I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 354 Don't try to reason with a hungry, drunk, or just-woke-up person.

If anyone else had said this, Hiruzen Sarutobi certainly wouldn't have believed it. If the Nine-Tails were so easy to control, it wouldn't have become one of the village's biggest problems.

But since it was Tatsuma who said those words, Hiruzen Sarutobi was left with only one feeling.

"Why didn't you say so sooner if you had a solution?!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a hint of complaint, but he didn't really care. He even felt a little gratified, since Tatsuma had only told him this, which gave him a sense of joy that he had gained Tatsuma's trust.

Moreover, unlike before when Tatsuma kept his trump cards hidden, this time Tatsuma took the initiative to reveal them, which Hiruzen Sarutobi felt meant that he had successfully won Tatsuma's heart.

Tatsuma observed the subtle changes in Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression and breathed a sigh of relief. He had prepared many trump cards, and the mere Nine-Tails could not stop him from doing what he wanted.

Under Hiruzen Sarutobi's expectant gaze, Tatsuma said, "I wonder if the Hokage-sama still remembers the war between Konoha and Sunagakure before the Second Shinobi World War officially broke out?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. This was one of the triggers for the Second Shinobi World War. The war between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire gradually involved the Land of Rain, and Hanzo's anger led to his intervention, which truly ignited the Second Shinobi World War.

Seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't forgotten, Tatsuma continued, "Back then, I was just an ordinary genin, yet I was able to kill a jonin from Sunagakure. Doesn't the Hokage find that strange?"

Speaking of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi recalled that when he first saw the battle report, he was extremely surprised and even wanted to confirm it with Tatsuma, the person involved.

However, Mito Uzumaki intervened and covered up the matter. Later, due to the escalation of the war, Hiruzen Sarutobi no longer had the mind to investigate.

Before long, when the war ended, Tatsuma had grown to the point where he could pose a threat to Jonin. His progress was so rapid that Hiruzen Sarutobi thought that was the level Tatsuma should be at, and he forgot his initial shock.

When Tatsuma brought up the old matter again, Hiruzen Sarutobi also became interested. In fact, he had already made a guess, but a guess that had not been confirmed could only bring the pleasure of solving the mystery when it was verified.

"Lord Mito sealed the Nine-Tails' chakra within me. If we use the same method now to extract the portion of the Nine-Tails' chakra that continues to overflow even after it was sealed, then the Nine-Tails will be powerless to do so in the short term."

Tatsuma stated it directly, and Hiruzen Sarutobi's face flashed with an "I knew it" expression before he said, "The village had considered this plan before, but the difference is that Kushina did not have the talent to bestow the Nine-Tails' chakra upon others."

Although she can currently control the Nine-Tails and extract a certain amount of chakra, this chakra cannot obey her will and can only be used on herself. Furthermore, if too much chakra is extracted and used on herself...

Kushina will undoubtedly lose control again.

"I know, but I can do it."

Tatsuma didn't offer much explanation, but Hiruzen Sarutobi's face lit up with joy. He knew that this cunning brat Tatsuma still had some tricks up his sleeve, but he could also tell that Tatsuma had no intention of explaining.

After a moment's thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi decided not to press Tatsuma for answers. After all, Tatsuma's willingness to share some information was a testament to his immense trust in him as Hokage; further pressure would only escalate the situation.

Thinking back to the last argument with Tatsuma, which took more than a year to finally get Tatsuma to let go of the rift, Hiruzen Sarutobi decided not to try to force Tatsuma this time either.

Tatsuma is so much like the Second Hokage, who was also Hiruzen Sarutobi's teacher. Perhaps they will only reveal their true colors when they die.

"Then you should talk to Kushina. If she's willing, I won't object. It's just that Kushina has been through a lot recently, and her mentality might be a bit unstable. You'd better be gentle."

"I understand. After I resolve the Nine-Tails issue, you shouldn't stop me from leading my team to the Land of Water, right?"

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi had already expressed this meaning, Tatsuma still decided to confirm it. After all, if it weren't for the fact that these things weren't suitable for being recorded in writing, Tatsuma would have wanted Hiruzen Sarutobi to issue him a certificate.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and nodded, unaware of Tatsuma's scheming towards him, and said, "You've been following this mission for over a year, and you are indeed the most familiar and suitable candidate. Let's do it your way."

Seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi finally agreed reluctantly, Tatsuma nodded and bowed, saying, "Then, Hokage-sama, I'll take my leave now."

"Um."

Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could finish his nasal tone, he realized Tatsuma had already disappeared. He shook his head helplessly, then looked into the darkness and said, "Shikaku! Can't you learn from me and be more diligent? More proactive?"

"Huh? Who are you copying?"

Hearing that hoarse voice, clearly from someone who had just woken up, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression became unusually uncontrolled. This kid is even more of a scoundrel than his father was back then!

Inside Kushina's house, a silver light shimmered. Tatsuma, his face dark, looked at the group eating hot pot and singing, and said, "You all seem quite relaxed?"

"Burp~"

Tsunade let out a hiccup, her eyes already glazed with drunkenness despite it being midday. She glanced at the clock, then looked at Tatsuma, and slurred, "Don't you...don't you have class?"

"There are still fifteen minutes until the bell rings for the afternoon practical class. Teacher, please go and start the class. Senior Duan, judging from your condition, you've been drinking quite a bit these past few days, haven't you? Go to the hospital for a follow-up check of your kidney function."

"Jiraiya-sensei, you should cry somewhere else. I need to talk to Minato and Kushina."

Seeing Tatsuma's ashen face, Kato Dan realized something. Although he had also drunk some alcohol, it wasn't much and hadn't affected him much. He walked over to Tatsuma and asked in a low voice:

"Tatsuma, what happened?"

"Okay, you can take the teacher away and let her sober up. I haven't had time to notify the training course about the cancellation."

Although Tatsuma's words didn't convey any urgency, his dark expression made Kato Dan tense up. He pulled Tsunade, who was still rambling incoherently, away.

As for Jiraiya, he was still singing while holding a bottle of sake. Tatsuma wanted nothing more than to punch him a couple of times. He had been incredibly busy these past few days, and these people were actually enjoying themselves here. It just made him angrier the more he thought about it.

Instantly appearing beside Jiraiya, placing his hand on his shoulder, and using the Flying Thunder God Technique, Tatsuma threw him into the river in the Forest of Death. Ignoring Jiraiya's struggles, Tatsuma used the Flying Thunder God Technique again to return to Kushina's house.

Kushina and Minato hadn't gone so far as to break the alcohol ban, so they hadn't drunk any alcohol, but their faces were flushed from eating hot pot. When Minato saw Tatsuma's bitter and resentful expression, he guessed what was going on.

He picked up a set of unused bowls and chopsticks and said, "Chenma, you haven't eaten yet, have you? Eat something first."

Before the morning classes were even over, Tatsuma was called away by Yamanaka Inoichi. He then had a meeting with Inoichi, and spent time thinking on his own. Afterward, he went to see Sarutobi Hiruzen. Tatsuma really hadn't eaten lunch.

It's hard for a hungry person to be in a good mood. Although Minato didn't know why Tatsuma had come today, he knew Tatsuma too well and knew that Tatsuma must be hungry.

Tatsuma didn't stand on ceremony. He took the bowl and chopsticks and immediately finished off the remaining food. Although he had only filled his stomach and wasn't quite full, Tatsuma's mood improved somewhat.

He looked at Kushina, who was wary, and asked, "Kushina, there's a way that will allow you to move freely for a short period without fear of the Nine-Tails' interference. Are you willing to try it?"

Upon hearing this, Kushina nodded subconsciously. Although she had been living a fulfilling life these past few days, with plenty of meat and fish every day, this fulfilling life was not what she wanted.

If she could, she would rather live an ordinary, uneventful life, sitting with Minato all day long, than watch other people's happiness fill her time.

But after nodding, Kushina immediately sensed something was wrong. She fixed her gaze on Tatsuma and said, "What scheme are you plotting now?"

Kushina's keen perception surprised Tatsuma. He instinctively felt that Kushina could also use the Nine-Tails' ability to sense malice, but after careful consideration, Tatsuma dismissed the idea.

Kushina probably just dislikes him.

After thinking for a moment, Tatsuma said, "I need to go out on a mission, but the Third Hokage won't let me leave the village until the crisis involving you is resolved."

"Fine, you can go then, I don't need to. Wait!"

Kushina's eyes hardened again. She reached out and pulled at Minato, who was sitting beside her, and said, "You're going out on a mission alone?"

Tatsuma was surprised that Kushina saw through him so quickly. He didn't expect that Kushina, who had been "attacked," would actually regain her sense of intelligence, which she had previously neglected.

"As the squad leader of the Water Gate, it's perfectly reasonable for me to take him along on missions, isn't it?"

Upon hearing this, Kushina frowned, about to refuse, when Minato spoke up, "Kushina, listen to Tatsuma's plan. Controlling the Nine-Tails is more important for you right now."

Kushina instantly looked aggrieved and said, "Are you annoyed with me? Are you so eager to leave me?"

Minato's expression also turned flustered. Just as he was about to explain, Tatsuma stood up and said, "I'll go to the kitchen to find something to eat. You guys talk first."

He couldn't stay a second longer. If he hadn't left the Flying Thunder God Technique seal in Kushina's kitchen, he would have chosen the fastest way to leave.

When Tatsuma brought out a pot of food that looked utterly unappetizing, Kushina and Minato had finished their discussion. Kushina's eyes were red, but she didn't throw a tantrum or say anything unpleasant.

Tatsuma ate the food, which didn't look very appetizing, with a blank expression. Kushina said with dissatisfaction, "Food isn't meant to be wasted!"

"I'll eat it all myself."

He ate bite after bite until the bottom of the pot was revealed, then Chenma put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and asked, "What's your decision?"

"Tell me your method first."

(End of this chapter)