Minato's Suspicions

"What?! Lord Orochimaru lost to that brat?!"

"Yes."

"Someone will tell you about him later, but whatever you do, don't provoke him. I heard Danzo suffered at his hands today too!"

"What?! Even the Anbu lost?!"

"You can't exactly call it a loss. More like they suffered a small setback."

Minato was filled with uncertainty.

Since the Third Hokage had said such things, that mysterious expert had to be genuinely powerful. Otherwise, the Third Hokage would never have told him not to provoke the man.

No. For the village's safety, I absolutely can't let someone this dangerous remain in the village. I'll test him out tonight. Minato immediately made up his mind. After greeting the Third Hokage, he left the Hokage Building.

"Minato... I just hope you don't cause any trouble."

After Minato left, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. He knew Minato's temperament all too well. Though young and upright, Minato's feelings for the village were no less than Danzo's!

Therefore, Hiruzen Sarutobi was certain that Minato would go see Ye Liang that night.

Meanwhile, the one responsible for all this was hugging Mitarashi Anko's thigh like an idiot!

"Anko! I'm your lifesaver! At least treat me to a meal! I'm really going to starve to death!"

Ye Liang wore an exaggerated expression as he cried and made a fuss. Whether he was truly begging or taking advantage of the situation, his hands clung tightly to Anko's thigh, squeezing it now and then.

"No way. This is the reward for the mission I completed today. I absolutely won't give you any more!"

"You're really that heartless?"

"I really am!"

"Damn!"

After begging in vain, Ye Liang stormed into the bedroom and slammed the door shut behind him!

"That's my room!" Anko was speechless, but the door had already closed.

Inside the room, Ye Liang's stomach growled. Though he had swindled a bowl of ramen from Ichiraku earlier that day, he had not eaten or drunk anything for dinner. He had originally planned to get Anko to sponsor another bowl for him, but he never expected that little girl to be so heartless!

With puffed cheeks, Ye Liang had no idea that an expert was standing on the rooftop outside the window.

This is supposed to be an expert? A trace of astonishment appeared on Minato's face. He had seen every shameless thing Ye Liang had done just now.

He was even extorting Anko, a lonely orphan, just for a meal. How could someone like that possibly be an expert?

Minato was uncertain. For the first time in his life, he doubted the Third Hokage's words.

Should I test his skills? The thought flashed through Minato's mind. He then tossed a Shuriken through the window.

Whoosh!

A golden figure appeared in Anko's bedroom!

S-rank Space Ninjutsu—Flying Thunder God!

This was Minato's signature Ninjutsu. It was this technique that had made him shine on the battlefield and earned him the title of the Yellow Flash from countless enemies.

Minato had placed a spatial mark on his Shuriken. No matter where it was, he could instantly appear at its location!

That was the power of an S-rank Ninjutsu!

Ye Liang jumped in fright.

He had been rolling around on the bed when a golden shadow suddenly appeared above him. On instinct, he unleashed Shinra Tensei!

Bang!

Anko's large bed shattered into pieces.

Minato was blasted straight out the window.

"Holy shit! Is this haunted?! What the hell was that just now?!" Ye Liang had no idea what was happening. It had been a purely instinctive reaction.

The moment he saw Minato's silhouette, he instinctively unleashed Shinra Tensei!

It had to be said, the reaction speed of a jonin was truly fast!

But when a thunderous boom rang out, Ye Liang's heart sank even deeper.

Damn it! The bed's gone. That little girl is going to make a scene tomorrow! What am I supposed to say? That the place is haunted? Would she believe me? Ye Liang grimaced bitterly.

Outside the window, Minato was dumbfounded.

Only after smashing through two or three chimneys did he finally come to a hard stop on a stable rooftop.

"So strong! Inconceivably strong!"

He spat out a mouthful of blood.

"How could anyone possess such a terrifying Ninjutsu?! I didn't even see how he moved before he sent me flying this far!"

"And I didn't even see him make a move! Is he a Taijutsu master?!"

Countless questions flashed through Minato's mind, and his invincible confidence took a heavy blow.

The Third Hokage had originally hoped I would inherit the position of Hokage, but with my current strength, how could I possibly be worthy of becoming Hokage?! With speed as embarrassing as mine, I'm actually called the Yellow Flash! I couldn't even see the technique he used to attack me! Damn it!

At that moment, Minato felt utterly powerless.

I should go out and train for a few years. With my current strength, I can't protect Konoha at all!

"Yes, that's it! Mysterious brat! Once I become stronger, I'll come back and challenge you again!" A man of action, Minato immediately headed out of the village!

The next day.

A farewell letter lay on Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk.

"???"

Kid, do you have lots of question marks?

"That idiot Minato! I was planning to have him inherit the position of Hokage, yet he just up and left! I'm furious!" The Third Hokage slammed his palm onto the desk before him.

The office desk, once hard as iron, shattered into several pieces from that blow!

"What happened, Lord Hokage?"

Shikaku Nara looked at the enraged Third Hokage with a puzzled expression.

That morning, as usual, he had come to report the battle situation to Hiruzen Sarutobi. Yet the moment he arrived, he found the Hokage in a towering rage!

"See for yourself! This idiot never gives anyone peace of mind!" Hiruzen Sarutobi angrily tossed the farewell letter to Shikaku.

"This is...!"

As Shikaku Nara read the letter, his expression grew increasingly grave.

"My lord, although the captain has left, he would never betray the village. I believe in his character!"

In this era, leaving the village without permission basically meant defecting, especially during wartime, when battles were raging throughout the land.

"Of course I know he hasn't defected. But as a former hero, his departure from the village will definitely have a tremendous impact on the front lines!"

"Then, my lord, why don't we inform everyone that Captain Minato has gone to carry out a long-term secret mission?"

"Yes! That's a good idea!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi praised him repeatedly.

Though Shikaku Nara was not particularly strong, his mind was extremely sharp. In that regard, he was very much like his son.

After the two parted ways, Shikaku immediately rushed to the front lines and began spreading the news of Minato's departure.

"I only hope Minato doesn't lose heart completely. Otherwise, the imminent Third Great Ninja War will be dangerous." A trace of melancholy appeared in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.