Ayari saw Makoto sitting alone on the veranda, lost in thought, and walked over with her large pregnant belly.
"Aren't you going to work today?" she asked.
Makoto turned to glance at her, then helped her sit beside him.
"Taking the day off," he said.
"What are you thinking about?" Ayari asked with a smile.
"Our child," Makoto replied. "There are too many bad people in this world. I'm afraid he'll get bullied in the future."
Ayari chuckled, "If he takes after you, it'll be a blessing if he doesn't go around bullying others."
Makoto retorted, "I'm not that bad."
Thinking it over carefully, though, he couldn't really consider himself a good person.
He just wanted to live well, and if that meant hurting others along the way, then it was simply their bad luck.
Ayari stroked her belly and suddenly said, "I just hope our son will be devoted to one girl in the future, not like those scumbags who break girls' hearts."
Makoto: "..."
He pulled Ayari closer so she could lean on his shoulder. "We're loving enough. Our kid will definitely grow up to be a good man."
Ayari rolled her eyes at him.
A servant hurried into the courtyard and handed over a letter, saying it was delivered by someone from the Nara family.
Makoto opened it and glanced through.
It was an invitation to visit the Nara residence.
"The Nara family?" Ayari looked surprised.
Their relationship with the Nara family was rather ordinary.
She hadn't heard of Makoto being close with them.
On the contrary, the Uchiha, whom they hadn't gotten along with before, had become quite friendly lately.
Makoto sat there, deep in thought.
"Why are they inviting you?" Ayari asked.
"I'll find out when I get there," Makoto replied.
It could be about Minato, or it might concern something related to the Nara family's own affairs.
In the afternoon, Makoto paid a visit as invited and arrived at Shikaku's residence.
Compared to the Hyuga estate, the Nara family residence wasn't large, but despite its modest size, it had all the essentials.
Shikaku's courtyard exuded a sense of serene elegance.
As part of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, the Nara clan represented the "Shika" (deer) and kept a number of deer within their clan grounds.
In the original Naruto series, both Shikaku and Shikamaru were known for their intelligence.
Additionally, Shikaku had served as the head of the Jonin Corps, holding a highly esteemed position within the village.
However, in the current Konoha, that position remained vacant.
The previous head, a Jonin from the Sarutobi clan, had perished in battle.
Following Orochimaru's ascension as Hokage, the role had yet to be filled.
"Makoto-kun!"
Shikaku greeted him warmly with a smile, his attitude both enthusiastic and familiar, as though they were close friends.
The time when Makoto had interacted most frequently with Shikaku was on the battlefield.
While Minato was often the nominal commander, it was usually Shikaku who orchestrated the overall strategy.
Back then, everyone had fought side by side as comrades.
But after the war ended, they had gone their separate ways, each belonging to different factions.
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio had always been trusted and close allies of the Hokage.
In the original series, their younger generation was guided by the Third Hokage's son, something Makoto found hard to believe was a mere coincidence.
Due to the influence of the Third Hokage, the trio maintained a strong relationship with Minato.
Everyone knew they were loyal supporters of him.
After Orochimaru's ascension, it was only natural for them to be relegated to the sidelines along with Minato.
"Having you here truly brings honor to my humble home," Shikaku said with a warm smile, exchanging polite words with Makoto.
"I should've visited you earlier, Shikaku-senpai, but I've been caught up with official duties, and my wife is expecting, so I haven't been able to find the time," Makoto explained.
"Then it seems I've been inconsiderate," Shikaku responded.
"You're too kind, Shikaku-senpai. No matter how busy I am, I can always make time for your invitation," Makoto said with a composed smile.
Shikaku couldn't help but feel unsettled.
This kid could spout shameless flattery without even blinking.
As they entered the living room, Makoto noticed Shikaku's wife, who was already married and preparing the meal.
Compared to Mikoto, she was simply a woman with a gentle and refined appearance.
The two men sat down and began chatting casually, discussing trivial matters and exchanging compliments directed at Makoto, none of which held much substance.
Makoto remained unhurried, neither interrupting the conversation nor taking the initiative to steer it.
He simply followed up on every word Shikaku said.
Seeing that the conversation was going in endless circles, Shikaku casually remarked, "Makoto-kun is now the most outstanding young talent in the village and a trusted right-hand man of the Hokage. I imagine the Hokage intends to groom you as the next successor."
Makoto's eyes flickered slightly as he replied, "You flatter me, Shikaku-senpai. The Hokage is still in his prime, so it's far too early to discuss succession."
Shikaku chuckled lightly. "What does that matter? The Hokage is currently engrossed in his ninjutsu research, and it's you who manages everything in the village. The results speak for themselves. The village's rapid post-war recovery is all thanks to you. One could say you're practically the village's second Hokage."
Makoto repeatedly responded with humility, "You're too kind, Shikaku-senpai... The Fifth Hokage should naturally be Minato-senpai."
Shikaku's eyes gleamed as he continued with a smile, "The position of Hokage belongs to the most capable. At your age, Minato was far less accomplished than you."
Why does this guy keep pushing me to be Hokage...?
Makoto found it odd and pondered silently.
Outwardly, he maintained modesty, saying, "You're exaggerating, Shikaku-senpai. I can't compare to Minato-senpai at all."
As he spoke, his lips curled ever so slightly, revealing a hint of pride.
Shikaku naturally caught this and immediately pressed on, "I'm not exaggerating at all. The entire village witnessed your performance on the battlefield. Moreover, you've managed the village so well—something Minato couldn't possibly achieve right now."
Makoto couldn't help but smile after hearing this, once again responding with modesty, behaving just like someone secretly pleased with compliments yet pretending to be humble on the surface.
"By the way, Shikaku-senpai," Makoto suddenly spoke.
"Do you know about Minato-senpai and Kushina?"
Shikaku was momentarily stunned, surprised that Makoto would bring up this matter so abruptly.
After a brief pause, he replied, "Yes... Since Kushina is a Jinchuriki, the Hokage must have his own considerations regarding this."
Makoto said, "A few days ago, Minato-senpai asked me to intercede with the Hokage on his behalf. I've already spoken to the Hokage."
Shikaku's gaze sharpened as he stared at Makoto. "What did the Hokage say?"
He hadn't yet figured out why Makoto was sharing this information with him.
"The Hokage said he plans to extract Kyuubi from Kushina and find a new host to be the Jinchuriki."
Shikaku was stunned, completely unprepared for such a revelation.
He had assumed Orochimaru would be unlikely to agree to this in the first place.
Moreover... replacing the jinchūriki?
What would happen to Kushina? A Jinchuriki without a tailed beast would die!
Makoto continued, "The Hokage said he would do his best to ensure Kushina's safety during the extraction."
Shikaku's heart sank.
"Do his best to ensure"... How could he say something like that so casually?
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