Illustrious Power and Influence

Two days later.

Anbu Underground Training Ground No. 6, second floor.

At this moment, the training ground, usually empty for most of the day, now held dozens of figures scattered across the second-floor stands.

Anyone present would have discovered that more than half of Konoha's high-ranking officials still in the village had gathered here.

From the Uchiha and Hyuga down to the Ino-Shika-Cho and Aburame, whether clan heads or representative powerhouses among civilian Ninja, all had formed groups of varying sizes according to their status and affiliations, discussing something in hushed voices.

"Good day, Clan Head Gensai."

The tall, gaunt middle-aged man wore a loose kimono, his long black hair falling straight down his back. Two identical young men stood behind him. One had his forehead exposed, while the other concealed it with a forehead protector. Both wore solemn expressions.

Most striking of all were the pair of immaculate, pure-white pupils set in his eye sockets.

He was the current head of the Hyuga Clan, Hyuga Munenobu.

With both hands tucked into his wide sleeves, he turned to look at the empty training ground, his tone carrying hidden meaning.

"It really is rare to make such a fuss all of a sudden."

"Especially with the war being so critical."

Naturally, someone worthy of his personal greeting could not be an insignificant figure.

The black-haired middle-aged man stood with his arms folded and eyes closed, a broad cloak draped over his shoulders. On its back was the Uchiha Clan's signature red-and-white war fan emblem.

Only after Hyuga Munenobu spoke did Uchiha Gensai slowly open his eyes and look toward his longtime rival at his side, his expression unchanged.

"Yes, the war is critical."

"Yet the more times like these arise, the more some people use the excuse of bearing important responsibilities to hold themselves in high regard."

As he spoke, he let out a meaningful sigh.

"Lord Third has it hard as well."

"Indeed."

"After all, what choice does Lord Third have?"

Hyuga Munenobu smiled gently, as though he had not heard the double meaning in Uchiha Gensai's words at all.

However, Hyuga Hiashi behind him seemed to have caught something. He subconsciously glanced in Uchiha Gensai's direction.

Uchiha Fugaku, likewise standing behind his father, was far more hot-tempered. Noticing Hyuga Hiashi's glance, he immediately glared back without yielding an inch.

The three tomoe within his crimson eyes slowly revolved, chilling to the soul.

Hyuga Hiashi narrowed his eyes slightly. Fine veins rapidly bulged, creeping from the edges of his eye sockets to his temples like ivy.

They confronted each other.

Only the two old foxes at the front, who had lived on since the Warring States Period, remained entirely calm.

Of the Three Great Dojutsu renowned throughout the Ninja World, Konoha possessed two.

If these two clans were always getting along harmoniously, how could the hard-working Lord Third sleep soundly at night?

The troubles of Mist Village were still fresh in everyone's minds.

Yet, as the two foremost Kekkei Genkai Clans, whether the Hyuga and Uchiha's rivalry was real or false was something only they themselves knew.

"The young really do have more spirit."

As though he had only just noticed the confrontation between the two heirs behind them, Uchiha Gensai gave a mild rebuke.

Only then did Fugaku deactivate his Sharingan.

Hyuga Hiashi likewise dismissed his Byakugan and withdrew his gaze.

Hyuga Munenobu continued smiling as if he had noticed nothing. "I only wonder what kind of material these two young people, whom Lord Third values so highly, truly are."

"I heard they may even be untamed wild horses?"

Uchiha Gensai gazed calmly into the field. "Once their wings have grown full, they will eventually molt anew."

As he spoke, his gaze swept across the Ninja clans and civilian factions throughout the training ground. They had formed groups large and small, yet remained distinctly separate from one another. "But while displaying their beautiful wings, isn't this also a warning to the rest of us?"

"Clan Head Munenobu should think about himself as well."

Hyuga Munenobu's smile did not fade. "The Sannin, Hatake, and now new branches are sprouting once more. Konoha continues to flourish."

"Clan Head Gensai, the times are changing. As part of Konoha, if one does not find a way to integrate quickly, there will be plenty of trouble in the future."

Uchiha Gensai glanced at his eyes and sneered.

"By cutting off one's feet to fit the shoes, one can squeeze in?"

"..."

Hyuga Munenobu did not reply further.

Those who seek only temporary advantage cannot plan for a lifetime.

Some people, unable to see the situation for what it was and unaware of their own limits, still wished to seek victory as they had in the Warring States Period.

But all he wanted was for the Hyuga to survive.

Talking was pointless.

Just as the venue grew noisy, the only two examinees entered the arena.

Sahara Mizu swept his gaze around, identifying the clan crests he had studied in class and committing every face before him to memory.

Whether it was to free himself from Mist Village's restraints as soon as possible or for his own future, these faces would all prove quite useful.

At the same time, he loosened up a little.

He had lazed around at home for many days, but his schedule had finally returned to normal. Not having to work really was great.

Unfortunately, it could not last.

"Good day, Sahara-kun."

As he stretched, a familiar voice came from behind him.

Sahara Mizu turned around.

Namikaze Minato's distinctive medium-length blond hair came into view. He was not wearing an Anbu uniform today. Smiling, he looked spirited and upright, his entire body radiating the unique vitality of youth.

"Good day."

As if recalling something, Sahara Mizu teased, "I can call you by your real name today, right? Namikaze-kun."

"Ah, I'm very sorry about that day."

"The circumstances were unusual during the mission."

Namikaze Minato clasped his hands together somewhat sheepishly, smiling awkwardly. Only at times like this did he reveal the thin-skinned embarrassment unique to his age. "Besides, when you recognized me at a glance back then, I was surprised for a long time after I got home."

"I understand, I understand."

Sahara Mizu waved it off, utterly unconcerned by such a trivial matter. "Back at the Ninja Academy, you left quite a deep impression on me."

"To be honest, I've wanted to spar with you for a long time."

Hearing that, Namikaze Minato's expression gradually turned more serious. "Then, Sahara-kun, don't go easy on me in today's assessment."

"I'll be giving it my all."

"Of course." Sahara Mizu lied without missing a beat.

As they spoke, he suddenly turned to look toward the passageway on the other side.

The main guest had arrived.

Before long, Sarutobi Hiruzen, clad in a crimson Hokage robe, entered the hall with his entourage.

The rustling sounds in the training ground abruptly fell silent.

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood in the center, while Shimura Danzō, Mitokado, and the others stood in rows on either side.

He first quietly swept his eyes over the faces of everyone present, pausing for a moment.

Only after every sound had vanished and all eyes had turned toward him did he suddenly reveal his usual gentle, approachable expression and say warmly:

"The war is pressing, and all of you hold vital positions. You have labored tirelessly for many days, yet you still made time to attend this rank assessment today. You have my sincere thanks."

"Today, I would like to introduce this talented Chunin, Sahara Mizu, who recently returned to the regular Ninja ranks after completing an important long-term infiltration mission."

As he spoke, Sahara Mizu, standing below the arena, raised his head and nodded in greeting to the many important figures on the second floor.

Watching this from behind, Shimura Danzō could not help but reveal a trace of mockery in his eyes.

This was what he found most dissatisfying about Hiruzen.

He was simply far too weak.

Shimura Danzō swept his gaze across everyone present.

Whether they were heads of Ninja clans, powerful civilians, Anbu, or Root—every last one of them was watching you.

They were like snakes and scorpions. Even at their weakest, they constantly watched your every move, sensed your movements, tested your scent. The instant you carelessly exposed even the slightest weakness, they would pounce, tear off flesh, and inject venom.

Lowering yourself like this would only make them despise the Hokage's authority all the more.

Just look.

Shimura Danzō closed his eyes.

Ever since the Hokage Building incident, all the Ninja clans in the village had practically dug through the information and records of everyone involved from start to finish.

Would they not know Sahara Mizu's background?

What infiltration mission? What return to the Ninja ranks? Through Root, he had personally spread some of the "minor incidents" that had occurred in the Hokage's Office that day through public opinion channels.

His dissatisfaction with the Hokage, his long-term concealment of his strength, all kinds of experiences from his childhood...

One matter after another was quietly circulating through secret channels.

Did he really think the Ninja clans were fools?

Hiruzen, these "experiences" you fabricated yourself would only embarrass you.

Today, let them show you.

Their doubts.

Shimura Danzō thought to himself, the corner of his mouth curling into a mocking arc.

The next second.

"Whoosh—"

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Almost the instant Sarutobi Hiruzen's brief introduction ended.

Thunderous applause suddenly filled the entire empty Anbu training ground.

Shimura Danzō abruptly opened his eyes.

Then he saw that every high-ranking official present was applauding and cheering with all their might, moved and admiring of Sahara Mizu's "contributions" to the village.

"So Lord Third Hokage had the eye to recognize talent after all."

"Indeed. He was clearly hiding right beside us, yet managed to conceal himself so flawlessly. The younger generation is truly formidable."

"Who would have thought? Truly, who would have thought!"

"Such far-reaching planning and world-shaking wisdom could only have been accomplished by Lord Third Hokage."

Those proud, intelligent, stubborn, and steadfast powerhouses standing at the pinnacle of Konoha's circle of power applauded fervently, as though they truly knew nothing at all.

The resounding applause felt as if every clap had landed squarely on Shimura Danzō's face.

Yet Sarutobi Hiruzen remained composed as he stood before him, calmly accepting all the praise and leaving Danzō only with a profound silhouette from behind.

Calling a deer a horse, wielding overwhelming power.

He quietly watched everyone present as they applauded.

A lie also depended on whose mouth it came from.

So what if it was clumsy?

Danzō.

Even now, you, who had spent so many years buried beneath the roots of the pitch-black earth, still failed to understand.

What power truly was.

That was why you should never have laid hands on the Hokage's authority.

Only after this grand performance came to an end did the focus of the venue finally shift from the village's true center back to the two young men below.

Their performance was over.

Now, it was time for the young men to perform.

Sahara Mizu read that clearly from their eyes.

And he was not the only one.

Almost at the same moment Sahara Mizu withdrew his gaze, he saw that Namikaze Minato had also just looked away from above.

As if by mutual understanding, the two exchanged smiles.

Though he was still young, fifteen-year-old Namikaze Minato understood the source and foundation of power far better than Shimura Danzō, who was decades his senior—this was a talent in itself.

That was precisely why he never hesitated to display his excellence before others.

People like them lacked only a stage.

Their expressions gradually turned serious.

Hatake Sakumo belatedly noticed the tacit smiles on their faces, but said nothing.

Only after receiving the Third Hokage's approval from the elevated platform did he step between them, extending a hand to separate them as he briefly announced the rules.

"Please form the Hand Seal of Confrontation."

Sahara Mizu and Namikaze Minato stood facing each other and silently raised their fingers.

At that moment, everyone present fixed their eyes on the two of them.

Their gazes met.

Until the instant Sakumo swung his arm down.

"Begin!"

Hello, hello?

Is anyone reading today?