Tails Rebellion, he understands that every decision made by Namikaze Minato can often be proven correct and far-sighted afterwards.

That's why he suddenly changed his mind at the end and chose to support the strategy of delaying the increase in troops...

"I guess Hokage-sama still has some concerns that are inconvenient to express, right?"

With a change of tone, Lu Jiu asked tentatively, seemingly absent-mindedly.

He did not ask directly what the reason for the delay was. If Minato Namikaze was willing to tell, that would be best. If he was unwilling to explain, there was obviously nothing wrong with his question.

What he didn't expect was that Namikaze Minato was very honest.

After sighing slightly, he said bluntly: "I do have concerns."

"I have a hunch that Konoha and Kumogakure will start fighting again sooner or later."

Nara Shikaku was stunned for a moment, then nodded seriously, and wisely chose not to ask any more questions.

This answer is already obvious. The Fourth Hokage clearly does not trust Danzo who is in charge of the intelligence department. Unexpectedly, the high-level officials were already suspicious of each other to this extent. Compared to Danzo, Namikaze Minato and Nara Shikaku certainly have a better impression of the former, but it is impossible to take sides, whether it is the captain position of the Jonin representative, the position of Konoha staff officer, or the Nara The position of the clan leader determines that he can only be a neutral faction at any time...

I hope this kind of conflict between high-level officials will not cause turmoil in Konoha.

Under this situation, Nara Shikaku had to think about the future development of Konoha's external situation. The Hokage insisted on a conservative strategy, which did not seem to have a particularly big impact on the future direction of the war. Judging from the current situation, even if there is no increase in troops, the end time of the war between Konoha and Iwa Ninja is just a matter of sooner or later.

From this point of view, the next thing Hokage-sama will do is to send ANBU to personally confirm and verify Kumogakure's current situation...

In a flash of thought, Nara Shikaku had figured everything out. Even what Namikaze Minato might do next was anticipated.

"In this case, then Hokage-sama should make a decision early.

After all, this is just a delaying tactic. Sooner or later, Advisor-sama and Danzo-sama will definitely push for more troops to be sent to the front line of Grassland..."

Out of good intentions, Nara Shikaku chose to remind Namikaze Minato.

"Of course I understand that. Anyway, I would like to thank Captain Shikaku for his support in today's meeting..." Namikaze Minato smiled warmly, looking at Shikaku with a hint of gratitude.

The person in charge that Konoha can trust now, apart from Jiraiya, is Nara Shikaku, the most reliable.

Kakashi's generation is still in the process of growing up. After they can really support Konoha, Namikaze Minato believes that he should be able to be a truly free and comfortable fourth generation Hokage...

"Where..., the Fourth Hokage has great foresight. No matter which choice he makes, it must be the best strategy for the village. In terms of foresight, sometimes even I can't match it."

Nara Shikaku touched the back of his head and smiled a little ashamedly.

This may sound like flattery, but to Nara Shikaku, it is sincere recognition. Especially before, on the eve of the Nine-Tails Rebellion, the temporary deployments and various arrangements made always proved his long-term vision.

After the serious talk, in order to promote communication, Namikaze Minato invited Nara Shikaku to choose a restaurant with a nice environment and have two drinks.

I have to say that Nara Shikaku is very different from his son Shikamaru. Shikaku is a mature and experienced elite ninja. He has the same high IQ, but Shikaku is very understanding of the world, a high EQ, high IQ and talkative person. , which refers to people like Nara Shikaku...

Namikaze Minato felt very comfortable communicating with him.

Even if it is some short-lived things about family life, it can be very interesting when Nara Shikaku narrates them. During the chat, something came up that made Namikaze Minato look slightly sideways.

It was already the end of Konoha's 48th year.

It is said that the current head of the Hyuga family, the Hyuga Hiashi family, is about to give birth to a child, and it seems that the delivery time will be in the near future.

After hearing the news, Namikaze Minato also suddenly remembered that this should be Hinata Hinata, the last born among the twelve strong men of Konoha. At this point, all the protagonists of Shippuden have appeared.

Just when the two were chatting happily, Nara Shikaku suddenly looked at the time, and then his expression suddenly changed.

Then he looked at Namikaze Minato with a slightly embarrassed look in his eyes. He smiled awkwardly and said, "Hokage-sama, it seems it's getting late..."

Namikaze Minato saw that Nara Shikaku suddenly became strange, and was a little puzzled: "What? Captain Shikaku is so late, is there anything urgent?"

While talking, Namikaze Minato also looked at the time. It was clearly around 11 o'clock, which was indeed still early.

But Nara Shikaku's expression looked anxious for some reason, which made him very curious, so he couldn't help but ask.

"Ah, well...it's nothing urgent..."

When Shikaku saw Namikaze Minato asking the question, his face became even more embarrassed, but as if for some unspeakable reason, he suddenly hesitated. After a long time, his expression suddenly changed and he explained: "Well... today is my son. Shikamaru's full moon, I just remembered that I promised to go back early..."

Shikamaru full moon?

Isn’t Nara Shikamaru’s birthday in September?

Namikaze Minato had a suspicious look on his face. Not long after, he suddenly thought of something, suddenly understood, and nodded with a half-smile; "If that's the case, then Captain Shikaku should go back early..."

After hearing that he could finally go home, Shikaku Nara was granted amnesty.

Just when he thought that his excuse was good, he didn't expect that Namikaze Minato's next words would immediately expose him.

"Hey, Captain Shikaku's family rules are really strict..."

When Nara Shikaku heard this, he immediately stood there in embarrassment as if controlled by his clan's secret technique, the shadow imitation technique.

This joke instantly and ruthlessly exposed his wife-slave nature.