It Went Up Again!

"Is that so?"

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

"...Kakashi really suffered because of this." As the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth twitched slightly, and he fell silent.

It was his first time encountering something like this too. For a moment, he did not even know what to say. In the end, he could only helplessly remove the pipe from his mouth, let out a long sigh, and shake his head. "How is Kakashi doing now?"

"His injuries aren't serious, but since it was his first time, he's still not quite used to it." Seeing the Hokage like this, Minato gave an embarrassed laugh. As their team leader, he felt somewhat responsible as well. "There's no need to worry, Lord Hokage."

It was because he... had failed to teach Obito properly!

That was why the once-kind child had become what he was now.

"That's good." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and said wistfully, "Obito is a good young man. I originally thought that being with Obito would let Kakashi experience the importance of Bonds. I never expected something like this to happen."

So.

What exactly had happened for that once-helpful, cheerful young man to do something so shocking?

Could it be love?

He pondered for a moment, then looked at Minato. "What do you think, Minato? Should we approve Kakashi's request to switch teams?"

"I think... we should wait and see." Minato thought for a moment before revealing his sunny smile again. "They've actually already become each other's most important companions. Kakashi understands that in his heart too."

Otherwise.

Why would he have accepted Obito's challenge?

It was just that the way things unfolded had exceeded everyone's expectations.

This really was an accident.

"I'll also properly guide Obito and make sure he doesn't misuse... that."

"Minato, you've already become a qualified teacher. Jiraiya will surely be gratified." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction, looking at Minato with a kindly smile. "In fact, my opinion is to wait a little longer as well." At that, he took another melancholy puff from his pipe. "The situation in the ninja world is rather tense now. Iwagakure and Kumogakure are secretly mobilizing ninjas too. Just as everyone has guessed, a new ninja war is approaching. It would be inappropriate to reshuffle teams at a time like this!"

It would affect their coordination.

"Lord Hokage..." Minato opened his mouth, but before he could finish, Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted him. "I know what you want to say. Don't worry. The Chunin Ninja Exams are coming soon, so a large-scale war shouldn't break out during this period. Or perhaps... there won't be a war at all. Maybe I'm simply overthinking things. Hahaha."

His reassuring laughter rang out, and Minato's heart calmed considerably as well.

At that moment.

Hiruzen Sarutobi pulled out a document from the desk and said, "There's another mission here, one that specifically requests Minato." He paused, seeming somewhat hesitant. "If Kakashi hasn't recovered yet, please let him rest for a few more days."

"Yes!"

"Thank you for your hard work, Minato."

Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Minato's departing back. After the door closed, he sighed and shook his head. "Kakashi still needs to be careful~"

Danzo had been watching him from the very beginning.

There was darkness in his heart!

He had originally wanted Obito to use his optimistic mindset to guide Kakashi onto the right path, but now... Obito had gone straight at him.

Hopefully, Kakashi's heart would not grow any darker.

"Then the next priority... is preparing for war." Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up another document, a faint smile on his lips. "The Feudal Lord's Mansion has become much more generous. The funds were actually issued so quickly. Could it be because they've also noticed that the atmosphere in the ninja world is off?"

Of course.

As long as the money had arrived, that was enough. The rest was none of his business as Hokage.

He glanced at the bounty notice beside him. After a brief silence, he smiled lightly, paid it no further attention, and continued handling official matters.

It was merely 370 million taels. How could he possibly turn on his close friend over that?

They went way back, after all~

They had been companions since they were very young and had always protected Konoha together.

So.

In a sense.

Danzo was his dearest friend, his brother-in-arms~

"How could I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, possibly lay a hand on my companion over such a trivial sum of money?"

Ridiculous!

"Lord Danzo!"

"Mm!" Danzo's body trembled slightly. Snapping back to his senses, he looked at his respectful subordinate below and said coolly, "Have you found out exactly who dared to place a bounty on me?"

Ever since the bounty had been issued, he had constantly felt that something was wrong.

He kept feeling as though everyone looking at him had ill intentions, especially just now... For some reason, he had suddenly felt flustered, and a chill had run through his body.

Sure enough.

Someone definitely coveted his body!

So, he had to find the one behind this!

Of course.

He suspected that the person who had placed the bounty on him was that guy.

The Root Shinobi he had sent out that day had vanished without a trace. Then, only a few days later, a bounty targeting him had appeared. As a result, Danzo's suspicions toward him were quite strong.

It was just that he had never found the right opportunity—or rather, the right excuse—to act. After all, the man had remained in the village all this time, had donated quite a bit of money to the village over the past few years, and had done nothing else excessive.

If Danzo acted rashly, the other clans would surely become uneasy. They might think he was slaughtering merchants for money, which would not benefit Konoha's development.

Especially with the ninja world still so unsettled, everything else had to be put aside for now.

After a moment of silence, Danzo looked at the Root Shinobi who had lowered his head without saying a word. How could he not know what had happened?

He calmly said, "Useless."

Then.

He fell into thought again. This bounty had truly delayed quite a few of his plans~

He could not even go to the Land of Rain to investigate the legendary Rinnegan.

That Demigod of the Ninja World was no good person. Hanzo of the Salamander, once mighty and bold, had now become like this. Danzo truly could not feel at ease.

He was worried that the man would directly break their agreement and oppose his actions when the time came.

Danzo let out a long sigh inwardly, but outwardly, he looked calmly at the subordinate below. At least it was still safe here!

After Root's brainwashing, these people had all become Danzo's outstanding subordinates. Therefore, a mere bit of money was not enough for them to rebel against their superior!

However.

The moment that thought ended.

With a swish, a Root Shinobi rushed in and respectfully knelt down. He seemed somewhat hesitant as he said, "Lord Danzo..."

"What is it?" Danzo's eyelid twitched, and he suddenly had a bad feeling.

As soon as he spoke.

The Root Shinobi respectfully pulled another bounty notice from his robes. It bore the familiar description, familiar photograph, and...

Danzo's mouth immediately twitched, his face turning the color of sauce as he looked at the bounty amount below.

One zero, two zeros... Other than the initial four, every digit after it was a zero!

400 million?!

"This old man... Fuck!"

They actually dared to toy with him like this?!

Shouldn't it have only gone up by ten million?

But now...

The person behind this bounty... had to die!

Sigh, please spare some votes. The number of people following the updates keeps dropping, and the recommendation votes have never increased~