Chapter 603.How Could a Shadow Clone Compare to You?

—Shahzaam, Jacob Mooe, kevin Williams, Jose Sierra, Pasang Sherpa, Acedia, kurtis newman, Nhoxious, Little Sand, Alin Kadas, sediaz, Targaryen, King Scales, Kurgarraz, Astraala.

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At this moment, the Third Hokage was more miserable than anyone, caught in an awkward position where he could neither advance nor retreat.

If he tried to stir up trouble, no one would follow him.

And he did not dare drag his clan down with him.

To put it plainly, the clan would not follow him to their deaths over something like this either.

One misstep, and everyone in the Sarutobi clan would suffer the consequences.

In a more serious scenario, it would not be surprising if the entire Sarutobi clan became history, even if the clan had no small number of ninja.

Among the Five Great Ninja Villages, many clans had disappeared for various reasons. The most typical and most ruthless examples were in the Mist Ninja Village.

Among the Five Great Ninja Villages, the village with the most ninja clans was unquestionably the Leaf, followed by the Mist Ninja Village.

Comparatively speaking, most of the clans that disappeared from the Leaf did so because they could not continue their lineage.

Very few were actually destroyed by the village.

The Mist Ninja Village, on the other hand, was truly willing to be ruthless.

Aside from being willing to strike and being cold-blooded, these clans also brought destruction upon themselves through their own reckless behavior, ultimately becoming sacrifices in the shifting of the Mizukage position.

The most famous clans to be exterminated in recent times were the Yuki clan and the Kaguya clan.

These two clans were the sacrifices of Yagura’s rise to power.

Of course, one could not entirely blame Yagura for being too dark-hearted, even though this shorty was indeed ruthless in his methods.

But the destruction of the Yuki clan and the Kaguya clan was also related to their own reckless behavior.

What happened in the Mist Ninja Village might not necessarily be replayed in the Leaf.

As long as the Sarutobi clan dared to stir up trouble, Kazuki didn’t mind to do that.

That was why the Third Hokage was so miserable. He did not dare stir up trouble, nor could he.

If he just bottled it up inside, he felt uncomfortable!

And so, when Jiraiya personally came to persuade him, the stifled anger in the Third Hokage’s heart dissipated a great deal. After being stirred up by Jiraiya like that, the Third Hokage no longer had any anger to bottle up.

He simply took the opportunity to step down.

Better than leaving himself suspended in midair, stuck in an awkward position.

Not only would he suffer, but his clan would also be watched.

The Third Hokage was certain that once word of his situation got back to the village, Kazuki would definitely keep an eye on the Sarutobi clan. The moment they made any suspicious move, he would strike directly.

This was the most direct and effective way to reduce sacrifices for the village.

It was not that Kazuki was selfish and wanted to go after the Sarutobi clan.

Rather, from the standpoint of the Hokage, handling it this way was the most reasonable.

Surely he could not make an exception just because the Sarutobi clan was the clan behind the Third Hokage and let them off the hook if they caused trouble?

Could such a precedent be set?

If you give an inch, they will take a mile. Once a precedent was set, what would happen in the future?

When the Uchiha wanted to stir up trouble, it was only a small number of people gathering secretly to discuss, merely shouting a few words in the dark, not daring to make any moves.

If even the Uchiha did not dare to act, what gave the Sarutobi clan the right to?

There was not even a need for Kazuki to personally step in. People would naturally target them.

"This foolish boy."

Looking at Jiraiya, who had collapsed onto the table unconscious, the Third Hokage was helpless.

He had someone take Jiraiya away to rest.

The Third Hokage took out a scroll sent by his clan. Looking at its contents, he could not regain his composure for a long time.

In the end, he destroyed the scroll and acted as if nothing had happened.

Regardless of whether Jiraiya’s mission to persuade the Third Hokage was completed or not.

The village’s retreat order would arrive as scheduled.

With the Hokage personally issuing the order, the ninja at the front lines began packing up, and the rear camp was no exception.

This meant the war was over, and many ninja cheered joyfully.

No one liked war, because war meant death—a great deal of death.

Even though in the conflict with the Stone Ninja Village, the Leaf had profited enormously with few sacrifices, no one still liked fighting.

Especially the lower-ranking ninja.

They would obey the village’s orders and go to the battlefield to fight and kill the enemy, but they did not want to die on the battlefield either.

"Before I return, you need to hurry and get into the swing of things. I hope that by the time I come back, you can become a qualified Hokage’s secretary. Also, while I am away, the head of the Jonin Corps, Nara Shikaku, will take over the village’s affairs. Report anything to him directly."

Kazuki would not bring Mabui along to the Land of Iron for the Five Kage Summit. Mabui needed to stay in the village and learn as much about it as possible, reviewing more documents and scrolls.

During this period, the village’s affairs would be handled by Shikaku.

Unless Tsunade returned midway, Shikaku would have no choice but to sit miserably in the Hokage’s office, helping to handle official business.

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Mabui was the same as always, neither arrogant nor impatient.

Shikaku was not too happy about this appointment.

"Lord Hokage, is it me staying behind again? How about you leave a shadow clone?"

With Kazuki’s strength, even if he used a considerable amount of chakra to leave a shadow clone, it would not affect his combat power, and the shadow clone would obediently follow orders and stay in the village to handle official business.

"No, a shadow clone is ultimately somewhat rigid. It’s not quite suitable."

You tried every possible way to push me into this position before. Now you want me to leave a shadow clone behind to diligently handle official business?

That idea of yours is very dangerous...

How could a shadow clone be allowed to act recklessly? So this heavy task can only be entrusted to you, Shikaku!

Keep it up. I have high hopes for you.

Patting Shikaku on the shoulder, Kazuki said with deep sincerity:

"Shikaku, you also know the drawbacks of shadow clones. They easily cause problems. Moreover, given the village’s current situation, even if I leave for a while, nothing will happen. Who knows, Tsunade might return very soon and take over your work. I’ll have to trouble you during this time."

I believe you my ass!

Shikaku felt so miserable he wanted to cry.

He did not know when Tsunade would return, but he was very clear that even if Tsunade did return, there was no way she would be made to come back to the Hokage’s office and honestly handle official business.

Unless something very serious happened, to the point where she had no choice but to step forward, there was no way Tsunade would come back to work.

As for the Third Hokage...

Forget it. Shikaku did not dare count on this one. Kazuki would not allow it either, and neither would the various clans, nor even the Elder Council.

"Don’t pull such a long face. When I get back, I’ll give you a few days off so you can rest properly. Decided just like that, happily."

After saying this, Kazuki decisively turned and left. But no sooner had he entered the corridor than he could not help but laugh.

So you are allowed to screw me over, but I’m not allowed to screw you over?

Just sit obediently in the Hokage’s office and worry over documents and scrolls.

"..."

You screw me over, and you still laugh at me?

No matter how Shikaku felt, Kazuki was now essentially free. He left the village directly with his guards and headed for the Land of Iron to attend the Five Kage Summit initiated by Onoki.

For this trip, he did not bring many people—just two Hokage guards.

Shisui and Kisame. As for Itachi, he stayed in the village for other tasks. Plus, he needed some vacation time, so this was a good opportunity to give him a rotation break.

As for Kisame...

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