Light Wheel Popsicle-Inspired Whorl Jiraiya Twin-Style Orb!

The news that Hatake Sakumo had left the village was kept secret. To the outside world, they only said he was carrying out a covert mission.

Konoha's White Fang was publicly acknowledged as the strongest combatant beneath the Hokage. The departure of someone like him would have far-reaching consequences.

At that moment, the Hokage Office erupted into a heated argument over the matter.

"Declare Hatake Sakumo an S-rank missing-nin! He knows far too many secrets. Mobilize the entire Anbu and kill him!"

Shimura Danzō slammed the table and roared.

Sarutobi Hiruzen silently watched him, his gaze growing colder by the second.

It was not just the two of them. The two Higher-ups advisers were there as well—the Konoha Four Shin Gods had gathered.

Utatane Koharu said in a low voice, "Danzo is right. Hatake Sakumo knows too much. If he falls into the hands of another village, it will be a disaster of catastrophic proportions!"

Mitokado Homura said nothing, clearly making his stance known.

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

"I believe in Sakumo. He merely needs to leave the village and clear his head."

" Hiruzen..."

"Let me make this perfectly clear!" Sarutobi Hiruzen looked indifferently at Shimura Danzō.

"If Sakumo has defected, who's going after him? Me or Kushina?!"

"Or perhaps you, Shimura Danzō!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen was furious. Everything had started because Danzo had leaked that top-secret mission.

Originally, they could have simply handled the matter quietly. Hatake Sakumo could make up for the losses he had caused the village later.

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

Because in Sarutobi Hiruzen's view, when a true Hokage faced the dilemma between a mission and his comrades, he should sacrifice himself to ensure that the village's interests suffered no loss.

Both the Second Hokage and he himself had possessed that resolve.

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

He was angry at Shimura Danzō, but he was also angry at Hatake Sakumo.

What was the big deal?

So what if people had said a few harsh words to him? Was there really any need to go so far as to leave the village?

This was the village where he had lived since birth. His son was still in the village too!

Shimura Danzō was rendered speechless for a moment.

They understood Konoha's White Fang's strength all too well. If there was a Kage Level above Jonin, then Hatake Sakumo was unquestionably a powerhouse of that level.

Every Jonin was an elite of the village, but before that Blade of the White Fang, they would become nothing more than ordinary units.

Before the Yellow Flash appeared, Konoha's White Fang held the record for killing Jonin in the Ninja World.

Shimura Danzō did not think he was weaker than Hatake Sakumo. If they truly fought, the odds would probably be forty-sixty.

I have a sixty percent chance of winning!

But...

There's no need. I still have more important matters to handle. The situation in the Ninja World is changing by the day. If Hiruzen makes even one careless move, I'll still have to step in and take charge of the situation.

After thinking for a moment, Shimura Danzō knew he could not back down first. He said solemnly,

"Then I'll hand over the spy missions in the various villages. Who do you think would be suitable?"

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

This time, it was Sarutobi Hiruzen's turn to fall silent.

No one else knew what Shimura Danzō had done, but how could he not?

Those were top-secret matters that even the other two advisers could not know about!

Where else could they find a black-gloved operative as devoted and tireless as Shimura Danzō...

With a helpless sigh, he said,

"Let's leave it at that for now. Kakashi is still in the village. Sakumo won't do anything to harm the village."

It was not as though there was no precedent. Hadn't Jiraiya stayed in the Land of Rain for several years?

At that moment, Mitokado Homura spoke.

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

Sarutobi Hiruzen shot him an unhappy glance. I already settled the matter. And you still want to pursue him?

Is your reaction time broken?

"They just encountered a tailed beast from Iwagakure. Let them rest for a while." Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a cloud of smoke.

"Speaking of which... Kagami Uchiha and Kakashi can both be left in Jiraiya and Minato's care."

The moment Uchiha was mentioned, Danzo's danger radar went off.

"No!"

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

Perhaps remembering how difficult it had been for Shimura Danzō to take the blame for him, Sarutobi Hiruzen softened his voice slightly.

"Danzo... when you hear that name, is Uchiha all you hear?"

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

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

"Kagami was touched by the Second Hokage's influence. Besides, he isn't Kagami's descendant. He's merely an Uchiha who happens to share the same name."

Just look at his choice of words. Even though Shimura Danzō had been their contemporary, he refused to say "teach" and instead said "influence."

It was clear what kind of demonic image the Uchiha represented in his heart.

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

"All right, it's almost mealtime. Your families are waiting for you, so I won't keep you."

There were quite a few people here, so Shimura Danzō did not perform his classic routine. He merely glared hatefully at Sarutobi Hiruzen before turning and leaving.

If I were Hokage...

If they chose me as Hokage, the Uchiha would absolutely be brought to heel!

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

Back then... I was only a tiny step behind!

Danzo was still obsessing over how he had been a step too late to offer himself back then. But if time had been rewound and he had spoken up to cover the retreat...

There was a chance the Second Hokage might have survived.

--

Konohagakure Training Ground.

Looking at the ruined ground, Jiraiya slowly approached.

"Controlling a Chakra sphere spinning that fast is still too difficult, isn't it?"

Jiraiya leaned toward Namikaze Minato in the crater.

"I heard before that extracting Chakra according to the direction of your hair whorl makes it easier."

"If this technique..."

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

"Not necessarily. I extracted my Chakra by following a clockwise rotation... Let me see which way yours turns..."

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

"Forget it. Take a break!"

Jiraiya took a twin popsicle from his bag and snapped it apart. "Which side do you want?"

"Either one is fine."

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Namikaze Minato, and his outstretched hand stopped.

Either one... is fine!

Without bothering to eat the popsicle, Namikaze Minato quickly stood up and began extracting Chakra again.

If I extract it in either direction and get the same result...

A faint blue radiance shone across the training ground.

Jiraiya watched the Chakra sphere stabilize in Minato's hands and could not help sighing in admiration.

As expected... you're a true genius, Minato!

Namikaze Minato's face lit up with delight.

"It's beginning to take shape. I'll name it..."

"Light Wheel Popsicle-Inspired Whorl Jiraiya Twin-Style Orb!"

Aside from his naming talent.

Jiraiya shook his head and laughed. "Rest for a while first. The Third Hokage has something for me to do."

"He said he wants me to take in an Uchiha kid, as well as Big Brother Sakumo's son. I'll bring them over later so you can meet them."

"Uchiha?" Minato dispersed the Chakra sphere and smiled. "That clan is rather reserved. The few Uchiha comrades I had before were all bad at expressing their emotions."