"After the nobles were wiped out, city administrations ground to a halt, prices collapsed, refugees flooded the roads, and bandits ran rampant. Riots and clashes broke out everywhere in their countries. They simply couldn't keep the situation under control."
When Shikamaru finished, his face creased with worry.
After hearing him out, Naruto tipped his head back and laughed, his tone laced with mockery.
"Those idiots really are stuck in their ways."
"They've spent their whole lives burying themselves in ninjutsu training and fighting. They've trained all the flexibility out of their brains."
"All they know is how to follow orders, not how to clean up afterward. They have only themselves to blame for this mess."
Sasuke's expression was cool as he said flatly, "Let them suppress it by force themselves."
"No." Naruto shook his head lightly, a calculating smile flickering in his eyes.
He turned to Shikamaru and calmly instructed him, "Send formal letters to the Four Great Shinobi Villages immediately."
"Tell them that if they can't stabilize their countries and quell the unrest soon, Konoha can step in. We can temporarily station personnel in their major cities to help administer public order and stabilize people's livelihoods."
"Of course, make it clear beforehand that we'll only administer city affairs. We won't meddle in any Shinobi Village's internal affairs or interfere with its authority."
Shikamaru immediately understood Naruto's intentions and couldn't help chuckling.
"Lord Seventh Hokage, this will probably scare the Four Great Kage half to death."
"They'll definitely think Konoha is using the unrest as an excuse to meddle in their domestic affairs, annex their territories, and seize control of the great nations."
Naruto's smile deepened, his gaze unfathomable.
"There's no need to annex them. That would be too much trouble, and expensive."
"But administering public order in all their