What is the Strongest Ninjutsu!

No matter how big the trouble, it would always be resolved in the most reasonable way.

Or, to put it another way, a way that everyone could accept.

Politics is the art of compromise, a fact that was perfectly embodied by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

He had suppressed Danzo's arrogance with Tsunade's help, thereby reclaiming some of Root's power. At the same time, he had successfully diminished Tsunade's immense prestige within Konoha's medical system.

In this way, the power within Konoha was finally highly centralized and integrated.

Inside the Hokage Office Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag from his pipe, exhaling a thick cloud of smoke. Through the transparent glass, he gazed at Konoha Village outside, his expression shifting between emotions.

Just moments ago, he had received a letter from Tsunade.

The contents of the letter were simple: she intended to leave for a while, with no set return date.

Her words seemed to carry a heavy sense of disappointment.

"Has she left?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a pang of sadness and asked the Anbu member beside him.

"Yes, Lord Hokage," Lin Jiao replied truthfully. "This morning, Lady Tsunade, along with her disciples, departed Konoha."

"I see."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked in the direction of the Village Gate, a sense of regret inexplicably welling up within him. Perhaps he shouldn't have been so direct.

But soon, he forcefully suppressed this thought: "No, my actions were correct. Tsunade is too naive!"

As the Kage, the highest leader of the entire village, everything he did was for the village's continuation and prosperity, even if it meant sacrificing some people or things!

"Lin Jiao, go summon Uchiha Sōgetsu," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, sitting back down and instructing Lin Jiao.

Since Tsunade's departure was now a fait accompli, he had to make some effort to salvage the situation. Though the results might be minimal, he at least needed to stabilize those who remained, at least on the surface.

Shortly after, Uchiha Sōgetsu was brought to the Hokage Building.

"Lord Hokage, may I ask why you summoned me?" Uchiha Sōgetsu asked, his gaze lowered and his expression stiff.

Although he hid it well, the experienced Hiruzen Sarutobi could detect a hint of indignation and confusion in the young man's concealed emotions.

He's still young, Hiruzen Sarutobi thought with satisfaction, revealing a kind and amiable smile. "Child, I know you must be feeling unbalanced right now, questioning my decisions, correct?"

"No, I'm not, Lord Hokage," Uchiha Sōgetsu replied, flustered at being seen through, and quickly denied it.

"Heh heh, it's alright, I understand your feelings," Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, indicating he didn't mind. "I've been through your age as well. Young people, who doesn't have a bit of temper? I understand you're unhappy with my decision. Danzo made such a huge mistake, and this is all that happened, right?"

"Lord Hokage, I... I just don't understand. I'm not unhappy with you," Uchiha Sōgetsu lowered his head, clenching his fists in indignation.

"There are some things I can't explain to you right now," Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of his pipe, paused, and then said, "However, Danzo did go too far this time, so I've called you here today to tell you two things."

Tap, tap!

He tapped his pipe with the back of his hand, emptying the dregs.

After setting the pipe aside, Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "First, your mission was completed beautifully. I've decided to let you choose one ninjutsu from the Scroll of Seals as a reward."

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Sōgetsu's eyes widened in shock, and he became momentarily flustered. "Lord Hokage, this is too..."

The Scroll of Seals was Konoha's most important treasure, and also the most significant 'legacy' left by the Second Hokage!

Reaper Death Seal, Four Symbols Seal, Impure World Reincarnation, Eight Inner Gates, Flying Thunder God Technique – these, among others, would all play crucial roles in the future Fourth Great Ninja War!

Generally, ninjutsu recorded in the Scroll of Seals was almost impossible to learn unless one had made significant contributions or belonged to the Hokage's direct faction.

Let alone his background as part of the Uchiha Clan.

"Lord Hokage, this is too precious."

Although he desperately wanted to accept, Uchiha Sōgetsu still demurred, putting on a show of being overwhelmed with awe.

"I know what you want to say, but I believe in you, Uchiha Sōgetsu," Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted, seemingly knowing what he was about to say. "Although the Uchiha Clan and the village have had many misunderstandings and friction, we are all ultimately people of Konoha Village. I can also see that you are different from them; you possess the Will of Fire!"

"Lord Hokage."

Uchiha Sōgetsu, at the opportune moment, displayed a hint of emotion.

"Of course, this also includes my compensation to you," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a hint of apology. "Let's let the Danzo matter rest here. I have already warned him, and such things will not happen again. I hope you can understand my difficult position."

Understand, of course, I understand, Uchiha Sōgetsu thought coldly. He didn't plan on letting Danzo off the hook. What's the use of understanding? It's better to make the other party 'understand.'

Of course, he still had to give face to the Hokage. He feigned a moment of silence, then nodded. "I understand your meaning, Lord Hokage. The situation in the Ninja World is becoming increasingly tense, and the Root led by Danzo is an indispensable force for Konoha. I will let this matter end."

While he said this, anyone with eyes could see it was pure nonsense.

If he truly cared so much, why would Konoha have forced White Fang to his death from within?

In the end, it was all just political rhetoric, all for the sake of consolidating power and eliminating dissent.

"Not bad, I really didn't misjudge you, Uchiha Sōgetsu."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with great satisfaction, then walked over and patted his shoulder, looking earnest. "You're so young, yet you already possess the mindset of a Hokage. It won't be long, perhaps one day in the future, even someone from the Uchiha Clan like you can become Hokage!"

Ah, yes, yes, yes, yes. The leader's empty promises. Uchiha Sōgetsu's reaction was lukewarm.

With this level of skill, I suggest he go back to his previous life for further study. Those 996s and 'blessings' from back then were far more professional at making empty promises.

After finishing his lecture of empty motivational speeches, Hiruzen Sarutobi was finally satisfied and handed him the scroll he had prepared. "This contains the ninjutsu from the Scroll of Seals. You can take a look. If there's anything you want to learn, I'll arrange for someone to make a copy for you."

Naturally, he couldn't let him see the original Scroll of Seals.

Uchiha Sōgetsu took the scroll, his choice already made in his heart, but he pretended to flip through it.

As expected, it didn't contain the Reaper Death Seal or Impure World Reincarnation.

After a while, he closed the scroll and said, "Lord Hokage, I want to learn the Mutual Multiplication Explosive Tag."

"Mutual Multiplication Explosive Tag?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was clearly surprised. He had expected Sōgetsu to choose powerful ninjutsu like the Flying Thunder God Technique or the Eight Inner Gates. He frowned when he heard this choice. "This is a ninjutsu for taking the enemy down with you. If combined with the Shadow Clone Jutsu, it consumes a tremendous amount of chakra. Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, Lord Hokage."

Uchiha Sōgetsu reconfirmed his choice.

The Mutual Multiplication Explosive Tag, perhaps in others' eyes, was just a ninjutsu used for close-range self-destruction in conjunction with Shadow Clones.

Although its power was considerable, its chakra consumption was enormous, and its practical use in battle was far less than more practical ninjutsu. But in his eyes, the value of the Mutual Multiplication Explosive Tag was countless times more important than ninjutsu like the Reaper Death Seal.

With this thing combined with Konan later on, even the Sage of Six Paths would probably have to kneel and call her 'father'!

What Rasengan, Tailed Beast Bomb, Buddha's Palm. They all had to step aside!

December 23rd, Sunny

My cold has turned into a low-grade fever, and my cough is severe. I'm going to get an IV drip after work. I really can't take it anymore. I feel like my immunity has dropped significantly