As for the wounds suffered by the small countries, they are merely a true reflection of the Ninja Realm and are not within Konoha's concern.
To secure victory for Konoha is to become the undeniable hero of the Land of Fire and Konoha.
Especially in this battle with Hidden Sand, Orochimaru damaged the interests of Hidden Rain and the Land of Rain, yet he turned around Konoha's declining situation with one stroke, contributing greatly to Konoha.
"Since ancient times, most new and old power transitions have been accompanied by bloody political struggles. The Third Hokage has ruled Konoha for too long, so long that some things have taken deep root and someone must break this deadlock for Konoha to bring in new vitality. The current village, although seemingly prosperous, has actually lost its forward momentum."
Shikaku said meaningfully.
His words were not baseless conjecture but conclusions drawn from the shared information of the Nara Clan, the Yamanaka Clan, and the Akimichi Clan.
To his knowledge, in Konoha now, most key positions more or less have the presence of ninjas from the Sarutobi Clan.
For example, the Minister and the Deputy Minister of the Anbu. Ever since the Third Hokage took office, these two high-ranking positions have always been filled by ninjas from the Sarutobi Clan.
The complex issue arises.
When the next Hokage succeeds, whom should the Hokage's direct Anbu led by the Sarutobi Clan listen to? The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, or the orders of the Fourth Hokage?
Although these are just speculations, Shikaku is worried that it might become true.
In his view, the positions of Minister and Deputy Minister of the Anbu should not carry any clan characteristics, and should be held by skilled civilian ninjas, eliminating clan monopolies.
"Shikaku, you wouldn't be thinking of..."
Inoichi and Chouza looked at Shikaku's back with surprise, slightly trembling, hearing the implication in Shikaku's words.
As Shikaku's close friends from childhood, they knew very well that although Shikaku usually seemed like someone who disliked trouble, he was by no means an outstanding ninja who wanted to live a mediocre life.
His intelligence and wisdom had been demonstrated since the Chunin era.
As his close friends, they could naturally sense Shikaku's current ambitious political aspirations.
Shikaku has his own dreams... No, it would be better to say that he has the ambition to truly showcase his abilities within the large environment of the Ninja Realm.
He wants to join the new Hokage's camp and bring new vitality to the village.
Doing so would inevitably draw questioning and targeting from the Sarutobi Clan.
"Don't worry, the clan is the clan, and I am I. I will recognize the boundary between these two."
Shikaku turned back and smiled at the two, his face filled with youthful confidence.
How could young people lose their forward ambition just because they fear failure?
As for reminiscing about the past, that's something to do in one's old age.
Reaching old age with no glorious tales to boast about is the most tragic, isn't it?
"Shikaku, I thought you always hated trouble."
Inoichi sighed helplessly, smiling.
Chouza also laughed, "Yeah, this is completely unlike your style, Shikaku."
"Even someone who hates trouble wants to accomplish something, there's no conflict in that. After all, we're still young. If we don't try, how will we know we can't succeed? What if we succeed, and when we're old, we can't walk anymore, at least we'll have something to boast to our grandchildren about."
Shikaku was already imagining that scene a little.
If at that time his grandchild asked him, 'What big things did you do when you were young, Grandpa?', he could proudly repeat these achievements over and over to his grandchild.
Thinking about it carefully, it is quite exciting.
"Is that right? It seems we two can't withdraw either, considering the three of us have always advanced and retreated together. The clan is the clan and we are us."
Inoichi and Chouza exchanged glances, nodded to each other, and also made up their minds.
"Even if you want to withdraw by then, I won't let you go, so be prepared."
Shikaku said with a smile.
"Of course. However, it's likely several years before Orochimaru-sama assumes the position of Fourth Hokage. It seems we have to reach out ahead of time."
In the past, the three of them had only seen Orochimaru from afar a few times and hadn't talked much.
Now, to stir up a new trend in the village, they must reach out to the genius among the Sannin ahead of time.
Shikaku, however, shook his head and said, "No, if my guess is right, Orochimaru-sama should now be under strict surveillance by the higher-ups, and who will become the Fourth Hokage has become uncertain."
"How could that be?"
Inoichi and Chouza were slightly stunned. If the Fourth Hokage position didn't belong to Orochimaru, then who in the village could take on the role?
Could it be the other two of the Sannin?
"Who knows about such things. Besides, reaching out to Orochimaru-sama at this time will only arouse the suspicion of the higher-ups and yield nothing. Also, don't forget what the content of our current mission is."
The content of the mission?
Inoichi and Chouza looked at each other.
For this mission, the three of them were dispatched to the Land of Grass to assist the team led by Yellow Flash, following every command of Yellow Flash Namikaze Minato for an S-rank confidential mission.
"Shikaku, are you talking about Minato?"
"No, it can't be. Minato is too young."
Inoichi and Chouza found it hard to believe.