Nara Shikaku looked a bit puzzled.
Shikaichi?
As head of the Nara Clan, he naturally knew of this fringe clansman. Could this guy have been stirring up trouble recently?
Before he could figure it out, Sarutobi Hiruzen took the initiative to speak, "Don't overthink it, Shikaku, it's actually a good thing."
He briefly explained Uchiha Jin's situation, then stated his own demands directly.
"Is that so? Understood."
"I will use the clan's channels to notify Shikaichi, have you befriend Uchiha Jin as much as possible, and thoroughly reform him using the Will of Fire."
Nara Shikaku let out a sigh of relief.
As long as his own clansman hadn't caused a disaster, it was fine. Furthermore, if this matter was handled well, it would also be a good thing for the Nara Clan.
While the Uchiha were indeed annoying, their strength was undeniably formidable.
Not being a transmigrator, he had no idea the Uchiha clan would be wiped out. Therefore, Nara Shikaku was naturally more than willing to pull some strings to recruit a genius like Uchiha Jin, whose greatness was preordained.
Especially since it had now received the Hokage's special approval, eliminating any fear of becoming entangled in political issues. There was even less need for hesitation.
"Mm, good!"
"Then I'll leave this trouble to you, Shikaku. Let's talk about serious matters now."
"Is there any risk that the current situation in Sunagakure will escalate?"
"What I worry about most is that it will upgrade into a full-scale world war. If that happens, Konoha will be on the defensive!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke slowly.
Bringing Nara Shikaku here now naturally wasn't solely for Uchiha Jin. To Sarutobi Hiruzen right now, Uchiha Jin didn't have that kind of qualification, no matter how much of a genius he was.
What he truly cared about was the situation with Sunagakure!
Nara Shikaku pondered for a moment, then said in a serious tone, "An escalation is inevitable, and a shinobi world war cannot be avoided."
"However, it won't escalate in the next few years. After all, Sunagakure's main objective right now isn't actually to search for the Third Kazekage, nor is it really demanding an explanation from Konoha. To put it bluntly, it's just about shifting domestic conflicts."
"Sunagakure is actually just like us in Konoha—their internal stability isn't great either. It's just that previously, they had the Third Kazekage holding things down, which is why actual infighting didn't break out."
"Things are different now!"
"With the disappearance of the Third Kazekage, internal factions within Sunagakure have begun to destabilize. If they don't find a way to launch an external war, Sunagakure will inevitably plunge into infighting next."
"Sunagakure's shinobi numbers already rank lowest among the Five Great Shinobi Villages, so naturally they aren't willing to waste shinobi on internal strife. The root of their war against Konoha right now lies right here—they are using an external enemy to eliminate internal factional rivals."
"Winning is naturally great, and losing is no great loss."
"Therefore, until a victor is decided within Sunagakure, a full-scale war with Konoha is impossible. Right now, both of Sunagakure's major factions are afraid of being backstabbed by the other, so they dare not go all out in a mortal struggle with Konoha."
"Most of their strength is needed internally to defend against hostile factions."
"As for the other shinobi villages, though they are restless and eager to move, they most likely won't truly enter the fray before Sunagakure goes all-out against Konoha. After all, with Sunagakure acting as their vanguard, they don't mind consuming a bit more of Konoha's strength."
"Therefore, by my judgment, the next three to five years will consist of localized struggles, and it will be difficult for it to evolve into a full-scale war!"
"I also suggest that the front lines pay more attention to this point and try to maintain the balance between Sunagakure's two major factions. Whichever faction is stronger, we heavily suppress them; the moment they weaken, we immediately turn around to target the other faction."
"Only by doing this can we buy time for ourselves!"
Nara Shikaku spoke eloquently.
As Konoha's strategist, he possessed far more intelligence, so he quickly provided his judgment.
Sarutobi Hiruzen furrowed his brows slightly. After pondering for a moment, he asked in confusion, "Pakura and Rasa?"
"Mm, yes!" Nara Shikaku nodded. "It's those two!"
"They are the leaders pushed forward by the two major factions. Right now, Rasa's faction is concentrated around Kikyo Mountain, while Pakura's faction is concentrated over in the Land of Rain."
"That is also the real reason why I suggest adopting a defensive stance over in the Land of Rain while going all out to slaughter the enemy at Kikyo Mountain."
"Rasa's faction is simply too strong!"
Following Nara Shikaku's words, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally understood.
Looking at it this way, having Orochimaru be the person in charge over at Kikyo Mountain was a very good choice.
As for--the Land of Rain?
After a brief contemplation, he spoke directly, "As for the commander in the Land of Rain, let Jiraiya go take charge."
"Hokage-sama is brilliant!" Nara Shikaku offered a flattering remark.
A faint smile also appeared on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face.
Immediately after.
The entire village of Konoha began to mobilize. That very day, twelve hundred shinobi were gathered, and Jiraiya was appointed as the frontline commander, grandly setting off for the Land of Rain.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Within the borders of the Land of Rain.
Amidst the drizzling rain filling the sky, Takada Fujiwara's squad was hiding inside a cave.
Because Sunagakure had only just entered the Land of Rain and hadn't truly engaged in encounters or battles with Konoha yet, their squad lit a campfire at the cave entrance, and the group gathered around the flames.
Looking at the rain curtain outside, Nara Shikaichi couldn't help sighing with emotion, "What cursed weather is this? Why does it rain every single day?"
"Nothing we can do about it, this is the Land of Rain." Takada Fujiwara tended to the campfire while speaking casually, "There are far too few sunny days in the Land of Rain. You guys will get used to it soon enough!"
Kakashi leaned against the cave wall, still maintaining his silent, aloof posture.
As for Uchiha Jin, he didn't participate in the discussion.
Right then, his entire focus was completely immersed within the system.
[Ding, congratulations to the host!] [Changed Sawada Seiichi's fate on a small scale, acquired 200 destiny points.] [Disrupted Root's operation, acquired 350 destiny points.] [Changed the host's status within the Uchiha Clan, acquired 150 destiny points.] [Caused Orochimaru, Fugaku, and Sarutobi Hiruzen to take notice, acquired a total of 70 destiny points.]
Uchiha Jin's breathing turned hurried.
This truly was a bumper harvest!
He subconsciously checked his stat panel and discovered that his current destiny points stood at: 960 points.
Hiss!
Was he already close to saving up enough destiny points to travel to another world?
Previously, he had felt that 1,000 destiny points would be difficult to accumulate, yet he hadn't expected to almost have enough just after stepping onto the battlefield.
As for changing Sawada Seiichi's fate? Could it be that merely asking for help once had caused his actions to deviate from the original work?
And...
The Suna shinobi they encountered earlier really were the handiwork of Root!
As for drawing the attention of Orochimaru, Fugaku, and Sarutobi Hiruzen, that went without saying—it must be because the secret of the Sharingan had been exposed.
This was also normal!
After all, with so many people on the battlefield, including both Konoha and Sunagakure personnel, anyone with sensory abilities—even without seeing the Sharingan with their own eyes—could perceive the changes in his body.
Chakra does not lie!
Some people's chakra gave others a feeling of warmth, while others felt rather cold, stern, composed, and so on. Uchiha chakra, however, was fundamentally different.
That was--evilness!
Especially after unlocking the Sharingan, the sense of evil within the chakra would instantly surge dozens of times over!
Before you continue