The night was deep, in the dense forest behind Konoha.
It was completely different from the charred ruins on the front lines.
This is the exclusive territory of the Nara Clan, densely forested, where one can even hear the calls of deer in the distance.
A quaint and elegant tea room.
The iron kettle on the stove was bubbling away, releasing a fragrant aroma of tea.
Senju Kenya, shirtless and wearing only floral shorts, sat cross-legged on the expensive tatami mat with an air of authority.
Opposite him Shikaku Nara, the leader of the Nara Clan, who remained composed.
Shikaku washed the cups and brewed the tea with practiced and elegant movements.
Then, he gently pushed a cup of the finest Uji Gyokuro, which had a bright green luster and a fragrant aroma, in front of Kenya.
" Lord Kenya, please try some. These are tender shoots picked in early spring this year."
Shikaku smiled slightly, his tone so humble that no one could find fault with him.
Kenya picked up the delicate little porcelain cup, didn't even look at it, and downed it in one gulp as if it were plain water.
The next second.
Kenya's face instantly contorted into a grimace, as if he had swallowed a bitter gall bladder.
"Ptooey! Ptooey! Ptooey!"
Kenya sprayed the tea directly into the nearby trash can, waving his hands repeatedly with a look of disgust on his face.
"It's bitter! It's so bitter it's killing me! What's the difference between this stuff and horse piss?!"
"You bunch of self-proclaimed geniuses with high IQs, do you usually like to drink this kind of Chinese medicine to torture yourselves?"
Watching that priceless, top-quality tea being sprayed away like saliva.
Shikaku's lips twitched slightly, and he shook his head with a wry smile.
Under Shikaku's dumbfounded gaze.
Kenya skillfully pulled a cloth bag from the deep pocket of his floral shorts.
Upon opening it, I was surprised to find it contained a full half-pound of refined white Sugar!
Kenya grabbed a spoon, scooped out five or six large spoonfuls of white sugar, and poured them forcefully into the remaining teapot.
Then take a chopstick and stir it vigorously.
The originally clear and elegant famous tea was instantly transformed into a thick, almost stringy, super sweet syrup.
Kenya then picked up the spout with satisfaction and gulped down the contents.
"Whew! That's refreshing! This is what a human should drink!"
Kenya let out a loud, sweet burp, then put the white jade pipe back into his mouth.
Looking at the ruined teapot, Shikaku sighed helplessly.
He put down his folding fan and straightened his robes.
Those phoenix eyes, which always seemed to carry a hint of languor, became incredibly deep at this moment.
" Lord Kenya, you really showed no mercy tonight in the conference room."
Shikaku leaned against the table and began to speak slowly and deliberately:
"He smashed through the blast wall with a single punch, publicly dismissed the elders, forced the Third Hokage to retreat, and even made Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura sweep the streets."
"If this method were used on anyone else, they would have been drowned in spittle long ago."
"But strangely enough, the common people and lower-ranking ninjas in the village are now cheering for the return of the Senju."
Kenya exhaled a puff of green smoke, slightly raised his eyelids, and looked at him with a half-smile:
"So what? You, Konoha's top strategist, are you planning to represent those old fogies and lecture me on the rules?"
No, quite the opposite.
Shikaku shook his head, his expression becoming exceptionally solemn and frank:
"In my opinion, you have done the right thing, even better than any ruler in history."
Shikaku's gaze pierced through the tea room window, looking towards the devastated Konoha:
" The Third Hokage is too soft-hearted, clinging to the Will of Fire to maintain a superficial balance all day; Danzo is too sinister, only concerned with using schemes to expand his private army."
" Konoha, this towering tree, may appear lush and verdant, but its interior has long been hollowed out by these two infighting, rotten forces."
"This time, Orochimaru only gave it a light kick, and the entire village's defense system almost collapsed."
Shikaku turned his head, his gaze fixed intently on Kenya:
The rules and order of the old era have long since come to an end.
"If we continue to patch things up according to those outdated rules and regulations, Konoha will surely perish when the next crisis strikes."
"What the village needs now is not compromise and muddling through."
"It is not a giant axe capable of severing all rotten roots, nor an absolute Iron Fist capable of shattering all hypocrisy!"
Shikaku exclaimed sincerely:
"Your conduct is crude, barbaric, and utterly devoid of manners."
"But beneath this rough exterior lies the most domineering and vibrant new energy of the Senju Clan."
"This is Konoha's only way out."
This analysis is incisive and penetrating, tearing apart the bloody reality beneath the political facade and revealing it clearly.
As expected of the genius intellect of the Nara Clan.
Kenya, with his chin resting on one hand and a pipe in his mouth, listened to these words, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
But the smile on his face carried the sharp edge unique to those in power:
"That's a very well said."
"However, Shikaku, intelligent people often overthink things and love to have their cake and eat it too."
"You went to great lengths to invite me here tonight for this pot of 'sweet tea,' but a few flattering words won't earn you the trust of the Senju."
He faced direct pressure from Kenya.
Shikaku showed no panic or attempt to shirk responsibility.
The wise make decisions in an instant.
He slowly stood up, took three steps back, and walked to the center of the tea room.
Under Kenya's sharp gaze.
This is the Konoha Jonin Commander leader who usually hates trouble and is arrogant.
He bent both knees and, without hesitation, knelt heavily on one knee!
"Smack!"
Shikaku solemnly took out a black iron token representing the command authority of the Jonin Commander from his bosom.
And a hidden map of border defenses stamped with the Nara Clan's wax seal.
Raise both hands high above your head:
" The Nara Clan holds the authority to deploy the Jonin Commander Konoha, and also manages multiple core barriers and medicinal herb reserves."
"Tonight, in the name of the fourteenth head of the Nara Clan, I voluntarily surrender all military command and insignia!"
Shikaku raised his head, his eyes revealing an unprecedented determination and submission:
" Shikaku Nara, I humbly submit to the veneration of Senju Kenya!"
"I'm willing to serve as your deputy strategist and advisor in reorganizing Konoha and reforming its system!"
"Wherever Your Majesty's Iron Fist strikes, the Nara Clan will use all their wisdom and resourcefulness to sweep away all obstacles and hindrances for you!"
Complete defection!
A highly intelligent and capable ally, I'm completely convinced and immediately bow down in submission!
Looking at Shikaku kneeling before him, Kenya grinned and burst into unrestrained laughter.
"Hahaha! Good! Smart people do smart things!"
Kenya waved his hand, snatching the Jonin Soldier Talisman into his grasp, and then patted Shikaku heavily on the shoulder.
"Rise, strategist Shikaku."
"From now on, you'll be in charge of these brain-teasing problems."
The next morning.
As the morning sun shines on the dilapidated streets of Konoha.
The Nara Clan chief personally relinquished his military power and announced the earth-shattering news that he would fully support the Senju in rebuilding Konoha.
Like a Category 12 storm, it swept through the entire ninja village in an instant!
The various secret hideouts and family mansions were in complete chaos.
With the Nara Clan taking the lead, the other neutral major clans also wavered.