Light Wheel Popsicle-Inspired Whorl-Haired Jiraiya Twin-Style Ball!

News of Hatake Sakumo's departure was kept under wraps. Publicly, it was only said that he had gone on a secret mission.

The Konoha White Fang was openly regarded as Konoha's strongest combat force beneath the Hokage. The departure of someone like him would have far too great an impact.

At that moment, a fierce argument erupted in the Hokage Office over this matter.

"Declare Hatake Sakumo an S-Rank Missing-nin. He knows too much intelligence. Even if we have to deploy every Anbu, he must be killed!"

Shimura Danzō slammed the table and roared.

Hiruzen Sarutobi watched him silently, his gaze growing colder and colder.

It was not just the two of them. The two senior advisors were also present. Konoha's Four Phantom Gods had gathered.

Utatane Koharu spoke in a low voice. "Danzo is right. Hatake Sakumo knows too much. If he falls into the hands of another ninja village, it will be a disaster-level incident!"

Mitokado Homura said nothing, but his stance was obvious.

Suppressing his anger, Hiruzen Sarutobi swept his gaze across them, his voice hoarse.

"I believe Sakumo. He merely needed to go out and clear his head."

"Hiruzen..."

"Let me make this clearer!" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked coldly at Shimura Danzō.

"If Sakumo has defected, who will pursue him? Me, or Kushina?!"

"Or you... Shimura Danzō!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was furious. The root cause of everything was Danzo leaking that top-secret mission.

This matter could originally have been handled quietly. Hatake Sakumo could have made up for the losses he caused the village later.

After this incident, Hatake Sakumo had effectively lost any chance of competing for the position of Hokage.

Because in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, when a true Hokage faced the dilemma of a mission and comrades, what he should do was sacrifice himself to ensure the village's interests suffered no loss.

Both the Second Hokage and he himself possessed that resolve.

He did want his disciple to become Hokage, but he would not frame Hatake Sakumo for that reason.

He was angry at Shimura Danzō, and also angry at Hatake Sakumo.

What was the big deal?

Was being criticized a few times really enough to make him leave the village?

This was the village where you had lived since birth. Your son was still in the village!

Shimura Danzō was momentarily speechless.

They knew the Konoha White Fang's strength all too well. If there were a standard known as Kage-level above jonin, then Hatake Sakumo was undoubtedly an expert at that level.

Every jonin was an elite of the village, but before the White Fang Blade, they would become ordinary units.

Before the Yellow Flash appeared, the Konoha White Fang held the record for the most jonin kills in the ninja world.

Shimura Danzō did not think himself weaker than Hatake Sakumo. If they truly fought, the odds should be six to four.

I have a sixty percent chance of winning!

But...

There's no need. I have more important matters to handle. The situation in the ninja world changes constantly. If Hiruzen makes one wrong move, this old man will still have to step forward and take charge.

After pondering for a moment, he decided that he could not show weakness first. Shimura Danzō said in a deep voice:

"Then I will hand over the spy operations in each village. Who do you think would be suitable?"

"Once the handover is complete, I will personally hunt down Hatake Sakumo!"

This time, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent.

Was there anything Shimura Danzō did that he did not know about?

Those were top secrets that even the other two advisors could not know!

Where else could he find such a tireless black glove as Shimura Danzō...

With a helpless sigh, he said, "Let's leave it at this for now. Kakashi is still in the village. Sakumo will not do anything to harm it."

After all, there was precedent for this. Hadn't Jiraiya stayed in the Land of Rain for several years?

Mitokado Homura spoke at this point.

"Jiraiya and Minato have returned. Minato has learned the Second Hokage's Flying Thunder God. They may be able to pursue Hatake Sakumo."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shot him a displeased glance. I've already defined the nature of this matter, and you're still talking about pursuit?

Is something wrong with your reflexes?

"They just encountered Iwagakure's Tailed Beast. Let them rest properly for a while." Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a cloud of smoke.

"Come to think of it... Kagami Uchiha and Kakashi can both be entrusted to Jiraiya and Minato for training."

At the mention of Uchiha, Danzo's danger radar went off.

"No!"

"Kakashi is one thing, but Kagami Uchiha absolutely cannot be taught by Jiraiya!"

Perhaps remembering that Shimura Danzō had taken the blame for him, and that it had not been easy for him either, Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice softened slightly.

"Danzo... when you hear that name, do you only hear Uchiha?"

"Kagami... that was the name of our comrade."

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu both showed a trace of wistful remembrance. Only Shimura Danzō remained unmoved.

"Kagami was influenced by the Second Hokage, and this boy is not Kagami's descendant. He is merely an Uchiha with the same name."

Just look at his choice of words. Even for someone from their own generation, Shimura Danzō was unwilling to say "teach" and instead called it "influence."

It was easy to imagine what kind of demonic image the Uchiha held in his heart.

"We should at least try. What if he is like Kagami and integrates into the village?" Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled kindly.

"All right, it's nearly time to eat. Your families have people preparing meals, so I won't keep you."

With too many people present, Shimura Danzō did not perform his usual routine. He shot Hiruzen Sarutobi a resentful glare, then turned and left.

If I were Hokage...

If I had been chosen as Hokage, the Uchiha would absolutely have been tamed!

Second Hokage... why didn't you choose me?!

Back then... I was only one step too late!

Danzo was still agonizing over having stepped up a moment too late back then. Yet if time were turned back, and he had volunteered to stay behind...

Perhaps the Second Hokage might have had a chance to survive.

Konoha Training Ground.

Looking at the ruined ground, Jiraiya slowly walked closer.

"Controlling a ball of chakra spinning at such high speed is still too difficult, isn't it?"

Jiraiya leaned closer to Minato Namikaze in the crater.

"I once heard that refining chakra according to the direction of your hair whorl makes it easier."

"If this technique..."

Minato Namikaze panted and smiled wryly. "That's just a rumor, isn't it?"

"Not necessarily. I refine my chakra by spinning it to the right... Let me see which way yours turns..."

"Ah... you have two whorls, one turning left and one turning right..."

"Forget it. Take a break!"

Jiraiya took out a Twin Popsicle from his bag and snapped it in half. "Which side do you want?"

"Either side is fine."

Suddenly, Minato Namikaze had a flash of inspiration, and his outstretched hand froze.

Either side... is fine!

Not bothering to eat the popsicle, Minato Namikaze hurriedly got up and began refining chakra again.

If I refine it the same way regardless of which direction it spins...

A faint blue radiance flashed across the training ground.

Jiraiya watched the ball of chakra stabilize in Minato's hand and could not help but sigh.

Sure enough... you're a true genius, Minato!

Minato Namikaze's face was full of joy.

"It's taking shape. I shall name it..."

"Light Wheel Popsicle-Inspired Whorl-Haired Jiraiya Twin-Style Ball!"

Other than his talent for naming things.

Jiraiya shook his head and smiled. "Then get some rest first. The old man Third has something he wants to discuss with me."

"He said he wants me to teach an Uchiha kid, along with Sakumo's son. I'll bring them over later for you to meet."

"An Uchiha..." Minato dispersed the chakra ball and smiled. "Their clan is rather reserved. The few Uchiha companions I had before were not very good at expressing their emotions."