Konoha: I, Uchiha, am brimming with positive energy

Chapter 77 The Theory of Waste

After the mission was reported to the village, news quickly came from the secret service.

The Third Kazekage did indeed have a crimson summoning serpent that could speak human language. He used to summon it frequently for battle, but he suddenly stopped using it before becoming Kazekage.

As for Shinya's existence, Hiruzen Sarutobi had Orochimaru ask Manda. Shinya was indeed betrayed by humans and had a very violent temper. He was the most violent snake in Ryuchi Cave, and even Manda was unwilling to provoke Shinya.

Manda only loves to eat people, but when Shinya goes berserk, he will attack anyone he sees.

After receiving the message from the Anbu, Jiraiya was already somewhat convinced of the information that Uchiha Yoichi had gathered, but he still went to the outskirts with Nara Shikaku and Uchiha Yoichi.

He had Uchiha Yoichi summon the Great Serpent and then carefully inquired about some information regarding the Third Kazekage.

However, Xin Ya didn't know much either. The only things he knew were the Third Kazekage's real name and the summoning snake scales he left behind.

These pieces of evidence, the reaction of the Sand Village, and Sasori's defection—after combining all of these, Nara Shikaku pondered and speculated repeatedly, but could not find a more suitable conclusion than the death of the Third Kazekage.

The Third Hokage of Sunagakure, hailed as the strongest Kazekage, may really be dead.

"Lord Jiraiya, this information is very beneficial to us. If we use it well, it can cause internal strife in Sunagakure. However, we need to consult the Hokage about this matter."

Nara Shikaku said, "But there is another possibility: if it is not used properly, it could very well trigger a war."

Jiraiya nodded. He knew that this was not a decision they could make on their own. So he said to Nara Shikaku, "Shikaku, write down your thoughts. I'll have the Anbu give them to the old man, and also have all the reconnaissance teams outside come back."

"I can't believe Uchiha Yoichi completed such a difficult task. He's practically a genius like Minato!"

Nara Shikaku glanced at Jiraiya, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

However, Jiraiya noticed this expression and asked Nara Shikaku, "What's wrong, Shikaku?"

"Lord Jiraiya, it seems the Third Hokage is unwilling to promote Uchiha Yoichi to Jonin. If nothing unexpected happens, he will definitely be a strong contender for Hokage."

The Ino-Shika-Cho and Sarutobi clans have been friends for generations, a friendship that has been passed down since the Warring States period. Jiraiya is also a disciple of Hiruzen Sarutobi. Now that it's just the two of them, they can naturally say these things.

The Hokage is around fifty years old and has been in office for almost ten years. In another seven or eight years, he will be close to sixty years old, and his peak strength has passed.

At that time, a young and strong Hokage would be chosen to bring vitality to the village; and a few years later, the Sannin would be in their prime.

"Does Jiraiya-sama have any interest in becoming Hokage?"

Nara Shikaku tentatively asked, "The benefits of the Hokage position are almost obvious. Both publicly and privately, they naturally hope that the next Hokage will be someone they know."

However, Jiraiya didn't have that ambition either. After hearing Nara Shikaku's words, he quickly shook his head and said, "I can't. I'm not suited to be Hokage. If you're going to rely on me, you might as well rely on my student Minato. He has a much stronger sense of responsibility than I do."

"Minato-kun."

Nara Shikaku thought for a moment and then secretly shook his head. Minato had the strength and fame, but he was too young. There were still the Sannin and White Fang above him. It would be too difficult for Minato Namikaze to compete for the next Hokage position.

It's impossible to say that Minato is more suitable than White Fang, even if we go against our conscience. Their strength is unknown, and the two have never sparred; but in terms of battle achievements and reputation, the two are far inferior.

"Lord Jiraiya, let's send the reconnaissance ninja team back first, and then we can discuss the matter of Sunagakure."

"Okay, I understand."

The two of them simultaneously dropped the topic, as they had more important tasks to complete.

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The mission team returned not with heavy losses, but they did receive a few pieces of bad news.

One squad lost contact immediately, presumably perished in the Land of Wind.

Another mission team lost one member, and two other teams were seriously injured. Even if they returned to the village, they might not be able to become ninjas anymore.

This is the danger of infiltrating the Land of Wind to spy on the Third Kazekage. Even if they are a reconnaissance team with various abilities or secret techniques to detect enemies, they are still not safe in the enemy's headquarters.

Now that Sunagakure is also searching for the Third Kazekage, Konoha is sending people to join in the fun. Isn't that just sending someone to Sunagakure to vent their anger?

Moreover, when the other six mission teams returned and heard that Uchiha Yoichi had already completed the intelligence gathering mission, they were somewhat stunned.

Six mission teams of twenty-four people worked hard for a month, but it was not as effective as Uchiha Yoichi's solo investigation. This sense of disparity, the loss of teammates, and the near-death experience made it difficult for some people to accept.

"Since you have a direction for investigation, why can't you share it with us? You've caused Rimi's trouble."

"Shut up, Kentaro!"

Although the sound was very soft, it was still heard by everyone present, especially Uchiha Yoichi, who was about to leave the house.

After turning back, Naoto Aburame quickly stepped in front of Yoichi Uchiha and whispered, "I'm sorry, Yoichi-kun, Kentaro was just doing it because of his teammates."

"Aburame Naoto-senpai, I don't know how to do it, why are you so nervous?"

Uchiha Yoichi reached out and blocked Aburame Naoto, then stood in front of Tanikawa Kentaro; Aburame Naoto felt a tremendous force push him away, which was completely unexpected.

He might have the guts to grumble behind people's backs, but when Uchiha Yoichi stood in front of him, Tanikawa Kentaro felt the pressure.

"You think I'm the one who ruined your teammates' lives?"

Uchiha Yoichi asked in a calm tone.

Jiraiya, recalling the rumors and behavior of Uchiha Yoichi in the village, couldn't help but say, "Uchiha Yoichi, he didn't mean that."

"Why are you in such a hurry, Jiraiya-sama? I'm just curious. Every time I finish a mission, I end up being the murderer. Before, it was my own team members who died, but now I can kill people from other teams too. Am I really that amazing?"

Uchiha Yoichi's neither soft nor hard approach left Jiraiya speechless. Even if Tanikawa Kentaro's words were due to the death of his teammate, such illogical complaints were still excessive.

The one who complained the most was Uchiha Yoichi, who completed the mission alone and had been the subject of rumors in the village before because of this.

"If you don't have this awareness, don't become a ninja. I'm not trying to enlighten you, I just think you're a piece of trash. Even if you don't resent me today, you'll resent someone else next time. You haven't reflected on who is responsible for your own incompetence."

Uchiha Yoichi

Upon hearing these words, Jiraiya sensed something was wrong and tried to stop Uchiha Yoichi, but the latter completely ignored him.

"If it weren't for the intelligence I gathered beforehand, you'd still be continuing your mission in the Land of Wind. Hah, someone who has no gratitude and blames others for their failures."

Think about it carefully. Did I really kill your teammate? Wasn't she killed in the Land of Wind because you were such a useless piece of trash?

"Enough, Uchiha Yoichi!"

Jiraiya walked over with a serious expression and stood in front of Kentaro Tanikawa, saying, "Stop talking."

"Actually, I'm too lazy to talk to a good-for-nothing, it makes it seem like I'm trying to enlighten him; but I think it's a good reason, blaming others for my own incompetence, haha."

Uchiha Yang chuckled, then turned and left.

Just as he was about to leave the house, he said to Kentaro Tanikawa, who was on the verge of a breakdown, "You good-for-nothing, just stay in the village and be protected. Don't become a ninja and then feel at ease killing your teammates and blaming others."

After Uchiha Yoichi had completely left, Tanikawa Kentaro suddenly collapsed and sat on the ground, burying his face in his hands and crying loudly.

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(End of this chapter)