Nara Shikaku acted immediately. Taking advantage of the lunch break, he didn't even eat, and brought Nara Shikamaru out from home.
Although Nara Shikamaru was a bit confused, even somewhat helpless, remembering his father's words and his actions, he had to brace himself.
"Shikamaru, tell me, do you want to share the burden for your father and grandfather? Do you want to contribute to Konoha? Do you want to be praised by the legendary Hokage?" Shikamaru was stunned by these three questions from his father at home!
His first instinct was that Shikaku's words were a bit over the top, and he naturally felt it was troublesome.
Just as he was about to refuse, his father, at some unknown time, had used the secret technique Shadow Imitation, forcing him to nod. The next moment, with speed faster than lightning, he was brought to the Hokage Building.
The entire process took less than three minutes, unbelievably fast!
Meanwhile, Nara Luming was eating his lunch box. Only during lunch, eating the lunch prepared by his old friend's family, did he feel happiness and freedom.
Seeing Nara Shikaku bring his grandson over in less than three minutes, his expression became somewhat strange. However, Nara Shikaku simply picked up a lunch box and started eating as if nothing had happened.
Seeing the bewildered Nara Shikamaru, whose eyes had lost their sparkle, Nara Luming couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.
They say grandparents dote on their grandchildren. Nara Luming wasn't much better than Nara Shikaku back in the day, but seeing the panicked look on Nara Shikamaru's face when he was brought over, he sighed.
He slowly put down his chopsticks and lunch box, then walked over to little Shikamaru.
He slowly crouched down, gently patted Nara Shikamaru's little face with both hands, and smiled. "You've gained weight, little Shikamaru." He began to comfort his grandson.
And Nara Shikamaru, because his dearest grandfather started comforting him, felt warmth. He bowed respectfully. "Grandfather! Father called me here, but for what exactly?"
Though of a child's age, his eyes held a sharp gleam and steadiness. He politely inquired of Nara Luming.
Nara Luming was first taken aback, then laughed heartily. He pulled Shikamaru to his side, then asked the shinobi in the Hokage office to fetch another lunch box.
The Anbu shinobi, with respect in his eyes, received the order and immediately acted. In less than a minute, he returned with a sealed, steaming hot lunch box.
Nara Luming smiled, took the lunch box from the Anbu, praised him, then handed it to his grandson, Nara Shikamaru.
Grandson Nara Shikamaru also quickly stood up, formally thanked his grandfather and the Anbu shinobi, then placed the lunch box on the table.
Nara Luming opened Nara Shikamaru's lunch box, placed it on the coffee table, and moved his own lunch box from the desk to the coffee table as well, preparing to have lunch with his grandson.
He would also mention the reason for calling him here today and his request.
"Shikamaru, grandfather knows that among the younger generation in our family, you are the smartest, the most alert. Whether in dealing with people or handling matters, you are beyond reproach." Nara Luming praised.
Nara Shikamaru smiled slightly, then started eating his lunch box. Listening to his grandfather's words, he understood. As the head of a clan, this time his father brought him to the Hokage Building.
The matter was definitely not simple, even quite tricky, quite troublesome. Otherwise, he wouldn't have used that method to get his agreement.
And his grandfather's words now were like the calm before the storm, or like paving the way for the impending troublesome matter.
Seeing his grandson's demeanor, which was much stronger than Shikaku's at his age, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. He really was getting old! Each generation brings forth new talent.
With Shikaku and Shikamaru, the two closest people to him, the Nara clan would not have to worry about decline for at least three generations. Both of them were capable of shouldering the heavy responsibility of the Nara clan.
"Grandfather won't hide it from you anymore. The reason your father called you here today is about the matter of tribute from various countries." Nara Luming began to explain.
"My grandson surely already knows that Hokage Uchiha Ryun led the previous Hokages and the seniors of Konoha Village to wage war in all directions, and changed the Earth, Cloud, Mist, and Sand Villages into the Four Departments of Konoha."
"That is to say, the current Ninja World is all under the leadership of our Konoha Village. The Five Great Nations of Fire, Wind, Lightning, Earth, and Water are also all protected by our Konoha people." Nara Luming explained the current world situation.
Nara Shikamaru nodded, pride in his eyes. "Hokage-sama is unprecedented and will remain unparalleled, unifying the Ninja World. This unparalleled achievement commands admiration."
Nara Luming smiled. "Therefore, because all the hiring missions of the Five Great Nations are now handled by our Konoha, the various smaller countries have begun thinking about paying tribute and building friendly relations. They are coming to our Konoha for negotiations, attempting to gain our support."
"And as shinobi of Konoha, as absolute supporters of Hokage Uchiha Ryun, shouldn't we share his burdens, share the village's burdens, share the nation's burdens?" Nara Luming's tone gradually escalated.
Having worked in the Konoha Hokage Building for so long, his speech was becoming more and more like Uchiha Ryun's. He very much liked using progressive techniques to make his words grander, more persuasive, and easier to sway, no, convince, his subordinates.
Although Nara Shikamaru was a very intelligent person, where had he experienced such a situation? Such words made his blood boil, made his eyes burn with fervor at this moment. "Grandfather is right."
"As a member of our Nara family, one should have this spirit of serving the people, serving Hokage-sama, serving the prosperous development of Konoha Village, and fighting for the honor of the Land of Fire for a lifetime." Nara Luming added another sentence.
This almost made Nara Shikamaru lose his sense of reality. He looked at his grandfather with full admiration, feeling agreement and pride for his ideals and aspirations.
Nara Shikaku, being within the system, was not a little kid like Nara Shikamaru. Hearing this, he snorted coldly and continued eating. Little did he know his action displeased both the grandfather and grandson.
Grandfather Nara Luming frowned. What did this kid's cold snort mean? Does he disagree with what I said?
Grandson Nara Shikamaru was pulled back to reality from his reverie by his father's cold snort. He had almost been ready to go through fire and water for Konoha without hesitation.
"Shikaku, what do you mean? Do you think what your father said is wrong?" Nara Luming had been Vice Hokage for a long time and naturally had that imposing aura of a superior. Now speaking up, Nara Shikaku's expression changed.
"Ahem, no, what kind of talk is that, Father! Of course your son supports everything Father says." Nara Shikaku stopped eating and clarified his stance.
Nara Luming snorted. He had almost managed to sway his grandson into speaking up himself. Then he would only need to pat his shoulder and praise him, and the matter would be settled. But his son's cold snort ruined the initiative.
Nara Shikamaru thought for a moment, looked at Nara Luming, then at Nara Shikaku, and finally sighed. "Grandfather, just tell me what the matter is. If Shikamaru can do it, he will definitely not refuse."
Now he had also reacted to all this. His eyes showed helplessness as he thought that his grandfather was indeed formidable. A few words had stirred his emotions. Although he felt a bit manipulated, after all, they were family. He could not just put on a bad face.
Nara Luming patted Nara Shikamaru's head and sighed. "Grandfather needs you to help your father and your grandfather jointly receive the leaders of various countries and secure benefits for Konoha."
"You will first follow your grandfather and your father to learn how to negotiate, how to obtain the maximum benefits for Konoha. Today is mainly for observation and learning. Tomorrow, you will need to take charge personally. Do you have confidence?" Seeing Nara Shikamaru take the initiative to ask, Nara Luming no longer kept things hidden.
Nara Shikamaru nodded. He smiled. "Do not worry, Grandfather. I am also a member of the Nara family, and currently the sole heir of the main family line. I will definitely do my utmost to handle this matter well."
Seeing him speak with such firm conviction, Nara Luming could not help but feel somewhat gratified and also pained. What gratified him was that Nara Shikamaru had not grown crooked, was very sensible, and knew to share the burden for the Nara family.
What pained him was that Nara Shikamaru was not yet ten years old, yet had to start dealing with the top leaders and negotiation experts of various countries. The pressure was unimaginable. Of course, if Nara Shikamaru did not handle it well, there was no need to worry.
Because his surname was Nara. Behind him were Nara Luming, Uchiha Ryun, and the entire Konoha. To put it bluntly, if a small country became too demanding and Konoha stopped negotiating with them, it would definitely not be Konoha's loss, but theirs.
By then, other small countries would have good relations with Konoha, but that one country would not have a contract with Konoha. Think about it. Would those other countries then have different thoughts, even consider partitioning that country?
Yes, definitely. This was the inevitability of history. Either submit, or be attacked by surrounding countries, eventually losing territory and the support of the people.
This was absolutely unacceptable to those in power. So, the contract matter did not have much impact on Konoha. Even not signing a contract would not cause much impact on Konoha. Instead, it was those small countries that should worry, that should be anxious.
"Worthy of being a descendant of my Nara family. Do not worry, Grandfather and Hokage-sama Uchiha Ryun will always back you. And with your intelligence, you should understand that the initiative currently lies in our hands." Nara Luming's eyes lit up. Stroking his chin, he smiled.
Nara Shikamaru was stunned, then realized. He nodded heavily. Exactly so. Now it was these small countries actively seeking cooperation with Konoha, begging to hire Konoha shinobi.
So all this is decided by Konoha.
With this understanding, Nara Shikamaru relaxed a bit, but he still did not dare be negligent. Because although the initiative was theirs, they also represented the face of Konoha, the image of Konoha.
If they did not handle it well, it indeed would not have much major impact on Konoha, but it would make other countries think Konoha people were arrogant and rude, instantly tarnishing the image of a great nation.
Even if they were respectful and polite while in Konoha, after returning, who knew how they might gossip? Could Konoha just send shinobi to destroy their country because they spoke ill of Konoha behind its back? That was impossible.