Chapter 134: The Yellow Flash's Foresight
After hearing Minato's words, both Jiraiya and Uchiha Fugaku looked somewhat surprised. The two of them had left after attending Hiruko and the others' appointment ceremony and hadn't participated in that office meeting afterward. They didn't know Minato planned to make the Mist ninja bleed to fill their village's financial hole.
However, since Minato had already made his decision, neither questioned whether it was correct. After their initial surprise, they began considering what they needed to do.
Uchiha Fugaku spoke with exceptional seriousness. "Hokage-sama, whenever you have need of us, simply summon me. My Uchiha clan will give our absolute utmost."
He wasn't blind, deaf, or wooden. He knew the warmly smiling Third hadn't looked favorably upon the Uchiha clan. But previously, he'd been helpless. He didn't know how to change his clan's circumstances or resolve his clansmen's resentment. He could only barely patch and paper over the cracks between village and clan.
Fortunately, before the relationship between village and clan deteriorated beyond repair—before the cracks became impossible to patch or paper over—that Hyuga clan monster Hyuga Ritsu had shattered Konoha's old order. And Namikaze Minato had seized the opportunity to establish Konoha's new order.
With Namikaze Minato, he'd experienced something he'd never felt before—equal treatment. Minato didn't treat the Uchiha clan like explosive tags that might lose control and detonate at any moment. On the eve of voting for the Fourth Hokage, Minato had even personally visited the Uchiha clan. The two had a long, intimate conversation. Through that opportunity, Fugaku gained clearer, deeper understanding of Namikaze Minato.
A hero with ambition, capability, the capacity to accept others, and determination to create a long-lasting era of peace for Konoha!
This made him resolve to seize this opportunity, even if it meant making such an almost obsequious declaration before so many people. Because if he missed this chance, heaven knew whether the Uchiha clan would ever get another opportunity.
Minato was somewhat surprised by Uchiha Fugaku's naked, direct declaration.
But—
This was a good thing.
He looked at Uchiha Fugaku, his attitude gentle. "Fugaku Clan Head, I have complete faith in your clan's abilities and character. Even if you hadn't spoken, I was already planning to find an opportunity to earnestly request your clan's assistance."
He thoroughly understood the principle of "everyone carries the sedan chair." By displaying an attitude of courting worthy subordinates and giving Uchiha Fugaku ample face, he left Fugaku in excellent spirits, deeply convinced he'd made the right choice this time.
At this moment, an ANBU suddenly appeared in the office, knelt on one knee, and reported, "Hokage-sama, Orochimaru-sama says he's feeling unwell and cannot answer your summons."
In an instant, it was as though the cold wind from outside poured into the room, rapidly cooling the heated atmosphere.
Orochimaru refusing to accept the Fourth's invitation—this news made everyone instinctively hold their breath. Their gazes unconsciously turned toward Minato.
"I'll go find Orochimaru."
Jiraiya dropped this sentence and moved to leave.
But Minato immediately stopped him. "Sensei, since Orochimaru-senpai says he's unwell, there's no need to force him. I only called on Orochimaru-senpai to add another layer of insurance. Even if Orochimaru-senpai can't participate, the forces at hand are sufficient."
Jiraiya frowned. After thinking it over, he stopped, planning to find another suitable opportunity to have a good talk with Orochimaru. He couldn't let that bastard stay stubborn like this forever.
He temporarily suppressed these thoughts and looked at Minato. "Minato, who exactly are you planning to bring to attack Hidden Mist Village?"
Minato's gaze swept around the office occupants before he answered in a low voice. "Kushina and I will both go. Kushina can suppress the Mist ninja's Six-Tails jinchuriki. Additionally, Hyuga Clan Head and Uchiha Clan Head—this matter requires your accompaniment as well." As he spoke, his gaze moved between Ritsu and Uchiha Fugaku.
Uchiha Fugaku's expression became solemn and serious. He immediately declared, "Hokage-sama, please rest assured. For the village, I will certainly fight to the bitter end and won't retreat a single step!"
Ritsu, however, laughed. He said quite casually, "Hokage-sama, actually there's no need for Kushina-senpai to act, nor anyone else. You and I working together are sufficient to sweep through Hidden Mist Village!"
These words truly sounded wildly arrogant!
But considering Ritsu had successively defeated and captured alive both Shimura Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen—those two veteran seniors—forcibly changing Konoha's entire landscape, they felt Ritsu wasn't exaggerating but stating facts.
After all, Hidden Mist Village had suffered crushing defeat on the battlefield with heavy casualties. Unlike Konoha with its deep foundations, current Hidden Mist Village might not be much stronger than Konoha had been previously when only Sarutobi Hiruzen and others held the fort while Minato, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and many other powerhouses were all away.
The Hyuga Clan Head plus the Fourth—the two of them working together to sweep through Hidden Mist Village might genuinely not be idle boasting.
Minato simply said, "When estimating the enemy, assume the worst. Having additional insurance is always good. Hidden Mist Village is, after all, one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Though they suffered major defeat on the front lines, who knows what reserves they've kept to guard their village? So for this trip, we should prepare as thoroughly as possible. If any variables arise, we can respond calmly."
Everyone nodded repeatedly. What the Hokage said was the correct principle. In any undertaking, one should seek stability. Only in unavoidable circumstances—only when helpless—should one take dangerous gambles.
Right now, Konoha held absolute initiative and overwhelming advantage. There was no reason to take unnecessary risks. Steady progress and methodical advancement were the optimal solution.
Hearing this, Ritsu raised an eyebrow. "Hokage-sama, if you're seeking stability, I can recommend someone. We can first go to the eastern front base camp. For this operation, we can bring Uchiha Shisui along."
As he spoke, he looked toward Uchiha Fugaku beside him and smiled. "To put it bluntly, in my view, that kid Uchiha Shisui is absolutely the Uchiha clan's current strongest. Even the Uchiha Clan Head isn't that kid's match."
This statement was genuinely impolite.
Hearing it, Akimichi Torikaze and others couldn't help glancing at Uchiha Fugaku, thinking that with the Uchiha clan's proud temperament, Fugaku would surely quarrel with Ritsu.
Yet unexpectedly—
"That was my oversight."
Uchiha Fugaku didn't quarrel with Ritsu. Instead, his face showed chagrin as he reproached himself for his carelessness.
He looked toward Minato and said seriously, "Hokage-sama, the Hyuga Clan Head speaks correctly. Though Shisui is young, his abilities truly already surpass mine. This operation would be perfect for bringing him along."
Minato had heard of Shisui of the Body Flicker's reputation, but previously he'd mainly been rushing between battlefronts against the Cloud ninja and Rock ninja. He hadn't dealt with Uchiha Shisui and thus had limited understanding.
Now that both Ritsu and Uchiha Fugaku believed Uchiha Shisui could handle such responsibility, he didn't doubt these two's judgment. This young man named Uchiha Shisui definitely possessed genuine ability. This operation would be perfect for thorough observation.
He spoke. "Since the Uchiha Clan Head and Hyuga Clan Head jointly recommend him, let's add Uchiha Shisui."
"Minato, is it only you four—no, five?"
Having listened for so long and finding it seemed to have nothing to do with him, Jiraiya's brow furrowed slightly. "Am I not going?"
Minato shook his head. "Sensei, this trip to Hidden Mist Village doesn't require your participation. I'm hoping you can return to the Yu no Kuni front to hold the fort. The Yu no Kuni front needs someone to oversee the overall situation. If we appear at Hidden Mist Village, they might collude and communicate with the Cloud ninja. If the Cloud ninja truly attack while we're away, relying only on Suzaku, Shikobu, and the others would make maintaining the situation difficult."
After he and Jiraiya returned to the village, the Yu no Kuni front base was currently being temporarily managed jointly by several outstanding jonin including Nara Suzaku, Aburame Shikobu, and Akimichi Todo. But whether in ability or prestige, they couldn't completely replace Jiraiya or Minato.
If there was no warfare—only small-scale skirmishes—these several could handle things. But if the Cloud ninja launched a major offensive and large-scale battle erupted, relying on them alone would make supporting the situation difficult.
There was actually another option—dispatching Orochimaru to hold the fort at the Yu no Kuni front. With Orochimaru's abilities and prestige, he could certainly shoulder this heavy responsibility. But Orochimaru had lost the Fourth Hokage election and seemed to hold tremendous resistance toward Minato's orders as Fourth.
And Minato didn't intend to issue strict orders forcing Orochimaru. Doing so would be too ugly. Not only might it fail to command Orochimaru, it would also severely shake his own prestige. Even though Orochimaru lost the Fourth Hokage election, he still had many supporters in the village.
When the ANBU reported Orochimaru's refusal, Minato immediately removed Orochimaru from all his plans and marked him as "unusable." Fortunately, he liked leaving room when formulating plans. Moreover, Konoha's foundation was ultimately substantial, so this wouldn't hinder operations.
Jiraiya looked at Minato and asked for confirmation. "Minato, you truly don't need me to act with you?"
"Sensei, we're merely forcing the Mist ninja to bow their heads. I'm not planning to truly fight them to mutual destruction."
"Since you've already made up your mind, send me to Yu no Kuni!"
"Sensei, sorry! You'll have to work hard again."
"You don't need to apologize. It's all for the village."
Minato stepped forward and grabbed Jiraiya's shoulder. The next instant, he activated Flying Thunder God and both figures disappeared.
Everyone in the office waited patiently.
After approximately five minutes, Minato and Uzumaki Kushina's figures appeared again in everyone's view.
After sending Jiraiya to the Yu no Kuni front, Minato hadn't returned directly to his office. Instead, he first went home and found his wife—the Nine-Tails jinchuriki Uzumaki Kushina. After roughly explaining the situation and waiting for her to complete battle preparations, he brought her to the office.
His chakra had diminished slightly. Using Flying Thunder God for super-long-distance movement consumed considerable chakra.
Only because Minato was a "super mutant" among civilian ninja—not only possessing exceptional talent but naturally having quite abundant chakra comparable to ordinary ninja who inherited Kekkei Genkai.
Without this, even mastering Flying Thunder God would be useless without sufficient chakra to satisfy the consumption.
Minato caught his breath briefly, then placed his gaze on Ritsu and Uchiha Fugaku again. "Hyuga Clan Head, Uchiha Clan Head, do you need to make any preparations?"
Ritsu waved his hand, indicating he had nothing to prepare.
Uchiha Fugaku also shook his head and said, "Hokage-sama, I carry all my shinobi tools with me. I can enter combat anytime."
Minato nodded, then took a deep breath and directed his gaze toward Hiruko and the others. He said seriously, "Hiruko-senpai, Torikaze-senpai, Gaku-senpai, and Shikaku—the village's affairs are entrusted to you."
"Hokage-sama, please rest assured. We will certainly look after the village's affairs."
Hiruko and the others responded in unison.
Minato said nothing more. This trip wouldn't take too long. With Hiruko and others plus the forces behind them watching over things, the village shouldn't experience any problems.
At this moment, Ritsu proactively spoke. "Hokage-sama, send me first! Once I arrive, I can scout the surrounding situation."
Minato nodded. "Alright."
He extended his hand and grabbed Ritsu's shoulder. "We're leaving!" The instant those words fell, he activated Flying Thunder God.
Ritsu also sensed the scenery before his eyes change abruptly.
The indoor lighting disappeared.
Replacing it were cold mist, gloomy skies, and what appeared to be dark, dense forest. Though it was only around two in the afternoon, the surrounding scenery was as dim as approaching nightfall.
Minato extended his hand and stroked a large stone beside him, brushing away the moss to reveal a string of Flying Thunder God formula markings.
He spoke. "This is the forest outside Hidden Mist Village. After we Konoha successively went to war with the other villages, I considered that we might not be able to withstand the assault from the other four villages with Konoha's strength alone. So I found ways to send four kunai marked with Flying Thunder God formulas to remote, unpopulated locations outside the four shinobi villages. Afterward, I came and left as many formulas as possible in these vicinities."
Hearing Minato's words, Ritsu's heart stirred. He said thoughtfully, "Hokage-sama, these formulas you left are daggers held at the other villages' throats!"
"That was precisely my purpose. If the war situation developed unfavorably for our Konoha, using this move, we could strike directly at their village headquarters and reverse the war situation."
"Hokage-sama, this move of yours is truly formidable!"
Ritsu praised him sincerely. Such farsighted consideration and preparation truly proved he deserved to be Hokage.
Minato smiled slightly. "Hyuga Clan Head, I'll now go fetch Kushina and the others. You scout the surrounding situation first. Afterward, we'll formulate specific action plans based on circumstances."
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