"My lord also said that you taught him the Body Flicker Technique. He had practiced it constantly over the past year, going from being completely unaccustomed to it at first to mastering it flawlessly now. Even jonin would find it hard to impede him too much!"
Though he sounded like he was complaining, the irrepressible joy on Sarutobi Sasuke's face made Mingye smile faintly. Nor could the patrolling ninja truly be blamed. His nominal disciple was the young master of the Sarutobi Clan, such a precious figure that no one dared risk hurting him. Even if they saw him, they could only turn a blind eye.
"It was my oversight."
After showing off his son, Sarutobi Sasuke curiously asked why Mingye had come. "Have you come this time over something important?"
Mingye did not beat around the bush and told him directly, "I no longer intend to take your son as my disciple."
"What?!"
Sarutobi Sasuke stared at Mingye in astonishment, utterly unable to understand why Mingye was going back on his word. Mingye quickly explained.
"Don't worry, it isn't anything serious. I simply think it would be best for certain matters not to become entangled."
"What do you mean, my lord?"
Unable to make sense of it, Sarutobi Sasuke asked aloud. Mingye glanced at him, then lowered his head to look at the ground as he spoke.
"Konoha is led by clans, so civilianization is important. There are always many geniuses among the clans, but they will never surpass the geniuses among commoners. We must treat everyone equally. But then the problem arises—who will carry this banner? As things stand, no one can do it. I represent the absolute authority of the Uchiha Clan, and so do you. Senju Hashirama and Hyuga Tianren are the same. That means it