I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 180 Gifts from Leaders Never Truly Solve Needs

"Lord Hokage, these are the minutes of the meeting just now. Please take a look."

In the Hokage's office, Tatsuma first handed over the work he and Minato had done in the meeting to Hiruzen Sarutobi. Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and nodded as he took it, saying, "Sit down."

Tatsuma was taken aback. This seemed to be the first time Hiruzen Sarutobi had allowed him to sit in the Hokage's office. A seat in the Hokage's office was not something that could be easily obtained.

Even when accompanying Jiraiya and the others to report on their duties, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not allow them to sit down. Only Jiraiya and Tsunade dared to sit down directly, while Orochimaru usually stood.

Even Sakumo Hatake stood while giving his report.

Tatsuma nodded without refusing, pulled out a chair and sat down. Unlike Jiraiya and Tsunade, he was not so unrestrained, but sat upright. Minato was similar, with a mixture of honor and nervousness on his face.

"You all did a great job today."

After the two sat down, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and said something. Tatsuma knew what he meant and gave a slightly shy smile. Minato, on the other hand, was a little uneasy, since he really was going to be a clerk.

Because today's Jonin meeting was unusually short, the minutes were also brief. Hiruzen Sarutobi flipped through them briefly, then put them down, looked at the two of them, and asked with a smile, "How's your training with the Fire Dragon Bullet technique I gave you before?"

Minato didn't answer, but looked at Tatsuma. Tatsuma nodded slightly and said, "I haven't let you down. I've entered the field. Minato, you've learned more deeply."

This wasn't Tatsuma being modest; rather, he had spent most of his time studying Tobirama's notes, learning ninjutsu, including the usage of various summoning beasts, but primarily Wind Release and Water Release.

Regarding the Fire Dragon Bullet that Hiruzen Sarutobi had previously rewarded him with, he really only learned it and didn't continue to study it. Although, given his extensive knowledge of Fire Release ninjutsu, it certainly couldn't have been a true beginner level.

However, compared to the other ninjutsu he had mastered, Fire Dragon Bullet was indeed one of the least proficient.

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't mind and said, "It's good that you've learned it. If you can't learn Fire Dragon Bullet, then you won't be able to find the trick to learning Fire Dragon Flame Bullet."

Upon hearing this, Chenma's eyes widened slightly; it seemed the leader was about to give him a reward.

As expected, Hiruzen Sarutobi got up, picked through the bookshelves, then took down a scroll, handed it to Tatsuma, and said, "Take this back and study it carefully. This is the ultimate application of the Sarutobi clan's Fire Release techniques."

The Sarutobi clan is skilled in fire-style techniques, and they also have a systematic set of fire-style ninjutsu, such as the Uchiha's "Great Fire" series. In addition to the Fire Dragon Bullet that Tatsuma and Minato have already learned, there was the Great Flame Technique before, and now there is the Fire Dragon Flame Bullet in Hiruzen Sarutobi's hands.

Unlike the Uchiha clan, which possesses a vast amount of chakra, the Sarutobi clan's Fire Release technique is characterized not by the range of flames, but by the precise control over the technique.

Even the Fire Dragon Flame Bullet doesn't have a very large damage range, but its flame temperature and control over the technique surpass the Uchiha clan's Great Fire series of ninjutsu.

Of course, this is a judgment under the same conditions of technique application. If we compare Madara Uchiha with Hiruzen Sarutobi, then Madara Uchiha's Great Fire series of ninjutsu is not only more powerful, but also just as easy to control.

However, for Tatsuma, Fire Dragon Flame Bullet is more suitable for him because his [Overturning the Sea] talent can make up for the slightly insufficient destructive power of Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, and the more controllable technique can make his attacks more varied.

Seeing the joy on their faces, Hiruzen Sarutobi was extremely satisfied. The worst thing about giving a gift is when the recipient doesn't appreciate it or doesn't value it.

Tatsuma took the scroll of the Fire Dragon Flame Bullet and said, "Thank you, Hokage-sama. After Minato and I make a copy, we will send it back to you."

"No rush, it's not a unique copy."

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand and then said, "By the way, Tatsuma, in that battle between you and your teacher against the Sand Village ninja, you used up all your ninja tools, right?"

".Um."

"Here's what you do: make a list and give it to logistics, and I'll have them fill in the missing pieces for you."

If the previous gift was within Tatsuma's expectations, then this is an unexpected surprise, and it makes Tatsuma even happier.

Ninjutsu is knowledge, an intangible asset. Even if you know its importance, ninja tools are tangible assets. The satisfaction of gaining them is incomparable to that of intangible assets.

And most importantly, this way, Tatsuma won't have to borrow ninja tools from Minato anymore.

Although Minato didn't care at all, and even offered to give half of his ninja tools to Tatsuma, Tatsuma couldn't accept it with a clear conscience.

The village replenished these supplies, which almost made Tatsuma, who had no money left to buy ninja tools, laugh out loud with excitement. Of course, if Hiruzen Sarutobi could also exchange the missions he completed for money, Tatsuma would probably really laugh out loud.

Unfortunately, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't seem to mention money.

Hiruzen Sarutobi simply asked, "Do either of you want to participate in this operation?"

Although he was a little disappointed, Tatsuma nodded. Although the battlefield was risky, for Tatsuma, the potential gains on the battlefield far outweighed the risks and threats.

Needless to say, Minato's little head is always filled with thoughts of fighting for the village. Even knowing the danger, he would rush forward without hesitation.

Seeing that the battlefield had not diminished the courage of the two men, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction and said, "The refinement, implementation, and execution of the plan will take about a week to ten days."

In the best-case scenario, you might be able to depart in four days. If there's a lot of coordination involved, it will likely be around a week before you leave. You can go back and do more preparations.

At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi paused for a moment, then said, "The war has lasted for nearly two years, and all countries have suffered enough from it. It's time to end it."

Minato's eyes were filled with excitement and agreement, and Tatsuma also pursed his lips and nodded seriously.

Hiruzen Sarutobi merely remarked that this was a topic Tatsuma and Minato shouldn't have a say in. Composing himself, Hiruzen then said:

"Alright, you can go back and prepare now. Also, give the checklist to the logistics department as soon as possible."

"Yes, Lord Hokage!" *2

Tatsuma and Minato got up, bowed, and left. Tatsuma didn't even leave the Hokage Building before going to the logistics office. After explaining his purpose, he borrowed their paper and pen and wrote down his needs.

Only after leaving the Hokage Building and walking along the streets of Konoha, looking at the streets which were somewhat deserted compared to two years ago, Tatsuma handed the scroll in his hand to Minato and said:

"Minato, you should be able to learn it faster. Take it back and study it first."

Minato hesitated for a moment, a feeling of gain and loss rising in his heart again. He knew that he was able to get this scroll thanks to Tatsuma, and he shouldn't have been the one to learn it first.

However, he also understood Tatsuma's personality, and if he wanted to refuse, he would need a sufficiently convincing reason.

Seeing the expression on Minato's face, Tatsuma smiled and said, "Don't hesitate, I'm not just being polite with you."

"I know, then I'll take it back and copy it first, and I'll also copy one for you while I'm at it."

Minato still took the scroll. Tatsuma didn't refuse Minato's hard work, after all, most people wouldn't feel at ease taking something without putting in the effort.

The two walked along the street for a while longer when Minato suddenly turned a corner and said, "Tatsuma, I'll head back now."

But Tatsuma grabbed his hand, and under Minato's puzzled gaze, Tatsuma said, "You still have money on you?"

"That's all. Do you need any? I can sell some ninja tools."

"No, I mean, you're broke. If you don't eat at Grandma Mito's house, where else can you eat?"

Upon hearing this, Minato suddenly realized that he had been lost in thought and had forgotten. He gave an embarrassed smile, scratched his head, and said, "I forgot."

He was so focused on going back to copy the scroll and then delivering it to Tatsuma and Hiruzen Sarutobi that he forgot he also needed to eat.

Tatsuma also smiled and shook his head. He and Minato were both very focused people. Sometimes when they were thinking about something, they would really forget about the trivial things in life, even the essential activities of life such as eating and sleeping.

Because the Jonin meeting lasted much shorter than expected, when the two returned to Mito Uzumaki's house, Mito was already preparing lunch.

While gesturing for the two to sit down and eat, Mito Uzumaki complained that they hadn't come to eat breakfast. Tatsuma and Minato had no choice but to briefly explain that they had been called away by Hiruzen Sarutobi during the morning training session and had attended a Jonin meeting.

"snort!"

Upon hearing that the two were going to the battlefield again, Kushina snorted in dissatisfaction. She had expressed her desire to go to the battlefield more than once, but the village seemed not to hear her.

Kushina felt a little bit of balance and a trace of emotion that she herself did not understand, after thinking that the two of them, who had not been on the battlefield for several months, had become non-combat personnel.

But now the two of them are going to the battlefield again.

Minato watched as Kushina snorted and then stared intently at him. He felt somewhat flustered and wanted to explain, but Mito Uzumaki calmly said, "Let's eat first."

"Yes."

Minato had no choice but to nod and start eating lunch. While eating, Nawaki started asking the two of them when they would be going to the battlefield, saying that he also needed to be prepared. This made Kushina so angry that she chewed the bone she was eating to pieces.

Like Kushina, Minato also found the meal unappetizing, as he had to answer Nawaki's questions while worrying about Kushina's feelings.

In contrast, Tatsuma had a much better appetite. After all, he hadn't eaten breakfast and had consumed too much energy thinking. He showed off all the dishes that Kushina and Minato had forgotten to eat because they hadn't eaten and had been asking Nawaki about going to the battlefield.

After the meal, Nawaki pulled Minato aside to talk, and Kushina followed. Tatsuma tidied the table, while Mito Uzumaki watched everything calmly, her face expressionless.

Only after Tatsuma finished packing did she ask, "This...should be the final battle, right?"

Tatsuma nodded and said, "This is a decisive battle. If the plan goes smoothly and the Land of Rain withdraws from the war, all that's left is the post-war cleanup work, as well as dealing with the spies that have been sent to various countries and those sent to Konoha."

"It's time to end this."

Mito Uzumaki murmured a few times, her eyelids lowered, seemingly lost in thought. After a while, she looked up at Tatsuma and said, "Come with me."

"Yes."

For some reason, Chenma felt like he had heard this sentence many times today.

(End of this chapter)