He is the Jonin Squad Leader of Konoha, and every word and action represents the face of Konoha, so he cannot afford any negligence. Especially in educating his descendants, he undoubtedly pours all his effort.
Hiruzen smiled and led Shikaku into his study.
"So, Lord Hokage, what is the reason you've summoned me here during this time of rest?"
Shikaku inquired, puzzled.
Regarding this matter, Hiruzen couldn't help but sigh and said, "I originally didn't want to trouble you with this, but Tsunade wrote to me. Some things she mentioned in her letter I find hard to grasp, so I need you to help me discuss them."
"Is that so?"
Shikaku nodded, his mind starting to become active.
Someone urgently seeking him out for discussion at this time surely means it's no trivial matter.
"Is Lady Tsunade not planning to return by year's end?"
"She won't return; she has business in the Shikkotsu Forest."
Hiruzen replied.
"What about Lord Jiraiya?"
"Jiraiya will stay for a few days to exchange information with the village here. He not only needs to investigate Orochimaru, but also handle the intelligence from the Land of Demons."
Although aware that Jiraiya tends to be reckless and stubborn in certain aspects, Hiruzen knows that Jiraiya's ability to gather information is strong, ensuring Konoha doesn't remain in the dark about the outside world.
For Konoha, Jiraiya is by no means dispensable. As long as two of the Sannin are alive, they serve as stabilizing pillars for Konoha.
"Alright, enough about them. Here is the letter Tsunade wrote to me; the content is a bit lengthy, so take your time reading it. I'll go make you a cup of tea."
Hiruzen took out Tsunade's letter.
This is no ordinary letter; there are more than a dozen sheets filled with substantial content, piquing Shikaku's interest.
If it were just a simple greeting, half a sheet would suffice; there's no need to write so much.
A few minutes later, Hiruzen returned to the study, carrying tea and placing it beside Shikaku.
But at this moment, Shikaku was evidently uninterested in drinking tea, his eyes fixated on the sheets, reading each word carefully, not skipping a single part.
A few more minutes passed, and Shikaku finally finished reading all the content of the letter, let out a deep breath, and his expression became solemn.
The content Tsunade wrote in the letter is not simply a greeting to the village but rather an investigation report.
It compares various countries in the Ninja Realm, including the Land of Fire, with the emerging Land of Demons.
The comparison aspects encompass but are not limited to national taxation, industry, economy, agriculture, military, and state systems.
It bluntly points out various issues existing in most Ninja Realm countries and leads to a single conclusion—the rise of the Land of Demons is not coincidental but inevitable.
Moreover, it offers a highly affirmative prediction that within the foreseeable future of a decade or so, the Land of Fire will not be a match for the Land of Demons.
In the new era opened by the Land of Demons, the decline of the Land of Fire and Konoha is evident.
This decline is not due to weak ninja military power but is comprehensive. Even militarily, as the overall national strength rises, the Land of Demons will become terrifyingly powerful, making Konoha unable to compare.
Setting aside top-tier ninja combat strength, the middle and lower levels will also be thoroughly outmatched by the Land of Demons.
The Land of Demons seemingly will become a giant looming over the heads of the Ninja Realm countries.
These insights, so sharp-yet-insightful, resonated with Shikaku.
Because, during the last visit to the Daimyo's Mansion with Hiruzen, he also felt the dreadful aspects of the Land of Demons.
It's just that Tsunade's current revelations allowed him to see the core part of it.
Though it's only a part, not the whole, it nonetheless stirred a fierce upheaval within Shikaku.
He knows Tsunade's words are not false; both the Land of Fire and Konoha are indeed on a downhill path, an indisputable fact.
A few years ago, they could barely fight against Hidden Cloud, with victories and losses.
But now, if it were a full-scale war with Hidden Cloud, the results would likely be more losses than wins.
The Land of Lightning has been diligently developing its ninja squads for decades, constantly expanding armaments during both war and peace times, while Konoha lacks such ambitions, perhaps indulging in past glories, forgetting that the Hidden Cloud Village is no longer the Hidden Cloud Village of the past.
Currently, the apparent number of ninjas in Hidden Cloud Village has surpassed that of Konoha Village, and Hidden Cloud shows no intention of stopping, continuing to expand its forces.
Because the Land of Lightning desires to compete for the position of the first great nation, and Hidden Cloud Village also yearns to defeat Konoha, becoming the First Ninja Village.
With the united power of the Daimyo and Raikage directed outwardly, a harmonious situation arises where the military and government of the Land of Demons are completely unified.
This is a truly terrifying scenario.
The relationship between the Daimyo and Raikage of the Land of Lightning is more harmonious than that between the Daimyo and Hokage of the Land of Fire.
Not to mention the Land of Demons where the government and military are entirely unified.
Even in terms of population and land, they don't hold an advantage over the Land of Fire, but catching up is only a matter of time. Perhaps they have already surpassed the Land of Fire, who knows.
"So, Shikaku, what do you think?"
Hiruzen asked.
"If my speculation is correct, Lady Tsunade... intends to carry out reforms targeting the internal environment of Konoha."
Shikaku gave this answer.
Hiruzen nodded, sharing the same thought.
Of his three disciples, Jiraiya's character is the most simple and honest, Orochimaru is the most radical, Tsunade is similar, but because she harbors kindness, she wouldn't walk the unscrupulous path of Orochimaru.