Killing Intent

Hozuki Mangetsu!

Hearing this name, Yemo was slightly surprised, not expecting that the one who made him feel threatened would be him.

Hozuki Mangetsu is arguably the lowest-ranking supporting character in Hokage, only appearing later in the Fourth Shinobi World War, and even then, it was through the Impure World Reincarnation.

Although he is a minor character with very few appearances, Hozuki Mangetsu is quite famous. He is a renowned genius boy from Kirigakure. As for how he died, the manga doesn't say. However, Hozuki Mangetsu is still alive now, and with the help of the Chunin Ninja Exams, he can still have a showdown with him. Thinking of this, Yemo couldn't help but feel a little excited.

Upon hearing the name Hozuki Mangetsu, Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga showed no expression. Hozuki Mangetsu was only famous in Kirigakure and his fame had not yet spread to other ninja villages, so it would be strange if Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hiashi knew Hozuki Mangetsu.

However, Yemo was different. Upon hearing Yemo say his name, everyone in Kirigakure was surprised, and more than a dozen curious eyes immediately focused on Yemo.

Compared to Hozuki Mangetsu, Yemo is also quite well-known in the Shinobi World. Half a year ago, during the border conflict between Konoha Kumogakure, Yemo's achievement of killing a Jonin Kumogakure shocked the Shinobi World and shocked all the major villages.

From then on, Yemo 'Yemo name entered the sights of various villages, followed by a covert investigation into him. Killing Jonin at the age of six was unprecedented in the history of the Shinobi World.

"Is this guy Yemo Uzumaki, the one who killed a Jonin at the age of six?"

"A genius who appears only once in a century? I don't see anything special about him."

"Who knows? Maybe he was just lucky to kill that Kumogakure Jonin."

For a time, the Kirigakure Genin were abuzz with discussion, some shocked, some curious, some disdainful, and naturally, there were plenty of those who would slander them...

Only the little girl and Hozuki Mangetsu remained silent. After learning of Yemo's identity, Hozuki Mangetsu was filled with fighting spirit, his gaze fixed on Yemo with intense intensity.

The little girl tilted her head, muttering something cute, and looked at Yemo with curiosity in her eyes, though it was unclear what she was curious about.

Nagahiro said, "I didn't expect this person to be Yemo Uzumaki. No wonder he can use such a powerful Earth Release. He is truly a young prodigy."

Faced with Nagahiro's praise, Yemo responded with a slight smile, but inwardly he sneered. Nagahiro had clearly seen the fleeting killing intent in Ye Mo's eyes at that moment.

Yemo knew that Nagahiro harbored murderous intent towards him, but he also knew that Chang Hong had no chance of killing him, so he quickly concealed his murderous intent.

Yemo wasn't surprised that Nagahiro wanted to kill him, just like Minato had glanced at Hozuki Mangetsu several times in a short period of time.

This has nothing to do with hatred or cruelty; it's simply a matter of perspective. A war between the major ninja villages is inevitable. Neither side wants to see the other produce a troublesome genius. If they can kill the genius before he grows up, it will reduce the village's losses significantly. A fully grown genius is incredibly powerful. From Kirigakure's perspective, Yemo must die; from Konoha's perspective, Hozuki Mangetsu must also die. That's the ninja world.

Nagahiro said, "If I may ask, I wonder if everyone is returning to Konoha today? If so, I think we can travel together. After all, this is our first time in the Land of Fire, and there are many inconveniences. If we have friends from Konoha traveling with us, it will save us some trouble."

Clearly not expecting Nagahiro to bring this up, Minato paused for a moment, then shook his head and refused, saying, "I'm Kirigakure, everyone from Kirigakure, we're out on a mission, and we haven't completed it yet. We won't be returning to the village today."

Upon hearing from Minato that they still had a mission to carry out, Nagahiro asked doubtfully, "The Chunin Ninja Exams are in three days. Aren't these three planning to participate?"

With a slight smile, Minato explained, "Of course, all three of them will participate in the Chunin Ninja Exams, but we have a temporary mission. However, we should be able to complete the mission before the day after tomorrow."

"In that case, we'll leave now and head to Konoha. See you at the Chunin Ninja Exams!" Nagahiro bowed and took his leave.

"See you in the Chunin Ninja Exams!" Minato replied with a smile.

After Nagahiro finished speaking, he didn't waste any time and left with Kirigakure and his group, disappearing into the dense forest in the blink of an eye.

Seeing the group from Kirigakure leave, Kirigakure, who hadn't spoken Hizashi Hyuga, gazed in the direction they disappeared, rested his chin on his hand, and asked curiously, "What do you think those Kirigakure Ninja are up to?"

"Who cares?" Yemo said dismissively, holding the back of his head with both hands. "This is the Land of Fire. What trouble can two Kirigakure Jonin and nine Genin cause?"

"That's true! The Anbu aren't pushovers."

Hizashi Hyuga thought about it carefully and realized that Yemo was right. Even if these Kirigakure had any bad intentions, the hidden Anbu would probably be able to take care of them before they could even make a move.

This group of Kirigakure Ninja was being monitored by an Anbu squad. While searching for them, Hizashi also discovered the Anbu hidden in the shadows.

This is understandable, though. How could two Kirigakure Jonin nine Genin be left unsupervised? It's impossible to just let them swagger around the Land of Fire as they please.

Minato withdrew his gaze, glanced at Yemo, then looked up at the direction where the Kirigakure disappeared, and said calmly, "Did you feel it?"

"Killing intent?" Yemo asked rhetorically, gazing into the distance.

"It seems you've already sensed it," Minato said calmly.

After a pause, Yemo said meaningfully, "It seems the Shinobi World isn't so peaceful. Holding the Chunin Ninja Exams at this time isn't a good thing."

"Are you suggesting that this will exacerbate the conflict between the villages and escalate further?" Minato clearly understood the deeper meaning behind Yemo's words.

"Perhaps, no one is sure," Yemo replied somewhat ambiguously. To be honest, Yemo didn't feel comfortable offering any opinion on matters related to war.

However, Konoha's White Fang died on the eve of the Third Shinobi World War. White Fang died several months ago. According to the timeline, the Third Shinobi World War is indeed not far off. It may be next year, or it may be right after the Chunin Ninja Exams.

Minato looked down at Yemo, full of doubt, and said, "I really don't understand what's going on in your little head. When you think about things, you're not like a child at all, you're like an adult, and you even see things more deeply. You and Kushina are siblings, but the difference between you is huge."

Imagine Kushina at Yemo's age, wanting to avoid being seen by everyone, she declared her ambition to become the first female Hokage, only to be ridiculed as "Little Habanero." Enraged, she once followed these boys and beat them all up. Thus, Kushina earned a new title: Red Hot-Blooded Habanero.

In Minato's eyes, Kushina was very beautiful at that time, especially her bright red hair. She was optimistic, cheerful, and positive, and although she was sometimes a little silly, she was very cute.

In contrast, Yemo may look like a child, but once you spend some time with him, if it weren't for his age, you probably wouldn't believe he's a child. He acts and thinks like an adult, possessing a maturity far beyond his years. Perhaps that's what makes him a genius.

Upon hearing this, Yemo looked up at Minato with a half-smile and said, "Do you mean I can understand that you're saying my older sister is stupid? It seems I need to have a serious talk with her."

"I didn't say that, that's your interpretation," Minato quickly waved his hand and said.

Seeing Minato's frightened reaction to being told he'd tell his older sister, Yomo quickly waved his hands in explanation. Yemo couldn't help but laugh. Seeing Yemo's smile, Minato felt quite annoyed. Why did this kid always fall for Kushina? Was he really henpecked?

Calming his frustration, Minato asked, "What do you think of Hozuki Mangetsu's strength?"

After thinking for a moment, Yemo truthfully replied, "I don't know. We haven't fought yet. If he really did use the Water Release earlier, then Hozuki Mangetsu's strength should not be underestimated."

Although the manga portrays Hozuki Mangetsu as a genius and gives off a dangerous vibe towards Yemo, nothing is certain until they actually fight. Only a direct confrontation can reveal the opponent's true strength.