The Abandoned Orochimaru!

The moment Minato Namikaze finished speaking, everyone present revealed looks of shock!

Inuzuka Agito said, "Jin, this isn't something to joke about! If things go wrong, someone could use it as leverage to make trouble!"

They were shinobi, after all. Even leaving the village normally required filing a report!

Not to mention that it was wartime, when the village's inspections were even stricter!

For Uchiha Jin to act on his own without permission—at best, it was abandoning his post; at worst, it could be treated as defecting from the village!

Given Uchiha Jin's identity as a member of the Uchiha Clan, there was almost no chance of getting off lightly!

If the Third Hokage and the others discovered Uchiha Jin's whereabouts, there would be no peaceful resolution to this matter!

"Don't worry. The main camp at the Kirigakure Frontline is mostly staffed by Uchiha Clan and Hyuga Clan members. Someone is covering for me, so they won't find out!" Uchiha Jin explained with a smile. "Besides, I had a reason I had to come out this time!"

Everyone present was a member of Minato Squad, trustworthy own people. That was why Uchiha Jin had appeared before them without reservations!

"A reason you had to come out?"

Minato Namikaze vaguely sensed something and fixed his burning gaze on Uchiha Jin!

"Sit down. Let's talk."

Uchiha Jin swept his gaze across the group and raised a hand in invitation.

Minato Namikaze and the others did not object, each finding a comfortable spot to sit on the ground.

Only after everyone had settled down did Uchiha Jin speak. "This war has lasted nearly eight years. We're all exhausted in both body and mind!"

"No matter how this war ends, Konoha will have suffered tremendous losses!"

"And as Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen cannot escape blame for certain mistakes in judgment. His time as Hokage is coming to an end!"

"I believe all of you have heard more or less the same rumors!"

At the beginning of the war, faced with Sunagakure's provocation, Sarutobi Hiruzen—anxious and intent on pursuing peace—failed to respond immediately. He allowed Sunagakure's arrogance to grow, causing the war to enter a stalemate and drawing Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure into the conflict one after another!

Sunagakure was the weakest shinobi village among the Five Great Nations, while Konoha was universally acknowledged as the Ninja World's strongest shinobi village!

If Sarutobi Hiruzen had concentrated Konoha's advantageous military strength from the start and crippled Sunagakure in one stroke, perhaps this war would not have developed into what it later became!

At the very least, it would not have lasted this long!

And after defeating Sunagakure, Sarutobi Hiruzen not only failed to demand any war reparations in order to placate them, but even made concessions in certain areas!

This had also bred dissatisfaction among many Konoha Ninja!

Sarutobi Hiruzen had made many other wrong decisions in this war because of his obsession with seeking peace, and resentment within the village had grown by the day!

In order to give Konoha's villagers an explanation, word had spread throughout the village that Sarutobi Hiruzen would step down as Hokage once this war ended!

And this was deliberately leaked by Sarutobi Hiruzen to reassure Konoha's people!

Uchiha Jin continued, "Even if I hadn't come, this war would have been nearing its end!"

"Perhaps Kumogakure and Iwagakure would not cease fighting so quickly, but with the three sides restraining one another, neither would launch another large-scale war!"

"At most, there would be minor skirmishes along the borders!"

Iwagakure and Kumogakure still had the strength to fight, but the Third Raikage had died in Iwagakure's hands. That was a blood feud!

Furthermore, Iwagakure and Kumogakure had both declared war on Konoha, resulting in what was essentially a three-way melee. No one trusted anyone else!

If either Iwagakure or Kumogakure wanted to launch a large-scale war against Konoha, they would have to consider whether the other side might stab them in the back and reap the benefits!

So by this point, the war was essentially over!

Minato Namikaze nodded. "That is indeed the case! I've already received the Third Hokage's transfer order and will return to Konoha soon for rest and reorganization!"

"At the same time, the Third Hokage hinted in his private letter that he would support me in becoming the Fourth Hokage after I returned!"

Uchiha Jin smiled at this. "It seems our Hokage-sama thinks very highly of you, Minato!"

Minato Namikaze gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "He doesn't think highly of me. He only values that power and wants to turn me into a puppet!"

"Just like your book says: hold the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords!"

If it had been the original Minato Namikaze, the moment he received Sarutobi Hiruzen's private letter, he would probably have been delightedly preparing to become the Fourth Hokage!

But after years of Uchiha Jin's deliberate guidance, Minato Namikaze had become completely different. He was no longer the political novice from the original story and could naturally see through Sarutobi Hiruzen's true intentions!

To that end, Uchiha Jin had even specifically copied out strategy books from his Previous Life, such as Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Thick Black Theory, for Minato Namikaze to study!

"Not bad. You've improved more and more, Minato!" Uchiha Jin praised him first, then continued, "Logically speaking, the best candidate for the Fourth Hokage should have been Orochimaru!"

"Orochimaru is calm by nature and farsighted. Not only is he immensely powerful, but he also made outstanding contributions during the Second Shinobi World War and the Third Shinobi World War!"

"By every measure, Orochimaru is qualified to be Hokage!"

"But he is simply too qualified—so qualified that the Third Hokage can no longer control him. That is why the Third Hokage can only abandon him!"

In terms of strength alone, Minato Namikaze was now certainly no weaker than Orochimaru.

But in terms of foundation, Minato Namikaze, who had only recently risen to prominence during this war, was absolutely incomparable to Orochimaru!

The difference in their current positions alone was like heaven and earth!

During this war, Minato Namikaze was like a firefighter, sent wherever he was needed!

Orochimaru, on the other hand, had first served as commander on the Sunagakure battle line and was now commander at the Kumogakure Frontline. He was Minato Namikaze's direct superior!

If they truly competed, Minato Namikaze would have no chance against Orochimaru!

Minato Namikaze did not refute him. He nodded seriously and said, "Indeed. Aside from being somewhat cold in temperament, Orochimaru Senior is qualified to be Hokage in every other respect!"

"Let's set Orochimaru aside for now. He no longer has a chance," Uchiha Jin continued. "Minato, when you return this time, the Third Hokage will definitely test you again!"

"Before everything is settled, you should not get too close to Uchiha Clan Members. That is why I can only speak to you about certain matters here!"

Minato Namikaze's expression turned solemn as he waited for Uchiha Jin to continue!