Shiki smiled, already understanding the reason behind such foolishness.
The high-level officials of Konoha had clearly been comfortable for far too long. So comfortable that they had begun to forget the most basic law of survival in the shinobi world—
The winner writes history.
Peace was never begged for.
It was beaten into existence with iron fists.
Publicly, the Third Hokage was often praised as a kind leader who lacked decisiveness.
But beneath that respect, doubt lingered in countless hearts.
After all, those ninjas on the front lines were the ones spilling blood and facing death every single day.
Meanwhile, the man hiding safely behind the lines not only failed to help them—he was still dreaming up foolish ideas.
"Th-that is to say… Lord Shiki, what do you think?"
Shikaku Nara spoke carefully, his tone cautious.
After all, the one commanding the entire battlefield against Kumogakure wasn't the Hokage.
It was Shiki.
Whether the Two-Tails' Jinchūriki would be released or not depended entirely on his decision.
"Bullshit."
Shiki didn't even bother to hide his irritation.
"I captured the damn Jinchūriki. I decide what happens to her."
He waved a hand dismissively.
"That ANBU who delivered the message—tell him to crawl back where he came from."
Silence filled the command tent.
The surrounding shinobi weren't surprised at all.
As expected.
Anyone who knew Shiki understood one thing perfectly—there was no chance he would obey that kind of order.
And honestly? Following a commander like this was reassuring. At least they knew he wouldn't sell them out with a single decree from behind a desk.
"Unacceptable!"
A sharp voice cut through the air.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke, who had remained silent in the corner until now, suddenly stepped forward.
Even he couldn't understand his father's decision… but Shiki openly disregarding the Hokage's order made his blood boil.
"Are you trying to defy the Hokage-sama's command!?"
Shinnosuke's face was tense with anger.
Shiki glanced at him flatly.
Not everyone possessed Shiki's strength. He could ignore Sarutobi Hiruzen's authority without consequence but ordinary shinobi didn't have that luxury.
All of this was obvious to Shiki.
Without wasting words, he raised a casual hand.
"The Hokage wants to issue orders?" he said indifferently.
"Then let him come here and deliver them himself."
A few years ago, Shiki hadn't cared about Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Now?
Even less so.
Whether the Third Hokage got angry or not meant nothing to him.
Turning his head, Shiki stared at the ANBU operative who had delivered the message.
"You."
"Yes,"
The ANBU ninja stiffened and immediately lowered his head.
He was panicking internally. I just came to pass on orders—why am I suddenly staring death in the face!?
"Go back," Shiki said calmly.
"Tell Sarutobi Hiruzen this—"
"The Two-Tails' Jinchūriki stays with me."
"And if he has a problem with how I'm handling the battlefield?"
His eyes narrowed.
"Then let him come fight Kumogakure himself."
"This…"
The ANBU hesitated, throat dry.
Did he really have to repeat that word for word?
Shiki's gaze turned cold.
"You have objections?"
"I—No! None!"
The ANBU was instantly drenched in pressure. He nodded repeatedly, turned on his heel, and disappeared in a flash.
Shiki's utter disregard sent Shinnosuke over the edge.
"Shiki! Don't forget—you are a shinobi of Konoha! How dare you disobey Hokage-sama's orders!"
"Enough."
Shiki's patience snapped.
"I'll slaughter you where you stand."
He had absolutely no interest in listening to Sarutobi Shinnosuke any longer.
"You—!"
"Hmm?"
Shiki lifted his eyes.
That single look made Shinnosuke fall silent.
Because in that instant, he recognized it—
Those eyes.
The exact same eyes that had stared him down when Shiki severed his arm.
Shiki wasn't bluffing.
He would do it.
"Get out."
Shiki looked at him with pure disdain.
After that, he didn't spare Shinnosuke another glance.
Though fury burned in his chest, the crushing gap in strength forced Shinnosuke to swallow his rage and leave the command tent.
Watching his retreating figure, Shiki scoffed.
"Idiot."
No strength—yet obsessed with barking orders.
If Shiki was in a good mood, he might joke with him.
If not?
He'd kill him without hesitation.
The surrounding shinobi heard everything clearly, yet no one dared speak. They all lowered their heads, pretending nothing happened.
Shiki waved a hand.
"Enough. Stay alert for Kumogakure's next attack."
"Dismissed."
"Yes!"
Outside the tent.
"Damn it!"
The more Sarutobi Shinnosuke thought about it, the angrier he became.
No matter how he tried to rationalize it, he couldn't accept this outcome.
At last, he made up his mind and headed in a specific direction.
Konoha had spies everywhere.
Kumogakure was no exception.
Originally, Shinnosuke had only planned to dispose of that spy when the time was right.
But now?
He had a better idea.
"Hmph. Shiki…"
"I refuse to believe you're truly invincible in this world."
He decided.
Even if it meant betraying Konoha temporarily, he didn't care.
"I'm doing this for the future of the village."
A familiar excuse.
One used countless times by those who believed themselves righteous.
What Sarutobi Shinnosuke didn't know, however, was this—
Shiki's Observation Haki already covered the entire Konoha encampment.
Every word.
Every intention.
Clear as day.
"Idiot," Shiki muttered.
"I was thinking about taking care of you eventually."
"Turns out, you saved me the trouble."
As the Hokage's son, Shiki couldn't touch him openly.
But now?
Shinnosuke was delivering himself straight to death's doorstep.
"You decided this yourself," Shiki murmured.
"So don't complain when you reach the end."
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
He had no intention of stopping him.
"Shiki-nii!"
A familiar voice called out.
Kurenai Yuhi suddenly approached Shiki's tent.
"Hm?" Shiki retracted his Haki and looked at her.
"What's wrong?"
"You just joined the battlefield today… are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?" he asked casually.
Even though Kurenai had already reached jōnin level, real war was different.
This was her first time experiencing something like this.
"That's not it," she replied quickly.
"I just—um…"
She hesitated for a moment, then asked softly—
"Can I stay here tonight?"
Shiki froze on the spot.
"…Huh?"
For a moment, he honestly thought he'd misheard.
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