At that moment, Shikaku Nara, who had remained silent all this time, finally spoke. "Lord Hokage, Lady Mito sent someone with a message. She wants to see you, but..."
Shikaku Nara had waited until Yanbai finished healing Nawaki before speaking. In fact, though he had said nothing since entering, there had been a distinctly strange emotion in his eyes as he looked at Nawaki.
That expression of Shikaku Nara's certainly had nothing to do with Nawaki's relentless pursuit of Mikoto.
Nawaki hadn't started pursuing Mikoto just today.
Yanbai understood. He looked at Shikaku Nara. "I see. I'll go in person. By the way, Shikaku, I have something for you to do."
Shikaku Nara dared not delay and quickly stepped forward.
Yet Yanbai told Shikaku Nara to fabricate outrageous rumors about Princess Senju-the more outrageous, the better-and then have the Anbu spread them to every corner of Konoha Shinobi Village.
"You can spread the rumor that the current Lord Hokage's mother is the Rabbit Goddess."
"You can also say the current Lord Hokage is a monster who feeds on people's vital essence to stay young... Then send people to spread another rumor promoting Lady Mito's Yin Seal..."
Shikaku Nara stared wide-eyed as Yanbai invented increasingly outrageous rumors about himself. His mind raced, and finally, he understood.
Someone must have been spreading rumors about Yanbai.
Yanbai's response was to make up outrageous rumors about himself.
He would drown all those plausible-sounding rumors in the most ridiculous legends imaginable.
Any truth that might become a scandal would be thrown into the trash along with those absurd legends.
Shikaku Nara was utterly awestruck.
So this was an option too...
People enjoyed gossip, but even they would get sick of it after hearing enough outrageous nonsense.
Rumors were a vile, vicious tactic aimed at