Inoichi Yamanaka was no stranger to geniuses. On the contrary, he had seen plenty—and each one had been remarkable. Lady Tsunade, Orochimaru, the Fourth Hokage, Kakashi Hatake, and even Itachi Uchiha, who had reached Kage-level power at only twelve or thirteen. Yet, despite all that, Uzumaki Naruto still managed to shock him.
His raw strength could be chalked up to talent, but his political acumen—that couldn't be explained by talent alone. Could he truly be gifted in that realm as well?
Such insight was usually honed through years of experience, and yet Naruto was still so young!
Nara Shikaku waved his hand casually, took a sip of tea, and savored its aroma before speaking.
"Times are changing. Uzumaki Naruto is clearly someone special—a product of his era. He's not just a genius; he's a prodigy, one in a million."
"Even though he's only thirteen now, remember—Itachi Uchiha was also at that level at his age. Geniuses are difficult to comprehend, but true prodigies… they're beyond measure."
"In the future, Naruto will be a man who shakes the very foundations of the world—just like the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara once did."
Akimichi Choza, who had remained silent until now, let out a sharp breath. The names Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara were enough to make any shinobi pause. They were the ones who ended the Warring States Era and built the foundation for the village system that defined the modern Shinobi World.
Those two were legends. Was Shikaku truly comparing Naruto to them?
Shikaku's tone was calm but certain. "Don't think I'm exaggerating. I believe Naruto's achievements will one day surpass even the First Hokage's."
"Hiss—!"
Inoichi and Choza exchanged stunned looks, disbelief flashing in their eyes.
"That's impossible, isn't it?" Inoichi finally said. "Even if Naruto can harness the Nine-Tails' power, the Nine-Tails was no match for the First Hokage's Wood Release back then."
He shook his head, still doubtful—but he knew Shikaku well enough to realize that the man never spoke without reason.
"I'm not talking about sheer strength," Shikaku said evenly. "I can't predict how powerful he'll become, but that's not the point. His most terrifying strength lies here."
He reached into his pouch and pulled out a small book—its cover marked with the insignia of the Umbrella organization—and a compact metal handgun.
"This is…?" Choza asked.
"That's right," Shikaku replied.
"This is it. Uzumaki Naruto's ambitions extend far beyond the 'one country, one village' system. His goal… might be the unification of the entire Shinobi World—just as Uchiha Madara once dreamed."
"Madara failed," Inoichi said slowly. "What makes you think Naruto can succeed?"
Both he and Choza leaned forward, their curiosity piqued. Among the trio, Shikaku knew the most about Naruto—largely because Shikamaru often corresponded with him through letters.
"The difference lies in intent," Shikaku explained.
"Madara sought to conquer the Shinobi World through power. Hashirama stopped him, and history remembers Madara as the villain. But after reading this book… I think I finally understand."
"Madara wasn't necessarily wrong. He believed only true unification could bring lasting peace to the world. His flaw wasn't in the vision—it was in the method. Such unity, achieved by force, would've bathed the world in endless blood."
"That was why Hashirama opposed him. But even Hashirama's path—creating the village system—wasn't a perfect solution."
"As for Uzumaki Naruto…" Shikaku's eyes narrowed slightly.
"He's learned from their mistakes. Instead of seizing control through strength, he's starting from the bottom—winning over the people themselves, reshaping society one step at a time."
"He's reforming how ninjutsu is used, developing technology that can benefit civilians, even creating weapons capable of allowing ordinary people to stand against shinobi."
"Right now, he already controls nearly thirty percent of the entire market's food supply. Even the Seven Colors Trading Company… belongs to him."
Shikaku looked at his comrades—his fellow shinobi—with quiet gravity.
"Can you truly imagine the power that represents?"
Bang!
A sound broke the silence. Inoichi Yamanaka and Akimichi Choza did not need Shikaku's reminder to grasp the scope of that power—they already understood how formidable it could be.
"You mean… the Seven Colors Trading Company is also Uzumaki Naruto's?" Inoichi blurted.
"He controls thirty percent of the market's food supply?"
"That's right." Shikaku's voice was steady.
"You should also know he has a group of powerful subordinates, cooperates with Orochimaru, and is behind an extremely mysterious organization. They kept to the shadows and prepared quietly—there's been a lot of groundwork."
Shikaku had been mistaken in one respect: he'd assumed Naruto was a high-ranking member of the Umbrella Organization. In truth, Naruto was the architect of the Umbrella.
Naruto's influence wasn't limited to Konohagakure—Gaara's resources were effectively under his sway as well. Sunagakure might not be entirely his, but at least half of its power answered to him.
After the initial shock wore off, both men grew quieter, their excitement curdling into calculation. Inoichi cleared his throat and tried for casualness. "So, Shikaku… what do you plan to do? My daughter is his classmate, and she's rather pretty. If you're throwing in with him—"
Choza stared at him, open-mouthed. He couldn't help it: Inoichi was offering up his daughter with startling speed.
Even Shikaku was speechless for a moment. Yet beneath his surprise he admired Inoichi's foresight—he was the sort of man who could read the signs most others missed.
Had Shikamaru not sent those letters, Shikaku admitted to himself, he might never have realized how far Naruto's power had already reached.
If the truth about Naruto and the Umbrella were to leak, the attention of the Shinobi World would be no less intense than it had been for the Akatsuki three years later. And Shikamaru—clever as he was—had deliberately let this information reach them through calculated channels. It was an opportunity.
Naruto had taken an interest in the Nara clan. The Nara were famed for their intellect and suitability for leadership, and the Ino–Shika–Chō alliance was, effectively, a two-for-one strategic gain.
"You must have noticed," Shikaku said, eyes burning with conviction, "Lady Tsunade is already half-committed to the Umbrella Organization. Konoha's wheels are turning as part of that machine."
"And in time, how far this spark from the Umbrella can spread—that's a scale the Shinobi World hasn't seen in a thousand years."
Shikaku rose, unable to still the heat in his chest. Inoichi and Choza stood beside him, their expressions strained between disbelief and a dawning understanding.
Could the coming conflict between the Umbrella and the wider Shinobi World eclipse the Great Ninja Wars?
Only Shikaku seemed to see the breadth of it clearly. Shikamaru was brilliant, yes, but not everyone could perceive the same patterns. Within the Umbrella, perhaps only Shisui and Shikaku could grasp it so fully: this would be a clash of classes.
From their vantage point, the odds were neither hopeless nor certain—success was possible, but far from guaranteed.
One thing was clear: if their clan did not get aboard this war chariot, decline was likely unless a heaven-defying genius appeared among their ranks.
And Shikaku knew they had little choice. Uzumaki Naruto—the little fox who'd roped Shikamaru into his plans—had already set the wheel in motion.
"Inoichi, Choza," Shikaku said, voice firm, "we must send some of our clansmen into the Umbrella Organization."
"For the sake of our families, it's time our blood ran hot again."
He clenched his fists; determination hardened his features. The three old friends shared a wry, nostalgic smile—memories of a younger, more passionate struggle flickered across their faces—and the pact was made.
...
TN:
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