Konoha Chess Saint

Carrying a new shogi set, Genichi arrived at the Nara Clan compound.

"Shikaku, I've come to play a game with you. Are you looking forward to it?"

Opening the door, Nara Shikaku walked out, sporting two dark circles under his eyes and looking as lethargic as ever.

"Genichi, what made you think of coming to me for a game? It can't just be for the sake of playing, right?"

"We've been classmates for so many years; can't I come over for a game without an ulterior motive? Besides, your place has a nice atmosphere. It's worthy of a Nara clan head's courtyard."

"Sigh, I'm not the head yet. Forget it, come inside first," Shikaku invited.

Entering the reception room, they set up the board. Nara Yoshino, seemingly aware that the two had matters to discuss, brewed a pot of tea before taking her leave.

"I've been waiting for this game since we entered the academy, yet you, that cultivation fanatic, probably don't even know how to play." Shikaku took a helpless sip of tea, seeing through Genichi's excuse immediately: "Just say what's on your mind. There's no need to beat around the bush."

"Oh, is that so? I heard that you're henpecked, Shikaku?"

"Pfft—" Upon realizing what was said, Shikaku spat his tea onto the floor and hurriedly defended himself: "That's never been the case! You know, women tend to become gentle in front of the men they love, so I'm the one who makes the decisions at home."

"Heh, let's go with that. Come, let's play. I bought this set specifically for this." Genichi said with a smile.

Immediately following this, Genichi asked casually: "The Third Hokage wants the academy students to graduate early. Shikaku, what is your take on that?"

Unsure of Genichi's objective, Shikaku gave a politically correct answer: "As for that, I certainly don't want a group of children on the battlefield, but if the war situation deteriorates to that point, I'm afraid there's no other choice, is there?"

Genichi: "Sigh, the Third Hokage hasn't stepped onto the battlefield since the Second Shinobi World War. He's even older now; I doubt he'll participate in the coming conflict either, right?"

Shikaku: "It is not our place to comment on how the Hokage acts."

"Then let me ask you this, Shikaku: if a sheep leads a pack of tigers against a fierce tiger leading a flock of sheep, which side do you think will win?"

Shikaku understood Genichi's implication instantly; he was hinting that the Third Hokage had become cowardly.

He asked: "Genichi, are you trying to run for Hokage?"

Without answering Shikaku's question directly, Genichi continued: "I've heard that the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans have had a tradition of the Earring Oath under the witness of the Sarutobi clan since the Warring States period."

"Now that your three clans are vital pillars of Konoha, I wonder—is your loyalty to the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen? Or is your loyalty to the Hokage of Konoha?"

The topic grew increasingly sharp. Shikaku couldn't help but take another sip of tea to soothe his dry throat: "We are, of course, a Konoha clan. Genichi, what exactly are you trying to say?"

"The Nara clan is known for its exceptional wisdom and serves as the spiritual core of the three clans. Do you truly not understand what I am saying?" Genichi countered.

"To be so dissatisfied with the Third Hokage... Genichi, you aren't planning to stage a coup, are you? In this day and age?"

"How could that be? I am a Konoha ninja who possesses the Will of Fire, am I not?"

Realizing that Genichi had no intention of a violent coup, the atmosphere finally eased, and the two continued their game.

"The Uchiha clan head has changed to Fugaku Uchiha, and in the Hyuga clan, Hiashi and Hizashi are next in line. You three should be inheriting your respective families soon as well," Genichi said calmly. "Our generation of ninjas is gradually growing up. Why do you think the Third Hokage and his peers remain in the Hokage Building, showing no movement at all?"

"Genichi, if you want to run for Hokage, you actually have a great chance. There's no need to be so anxious." Shikaku calmed down and analyzed the village's situation: "After the Second War, we all thought the Third would pass the position to one of the Sannin, but he didn't move. If he drags it out any longer, the next Hokage will likely be between you and Minato Namikaze."

"Your strength is superior, and you are part of the Hokage's inner circle. You have the support of both the remaining Senju and the Uchiha. There is no one more suitable for the Fourth Hokage than you. When the time comes, our Ino-Shika-Cho trio will stand up to support you. You could say that as long as you don't make any mistakes, you've already got one hand on the Hokage's hat."

"So, during this time, I should just watch my village be harmed by those who occupy their positions without doing their jobs?" Genichi sighed: "Alas! The Hokage seat is not my desire, but I wish for Konoha's peace."

"We are all from the same village. I didn't come here today to force you to do anything or to stage some violent coup that would harm the village."

Genichi asked solemnly: "Shikaku, if I step forward to become the Fourth Hokage, will you—or rather, will your three clans—help me?"

Shikaku nodded earnestly. They had been close since childhood, and currently, Genichi was indeed the most suitable candidate for the next Hokage.

His mind began to brainstorm: the pros and cons of Genichi becoming Hokage? How to get the Third to step down sooner? Or should he let nature take its course? What role should the three clans play in the meantime? What is best for Konoha? He also had to consider external factors; war could break out any day.

"Then, the final question for today." Seeing the disastrous state of the board, Genichi asked with a smile.

"Shikaku, I have never known defeat in shogi in my entire life. I am known as the 'Konoha Chess Saint.' Do you know why?"

Focusing his attention back on the board, Shikaku looked at the one-sided situation despite his own tactical finesse, and felt Genichi's chaotic, amateurish thought process. He spoke cautiously: "Because you are a beginner, and this is perhaps your very first game, so you have never lost?"

Genichi held the King piece in one hand and placed it directly above the center of the board, blocking their line of sight. He slowly opened his hand, but before the piece could fall, natural energy surged. It was Sage Mode. A gale whipped through the room, and a small [Sage Art: Wind Release: Rasengan] silently formed. The board and the pieces were sucked into the wind, drawn into the spiral, ground into dust, and vanished with the breeze.

Under Shikaku's incredulous gaze, Genichi spoke slowly:

"What determines the outcome of a game is often not the pieces, but the person holding them outside the board. Just like the Ninja World—the weak are prey to the strong, the strong are respected, and the winner takes all while the loser eats dust."