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Entering the village, Kazuki began issuing orders.

"All Hyūga clan members, return to your compound. Without my order, no one is to take a single step outside! Shikaku, organize the Anbu and other clan ninja to watch them. If any Hyūga member steps outside, that’s your dereliction of duty!"

Kazuki didn’t hide his intentions. He issued the order publicly.

He wanted everyone to know he was going to deal with the Hyūga clan.

"Lord Advisor!"

Perhaps emboldened by being back in the village, a few Hyūga elders tried to object.

But Kazuki ignored them. He didn’t even spare them a glance, silencing them with a direct command.

"Anyone who disregards the warning will be treated as a war criminal. I authorize you to kill first and report later!"

"....."

The gathered Anbu teams looked at the Hyūga with unfriendly eyes.

They didn’t care about the politics between the village and the Hyūga. They just followed orders.

Kill first, report later – had Konoha ever issued a stricter command?

"Shikaku, make the arrangements."

With that, Kazuki left, leaving a miserable Shikaku standing there dumbfounded.

But he had no choice.

"Everyone, better follow orders. Don’t make things difficult for me, and don’t make things difficult for yourselves. Please."

The Hyūga were already surrounded, layers deep. Any wrong move, and they’d be killed without mercy.

After all, Kazuki had said: kill first, report later.

The Anbu were known for following orders, not knowing faces.

With such an order, they’d deliver it.

Especially the newly reorganized Anbu – their style was even more ruthless.

"Back to the compound! Await the clan leader’s return!!"

Hyūga Hiashi hadn’t returned with them. He was being escorted later.

Or so Kazuki claimed. "Escorted" wasn’t the right word – as long as Hiashi kept a low profile on his return. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

With the clan leader absent, the Grand Elder had to take command.

Escorted by large numbers of ninja, the Hyūga reluctantly returned to their compound, obediently staying inside, not daring to step outside.

Fortunately, Shikaku knew how to handle things.

On the way back, he walked alongside the Hyūga Grand Elder.

"Grand Elder, this isn’t really my place to say, but Lord Advisor is very angry right now. You’d better keep the clan’s order stable. Don’t let any conflicts or problems arise. As for food, I’ll send people over on time. Of course, you’ll have to pay. I’m just delivering, not giving it away for free. If you stay calm, everyone can avoid a difficult situation. What do you think?"

"Fine. We’ll do as you say, Shikaku."

The Grand Elder couldn’t put on airs with Shikaku.

First, Shikaku was the Hokage’s personal strategist. Second, he was the leader of the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance, the next head of the Nara clan.

Neither of these made him inferior to the Hyūga Grand Elder.

Good.

With the Hyūga behaving, Shikaku breathed a sigh of relief.

After all the Hyūga had returned to their compound, he summoned the Anbu team leaders.

"Keep your eyes open, but don’t overstep. Lord Advisor gave a severe order, but don’t cause any major incidents, understand?"

"Yes, Lord Shikaku. Understood."

The team leaders all agreed.

After making all arrangements, Shikaku finally had a moment to rest.

Ah, finally free. Hiding in a corner, Shikaku giggled. His smile was rather... unsightly.

He was too happy.

He didn’t know how Kazuki would react to the mountain of documents and scrolls piled on the Hokage’s desk.

He only knew he’d shed his burden. The pressure was gone.

If anything came up, Lord Advisor would handle it.

Ah, the joy of being free!

Watching people?

This is a cushy job!

No one can take it from me!

Oh, how wonderful.

As for Lord Advisor, he could slowly handle the official duties.

Oh, right. Maybe ordering some barbecue for Lord Advisor would be a nice gesture?

Decision made. Shikaku immediately called over a clan member and sent him to the Akimichi clan’s barbecue restaurant.

The usual order: send a batch of ingredients and barbecue supplies to the Hokage’s office.

"Ah, so comfortable."

Dismissing his clansman, Shikaku casually sat on the grass, leaning against a tree trunk, contentedly squinting his eyes.

Though the sky was overcast, it didn’t affect his good mood.

I’m happy today.

"....."

Damn it!

Shikaku was very happy. Back in the Hokage’s office, Kazuki cursed.

Staring at the mountain of documents and scrolls, he fell silent, unable to snap out of it for a long time.

Shikaku’s approach was simple: anything he couldn’t handle, he just piled up.

Wait!

Wait for Kazuki to return, or wait for Tsunade to return.

He wasn’t going to be the fall guy.

If nothing went wrong, fine. If something did, ten Shikakus couldn’t bear the responsibility.

Looking at the shiny Hokage seal on the desk – polished clean by Shikaku – Kazuki felt it was glaring at him.

Fortunately, the delivery from the barbecue restaurant improved his mood.

After eating, Kazuki reluctantly sat in the Hokage’s seat, miserably handling the backlog of village affairs.

Not the Hokage, but doing the Hokage’s job – that was Kazuki.

Kazuki was busy from morning till night.

At that moment, the Third Hokage came to the Hokage’s office.

He came about the Hyūga matter. Hearing what had happened, the Third Hokage worried Kazuki might slaughter the Hyūga clan.

Unable to shake his concern, he came to the Hokage’s office.

"It’s already past midnight."