It's Too Troublesome to be Hokage

In the Shadow Pavilion, Nara Shikadan leaned over his desk, his mind racing through strategic plans for tomorrow's battle against Minato Namikaze.

From the start, Shikadan had accepted one principle: "If I can guarantee a win, it's a success." Yet another thought persisted—someone always wins. Why not me?

Still, even after carefully studying Minato's abilities, Shikadan could not figure out how to defeat him.

In the ninja world, some monsters transcend all logic.

Even with detailed intel, facing them is daunting.

Take the S-rank rebel Kakuzu, for example.

A nearly flawless "small hexagonal warrior," Kakuzu was nearly impossible to beat even with full information.

Shikadan exploited Kakuzu's poor perception and inability to detect [Camouflage], destroying two of his hearts with a coordinated Ino-Shika-Cho frontal and sneak attack.

But Kakuzu and Minato Namikaze were entirely different beasts.

If Kakuzu was a "small hexagonal warrior," Minato was a "compass warrior."

That is, Minato's speed breaks mortal limits.

Beneath the Six Paths, the instantaneous Flying Thunder God Technique was effectively invincible.

Shikadan wasn't without counters to this technique—but none were allowed for tomorrow's challenge.

His battle with Uchiha Shisui had revealed Shikadan's true position: a solid ninja leaning on secret techniques.

Fully unleashed, his strength might rise a level.

But that was all.

Having mastered almost every Nara clan [Shadow Secret Technique], Shikadan knew their limits.

[Shadow Secret Techniques] weren't overwhelming ninjutsu.

Though devastating if they caught an opponent's shadow, they required first making contact.

But ninjas' movement and reflexes far exceeded ordinary people's.

Elite Nara jonin often found shadows failing to keep pace.

That was why the Nara clan formed an alliance with the Akimichi and Yamanaka clans back in the Warring States Period.

Each clan's secret techniques had strengths and weaknesses.

Only by cooperating could they cover their flaws and maximize their power.

Still, the "Ino-Shika-Cho" trio had an unspoken flaw: the Akimichi clan, usually main attackers, weren't quite strong enough.

But that's beside the point.

Against slow or careless foes, Shikadan could use shadow secrets and tactics to seize victory.

But Minato Namikaze?

Shikadan was pessimistic.

Minato had already studied the Nara clan's shadow secrets, making them even less effective.

"I can only rely on [Shadow Secret] and conventional ninjutsu."

Shikadan called up his [Ninjutsu Ability] panel, searching for an opening.

Conventional [Shadow Secret Techniques] were nearly useless—no shadow could catch Minato's speed.

But if he wanted to win, he had to find a way to catch Minato's shadow.

He finally settled on a B-rank technique:

[Spiral Shadow Piercing Bullet].

The fastest attack in Shikadan's shadow arsenal, it combined the Chinoike Clan's [Blood Piercing Bullet] and a semi-completed [Rasengan].

With his newly developed [Lacquer Eye], throwing this B-rank ninjutsu was no longer difficult.

But relying on it alone wouldn't suffice.

"It's best to integrate powerful [Shadow Secret] control into the [Shadow Piercing Bullet]."

To save time, Shikadan quietly created multiple [Shadow Clones] to assist.

By nightfall, he had developed a new B-rank ninjutsu:

[Spiral Shadow Binding Bullet]

Self-developed advanced shadow secret technique.

Inject Yin-Dun Chakra into the shadow, solidifying it into a high-speed rotating projectile.

Initial speed exceeds the speed of sound.

Upon hitting the enemy's shadow, the burst of Yin-Dun Chakra temporarily restricts their movement.

[Technique evaluation: My lord, times have changed!]

A shadow binding technique with extreme speed and long-range capability.

Satisfied, Shikadan dismissed his clones, left the Shadow Pavilion, and went home to rest.

Hopefully it will be effective tomorrow...

The next morning, Shikadan woke promptly to his internal biological clock.

Immediately, he checked his panel.

Sure enough:

[Speed +24]

[Speed: E- → D-]

In one natural day, staying motionless (besides basic needs) enhances Speed.

Also, his Strength had been upgraded to D-level.

Shikadan's expression was complicated.

"Stamina increases by eating; Strength by saving energy; Speed by lying down."

"It really is a 'Lazy Ninja Goes to Heaven' system."

"Lazy people's perfect spot should be a nutrient-filled dormant chamber, right?"

At first, he thought his "golden finger" was a pure task guarantee system.

Turns out, it was a forced lazy system.

"Still, the Speed boost increases my chances today."

Shikadan closed the panel, washed up, and ate.

"Being lazy isn't so bad after all."

After breakfast, he hurried from Kikyo Castle toward Konoha.

The sparring was scheduled at Konoha's training grounds—not near the castle.

Upon arriving, he bought some combat ninja tools at Konoha Weapons Shop, then went to the third training ground.

It was five minutes before ten.

Shikadan sat silently, regulating his breathing.

Suddenly, a flash of yellow.

Minato Namikaze appeared.

Unlike before, Minato wore only dark blue sportswear, no jonin vest.

"Sorry, Nara-kun."

Minato noticed Shikadan immediately, surprised, and nodded apologetically.

"I'm late."

Shikadan inwardly smiled.

"I expected Nara ninjas to be half an hour late. Didn't expect you to be so early..."

There really was a diligent ninja in the Nara clan.

He couldn't read the little sun's thoughts.

"No apology needed, Minato Jonin."

Shikadan rose calmly.

"It's a few minutes before time. I just came early.

"I hope you don't mind me preparing on the training ground."

Battle preparations?

Minato pulled a slight grin, a bead of sweat forming.

He had underestimated this child's seriousness.

"That's fine."

Minato pulled a kunai from his pouch.

"Let's start sparring now.

"When I drop this kunai, the battle officially begins. Agreed?"

"No problem."

Shikadan took a deep breath.

"Let's begin."

They faced each other and formed the "Seal of Opposition."

Minato lightly tossed the black kunai into the air.

It spun several times and slowly plunged into the ground.

The moment it touched down—

Whoosh!

Minato vanished without a trace.

Shikadan's pupils contracted.

He sensed a strange breath behind him before his eyes could catch it.

"The battle begins."

Minato's voice came coldly from behind, mingled with the faint smell of iron.

"But it's over, Nara-kun."

"Really?"

Shikadan's tone was calm as shadows spread beneath his feet like a net.

"I don't think so."

-End Chapter-

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