Fourth Hokage's Troubles

The Fourth Hokage took another document from the pile beside him. It contained the latest detailed intelligence on Shisui Uchiha.

Looking at the conspicuous words "Mangekyo Sharingan," the Fourth Hokage murmured softly, "Shisui Uchiha... Mangekyo Sharingan..."

As Konoha's Fourth Hokage, he naturally had the authority to know information regarding the Uchiha Clan's Mangekyo Sharingan.

He knew that these were the same eyes once possessed by Madara Uchiha, the Shinobi World's legendary demon...

After learning that Shisui possessed a pair of Mangekyo Sharingan, the Fourth Hokage inevitably began paying him more attention.

No, it should be said that he became a key focus!

The Fourth Hokage knew perfectly well what the Mangekyo Sharingan represented!

An Uchiha who possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan might develop unnecessary ambitions...

This was something that had to be watched carefully. The Uchiha Clan had always coveted the position of Hokage!

Of course, he also knew a little about Shisui Uchiha's personality. He knew Shisui was somewhat different from the other Uchiha.

He was extremely mild-tempered, completely lacking the pride, coldness, and extremism common among the Uchiha Clan.

The Third Hokage had also mentioned Shisui to him, saying that he was different from other Uchiha and that perhaps they could start with Shisui to ease the relationship between the Uchiha and the Hokage's faction...

The Fourth Hokage took that to heart. He would pay closer attention to matters concerning Shisui.

Of course, aside from Shisui Uchiha, the others had also performed well during this mission, especially Hyuga Yei. The strength he displayed was no weaker than Kakashi's!

He had noticed this back when selecting Special Jonin. Hyuga Yei had not only learned Kakashi's Chidori but also developed new derivative applications himself. His talent for Lightning Release ninjutsu was indeed exceptional.

Of course, there was one point that needed to be clarified.

Although Kakashi had gained a Sharingan, greatly enhancing his perception, and its combination with the charging Lightning Blade significantly increased its threat level—

The Sharingan was also a burden, and in certain ways, it held Kakashi back...

The Fourth Hokage had once wanted Kakashi to use sealing techniques to seal that Sharingan and lessen his burden, but Kakashi had refused.

The reason was naturally Obito.

"I hope the Shinobi World can remain peaceful. The appearance of the Three-Tails may cause some unrest in Mist, but with Mist's strength, reclaiming the Three-Tails should not be much of a problem. I only hope they won't cause trouble after their strength increases further..."

"The appearance of a Mangekyo may cause the Uchiha Clan to develop unnecessary ideas. There truly are many things to consider when occupying the position of Kage..." The Fourth Hokage muttered to himself, shaking his head slightly as he stopped dwelling on it.

Every ninja village had designs on the tailed beasts.

However, the ownership of the tailed beasts was jointly recognized by the major ninja villages, and no other village would be allowed to interfere.

If another village intervened, it could very likely trigger another war.

None of the major ninja villages wanted to see that happen.

Therefore, the Fourth Hokage concluded that even if news of the Three-Tails spread throughout the Shinobi World—

No other ninja village would likely covet the Three-Tails...

Yet once Mist acquired the Three-Tails, its strength would certainly increase dramatically. It might then have more leverage in negotiations. That was the true source of the Fourth Hokage's concern.

Of course, Konoha's overall strength surpassed that of the other ninja villages. Even if war broke out again, Konoha would not back down!

The emergence of the Mangekyo Sharingan might also give rise to unnecessary thoughts within the Uchiha Clan. After all, the conflict between the Hokage's faction and the Uchiha Clan had been passed down since the time of the First Hokage...

There were irreconcilable reasons behind it all...

The Fourth Hokage found it rather headache-inducing. Having only recently become Hokage, he had already felt the pressure of the position. There were simply too many things to consider!!

After thinking it over, the Fourth Hokage left his office and headed toward the Third Hokage's residence.

There were some matters he needed to discuss with the Third Hokage...

Because of that mission, the records of Kakashi, Asuma, Shisui, and Yei had all become more impressive.

Even for Jonin, completing an S-rank mission was by no means easy.

Yet these Special Jonin had completed an S-rank mission, something extremely rare among their peers.

So afterward, several familiar classmates gathered together.

It was that same barbecue restaurant again.

"Yo, Kakashi, I heard you completed another S-rank mission? That's seriously impressive!" Genma Shiranui looked at Kakashi, his eyes carrying a trace of envy.

The reward for an S-rank mission was at least a million ryo. That alone was enough to make their peers envious.

Moreover, completing an S-rank mission would add another accomplishment to a ninja's record!

Mission records were also one of the most crucial factors in a ninja's promotion to Jonin!

It was impossible not to be envious.

Although they had all come down from the battlefield, and their military merits were equivalent to the records of several A-rank missions, only Kakashi, Asuma, and Yei among them currently had S-rank mission records!

"Yeah, it was all right, but this mission was also very dangerous," Kakashi said flatly, though his mind did not seem to be here.

Ever since learning that the Three-Tails had been revived, he had been distracted like this.

After returning, he had gone to the cemetery and stood before Obito's and Rin Nohara's gravestones for a long time...

Daisei looked toward Yei. Seeing that Yei was merely eating barbecue by himself, without showing much joy on his face, he asked in confusion, "Yei, aren't you excited?"

After chewing and swallowing a piece of grilled meat, Yei shook his head. "What's there to get excited about? We nearly died on that mission. We earned it with our lives. If possible, I really wouldn't want to go through that again..."

Their fellow students did not know much about the details of this mission. The village had kept it under wraps.

Yei and the others had also been explicitly forbidden from revealing the details of the mission.

Hearing this, Hyuga Yue shot Yei a reproachful look—You really didn't tell me the truth!

Sensing Hyuga Yue's gaze, Yei looked over, a somewhat embarrassed expression appearing on his face...

But he reached back and took Hyuga Yue's little hand, his eyes full of innocence—I just didn't want you to worry too much!

With Yei secretly holding her hand, Hyuga Yue discreetly rolled her eyes at him and moved a little closer.

Their fellow students did not notice the small interaction between them.

As for Yei and the others' mission this time, at most, they knew a little about it—that they had completed an S-rank mission. They knew nothing of the other details.

"There was something like that? I thought..." Daisei said, but did not continue.

They naturally understood that missions were dangerous, but even Kakashi, Shisui, Yei, and Asuma—ninjas who were not considered weak within the village—had nearly lost their lives. That showed just how dangerous this mission had been...

"As long as you're all right, that's what matters. I believe in Kakashi and the others. No matter what mission it is, they'll complete it perfectly. Didn't they already come back safely? Don't overthink it!" Gai flashed his white teeth, then looked at Kakashi. "Now that you're back, Kakashi, let's have a long-overdue match today! Youth needs to burn—it can't be allowed to grow stagnant!"

As the one most familiar with Kakashi, Gai could tell that something had been off with his mood lately. As his eternal rival, he naturally did not want to see him remain so dispirited!

Kakashi looked at Gai speechlessly and waved a hand. "Forget it. I'm not in the mood today..."

Gai leaned closer. "Are you scared?"

"Yes, yes, yes..." Kakashi gave him a dead-fish stare, utterly helpless, and simply stopped paying attention to Gai.

"Enough, Gai. Kakashi might have gotten dumped recently, so stop bothering him." Asuma looked at Kakashi and said with a slight curl of his lips.

"Dumped?" Several of their fellow students immediately turned bright, inquisitive eyes toward Kakashi.

Especially Kurenai, Anko, Yuugao Uzuki, and Nami. Their eyes practically shone as the flames of gossip burned fiercely within them...

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