Even Namikaze Minato's techniques and Ninjutsu still seemed incredibly immature to Uchiha.
But that dodge just now excited him. The intuition of a strong person! This kind of thing is mysterious and profound. Most people with such intuition become powerful figures, but a small number are nipped in the bud.
This intuition is not something everyone possesses, nor does it mean that every strong person has it. It simply means that this intuition makes it easier for a ninja to become strong, rather than guaranteeing them strength.
Namikaze Minato remained silent, staring at Uchiha. He thought to himself how close he had come to defeat Uchiha's casual attack to render him unable to lift his head. It was truly terrifying.
Uchiha looked at Namikaze Minato and chuckled, "What? Don't dare to make a move? Don't worry, this is just training, it won't kill you." After saying that, Uchiha stretched out a hand, hooked four fingers together, signaling Namikaze Minato to attack.
Namikaze Minato seized the opportunity, using Body Flicker Technique and Rasengan to charge forward. Uchiha focused his attention, covering his arm with the power of Susanoo, and grasped at Namikaze Minato Rasengan.
A strong sense of friction and breakthrough came from Uchiha's palm. Immediately afterwards, Susanoo began to shatter. Namikaze Minato's eyes lit up, and he increased the output power of Rasengan, gathering a large amount of Chakra in his hand.
Uchiha smiled without saying a word. He was pleased to see Namikaze Minato's serious expression, but he would never hold back. At most, he would just see how much power Namikaze Minato could make him use.
He clenched his hand covering Susanoo, crushing the Rasengan, and then slapped Namikaze Minato's palm.
Bang!
Namikaze Minato was knocked back, staggering seven or eight steps, while Uchiha remained completely still, looking completely at ease. Uchiha Kō, sitting there, understood what was going on when he saw this.
The two were not even in the same league. This sparring match was, to put it nicely, a sparring match, but to put it bluntly, it was a teaching exercise. Uchiha Madara was using the same power as Namikaze Minato to teach him how to fight.
Tsk tsk, what a pity. If Minato Namikaze Minato hadn't faced Uchiha, his Flying Thunder God Technique would have been an unsolvable problem. But he was facing Madara Uchiha, who was constantly thinking about how to break the Flying Thunder God Uchiha Technique because his younger brother was killed by the white-haired man. So the outcome was decided from the very beginning.
"Madara- sama, I've lost!" Namikaze Minato sighed, scratched his head, and gave an embarrassed smile. As expected, compared to Lord Madara, I still have a long way to go. As for taking over as Hokage, I'll postpone it for now.
If Uchiha Kō knew Namikaze Minato's thoughts, he'd probably fly into a rage and beat up his Great Grandfather, yelling, "I want to retire! I want to retire! Retire!"
"You're quite good. When I was your age, I wasn't as good as you! Don't underestimate yourself!" Uchiha Madara was telling the truth. He was probably only at the two- Tomoe back then, which was far inferior to Namikaze Minato, a commoner ninja.
Unfortunately, in the world of Hokage, some things cannot be compensated for by hard work. Perhaps Namikaze Minato's strength has reached the pinnacle of ordinary ninjas, and he is even unafraid of some bloodline limit ninjas.
However, compared to the talent of Uchiha and Senju Hashirama, their efforts were insignificant. Uchiha Kō, standing to the side, was pondering something: perhaps he should be allowed to experience Senjutsu?
Or perhaps, find him another Tailed Beast? But who could he find? He sighed, shook his head, and decided to deal with it later.
Uchiha Kō stepped forward and smiled, "Great Grandfather is wise and mighty, and Minato are also extraordinary! Konoha of talented people, and the future depends on you!" Uchiha Kō put one hand on Uchiha's shoulder and the other hand on Namikaze Minato's shoulder.
"Grow up quickly, Minato! Hurry up and take over!" Uchiha Kō thought to himself.
"Tch, the future depends on us, but what about you? What are you going to do?" Uchiha rolled his eyes at Uchiha Kō, somewhat speechless. This kid is clearly very strong, why is he always thinking about retiring?
"Yes, teacher, you are still young and in the prime of your life. Konoha will still need to trouble you a lot!" Namikaze Minato said with a smile.
"Tsk tsk, you two are just trying to annoy me! Alright, everyone get ready! Let's head to Kumogakure." Uchiha Kō rolled his eyes and snorted coldly.
The two stopped joking and bickering, and followed behind Uchiha Kō, heading north towards Kumogakure. When they passed the border, Uchiha Kō didn't see any ninjas guarding it, guessing that Kumogakure had just resolved its internal strife and hadn't had time to manage border affairs yet.
Without giving it much thought, he continued walking towards Kumogakure.
Kumogakure
Inside the main tent, the Third Raikage and Young Lord A were discussing how to deal with the rebels from Kumogakure. Just then, Anbu came to report, "Report! Lord Raikage, three Konoha Ninja are requesting an audience outside the village!"
The Anbu member appeared exceptionally young, likely a new recruit, looking to be only around eleven or twelve years old. The Kumogakure is truly desperate for manpower! Such a young child, and they've appointed him as Anbu Ninja.
The Third Raikage A, paused, then looked at Young Lord A. "A, go and invite the Konoha ninja in." Then, the Third Raikage hesitated again, realizing he should have greeted them himself. "Never mind, you follow me, we'll see who it is together!"
"Yes!" Young Lord A wholeheartedly agreed with his father's words and followed behind him toward the village entrance.
Looking at the ruins of the village, with some buildings even stained with blood and marked with traces of Lightning Release Ninjutsu, Uchiha Kō clicked his tongue twice. It seemed that the actions of A and his son had already aroused the villagers' dissatisfaction!
These must be traces left behind by the discontented rebels' coup attempt! But given this outcome, Uchiha Kō can only chuckle and say, "Serves them right!"
The Third Raikage and Young Lord A have arrived at the village entrance. You might be wondering why Eight-Tails Jinchuriki Killer B, isn't here. He's currently helping A and his son deal with the families of the rebels.
The Third Raikage wouldn't do such a thing, because his status wouldn't allow it. As for his son, Young Lord A, it was even more unacceptable. Sooner or later, Young Lord A would take over the Raikage position; how could he let his hands get dirty?
However, at this moment, the Third Raikage had very few capable subordinates left, so he asked Killer B was the most obedient and easiest to control, to handle these matters. Killer B didn't say anything; since it was his older brother and uncle's request, he would do it.
But the Gyūki within his body was furious. Why? Just because he was more honest? Just because he was more obedient, did he have to do all the dirty work for you two?
Because of this incident, Gyūki hasn't spoken to Killer B for a whole day and night. He's furious at Kirabi's lack of ambition; what's the point of keeping a village like this around?
Besides, didn't you rescue them from the Iwagakure Ninja forces? And before that, you severely injured Han, the Five-Tails Jinchūriki, and protected Kumogakure.
Aren't these two things enough to repay the kindness of the Third Raikage and his son over the years? Seriously, Gyūki really didn't want to talk, but he was also holding it in.
"Oh, so it's the Lord Hokage and Lord Madara! And the Yellow Flash?" The Third Raikage chuckled, his skin thick as he acted as if his Kumogakure and Konoha had a very good relationship.
Uchiha Kō sneered, "What? The victorious village is coming to find the defeated village. Is this surprising to the Raikage?" Uchiha Kō's words aroused the dissatisfaction of the Third Raikage and Young Lord A. The two narrowed their eyes, just as Young Lord A was about to speak.
The Third Raikage grabbed him, forcing a smile. "Guests are welcome. Ai, go and get some good wine. Your father wants to have a few more drinks with the Lord Hokage."
"Father, your injuries..." Young Lord A hesitated, opening his mouth but being glared at by Raikage's sharp eyes, he instantly deflated. He was about to fetch some wine when Uchiha Kō raised his hand, gesturing "Wait."
"We have no interest in drinking with defeated opponents. Besides, we are not friends, but enemies. Your invasion this time has shown us what kind of village Kumogakure is, and what kind of leader it is."
Uchiha Kō's words were laced with sarcasm. To be honest, the fact that he didn't directly call the Raikage and Kumogakure beasts shows how high his standards were.
Young Lord A was furious. He didn't know exactly what the Kumogakure ninjas had done, and the Third Raikage hadn't said anything, only that they had been defeated, without explaining the details. Young Lord A didn't ask, but even though you're from the victorious nation, isn't your way of speaking a bit too much?
"My Kumogakure is one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, after all. Aren't you going too far with your words? My father treated you with respect, yet you show us such contempt. Could it be that you intend to..."
After all, tens of thousands of Cloud Ninja died on the battlefield, and he was the only one who survived. So, isn't it ultimately up to him to decide what to do?
"Hey! Shut up!" The Third Raikage snapped, silencing his son. Then, composing himself, he smiled broadly. "Hehe, my son was just being silly; please excuse him."
"Since this is a negotiation, then please state your demands. We will obey unconditionally. We only hope that you will show mercy and not slaughter everyone," the Third Raikage said with a smile.
His biggest fear now is that Konoha will directly attack and destroy his Kumogakure. After all, their actions this time were indeed a bit excessive. However, they did not expect that Konoha would make peace with the Sunagakure so quickly and that the reinforcements would arrive so timely. If he had known, he would have retreated with his army long ago!
At this moment, whether he was the defeated party or the defeated party whose strength had been depleted by 80%, he could not withstand the attack of Uchiha Kō and Konoha in any way. He could not, and did not want, for Kumogakure to perish in his hands.
Therefore, he could only feign compliance and try his best to meet all of Uchiha Kō's demands, even if it meant suffering heavy losses. He could only accept it and could not refuse. This is the fate of defeated, weak, and invading nations!