Bab 303: Chapter 303: If the Father Runs Away, Then the Son Will Take Over
The food supply was running low, and Nara Shikashin appeared grim. But deep inside, he was laughing.
For years, certain families had enjoyed preferential treatment—priority access to prestigious missions, the highest subsidies, and privileges that allowed them to keep their resources intact.
Now? They'd face the reality of self-sufficiency.
After some conversation, the small clan representatives, along with Hyuga Hiashi and Uchiha Fugaku, left.
Once the outsiders had gone, Shikashin slowly set down his teacup, savoring its lingering taste. Tea made by Tsunade herself... now this is luxury, he thought with satisfaction.
"Senior," Shinki said, breaking his train of thought. "Don't overdo it, or the Hokage's office will start paying closer attention to you."
Shinki's warning was clear—accepting too much dependence from smaller families might trigger the Third Hokage's suspicions.
"I know," Shikashin replied, offering a reassuring smile. "I'm careful. The Third Hokage doesn't scare me, but I know better than to push too far."
The Nara clan had always been pragmatic, and Shikashin was no exception. He understood the fine line between expanding their influence and provoking the Hokage's ire.
"The small clans that the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance takes under its wing will be those that genuinely align with us—families who provide valuable support to our businesses or share long-standing ties. For the rest? We'll accept their goodwill, but nothing more."
After ensuring his point had landed, Shikashin shifted the conversation.
"Shinki, about the vacant positions in Anbu..."
Shinki frowned.
"You sly old man," he said. "Are you trying to use me?"
Shikashin coughed awkwardly, shamelessly grinning. "Don't take it the wrong way! I'm just trying to help with the transition. Those spots will need filling eventually—why not sort it out early?"
Shinki sighed, rolling his eyes. "Fine. I'll give you two slots—one for combat and one for administration. That's the absolute limit."
"Deal!" Shikashin exclaimed, slapping his thigh in triumph.
For Shikashin, the distinction between combat and administrative roles didn't matter much. Shinki's reliance on puppets for dangerous missions had drastically reduced Anbu casualties. Previously, entire squads might be wiped out on high-risk missions. Now, such losses were unheard of.
With Anbu's rigorous selection process, even administrative roles went to highly capable ninjas. For Shikashin, this was a golden opportunity to embed key personnel.
Later, when all was quiet, Tsunade emerged from the back room.
"They're gone already?" she asked.
"Of course," Shinki said, heading toward the kitchen. "Now that they've secured their benefits, they left quicker than rabbits."
Leaning against the kitchen doorframe, Tsunade watched Shinki as he tidied up.
"Senior Shikashin will soon be promoted to the leader of the Ninja Class in the Kage Office," she said. "So, who will take over his assistant position in Anbu?"
"Nara Shikaku," Shinki replied without hesitation.
"... His son?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Isn't Shikaku still a student? Are you sure his father will agree to this?"
"I don't care if he agrees," Shinki said with a mischievous grin. "If Shikashin is stepping up, then his son can fill his shoes. It's about time Shikaku starts training seriously. I'll send someone to pick him up tomorrow."
Tsunade sighed. "Shikashin is going to be furious."
"Let him be." Shinki chuckled. "From tomorrow, Shikaku will live and train at the Anbu base until he's ready to handle his duties independently."
The next morning, Nara Shikaku yawned as he strolled toward the ninja academy. He had stayed up late playing shogi the night before and was feeling groggy.
School was tedious. The classes were boring, and his classmates were immature. Shikaku wondered if it was time to apply for early graduation.
As he nibbled on a rice ball his mother had packed, he wandered down a familiar alley on his way to class.
Suddenly, a shadow flickered.
Shikaku stopped in his tracks, blinking in surprise as a masked figure materialized in front of him.
"... Anbu?" he murmured, recognizing the uniform.
"Nara Shikaku?"
"Uh, yeah. That's me," he said cautiously, glancing at his startled friends.
Before he could ask why they were there, he found himself hoisted into the air.
"What the—?!" Shikaku exclaimed, his rice ball falling from his hand as the Anbu whisked him away.
That marked the beginning of a long—and highly unexpected—day for Nara Shikaku.
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