Naruto: From Capturing the Main Clan to Becoming the Mastermind

Chapter 49 An Examination of Three Generations (Part 2)

Do you know what Minato's first reaction was upon seeing this intelligence?

The third generation then gave an awkward laugh, "He asked me seriously if I had spied on him using telescope magic, probably because I had left too deep an impression on him before."

He didn't explain what the telescope technique was for, since its purpose was obvious from the name.

Not a very proper use...

Hinata Yu was silent for a moment after the Third Hokage's words before saying, "The Fourth Hokage just lacks a bit of experience."

Perhaps it's not just a matter of experience; sometimes when he's with the fourth generation, he always feels that the other person is a bit... dull?

— Naturally naive.

"Yes, although he is quick-witted, he wasn't born into a ninja clan, and his upbringing focused on the basic skills of a ninja. Even when Jiraiya became his teacher, he didn't intend to teach him these skills."

At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked solemnly at Hyuga Yu, "That's why he needs a trustworthy assistant."

Take his self-deprecating words with a grain of salt; how many people would have guessed that Sarutobi Masaaki was one of his men?

If it were that easy to discover, the situation in Konoha wouldn't have remained in his hands for so long.

Hyuga Yu didn't continue the conversation on that topic. Instead, he looked at the intelligence report on the table and said, "Elder Masaaki mentioned the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki in the intelligence report he gave you. Was he asking you to provide an answer?"

In his report to his superior, he specifically mentioned his words of inducing the two advisors, and the details were very clear. It was obvious that Sarutobi was genuinely worried about this matter.

"...The Nine-Tails."

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a few more puffs of his pipe, exhaling thick white puffs of smoke, and said helplessly, "I can't give him the answer he wants."

Hyuga Yu: "This is an inevitable problem that will arise in the development of Konoha."

"You must have considered this question since the birth of Killer Bee, the perfect Jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails. I'd like to know your answer."

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned and sighed, "No, I haven't come up with a suitable conclusion."

"Tailed beasts also have intelligence and emotions. Lady Mito once told me that if the Nine-Tails is sealed inside the Jinchuriki of Konoha, there will only be two outcomes."

"First, the Nine-Tails and a certain Jinchuriki reached a reconciliation and will be passed down in Konoha forever."

"Secondly, the Nine-Tails' hatred for Konoha continued to accumulate, and it broke free of its seal and destroyed Konoha."

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused for a moment, then continued, "Leaving aside the latter, let's focus on the former. It's an unsolvable problem, and it's also what Masaaki is worried about."

"The intelligence of the tailed beasts is no less than that of humans. If the Nine-Tails recognizes a ninja, Konoha cannot interfere too much with that ninja, otherwise Konoha will forever lose the possibility of producing a perfect Jinchuriki."

This leads to a problem.

The succession of Jinchuriki will be decided by Konoha's first perfect Jinchuriki, because Kurama will only choose that person's descendant and someone who is approved by both.

Just like Killer Bee from Kumogakure.

If the Hidden Cloud Village wanted to choose its own next Jinchuriki without consulting Killer Bee and the Eight-Tails, would the Eight-Tails agree?

If they forcibly seal it, the Hidden Cloud Village will never be able to produce another perfect Jinchūriki like Killer Bee.

"Furthermore, the Nine-Tails is the strongest tailed beast, and its best jinchūriki choice is the Uzumaki clan. If this continues generation after generation... Konoha will produce an uncontrollable ninja, or even... an entire ninja clan."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head. "I really want to say that this is a pointless worry, since Kurama hasn't accepted Kushina yet. Unfortunately, with only two possibilities, it's impossible for Masaaki not to consider them."

"If that's the case, why not consider more efficient methods?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was taken aback.

Hyuga Yu explained, "From the birth of Jinchuriki to now, it's only been a few decades. Why do we consider this the optimal solution for using the power of the Tailed Beasts?"

"If a tailed beast recognizes a ninja from Konoha, why not just treat it as a comrade? Why not release it? Tailed beasts themselves have no interest in our politics."

"..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent.

"Excuse me," Hinata Yu said softly, "but I believe that ancient methods are not immutable."

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand dismissively, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "It's alright, you're right."

Konoha needs new voices. Old things aren't necessarily right, just like these old guys should retire from the era. Change is necessary when needed.

"However, this matter is not something we need to worry about yet. Since you have realized that Masaaki is one of my people, you should be able to guess what Danzo wants to do."

"The Hidden Mist Village deploying such a force suggests a desperate, all-or-nothing mentality. They're probably trying to exploit this situation, aren't they?"

Hinata Yu softly shared his thoughts.

"In the current situation, one side, Kirigakure or Konoha, must back down in order to end the war. The Fourth Hokage's personality will not back down, nor can it back down, otherwise that person will make the Fourth Hokage take responsibility and be accountable for the sacrificed ninjas."

Forcing the Hidden Mist Village to retreat... would also result in heavy losses for the Leaf Village ninja, and there would be plenty of opportunities to exploit the situation. The Hokage is too young and his command is inadequate; there's plenty of room for blame.

The third generation nodded upon hearing this.

This was the main reason why he didn't want to give the Hokage position to Minato.

With the war nearing its end, someone must be held accountable for the many ninjas who died in Konoha and the losses suffered by the Land of Fire.

after all……

"It will be difficult for us to obtain sufficient war reparations from the other countries to satisfy the daimyo."

Hinata Yu squinted.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed.

That's right, the biggest problem is the daimyo of the Land of Fire.

During the Fourth Shinobi World War, the village ninjas were only concerned with how many people died in their villages, but few people thought about how much the Land of Fire lost and how much resources the Daimyo gave to Konoha.

Under the one-country-one-village system, Konoha is the military power of the Land of Fire. During wartime, military supplies such as ninja tools and food are provided by the Land of Fire!

Konoha alone would have been dragged down long ago!

The daimyo spent money to win the battle, but couldn't even recoup his losses... How could he possibly be satisfied with the current Hokage?

Ultimately, the daimyo calls the shots in the Land of Fire.

In the end, stepping down would be the most dignified ending for the Hokage; otherwise, having offended the Daimyo, it would be difficult for the Hokage to achieve good political results in the future.

Moreover, Minato also had to face pressure from the ninja clans. With the daimyo backing him up, those people would only become even more arrogant.

"What the fourth generation needs to do is win this war, in the cleanest and most efficient way possible."

The reason Konoha couldn't get war reparations from other countries was because Konoha couldn't make them back down, but is Konoha now unable to do so?

The Third Hokage, the Fourth Hokage, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru, Kushina...

Which ninja village had so many powerful ninjas during this period?

In the ninja world, strength ultimately reigns supreme.

The Third Hokage smiled with satisfaction. "Minato made the right choice. The position of Hokage's assistant is indeed very suitable for you."

Hinata Yu looked at his satisfied expression, her Byakugan showing no emotion whatsoever.

Without the root, it seems... we should hand it over to Orochimaru first?

This was within expectations.

(End of this chapter)