Nara Clan Compound.
Conference room.
"What a tragedy."
"I pity the Hyuga Clan of this world."
"And I am disgusted by clans like yours, who help evil do evil."
Neji Hyuga closed his eyes, his tone turning even colder.
Faced with the accusation of a junior.
Shikaku, Inoichi, and Choza could not utter a single rebuttal.
Shame.
The shame of having nowhere to hide.
Because Neji was absolutely right.
As the most loyal supporters of the Hokage Faction.
The Ino-Shika-Cho Clans were, in truth, nothing more than the blade and fig leaf in the hands of the high command.
"That is enough, Neji."
"We have gathered enough intelligence."
"Venting your emotions will not help the mission."
Shikamaru finally stepped forward.
He walked up to the conference table and looked directly at Shikaku Nara.
Looking at that face identical to his father's.
Shikamaru felt a little bitter as well.
In the Empire.
His father was a core member of the Ministry of Administration, second only to one and above countless others.
Though he was busy beyond measure every day, he lived with dignity and confidence.
Unlike the Shikaku before him.
His face was weathered, and his eyes were filled with the exhaustion of schemes and compromises.
Sensing Shikamaru's gaze.
Shikaku Nara looked back at him as well.
This youth claimed to be from a Parallel World, yet looked exactly like his own son.
"Then..."
"It is my turn to ask questions."
"Who exactly are the five of you?"
"You did not cross over from a Parallel World just to tell us stories, did you?"
Shikaku Nara forcibly suppressed the turmoil in his heart.
As Konoha's chief strategist, he could not completely lose his reason.
"What a pain."
"I had wanted to take this step by step."
"Since you insist on asking,