I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 309 One advocate of singlehood may lead to a whole group of advocates of singlehood.

Does Tatsuma's argument lack any points for attack or countermeasure? No, anyone with basic critical thinking skills can refute Tatsuma's argument.

Is Hiruzen Sarutobi incapable of critical thinking? Not at all. The reason he doesn't refute, and even agrees with, Tatsuma's statement is because he can't refute it.

Because what Tatsuma said was not entirely his own opinion, but rather he brought up the previous leader, who was none other than Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi's teacher and revered by countless people.

As a disciple and as the successor to Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi absolutely cannot deny Tobirama Senju's authority.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi were to refute, he would not only be refuting Tatsuma and Tobirama Senju, but also refuting his past self and everything he possesses now.

He had no choice but to agree, and once he agreed with Tatsuma's statement, he would have to agree with everything that Tatsuma had said previously, including the point that the Hyuga main family was no more noble than other ninjas.

Regardless of what Hiruzen Sarutobi actually thought, and no matter how many ways he could shirk responsibility, it was all useless the moment he agreed with Tatsuma. He had to accept and complete the task.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's position no longer allowed him to act according to his own will; he had bound himself to too many things.

Just like young people in their early twenties who don't have the pressure of mortgage or car loan payments, they can plan their careers according to their own wishes, and they can change jobs, resign, or switch careers.

But once burdened with the pressures of a motorhome, wedding banquet, and offspring, these things will force one's will to endure things that contradict one's inner preferences and make decisions that go against one's own will.

When Tatsuma left the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi had a dark expression on his face. This was the first time he had shown such an expression after meeting with Tatsuma.

The key difference between the dissatisfaction he felt towards Tatsuma and the dissatisfaction he felt towards Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and others was that the latter were dissatisfactions stemmed from Hiruzen Sarutobi knowing they were wrong.

Whether it's Orochimaru's excessive immersion in various researches that deviates from normal life, Jiraiya's journey to the ninja world because of a prophecy, or Tsunade's insistence on establishing a new medical ninja training system despite the village's financial situation, etc.

Hiruzen Sarutobi could see the mistakes in his disciples, and it was normal for him to be dissatisfied and angry because of their errors; he could also process these feelings himself.

But Tatsuma was different. Hiruzen couldn't see the faults in the dissatisfaction he caused, as if Tatsuma was always right and Hiruzen was the one who was wrong.

It's understandable to be angry about failures and mistakes, but Hiruzen Sarutobi simply couldn't handle the emotion of being angry about success and being right.

"Shikaku!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's sudden speech startled Shikaku, who had been secretly gloating over his embarrassment. He hesitated for a moment before quickly composed himself, emerging from the darkness to bow and say:

"Lord Hokage, what are your orders?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, having composed himself, looked at Shikaku and asked, "Shikaku, what do you think the ninja clan is?"

Upon hearing this question, Shikaku rolled his eyes inwardly. What was this? Was this some kind of encore performance? Was he, a mere lowly ninja from the Nara clan, qualified to answer such a question?

He finally understood what kind of feeling Tatsuma had during those few strange seconds of silence when facing Hiruzen Sarutobi.

However, the question had to be answered. After thinking for a few seconds, Shikaku replied, "The ninja clan is a combination of ninjas, ninja preparation, ninja resources, secret techniques, bloodline limits, economic industries, and cultural customs."

"And what about ordinary people?"

"Ordinary people are part of the larger collective of the village."

Another important difference between ninja clans and commoners is their origin, or bloodline. But Shikaku wouldn't answer that question directly; he would just subtly imply it by mentioning secret techniques and bloodline limits.

If we were to say it out loud, wouldn't that be turning back the clock of history?

Hiruzen Sarutobi took two more deep drags on his cigarette. Shikaku's answer was once again beyond his expectations, and some of his ideas even resonated with Tatsuma's.

Has the world really changed? Is this the common thought of the younger generation?

Shikaku raised his hand to rub his throbbing temples, and Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his pipe. Shikaku breathed a sigh of relief and quickly returned to the darkness.

In the smoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered. Perhaps it was truly his own age. He was born in the Warring States period and grew up in the early days of the village's founding. During that time, the various ninja clans were still in a competitive relationship, even blood feuds.

Therefore, Hiruzen Sarutobi could never shake off the idea that there was independence and difference between ninja clans, let alone between ninja clans and commoners.

But perhaps it is true, as Tatsuma said, that the current generation is born on the same land and receives the same education. Perhaps their views on ninja clans and ninja clans and commoners are fundamentally different from his own?

His generation advised their parents to let go of past grudges, and the new generation advises his generation to let go of differences and stop treating each other differently. It doesn't seem like there's anything wrong with that.

Some outdated things really don't need to continue to be popular.

Over the years, the Hyuga clan has indeed brought a lot of unfairness to other ninja clans and ninjas because of so-called tradition, and it's time to change some things.

"Let's arrange a trip. I'll take some time to visit the Hyuga clan's territory."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, but no one answered. However, he knew that his order had been given.

After leaving the Hokage's office, Tatsuma did not rush to carry out the mission. As the squad leader, he still had the obligation to inform his squad members of their schedules.

Although Aragyu no longer goes on field missions, he is still listed in his team, so Tatsuma did not forget him when he gave the notification.

Of course, there is a very important reason, which is that, apart from their identities as members of the Dark Guard, both Aragaki and Earwig are members of the Corpse Disposal Team of the Medical Department, which means they work together.

Therefore, Chenma notified both of them at the same time, and both of them reacted calmly. One of them had already withdrawn and was just waiting for Tianfeng to complete the process before he could transfer his file. The other was also going through the expedited review process and was also about to retire.

Tatsuma's notification, which stated that they didn't need to attend work, had no impact on the two of them, since they hadn't made any preparations to attend.

Afterwards, Chenma went to inform Tianfeng that he would not be training with him anymore, and told him to learn more about trace removal from Aragyu.

At lunchtime, Tatsuma found Minato eating noodles at a ramen shop, with Kushina by his side as expected.

"What are you doing here? And you came alone, huh!"

Kushina's mood soured upon seeing Tatsuma. Although Minato hadn't told her directly, Kushina knew that Minato was now Tatsuma's subordinate.

It wasn't that she was unhappy because her boyfriend was someone else's subordinate, but based on her observations during several missions, Kushina knew that Tatsuma's initiative to seek out Minato always came with a mission assigned to him.

Tatsuma was like an alarm clock during a sweet dream, or the final note of a piece of music; his arrival interrupted her time with Minato.

Kushina recently heard that many older single men and women are single because they made friends unwisely when they were young, either because they had an unhappy marriage or because they decided early on not to marry.

Then, influenced by their friends, they gradually lost their desire and pursuit of marriage and love, eventually becoming older single men and women.

In Kushina's eyes, Tatsuma was such a "friend," a bad friend who could potentially lead her boyfriend astray.

Moreover, even if Tatsuma doesn't turn Minato into someone who has no aspirations for marriage and love, Kushina doesn't want the two to become too close.

After all, when she's with Minato now, five or six out of ten times the conversation will be steered towards Tatsuma, just like how a third person is always present in a relationship between two people.

What made Kushina feel most threatened was that whenever Minato mentioned Tatsuma, there was always a smile on his lips and a light in his eyes, something Minato never did for her!

It's all Nono's fault for being so timid! We've known each other for so long, and her feelings for Tatsuma are obvious, but she's still so cautious and hesitant when she tries to strike up a conversation.

If Nono had been more cooperative and had taken Tatsuma away from Minato sooner, she wouldn't have been so worried.

Tatsuma was used to Kushina's words, which were always barbed at him. As for his attitude, what adult would get angry with a child?

Tatsuma completely ignored Kushina's increasingly dangerous gaze, pulled out the chair next to Minato and sat down, then said to the ramen chef, "One bowl of tonkotsu ramen, with noodles, chashu, and an egg, and add a bowl of boiling water to the soup."

"Okay, please wait a moment!"

The ramen chef responded, clearly no longer surprised by Tatsuma's order. Kushina, however, said angrily, "You might as well just order two bowls."

"The soup base is too salty, which is bad for your cardiovascular system and kidneys."

Tatsuma said casually, and Kushina felt that Tatsuma was implying something about her. She blushed instantly, and her red hair started to flutter. After all, her favorite food was salt ramen!

Sakamoto Tatsuma is such an annoying guy!

Minato, caught between the two, looked helpless. The discord between Kushina and Tatsuma started from the first day Kushina entered the Ninja Academy, and he himself was one of the people Kushina was dissatisfied with.

Of course, Minato later changed Kushina's impression and attitude, while Tatsuma went down a dark path.

Please enjoy your meal.

The ramen chef placed an oversized bowl in front of Tatsuma. This bowl was only used occasionally for competitive eating contests, but now it was a must-have.

"Swish~ Swish~"

Tatsuma ate his ramen by himself. Kushina tugged at Minato's arm several times, signaling him to leave, but Minato knew that Tatsuma must have something important to say to him, so he could only stop Kushina with an apologetic look.

After Tatsuma finished his ramen, Minato stopped Kushina from pulling him away again and asked Tatsuma, "Tatsuma, is there a new mission?"

"Yes, we have missions, but our destinations are different. You're going to the Land of Lightning, and I'm going to the Land of Water."

Hearing that the two had different mission destinations, Kushina's expression softened slightly. However, when she heard that Minato was going to the Land of Lightning alone, she frowned and was about to say something when Minato turned around and gave her a bright and sunny smile, which made Kushina momentarily lose her composure.

Minato seized the opportunity and asked Tatsuma, "When are we leaving?"

"You should prepare for the next five days to a week. I will send you the specific task requirements once they are finalized."

"it is good."

Minato would never refuse a mission, and as for Kushina being angry, he could just coax her a little; after all, Kushina does have a kind and understanding side.

Chenma counted out the money for his bowl of noodles, placed it on the table, and said, "Then I won't bother you any longer. I have to go on a long trip first."

"Where to?"

"Let's go quickly!"

(End of this chapter)