I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 427 Young people often don't understand themselves well enough, and easily think that their lives are destined to be this or that.

"Lord Torifu, are you joking? I am just a commoner ninja."

Tatsuma's smile was somewhat stiff at this moment, and Hatake Sakumo also frowned, wondering if Akimichi Torifu had asked the wrong question? Perhaps he wanted to ask how many types of ninjutsu they had mastered? Or perhaps forbidden techniques?

Although he had lost weight, Akimichi Torifu's belly was still round and bulging.

He patted his stomach and said, "That was Boil Release, right? Don't deny it, I've seen it before, even though I was just a burden in the team, I still learned a lot from Tobirama-sama."

You don't care at all about the exposure of Boil Release. Let me think... This shouldn't be hereditary, but rather something you developed yourself, like the master and apprentice in Iwagakure. However, your body must have other secrets.

"The activity and resilience of your cells surpass even mine, despite decades of training in the Butterfly Transformation Technique. This is something even Tsunade and Tobirama-sama don't possess. I've only heard Tobirama mention it, and it seems Hashirama-sama is similar."

Seeing Tatsuma's serious expression, Akimichi Torifu no longer needed to wait for Tatsuma's answer. His tone remained leisurely, as if in casual conversation after a meal, as he added, "Among the techniques you've been hiding, there's Wood Release, isn't there?"

Akimichi Torifu's face was like that of an ordinary, unassuming uncle next door, but every word he spoke made Tatsuma's expression become more serious. Akimichi Torifu, however, lazily lay down on his side, like a sleeping Arhat, and said:

"Is your Wood Release technique related to the research you and Orochimaru conducted back then?"

As he asked the question, Tatsuma keenly sensed a hint of killing intent. He looked at Akimichi Torifu, who was crestfallen, and said seriously, "My Wood Release technique did not originate from the First Hokage's cells and has nothing to do with experiments."

Instantly, the murderous aura vanished. Akimichi Torifu, lying on his side with his fist as a pillow, nodded somewhat awkwardly and said, "That's good. Is there anything else you need to tell me?"

"Sage Mode, Adamantine Sealing Barrier, Wood Release, Boil Release, Lava Release, that's all for now."

Tatsuma chose to be honest, and Sakumo Hatake, who was standing next to him, had his mouth wide open. He had known Tatsuma for so long, but he had never heard him say this before. How did Lord Torifu know?

Noticing Sakumo Hatake's surprise, Torifu Akimichi yawned and said, "Tatsuma, you and Tobirama-sama are so alike. Unlike others, I can't untangle my knot in my heart and can't get over the sadness of those years."

Therefore, I have never forgotten Lord Tobirama. I understand Lord Tobirama, and therefore, I can understand you too.

Tatsuma sensed the sadness and resentment in Akimichi Torifu's words and said, "Torifu-sama, you should also know that I don't actually have a relationship with the Second Hokage. The so-called resemblance is invalid."

"You don't understand Lord Tobirama. After all, young people don't really understand themselves. If Lord Tobirama were to come back to life, he would acknowledge you as his descendant without hesitation. It's no use if you don't acknowledge him. Blood ties aren't that important to Lord Tobirama, except for the Uchiha bloodline."

As Akimichi Torifu spoke, he also teased Tobirama Senju. Tatsuma smiled knowingly, thinking of the discriminatory words Tobirama Senju had written in his diary.

After making his joke, Akimichi Torifu continued, "Besides, your methods will eventually be exposed. When Wood Release reappears, no one will question you anymore; they will only say..."

It simply cannot prove that you are related to Tobirama by blood, but it also cannot prove that you are not related to Tobirama by blood.

Don't even mention that whole "genetic locus testing" thing you and Orochimaru came up with; they'll just think it's a trick you're playing on fools. They'll all consider themselves wise enough to see through it all.

Tatsuma looked at Akimichi Torifu with some surprise, not because he was surprised that Akimichi would read the scientific journals he and Orochimaru had published, but because he was amazed by Akimichi Torifu's foresight.

As expected, Tobirama Senju's vision is beyond compare. He not only nurtured the atypical Uchiha, Uchiha Kagami, but also Akimichi Torifu, who is completely different from the rest of the Akimichi clan.

After adjusting his mindset, Tatsuma asked, "Lord Torifu, you've extracted so much information from me today, what is it for?"

"Haha~ I was just guessing. You admitted it yourself, so don't blame me."

Akimichi Torifu rolled to his feet and said, "Have you ever thought about becoming Hokage?"

"I have this idea, and I'm working on it step by step."

Tatsuma nodded without any embarrassment. An employee who doesn't want to be a CEO isn't a good corporate slave. For him, becoming Naruto wasn't a lofty dream, but just a necessary step on the path to promotion.

"If you want to be Hokage, that's fine. Konoha can't tolerate someone like you who doesn't want to be Hokage. You should understand that yourself. Besides you, I can't think of anyone else who can be the next Hokage."

Upon hearing this, Tatsuma asked, "Where's Minato?"

"It's a pity you're here." Akimichi Torifu shrugged and said, "If he were Hokage, he would try his best to make the village better, he would optimize this rigid system, but that's all."

Without you, I might have voted for him, but it's a pity you're here.

"If you become Hokage, I don't know if the village will become better, but it will definitely be more exciting. You won't just optimize this rigid system; you'll break it down and change it. I hope that's the case."

"But it's also possible that I will destroy Konoha and all that our predecessors have worked so hard to achieve."

"That means Konoha's fate is sealed. What Konoha needs now is not a mender, but an architect. After decades of development, all the wooden houses in Konoha have been replaced by brick houses, but Konoha itself remains stagnant. This is not what our predecessors wanted to see."

The architect of Konoha cannot be a Hokage who only sees honor as Hokage; it must be a Hokage who sees duty as Hokage. That's the difference between you and Minato.

A treasure is not to be broken by anyone, not even oneself. For Minato, or rather, for the vast majority of Konoha ninja, Konoha was a treasure they cherished.

Reluctant to break them, they could only, as Akimichi Torifu suggested, repair and mend the decaying treasures to try and show their former glory as much as possible.

But Tatsuma is different. He doesn't regard Konoha as a treasure, so he dares to smash it and rebuild it directly. It may not be better or more beautiful, but it will definitely be newer and more different.

"If we hadn't met, I really wouldn't have known that Lord Qufeng had such high expectations of me. It's really putting a lot of pressure on me."

"Haha~ It's okay, there's still plenty of time. I'm talking to you so early just to confirm your thoughts, so I can prepare some things in advance."

Akimichi Torifu waved his hand, looked at Hatake Sakumo who was still speechless with shock, and asked, "By the way, when do you plan to hand over the garrison duties?"

Hatake Sakumo rubbed his face and said, "I suddenly feel like I'm not qualified to be the squad leader of the garrison. I can't monitor so much information."

He, a man who has spent years traveling in the ninja world, knows less than Akimichi Torifu, who has been unemployed for a long time. He doesn't have the ability to investigate so many things while staying in the village.

Akimichi Torifu reassured him, "Don't worry, this isn't the duty of the guard team. It's just my personal interest. The guard team's duty is very simple: as long as no one directly attacks the outer walls of Konoha, you don't need to worry about it."

The Uchiha were quite eager, wishing they could catch as many of the spies the guards had let in as possible. If they could leave some for the guards, they would be triumphant, and the guards would be relaxed too—a win-win situation.

At most, we'd get a few sarcastic remarks from the Uchiha Security Forces. Frankly, even if the garrison performed flawlessly, the Security Forces would still look down on us, so there's no need to argue with them.

Upon hearing Akimichi Torifu's instructions on job skills, Hatake Sakumo's expression was quite interesting. As a diligent and conscientious ninja since becoming a ninja, Hatake Sakumo never expected that one day his mission would be to slack off.

Tatsuma, curious, interjected, "Since Sakumo-sama has taken over as squad leader of the security department, does that mean you, Torifu-sama, are you truly planning to retire?"

"Not bad, but not good enough. Without you, I would retire. Of course, without you, Sakumo might not escape Danzo's targeting, but anyway..."

"Konoha is currently lacking an elder who can step in at any time, and I... well... this old man cannot remain uninvolved."

Akimichi Torifu changed to a squatting position, then stood up with his hands supporting his knees. Tatsuma also stood up with him. Akimichi Torifu looked at him and said, "It's time for me to carry out the task assigned by Lord Tobirama."

Although it's decades too late, Lord Tobirama will understand me; after all, now is the best time for the mission.

"What mission?"

"The future of Konoha".

As he spoke, Akimichi Torifu's drooping mouth, eyes, and eyebrows gradually lifted, and his dejected and weary state disappeared. As he gradually entered old age, he finally regained the spirit that had been dormant for decades.

Taking a deep breath, Akimichi Torifu's round belly flattened, and he looked in the direction of the Hokage Building, saying, "That monkey made a promise to me back then."

The advisor's position... they promised to keep it for me. I hope he's only forgotten the sadness, not the friendship and promises.

Tatsuma and Akimichi Torifu were from different eras, and Tatsuma didn't know Akimichi Torifu at all, so he could only sigh at this moment, but Hatake Sakumo's eyes were already filled with admiration.

When Hatake Sakumo was young, he was the Second Hokage, and he and his direct subordinates were making legends in the ninja world. Those people were all people he admired when he was young.

Although many years have passed and he has even become an enemy of someone he once admired, seeing his senior, Akimichi Torifu, regain his former glory still fills him with excitement.

Akimichi Torifu stretched his wrists and said, "But before that, we need a mission of sufficient importance to make Sarutobi trust me again, Tatsuma."

"Take me on your next mission, let me experience the thrill of the Flying Thunder God Technique one more time."

Hatake Sakumo also gave him a look that seemed to say, "You'd better say yes!!!" Tatsuma, seeing the renewed light in Akimichi Torifu's eyes, nodded and said, "Okay!"

(End of this chapter)