I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 430 Society needs equality, but everyone desires privileges.

The meeting was filled with a long list of New Year's plans, which Chenma listened to silently. None of it concerned him much; he would occasionally raise his hand to vote.

The village has been managed by Hiruzen Sarutobi for decades, and the resolutions that should be passed and those that shouldn't are very clear, so there won't be a stalemate between the pro and the con sides.

In the past, there might have been a Danzo who would have sung a dissenting tune, but now everyone is of one mind and working together towards the same goal.

"Tatsuma, stay here for a moment."

Just as the meeting ended and Tatsuma was about to leave with Tsunade and the others, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly called out to him, which puzzled Tatsuma, since he shouldn't have anything to discuss with Hiruzen Sarutobi recently.

But leaders always want to show their considerate side to their subordinates from time to time; maybe they just want to connect and build rapport.

After most of the people had left the meeting room, Hiruzen Sarutobi waved to Tatsuma and then walked out of the meeting room toward his office, with Tatsuma following closely behind.

Upon entering the Hokage's office, Tatsuma saw Shinnosuke, who had inherited the codename "Xiao," cleaning. Seeing the young master with a rag in one hand and a mop in the other was quite a contrast.

"Stop what you're doing for a moment, make yourself a cup of tea, and go to home to get my treasured tea leaves."

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, dismissing Shinnosuke, leaving only Hiruzen Sarutobi and Tatsuma in the office. Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk, tapping his fingers lightly on the surface.

Tatsuma stood opposite him, not asking why Hiruzen Sarutobi had called him there, because it was clear that Hiruzen Sarutobi would find it difficult to bring up the next topic.

"Sigh~"

Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly sighed, opened a drawer, took out his pipe and tobacco, slowly filled it with tobacco, and enjoyed his first smoke after returning to work after the New Year.

After a while, he finally spoke, saying, "Qu Feng and I talked a lot about you."

Tatsuma frowned slightly, wondering what Akimichi Torifu would talk about with Hiruzen Sarutobi. Akimichi Torifu's way of doing things was something even Tatsuma couldn't predict, so he could only wait and wait for Hiruzen Sarutobi to give him more information.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was also sizing up Tatsuma. Seeing that Tatsuma didn't seem inclined to admit it, he suddenly felt a bit defeated. He was the Hokage of Konoha, Tatsuma's senior, and someone who had given Tatsuma countless help over the past ten years.

But in the end, Tatsuma was still unable to let his guard down. Was he really wrong, just as Akimichi Torifu said?

"Wood Release".

"Sarutobi Hiruzen said softly. Tatsuma raised his eyebrows and looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, feeling even more puzzled. Akimichi Torifu would actually reveal this information to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Although Tatsuma knew that his Wood Release technique would be exposed one day, he never thought of telling Hiruzen Sarutobi. Even now, he was only afraid that Hiruzen Sarutobi would find out.

The reason he told Akimichi Torifu was because Akimichi Torifu had already guessed it, and whether Tatsuma admitted it or not, it wouldn't change Akimichi Torifu's judgment, so he said it.

Furthermore, Akimichi Torifu was someone Mito Uzumaki trusted more, which is why Tatsuma was willing to reveal this trump card to him.

If someone else had revealed his trump card to Hiruzen Sarutobi, Tatsuma would have guessed that person had used his information to gain some benefit from Hiruzen. But Akimichi Torifu doesn't seem like that kind of person.

"Lord Hokage, a ninja's methods must not be known to anyone; this is a principle that all students at the Ninja Academy understand."

Tatsuma did not admit his mistake. Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi took another deep drag of his cigarette and said, "I know, I also know how much impact the reappearance of Wood Release will have on the ninja world, and how much disaster it will bring to you."

However, I don't want to hear this news from other people. Besides, I've been thinking a lot these past few days; you've mastered Wood Release for at least two years now.

The methods you used to subdue the Nine-Tails were not only the Adamantine Sealing Chains, but also Wood Release. You had countless opportunities to tell me in those two years, but Minato knew, Kushina knew, and Torifu also knew.

Not to mention Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya, what I can't understand is why, as the Hokage, I feel so unfamiliar with this village and its people.

Upon hearing this, Tatsuma replied, "If a Konoha ninja asked you whether he or the village is more important, what would you say? You don't need to say, because I know the answer."

You might say this question is meaningless; the village and the people in it are equally important. A village is made up of its individual residents, and you wouldn't harm the people in the village for the sake of the village, nor would you harm the village for the sake of the people in the village.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi felt that the answer was a bit strange after Tatsuma said that, he still nodded because he really would answer that way.

Tatsuma shrugged and said, "That's the problem. If I asked Jiraiya-sama, he would answer without hesitation that the village is more important. If I asked my teacher, she would answer that I am more important."

You love every villager equally; no one is special. Conversely, there are very few people who treat you specially.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned. He hadn't expected Tatsuma to give him such a response. He retorted, "As the Hokage, shouldn't I love everyone in the village equally?"

"I didn't say you were wrong, just as you wouldn't say I was wrong."

Tatsuma shook his head. Hiruzen Sarutobi was theoretically a good Hokage. Equality is important for a society, but every individual hopes to be favored.

Hiruzen Sarutobi is loving, but not loving enough. Unlike Mito Uzumaki, he doesn't love the entire village while showing favoritism to certain people.

The office fell silent again. It was impossible for Tatsuma to convince Hiruzen Sarutobi in one go, and it was impossible for Hiruzen Sarutobi to come to his senses in such a short time.

Tatsuma didn't know what Hiruzen Sarutobi was thinking, but he probably knew what Akimichi Torifu was thinking: he wanted to secure special treatment for Tatsuma.

However, it doesn't seem that simple now.

"The tea has been delivered."

Neither of them spoke again until Shinnosuke returned. Shinnosuke looked at them and suddenly felt nervous. Could it be that his father had quarreled with his idol?

Noticing his son's expression, Hiruzen Sarutobi adjusted his expression and said, "Tatsuma, try this tea. There were too many people during the New Year, so I didn't have time to serve you. Try it now."

"The Hokage is extremely busy, even on vacation he is still tied up with official duties. I admire him so much."

Tatsuma also showed a business smile, and sat down at the table under the guidance of Hiruzen Sarutobi. He tasted the tea that Shinnosuke brought him. The tea tasted so-so, the water temperature was too high, and it was brewed for too long, wasting good tea leaves.

Hiruzen Sarutobi changed the subject, saying, "Speaking of which, when I accompanied Torifu on a tour of the Ninja Academy, I overheard some students gossiping. The fact that you're still a Chunin must have dampened the motivation of quite a few students."

They keep saying things like, "Even someone as strong as Tatsuma-senpai is only a Chunin, and they might never become a Jonin in their lifetime." "Shouldn't you consider updating your ninja file?"

"I don't really care, but doing this doesn't comply with the rules of the Anbu. I'm afraid some people will complain that you, Hokage, can't treat everyone equally."

Tatsuma replied with a smile, while Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and said, "If the village can produce another genius like you, then I wouldn't mind being one of those who are jealous and envious."

Upon hearing this, Tatsuma narrowed his eyes. Was Hiruzen Sarutobi admitting defeat? Although it was just said in jest, it was impossible for a leader to seriously admit his mistake in person.

He pursed his lips, took another sip of the bitter tea, and said, "Then let's follow the Hokage's arrangements. We can't let the education process go wrong, otherwise Lord Toki will become evidence that the Hokage is bad at judging people."

However, since the ninja files are being updated, Minato should be updated as well, since he doesn't really have any hidden identity left now.

Although it wasn't as publicly known as Tatsuma or Sakumo Hatake's, Minato's identity couldn't be kept secret at all. The higher-ups of various ninja villages and organizations all knew that Konoha's Anbu Mokuto was none other than Sakamoto Tatsuma's good teammate, Minato Namikaze.

As for Tianfeng and Qiandou, they can still be salvaged. Besides, their weaknesses are obvious. Although they have reached a certain level of strength, it will still be difficult for them to become Jonin who can stand alone.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and said, "I will make the arrangements. By the way, if you become a Jonin, why don't you lead a team while you're at it? I've been observing some young people recently, and they have a lot of potential."

There are also many you know, such as Sakumo's son, Dai's son, and Shinko's daughter. My son is also quite good.

"Yes, I've wanted to follow Tatsuma-senpai for a long time!"

Shinnosuke quickly spoke up, but Hiruzen Sarutobi rolled his eyes at him and said, "I was talking about your younger brother!"

"what?"

Shinnosuke's mood immediately plummeted. Tatsuma shook his head and said, "Leading the team is out of the question. The Anbu is short-staffed right now, and I can't leave either."

"That's true. But speaking of the personnel shortage, why don't you just become the minister? You can build the team you think is suitable."

Just as Tatsuma was about to refuse, he was surprised to hear the second half of the sentence. Sarutobi Hiruzen had completely given in. In just a short while, Sarutobi Hiruzen's attitude had changed again and again.

The significance of the Anbu is not only to secretly carry out missions that other ninja teams cannot perform; it is also a force directly under the Hokage. To put it bluntly, although the Anbu serves the village, in reality, it serves the Hokage.

The significance of handing over the authority to form the Dark Side team is self-evident. Tatsuma wondered how much ideological work Akimichi Torifu had done for Sarutobi Hiruzen beforehand.

Tatsuma didn't think he could convince Hiruzen Sarutobi with just a few words.

But he shook his head and said, "Let's forget about it. I'm afraid I won't be able to stay in the Anbu once the matter of Iwagakure is investigated. Changing orders so frequently has too much of an impact on a department."

"The matter of Iwagakure? I know about it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, understanding Tatsuma's implication.

A typhoon hit, food delivery services stopped, so I went downstairs to buy instant noodles. My umbrella broke, and I got soaked.

I ate instant noodles, had diarrhea all night, the doors and windows were constantly battling dinosaurs, and I even lost a pair of underwear. What a miserable day!

(End of this chapter)