Chapter 100: Harbouring Evil Intentions (Part 2)

"Fourth Hokage, you..."

Hearing that Minato Namikaze agreed to the expansion, Danzo Shimura was just a little surprised, but when he heard that he was not allowed to arrange the candidates, his face changed quickly.

Not only him, but the others also had different expressions, but most of them were puzzled.

The two consultants were extremely surprised. In their opinion, the two people's political views had never been in line with each other, so why today...

As for Nara Shikaku, he was a little surprised. He thought that even if this matter was already a done deal, according to the style of the Fourth Hokage, at least he should try to delay it first, so that the military funds could be obtained first, and then find a way to negotiate again to prevent the expansion of the Guardian Ninja, but...

"I understand the impact of the growth of the Guardian Ninja on the village."

Minato Namikaze glanced at the people at the table lightly, and he had his own calculations in his mind, brewing After a while, he continued to explain: "Agreeing to expand is only a temporary measure. The war between Konoha and Iwagakure will probably not stop in the short term."

"In this war of attrition, if the front-line troops are unstable due to logistical problems, the Grass Country front may collapse. At that time, retreating to the war in the Fire Country will pay a huge price even if it eventually wins.

Therefore, the issue of military expenditure is imminent and cannot be missed."

At this point, Namikaze Minato's eyes were also on the two consultants, because these words were exactly for conservatives like them.

It is not without merit to follow the rules, but you also have to choose the right time.

Seeing that the two still seemed to have complaints, Namikaze Minato's eyes finally sternly said: "Two advisors, Konoha has now weakened to the lowest period in decades. Haven't you noticed it?"

"The Rock Ninja, which had been defeated, dared to openly start a war again. Don't forget that the Cloud Ninja has not signed a ceasefire agreement until now. In addition, after the previous Nine-Tails Rebellion, the current village is actually strong on the outside but weak on the inside. Excuse me, Konoha has long lost the deterrent power of the first ninja village..."

"So now, ending the war as soon as possible at the lowest cost, and then letting the village recuperate, is the first priority!"

Namikaze Minato's words were deafening, and for a moment, everyone at the table was moved.

The truth is hard to hear, but it is true.

It has to be admitted that although the former Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen left a mess after the Nine-Tails Rebellion, he did create the heyday of Konoha decades ago.

At that time, Konoha had many elites such as the White Fang Three Ninjas. Although Konoha had a good foundation, it was also inseparable from the governance of the village.

Now, although the three ninjas are still in Konoha, one is disunited and the other is decadent, leaving Jiraiya alone. The new generation of the Twelve Little Warriors were born at this time. Now the village is in urgent need of training. It will take at least ten years for the next generation of pillars to grow up.

Mitomon En and Utatane Koharu were slightly stunned by Minato Namikaze's momentum, and their eyes flickered.

Perhaps the Fourth Hokage really saw it more clearly than them.

Thinking about it carefully, the expansion of the Guardian Ninja is actually just an impact within the Land of Fire, but if the war fails, the most direct damage will be Konoha's position in the ninja world...

The two consultants finally looked at each other and nodded.

Utatane Koharu agreed with relief: "Then do as you say, Fourth Hokage."

No matter what, they all started from the interests of the village, so Namikaze Minato's remarks just now really convinced them.

"Fourth Hokage..., for the Guardian Ninja, let's pick someone from the Root..." Danzo was the first to recover his composure, a trace of unwillingness flashed across his eyes, and he wanted to fight for it quietly.

If Namikaze Minato was allowed to arrange the candidates, it would undoubtedly disrupt his plan.

Recalling the conditions during the secret talks in the Daimyo's mansion, he tried his best to promote the passage of the expansion resolution, and let the Fire Country Daimyo agree that if the war failed, he would support him in impeaching the Fourth Hokage.

So selecting people from the Root to be Guardian Ninjas was also one of his plans to plant spies around the Daimyo.

Now Namikaze Minato has to make his own arrangements, which he did not expect...

"No need, Danzo-sama. Each member of the Root is an elite cultivated with great effort. It is such a waste to send them to the Daimyo Prefecture like this..."

Namikaze Minato smiled meaningfully, as if he could see through him, and looked at Danzo with burning eyes.

When he mentioned the words elite and waste, he deliberately emphasized his tone.

Until Danzo felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze, he lowered his left eye and drank tea to cover it up, and then he continued: "I will send people to the Daimyo Prefecture at the latest tomorrow. Let's discuss the war in front..."

After saying that, he signaled Nara Shikaku with his eyes.

In his opinion, as long as the Pot King is kept under a tight watch, basically nothing will happen, although the fact that the Pot King insisted on arranging his own Root members to be guardian ninjas is a little strange...

As usual, Nara Shikaku stood up and began to analyze the front-line war.

First, the recent battle damage report, casualties, and the latest developments of the Rock Ninja were read out. When it was mentioned that the enemy's offensive suddenly slowed down and its troops were reduced in recent days, everyone began to express their opinions.

"This should be a preparation for a long-term confrontation, right? I heard that even Jiraiya and Orochimaru were sent to the front line yesterday?"

Mitokaze En asked Namikaze Minato for confirmation.

Namikaze Minato nodded. The Rock Ninja sent out all their forces this time, with almost no reservations. Konoha naturally did not dare to be arrogant. At this time, only Jiraiya could be relied on. As for Orochimaru, Namikaze Minato knew that he had long lost the intention to devote himself to Konoha. He sent him there just to prevent him from harming the ninjas of his own village in a short period of time.

By the way, there was also the intention of asking Jiraiya to keep an eye on him.

"If it comes to competing in consumption, Konoha is certainly not afraid of any village, but I always feel that things are a bit strange..."

Nara Shikaku pondered.

"What's so strange about this? The Land of Earth launched such a fierce offensive before, and now the troops are shrinking. It can only be because of insufficient stamina. The logistics supply is difficult to support the high-intensity war on the front line..." After listening to the report, Shimura Danzo put down the teacup in his hand and said casually.

"If that's the case, then maybe now is the time to launch a counterattack, defeat the Rock Ninja and end the war."

The two consultants were not good at tactics, but according to the laws of war, their proposals seemed to be fine.

However, Minato Namikaze ignored these outsiders and only looked at Nara Shikaku with expectation, and then asked: "Captain Shikaku, what do you think, just speak frankly..."