V

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Arc V Chapter 3

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Shikaku gazed at Asami across his desk. Asami officially outsmarted him, what a shameful display. He was Konoha’s undisputed tactical and strategic adviser. He was rarely bested during his long career, but today he was.

He expected his son to surpass him eventually, but Shikamaru had a serious contender. Shikamaru shouldn't take her lightly.

Shikaku leaned back in his chair, unsure. Should he side with Asami, or not?

He made a decision. What could happen anyway? The end of the world? Surely not.

Shikaku sighed, exhausted and reluctant to estimate the numbers of years he lost. In a matter of hours, he aged decades.

He seriously needed a drink, a strong one if possible. A seasoned bottle of Sake would be a good choice.

Shikaku relented. He gave up his resistance.”You win, Asami. We are going with your plan. Are you satisfied now?”

Asami grinned. Victory was hers. “I am, Shikaku-kun, I am. You are a good boy.”

”We will present you the concrete operational plan next week. Is that acceptable, Shikaku? I gave you only a rough overview so far.”

When she said we she meant Fumihiko. Her assistant lacked experience. Entrusting Fumihiko with all the administrative work would help him polish his skills. He needed practice and Asami wanted to reduce her workload.

Asami sheathed her sword. ” Fumihiko, would be so kind as to roll out the next map.”

Her words freed Fumihiko from his stupor. Being addressed surprised him. He wasn't used to standing in the centre of attention. Usually, he was sidelined, ignored. ”Which map?”

“The world map please.” Asami planned the next stage of her little performance.

The Hokage tasked her with the defence of Konoha, but she had a broad definition of defence. Where did duty start? Where did duty end? Questions over questions.

Fumihiko unrolled the map. The Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, the Land of Water, the Land of Lightning, the Land of Earth appeared on the ground flanked by minor city states.

Kusagakure, Takigakure, Yugakure, Yukigakure Amegakure, villages condemned to perpetual insignificance, forever marionettes of foreign influence,The stage was set, the curtain lifted.

Shikaku grew concerned. Years of political machinations sharpened his senses. He didn’t like the direction this was going. A sinister glee coloured Asami’s eyes.

”A world map? Why do we need a world map, Asami?” Shikaku leaned forwards.

“Isn't the meeting already over? Because I need to go somewhere. You also said you would send me …” Shikaku stopped dead in his tracks. Asami cancelled his trip to the nearest bar.

Her petrifying stare pinned him down. “You, my friend, go nowhere unless I say so, understood?”

Shikaku gulped. Asami reminded him of Yoshino, his wife, only shorter, and less fearsome, but similarly dominant. Hopefully, Shikamaru wouldn't find out how he got whipped by a little girl.

Shikaku folded his hands. “Well, I guess I have time for you, Yoshi. .. Asami.“

“What do you want to show me?”

Asami beamed.”Let's have a nice chat about Konoha's future, Shikaku.”

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”A nice chat?” Shikaku raised his eyebrow. He grew suspicious. Asami's words rarely coincided with her intentions.

“Yes, just a nice chat with you, Konoha’s strategic genius, Konoha's brilliant tactician, …”

“You know, flattery won't get you far.” His time was limited and so was his patience.

“So what do you want, Asami?”

Asami flashed a predatory grin. ”You, Shikaku, have what I lack, you possess direct access to the village council.”

“I ask you to inform the council about a variety of worrying circumstances, circumstances that have been ignored for far too long, circumstances the village council failed to grasp due to a lack of ... strategic foresight.”

“And that would be?” Shikaku massaged his temples, frustrated, close to an existential crisis. He capitulated, surrendered, hoisted the white flag.

Shikaku despaired. Reading Asami proved impossible. He couldn't read her at all. Certain people were hard nuts to crack, difficult to read, but Asami was in a completely different league. Asami was a human sphinx, enigmatic, arcane.

Normally, it was him who held the cards. He read his opponents and predicted their actions, but Asami eluded him.

World map? Village council? Ignored? Failed to recognise? Strategic foresight? Shikaku didn't understand. What was she talking about?

Shikaku wanted to bash his head against his desk. Asami bested him intellectually and hurt his pride. He felt incompetent, inept, inadequate.

Shikaku pinched the bridge of his nose. ”Tell me, what's so important that I should report it directly to council?” He lent her an ear. He listened.

Shikaku was by no means stupid, quite the contrary. He recognised brilliance when he saw it. He wouldn't underestimate Asami anymore.

Asami crossed her legs and motioned at the map. ”What do you see, Shikaku?”

“I see a map.” Shikaku yawned. He wasn't interested in her little games. Get to the point.

Asami chuckled. ”Indeed, it's a simple map, nothing special. But everything is a matter of perspective. The map might be the same, but we don't see the same. Danger looms over Konoha.”

“I ask again, what do you see, Shikaku?” Asami repeated her innocent question.

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