The Crucial Point

In Namikaze Minato's heart, Nanchuan You had become a master strategist, possessing outstanding strategic talent.

What was even rarer was that the other party was only eight or nine years old, with plenty of room for growth.

If he were to wait until he grew up, his abilities would likely be even more outstanding.

Thinking of this, Minato couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.

But in reality, Nanchuan You was not as excellent as he imagined.

He could only make these judgments by shooting an arrow first and then drawing a target around it.

After all, he had already seen this part of the story in his previous life.

If he hadn't been afraid of scaring Minato, he could have even told him directly that Kumogakure would suffer a great loss this time, and even the Third Raikage would die at the hands of the Stone ninja.

Of course, the situation at the moment had already changed somewhat compared to the original.

Whether the Third Raikage would die at the hands of the Stone ninja as in the story was somewhat uncertain.

But no matter what, Kumogakure would suffer a great loss, that was for sure.

"What about Kirigakure?"

Minato continued to ask.

Previously, among the four great nations besides Konoha, Nanchuan You had discussed three, leaving only Kirigakure.

Since they had already talked to this point, Minato was also very curious about Nanchuan You's opinion on Kirigakure.

"Kirigakure's situation is similar to Sand Village's, but even more severe."

Nanchuan You shook his head and said.

During the Third Shinobi World War, besides Minato fighting the Raikage's brother alone and gaining fame, another shocking event occurred.

Kirigakure's famous Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were defeated by Might Duy, a Konoha Genin, using the Eight Gates technique during a mission, resulting in more than half of them being killed or injured.

This was the first time the Eight Gates technique displayed its power, achieving astonishing results with its initial burst.

"The internal atmosphere in Kirigakure was already tense. I heard that even the various ninja clans within the ninja village often had conflicts."

Nanchuan You spoke, "The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, as one of Kirigakure's representatives, already represented the various forces within Kirigakure."

"Now, four of these seven have died, leaving only three survivors."

"The internal balance of power in Kirigakure has been broken."

Among the Five Great Nations, Kirigakure was definitely the most dangerous environment.

The so-called Bloody Mist Village had not yet fully unfolded, but the seeds were already sown.

According to the intelligence Nanchuan You possessed, the situation within Kirigakure was already very tense.

Various forces were in a standoff, barely maintaining a balance.

Under a balanced state, the various parties could barely coexist peacefully and advance together under external pressure.

But at this moment, four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were kicked to death, leaving only three to return, and Kirigakure itself had suffered heavy losses in the war.

This undoubtedly caused the internal balance of power in Kirigakure to be disrupted again.

An internal conflict was about to break out.

"The matter of the Three-Tails some time ago also had a huge impact."

Nanchuan You said softly.

He didn't say much about this matter, but Minato immediately understood his meaning, and his heart sank.

He thought of some unpleasant things.

Obito Uchiha, Nohara Rin, and Kakashi were all his students.

Some time ago, during the war, Obito Uchiha died, and his body's whereabouts were still unknown.

Nohara Rin was captured by Kirigakure, sealed with the Three-Tails within her body, and finally killed by Kakashi with his own hands.

This incident was not only a huge blow to Kakashi but also to Minato.

But on the other hand, this incident also greatly consumed Kirigakure's energy.

The Three-Tails jinchuriki died, and the Three-Tails sealed within her body also disappeared, about to be reborn.

Kirigakure's energy was now entirely focused on the lost Three-Tails, and they were eager to recapture it.

On top of this, coupled with the loss of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Kirigakure did not have much energy to waste on them at the moment.

Perhaps the Third Mizukage had not appeared in the war precisely because he was preoccupied with these matters.

Thinking of this, Minato couldn't help but sigh in amazement.

The young man before him seemed ordinary, but with just a few simple words, he had analyzed the current situation of the ninja world so clearly.

It was as if nothing could stump him.

This ability was truly astonishing.

He thought to himself.

In the past, he had seen many geniuses, such as Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi, who were outstanding shinobi.

He himself was a genius among geniuses, capable of surpassing all others.

But this was the first time he had encountered a genius like Nanchuan You.

Coming to visit Kakashi this time had yielded quite an unexpected gain.

He thought to himself, then suddenly spoke, "You've already mentioned the other four great nations."

"What about Konoha?"

He spoke softly, his gaze fixed on Nanchuan You before him, "Regarding the situation within Konoha, what are your thoughts, You?"

"Within Konoha?"

Meeting Namikaze Minato's gaze, Nanchuan You fell silent for a moment.

After a while, he continued, "Before the war, the Third Hokage had mentioned wanting to pass on the Hokage position to other young people in advance."

"And this time would be around after this war concluded."

Speaking of this, he looked up at Namikaze Minato before him, "Therefore, Konoha's most important matters right now are both on the battlefield and not on the battlefield."

"Oh?"

Namikaze Minato was very curious, "What do you mean by that?"

"The Hokage election is about to begin, so the most important matter at present is not on the battlefield, but within the village."

Nanchuan You said with a smile, "But the key to winning this Hokage election lies not elsewhere, but precisely on this battlefield."

For the Konoha shinobi at this moment, the war was still important, but compared to the upcoming Hokage election, it seemed less so.

However, the key to winning the Hokage election was also on this battlefield.

Because only those who performed outstandingly on the battlefield and became heroes would have the qualification to win the subsequent Hokage election.

In the original story, why did Namikaze Minato defeat Orochimaru and become the Fourth Hokage?

In terms of seniority, Orochimaru was the direct disciple of the Third Hokage and had close ties with advisors like Danzo, while Namikaze Minato was merely Jiraiya's disciple and had no roots in Konoha's politics.

In terms of fame, Orochimaru was one of the famed Konoha Sannin, while Namikaze Minato was merely a rising star.

In every aspect, he was at a disadvantage.

Yet, he was ultimately able to defeat Orochimaru and become the final victor.

The main reasons, besides the Third Hokage's decision and Orochimaru's own issues, were that he was Konoha's greatest contributor and hero in the Third Shinobi World War, almost single-handedly helping Konoha win the war.

This glorious achievement earned him immense fame, which even the elder leaders, led by the Third Hokage, could not ignore.

With this record and reputation as a foundation, coupled with his status as Jiraiya's disciple, giving him a somewhat legitimate lineage to the Hokage, he then had the qualifications to become the Fourth Hokage.