Fleeing from Konoha-Chapter 540 - 72: Isolation (Part 2)

During that mission, to be honest, Shikaku didn’t feel like he had any role. He was just a spectator.

With Minato’s abilities, he could handle it all by himself.

It’s not that Shikaku was belittling his own abilities, it’s just a fact.

Minato’s personal brilliance was too dazzling.

Being exceptionally good and not fitting in is also a kind of sorrow.

"Being too exceptional can put pressure on your comrades. If one person completes the mission alone, it makes the others seem incompetent. Minato might gain immense fame through his strength, but such fame is like a castle in the air. It seems high in status, but without substantial power, it’s meaningless when it comes to real village affairs."

Once such a person becomes Hokage, he’ll surely be a puppet.

Chouza and Inoichi looked complicated, understanding Shikaku’s point.

Back then, even Hatake Sakumo needed three team members to form the invincible White Fang Squad.

However, Minato, as the Yellow Flash, surpassed the White Fang Squad, being a true one-man army.

Because no one could keep up with his movements.

Ninjas teaming up with him would only feel redundant and incompetent.

During two major actions that changed Konoha’s disadvantage in the Land of Grass, Minato was undeniably the main contributor.

Yet, his every action felt like a solo performance on stage.

People admired and were in awe of his power, but wouldn’t feel a deeper sense of identification with him.

At least most ninjas couldn’t further identify with Minato.

At best, he was just the second Konoha White Fang.

"Minato stands too high, so high that many can only look up to and respect him, unable to approach, because it would harm themselves."

Shikaku smiled wryly.

He never realized Minato had such a flaw.

To become the village’s Hokage, fame and strength are one aspect, but leadership is also crucial.

In most of Minato’s actions, he ends the battle alone.

In this decisive battle with the Hidden Rock, Jiraiya was in charge of battlefield command, not Minato, highlighting the issue.

Minato has never shown what his leadership abilities were like.

Good or bad, it’s an unknown.

A leader’s commanding abilities are the best way to unite people and build a team.

And Minato... lacks these advantages, or rather hasn’t had the time and space to use them.

In contrast, the Sannin have achieved the ultimate in this regard.

Especially Orochimaru, who achieved significant victory on the Land of Rain’s battlefield.

"Go and remind him." Chouza and Inoichi suggested.

"Not now."

"Why not?"

"Do you think the higher-ups wouldn’t have thought of something I’ve thought of?"

Shikaku’s words left Chouza and Inoichi silent.

"This might be exactly what the higher-ups enjoy seeing. To change things, it can only happen after Minato becomes Hokage. Reminding him now would only make the higher-ups more vigilant and restrict Minato more strictly."

The Fourth Hokage can only be between Minato and Orochimaru.

If the Fourth Hokage is Orochimaru, for Shikaku, it’s not a bad start.

Because Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, has a solid foundation of fame and team, making him Hokage with capable subordinates at the ready.

Though the three of them need a period of testing before Orochimaru would acknowledge their abilities.

If the Fourth Hokage isn’t Orochimaru but Minato, there are also pros and cons.

Minato would be in a state of having no capable assistants at that time. The three of them could directly reach the core layer and become Minato’s first team.

The downside is they must constantly face the political pressure from the Third Hokage.

That is not an easy task.

"Is that so?"

Chouza and Inoichi sighed.

They never anticipated how complex the village’s situation would be.

"Moreover... perhaps Minato himself has already realized this."

Shikaku smiled with relief.

"What? Minato... he realized it himself? Then why..."

Chouza’s eyes widened.

Did Minato realize it himself?

"As someone involved, he would naturally realize much earlier than someone like me who relies on intelligence gathering. After all, Minato’s mental capability isn’t weak. If he realized something and intentionally maintains the current state, then our work would be much easier later."

Without strategy, one cannot achieve great things.

Fame alone without actual power is indeed useless, but fame is the best foundation.

Once the foundation of fame is solidified, converting it to real power is a way to break through a disadvantaged position.

If Minato is indeed the genius I imagine, it’s possible everything he’s doing now is preparing for a certain goal in advance.

That would be the best scenario.

But whether Minato actually realized it, Shikaku wasn’t sure; it was all speculation.

He designed two different plans based on the Fourth Hokage candidate.

One for Orochimaru, and one for Minato.

"What do we do next?" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Chouza looked at Shikaku.

"The Hidden Rock should already fear Minato’s power. Along with losing a large amount of supplies, the long-standing stalemate is no longer tenable. If they’re smart, they’ll soon send someone to announce a ceasefire."

Shikaku stroked his chin and answered.

"So next it’s just the Hidden Cloud left."

"Yes, the Hidden Cloud... that’s going to be a tough battle. Now we wait for notifications from the village. If Minato is sent to the Hidden Cloud battlefield next and returns victorious, the position of the Fourth Hokage will undoubtedly be Minato’s."