Explosive Tag

Although speed was not one of Uchiha Gen's most outstanding strengths, it was by no means a weakness, especially after obtaining Young Madara's Character Card. His explosive power while moving had increased significantly.

During the earlier pursuit, Uchiha Gen had clearly seen that Minato Namikaze used the most basic Body Flicker—a D-rank ninjutsu that simply concentrated Chakra in the legs to enhance instantaneous explosive power during movement.

Minato Namikaze's impossible-to-hide talent practically overflowed from him. Coupled with his commoner background and lack of a ninja clan behind him, as long as the Third Hokage had not lost his mind, he would certainly draw him into his own faction and cultivate him vigorously.

And in fact, it was exactly as Uchiha Gen had guessed.

"Orochimaru, what do you think of that child Minato?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi walked at the very front of the group and spoke to Orochimaru beside him.

"What is it, Teacher Sarutobi? Don't tell me you're planning to stuff someone into my squad too? Still, I am somewhat interested in this child."

Orochimaru licked his lips and chuckled.

"Your squad is already full, so adding another would be inappropriate. What I want to ask is, how about handing him to Jiraiya for training?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi said gravely.

Jiraiya could be reliable when he was reliable, but he could also be truly unreliable. The Third Hokage worried that if Minato Namikaze were entrusted to Jiraiya, such a promising seedling might be led astray.

"Today, I handed the squad over to Jiraiya to lead. We can ask them how Jiraiya's teaching has been."

"Mm, if Jiraiya has sufficient teaching ability, that would be a good thing as well..."

The Third Hokage nodded slightly, intending to ask his son about it when they returned.

"I have also seen Enju's progress over this period. I did not expect Uchiha Gen's progress to be even greater. Orochimaru, it seems you've learned even my skill at teaching disciples."

"Teacher Sarutobi, the speed of his progress has exceeded my expectations as well. Perhaps it is the change brought by the Sharingan, which he awakened not long ago."

Orochimaru shook his head.

By his estimates, although Uchiha Gen should have improved considerably, he should not have become this strong—after all, Uchiha Gen had only recently pulled Young Madara's Character Card.

"No matter what, his current abilities are inseparable from your guidance. If Jiraiya does not teach him well enough, I hope you can also offer that child some pointers."

For now, the Third Hokage still had considerable faith in Orochimaru's teaching ability.

Orochimaru's gaze immediately sharpened.

"In a year, or..."

"Mm... I imagine you have seen it as well. This year's fifth-year Ninja Academy students will have to graduate early. With Kumogakure acting like this, even if some people wish to negotiate peace and ease the pressure of war, it will be impossible for such a proposal to be accepted.

The war between Konoha and Kumogakure will resume because the peace talks have failed, and it will enter a high-intensity phase from the very beginning. The fronts in the Land of Rain and the Land of Wind are equally urgent now, and the manpower shortage is too severe. Not only will you people, who just withdrew from the front lines for a month of rest and reorganization, have to return, but even the new generation of ninjas must go to the front lines to replenish the ranks.

When the time comes, the high-level meeting will very likely approve a resolution for upper-year Ninja Academy students to graduate early.

But that is not why I made this decision. It is because of Danzo."

"Danzo..."

A flash of understanding passed through Orochimaru's eyes.

The people in Danzo's Root were dead soldiers whose emotions had been almost entirely erased. No ninja clan would be willing to send a child of exceptional talent from their family into it.

Therefore, he would either pull in members of his own Shimura Clan or turn his sights toward commoners—especially orphans.

Minato Namikaze perfectly met all of Danzo's requirements, especially with talent so abundant it was nearly spilling over. Danzo could not possibly fail to be tempted by him.

"Mm. I noticed this child as early as two years ago. His temperament is not suited to Root. If he goes there, Danzo's methods of training will only wear away his spark. In terms of temperament, I believe he is most suited to Jiraiya.

Before he graduates, I will shield him from Danzo's covetous gaze. After graduation, it will be up to you to cultivate these extraordinarily gifted children. Once I grow old, they will all become flourishing branches and leaves, helping you support the village."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke meaningfully to Orochimaru.

Orochimaru understood the former meaning.

He could feel that the Third Hokage truly regarded him as the inheritor of his legacy, someone to be cultivated as the future Hokage.

But...

The Hokage?

Orochimaru raised his head and looked toward the bright moon rising in the distance.

That was not the dream that had led him down the path of a ninja. It was the expectation of the Third Hokage, and of those close to him.

In a daze, Orochimaru seemed to see through that moon once more, seeing his former disciple Nawaki, shouting with fervent, yearning words about his goal of becoming Hokage.

Orochimaru then turned his head and looked at Uchiha Gen, who was chatting and laughing with Minato Namikaze and Kushina.

Hokage it was, then. He only needed to do what he should do and what he wanted to do. If one person's energy was not enough, he could also be like Teacher Sarutobi and raise a capable disciple to work like a mule.

By the time Uchiha Gen returned to the Clan Grounds, it was already late at night.

As usual, he bathed and changed clothes, burned incense and worshipped the gods, then began his Gacha Pull.

[System drawing...]

[Obtained: Item Card: Explosive Tag ×3 (White)]

[Item Description: Upon use, you will receive three standard Explosive Tags.]

Uchiha Gen's eyes flickered. He extended his palm toward the front.

[Use this Item Card?]

[Yes.]

Three Explosive Tags, white with red borders, were neatly laid flat before Uchiha Gen.

"Just standard Explosive Tags. Tsk, still not bad. Together, they're worth quite a bit of money."

Uchiha Gen looked fairly satisfied.

Although they were white items, they were already among the finest white items.

There were actually many different types of Explosive Tags.

The three Explosive Tags he had pulled were the most classic kind, white with red borders. Although there were only three, they were quite expensive, and if used well, they could produce impressive results.

The next day.

Although the negotiations had broken down and Orochimaru's mission should, by all rights, have been over, he still had not returned to his squad. Instead, as the Jonin Squad Leader, he assisted the Hokage with a series of war-related matters.

Jiraiya still temporarily led the Orochimaru Squad's training.

Yet it was obvious that everyone could feel Konoha's tense, bustling atmosphere. From time to time, Anbu Ninja could be seen running through streets and alleys, across rooftops and along corridors, delivering messages from the Hokage.

It was not until the morning of the third day that Orochimaru reappeared before the squad.

However, Orochimaru did not lead them in continuing their training.