I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 35: The Villainous Minato Tatsuma

In the Senju clan's territory, at Mito Uzumaki's residence, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked somewhat troubled as he paced back and forth in front of the door, hesitant to step inside.

"Third Hokage, Lady Mito requests your presence."

Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was still hesitating, a ninja who was not wearing ninja attire but was obviously extremely skilled appeared and spoke to the troubled Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded upon hearing this, then took a deep breath and walked into the house. Entering the reception hall, before Hiruzen could speak, Mito Uzumaki, sitting opposite him, spoke up:

"You've been lingering at the door, are you unsure how to tell me the news? Or do you think I'll make a huge fuss after hearing it? You monkey."

Seeing that Mito Uzumaki's expression was not good, but she remained very calm, Hiruzen Sarutobi lowered his head and said, "Lady Mito, it was my fault for failing to conduct proper testing, which led to this tragedy in the Uzumaki clan."

Mito Uzumaki shook her head and said, "The Uzumaki clan was targeted, not just encountered. These kinds of things always happen. You can't blame Konoha. I know that very well."

But this matter can't just end there. A letter of reprimand? That's not enough.

"Lord Mito, I understand. I will have Sakumo secretly investigate this matter, kill the people in charge of this matter from the four great nations to deter others, and at the same time, send people to collect the remains of the Uzumaki clan."

After Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, Mito Uzumaki nodded and said, "Didn't you do a great job? Why did you look so ashamed to face me just now?"

Upon hearing Mito Uzumaki's question, Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated for a moment before saying, "This morning, Sarutobi Akiura reported to me that Kushina applied for early graduation."

"No, it will take at least two more years for her to learn the core sealing technique of my Uzumaki clan."

Mito Uzumaki directly refused. Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi relaxed and said, "That's what I thought too, so I asked Sarutobi Akiura to find a way to refuse Kushina's request."

His idea was to use Tatsuma and Minato as obstacles to Kushina's graduation exam, but I'm worried that this will damage Kushina's confidence.

"It's alright, you can do whatever you want. By the way, let Tsunade come back. There are some things I should pass on to her. Hashirama, her grandfather, didn't leave her anything, and I won't leave her like that."

Mito Uzumaki waved her hand, but Hiruzen Sarutobi froze, looking up in disbelief as he asked, "Lady Mito, your body..."

Mito Uzumaki touched the wrinkles that had appeared over the past two years, then pressed her stomach and said, "Perhaps another six or seven years. There are some things the village should prepare for."

"I understand, Lady Mito. I'll take my leave now."

"Yes, go ahead, monkey."

Mito Uzumaki waved his hand, and Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly left as well. After informing the Anbu that the Sarutobi-Akira plan could be carried out, he returned to the Hokage Building and quickly summoned his advisors.

Inside the Konoha Ninja Academy, Sarutobi Akiura, having just finished exchanging information with the Anbu, quickly arrived at the office, where Tatsuma and Minato had been waiting for quite some time.

Seeing Sarutobi Akiura reappear before them, they looked at him curiously. Sarutobi Akiura nodded, gesturing for the two to sit down in front of him, and then said:

"You've probably heard about what's been happening with the Uzumaki clan these past few days. Kushina wants to graduate early because of this, but the village doesn't want her to graduate so soon."

Upon hearing this, Tatsuma had already guessed what Sarutobi Akiura wanted to say, but he did not interrupt and let Sarutobi Akiura continue: "So, teacher would like to ask you for a favor."

"Teacher, please tell me."

Minato nodded, and Sarutobi Akira took a deep breath before saying, "The teacher hopes that you two will also submit applications to graduate early, thus eliminating Kushina, who applied to graduate at the same time."

Afterwards, if you want to graduate early, you will have to undergo a formal assessment. If you want to continue studying at the school, the village will announce that you have also failed the assessment, so that you can return to continue your studies.

Minato was about to agree, after all, he didn't want Kushina to graduate so early, especially since it was because of the destruction of her clan. If that happened, she would have to bear a heavy mission from the very beginning of her life as a ninja.

This might be a source of motivation, but it was also a form of torture. Before he could speak, Tatsuma asked, "Sarutobi-sensei, are you so sure the two of us can stop Kushina?"

"Your teacher believes in you."

After Sarutobi Awaura finished speaking, he noticed that Tatsuma was still looking at him, and he knew that things were not so simple. After thinking for a moment, he said, "If you can complete the mission well, then I will apply to the Hokage for some rewards for you."

Furthermore, if you wish to take this opportunity to become ninjas, your teacher will try her best to persuade you to find powerful ninjas to lead your teams as Jonin.

After thinking it over, Tatsuma realized that there wasn't much room for profit in this matter. After all, even without the two of them, the village could find a way to prevent Kushina from graduating.

For example, finding a powerful examiner would only make Kushina feel resentful. If it were someone her age, Kushina would have no reason to be unwilling to admit defeat.

Therefore, the two of them are in a favorable position, not a necessary one. It's already quite good that they were able to apply for the reward. Although they don't know what the reward is, anything that slips through Hiruzen Sarutobi's fingers is a good gain for them.

Therefore, Tatsuma looked at Minato and nodded. Minato understood and looked at Sarutobi Akiura, saying, "Sarutobi-sensei, I am willing to apply for early graduation."

"I'm willing too."

The two nodded in agreement, and Sarutobi Akiura immediately took out two application forms and handed them to them, saying, "Do you need to prepare anything? For example, upgrade your ninja tools, or purchase some explosive tags?"

If necessary, I will try my best to postpone the assessment by a few days to allow you sufficient time to prepare.

Tatsuma shook his head and said, "No need, Sarutobi-sensei. Even if we have more time, we still won't be able to replace our ninja tools or procure explosive tags."

Sarutobi Akiura paused for a moment, then understood their financial difficulties and nodded, saying, "In that case, if you are willing to become ninjas after completing the mission, your teacher will personally give you a set of ninja equipment."

"Um."

Tatsuma didn't say much. He and Minato quickly filled out the application forms and handed them back to Sarutobi Kazuura. After Sarutobi Kazuura looked at the forms and confirmed that there were no problems, he said to the two of them:

"Starting today, you don't need to attend classes anymore. Go back and prepare. The assessment might be held as early as tomorrow, and at the latest, it won't be more than a week."

"I understand, Sarutobi-sensei."

"Okay, Sarutobi-sensei."

(End of this chapter)