I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 537 Don't be polite to people who aren't going to be polite to you.

"Give me the money! Give me the money!"

Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Kushina, all looking displeased, each took out two hundred ryo and handed it to Shikaku. Jiraiya glared at Tsunade and said, "Why did you place a bet? You made me lose!"

"Hmph! I placed my bet, and Tatsuma is here. If I hadn't placed my bet, could you have dealt with Onoki?!"

Even losing 100 taels of silver made Tsunade grit her teeth, but she still had to find an excuse for her actions. Indeed, her decision to quit gambling was the right one.

That nonsense about her luck improving after being away from gambling for so long is utter bullshit! She hadn't gambled for seven years, and she still lost!

It's all Tatsuma's fault! Why did he have to learn to fly?!

As Tatsuma landed with Shisui in his arms, he was suddenly met with a death stare from his teacher. He was stunned for a moment, then looked at Shikaku, who was fiddling with banknotes, and instantly understood what was going on.

After setting Shisui down, Tatsuma said to the people surrounding him, "No need to be so polite. I'm just bringing my disciple here to observe and learn. Go do what you need to do."

Orochimaru looked at Tatsuma with a strange expression. He recalled Shikaku's words in the tent just now. At that time, he also scoffed. How could he learn the opponent's ability by defeating an opponent?

He had considered placing a bet, even a high-stakes all-in bet, to contribute to his research fund. However, while he was calculating how much money he had, Tsunade went and placed her bet.

Orochimaru was so frightened that he immediately gave up the idea of ​​placing a bet. Although losing every bet is not reasonable from a probability point of view, people still need to have some faith.

At the same time, money earned through honest means is spent with more peace of mind, while windfall gains can eventually be lost unexpectedly!

However, when Orochimaru saw that the person flying was indeed Tatsuma, he couldn't help but wonder if there were some unscientific aspects to Tatsuma.

It seems that every major improvement this kid makes comes after a victory. Once or twice could be attributed to his understanding of combat, but when it happens too often, something seems off.

Thinking about it, he glanced at Shikaku, who was laughing happily. It seemed he would have to find some time to have a good discussion with the Nara boy and see how he discovered and confirmed it.

Or perhaps Orochimaru's gaze returned to Tatsuma, and he said, "Tatsuma, I have a mission for you: defeat Onoki."

Tatsuma: "?!"

Ignoring Tatsuma's confusion and resistance, Orochimaru continued to stare intently at him. After all, the kid himself had said that experiments were the only standard for testing the truth.

Let's try it out!

Since Tatsuma also possesses the ability to fly, he wouldn't have any weaknesses in maneuverability or air superiority against Onoki, making him the most suitable person to face Onoki.

Even if they couldn't learn Onoki's Kekkei Tota Dust Release through defeat, it would still severely damage the morale of the Iwa ninja and destroy one of their important trump cards, so it would be worth it no matter how you look at it.

Shikaku stopped counting the money, inwardly despising Orochimaru for being too direct, but he also wanted to verify it through an experiment, so he said:

"Yes, based on my analysis, Konoha currently has no way to deal with Onoki. Onoki's existence is a gap that we must overcome, but cannot overcome, for our counterattack."

With your ability to fly, you are best suited to help Konoha bridge this gap. After all, continuing this stalemate is extremely detrimental to Konoha.

Tatsuma felt that the two men had ulterior motives towards him, but at this moment, there were not only his own people around, but also many Konoha ninjas he was not very familiar with. He could not directly question the two men about their conspiracy, nor could he refuse them.

Therefore, he could only say in a tactful tone: "Since half a year ago, Onoki has stopped participating in front-line combat and may even have returned to Iwagakure."

Taking action against him would only reignite tensions and escalate the war into an irreconcilable, venting-of-anger chaos, completely contrary to our objectives in participating in the war.

Orochimaru and Shikaku also realized that Tatsuma wasn't some hot-blooded idiot who would easily get carried away. Getting him to do something wasn't as simple as just shouting slogans.

On the contrary, Tatsuma was the one shouting slogans.

Tatsuma then turned around and, facing the many Konoha ninjas who still had doubts on their faces, said, "Everyone, I want to emphasize this again here today."

Our participation in the war is a last resort, not a premeditated move like the three kingdoms of wind, earth, and lightning. Our purpose in participating is not to fight for the sake of fighting or to fight for victory.

We participate in this war for a higher purpose: to fight for peace, to fight for protection, to fight for justice, and to fight for all humanity and intelligent races in the ninja world.

Only by embracing peace, protection, and justice can we defeat those with ulterior motives. Any war that goes against the will of the ninja world is something we must stop and resist!

As soon as the words were spoken, the doubts in people's eyes dissipated, and they became firm and fervent again. Even Kushina, a staunch anti-Tatsuma, couldn't help but get a little excited.

However, the three Sannin, Minato, and Shikaku only showed superficial agreement. As they were highly involved in the war, and even to some extent its planners, they certainly wouldn't believe Tatsuma's nonsense.

Of course, they couldn't refute Tatsuma either, after all, they were Tatsuma's supporters and also beneficiaries of the war. They couldn't bring themselves to scold the cook while holding up their bowls and chopsticks.

Only Shisui's eyes held even deeper doubt, because what Tatsuma said today was completely contradictory to what Tatsuma had told him yesterday when they were about to arrive at Takigakure.

Is war good or bad? I'm falling into the trap of judging right and wrong again, which my teacher says should be abandoned.

Oh well, the teacher is always right anyway!

Kakashi clapped along with the crowd, but no sound came out when he clasped his hands together. Like the Sannin, he was just superficially agreeing.

However, what he was thinking about was not war, but what his father had said: the Hokage should have the ability to inspire the whole village, and this ability could be either leading by example or speaking eloquently.

However, he doesn't seem to have that talent yet. In terms of practical action, he and his father are actually the same; they prefer to work alone and be assassins in the shadows.

In terms of eloquence, he was somewhat reserved in his communication with his father, let alone in public.

Besides training in physical strength, does he also need to learn this kind of talent that is embarrassing just to imagine?

Beside him, his two teammates clapped enthusiastically, and Obito even had tears in his eyes. Between clapping moments, he wiped away a tear and said in a choked voice:

"So, my actions are so noble? I'm actually fighting for all of humanity in the ninja world. I thought it was just a matter of defeating the enemy."

Rin Nohara was also visibly excited, exclaiming, "As expected of the Fourth Hokage, Lord Tatsuma is just so cool!"

Kakashi and Obito froze simultaneously, both turning their heads to look at the only girl in the group. Kakashi was particularly interested in the title "Fourth Hokage".

He hasn't even officially taken office yet, and he's already gained so much recognition? Damn it, when will he ever achieve this level of prestige?!

Obito glanced at Rin, then at Tatsuma, before turning back to Rin, sniffling, and asked, "Rin, do you really think Tatsuma-sama is handsome?"

He didn't think so at all! He looked so fierce that a single glance from him was more terrifying than a glance from the clan chief, and he wasn't the only one who felt that way.

Many Uchiha felt that being looked at by Tatsuma-sama would simultaneously breed disgust and fear in their bones. Minato-sensei was much better; he always encouraged them when he looked at them.

Lin nodded, her eyes never leaving him, and said, "He is very handsome, even more charming than Minato-sensei."

Obito lowered his head dejectedly, but quickly raised it again, looked at Kakashi, pointed to his hair, and said, "I know, I'm going to dye this thing white too!"

But then he noticed that Kakashi also had white hair, and instantly, a deeper understanding dawned on his face. Shaking his head, Obito continued, "No, I still need to curl this thing!"

Rin likes men like Tatsuma-sama, and Kakashi, who only has slightly similar white hair to Tatsuma-sama, also won Rin's favor. But if she wanted to surpass Kakashi...

If you dye your hair white and then curl it, you'll look even more like Lord Tatsuma than Kakashi!

Not only that, if I can awaken the Sharingan, I can also obtain an eye color similar to that of Lord Tatsuma!

Plan works! That's it! Next time I go back to the village, I want to get my hair styled like Tatsuma-sama's, and then work hard to awaken my Sharingan. That way, I can win Rin's heart!

Kakashi had no idea what his goofy teammate was thinking, but he felt a chill run down his spine when Obito looked at him.

He raised his hand, making a V-sign, and poked at Obito's eyes. Of course, he couldn't actually poke Obito's eyes, but given how much Obito cherished his eyes, he would definitely dodge it.

"What are you doing!"

Sure enough, as Obito turned his head, he also put on his goggles. His plan to copy Sakamoto Tatsuma hadn't even begun yet! He had to protect his eyes.

It is said that the eyes are the essence of an actor's acting skills. If there is a problem with one's eyes, one cannot complete the performance!

Seeing that his explanation had worked, Tatsuma didn't want to be watched any longer. Although he wasn't afraid in front of people, he wasn't someone who always wanted to be the center of attention.

After giving Orochimaru and the others a look, he led Shisui into the command tent and then asked, "Did the Iwa ninja launch their surprise attack? How are the arrangements? Is there anything I can help you with?"

Orochimaru nodded and said, "The arrangements are almost complete. The Jinchuriki of the Four-Tails and Five-Tails haven't made their move yet. You can decide which one you want to deal with later."

Orochimaru wasn't going to stand on ceremony with Tatsuma. After speaking, he frowned and thought for a moment before saying, "I heard you also built a wooden cabin camp for the Uchiha? Before you go back, renovate this place as well. It's late autumn, and it's getting a bit cold."

"Is it possible that I'm just being polite?"

After Tatsuma finished speaking, he saw Orochimaru staring at him with his golden snake eyes. He could only shrug helplessly and say, "Alright, I'll stay for a few days. Please look after my disciple, Uchiha Shisui."

Orochimaru looked at the somewhat timid Shisui, licked his lips, and said, "I wonder if you still remember that you promised to become the successor of Ryuchi Cave."

Upon hearing this, Shisui looked up at Tatsuma. He himself had no recollection of it. Children receive a lot of information, but they also forget a lot of memories, especially those from before the age of three.

Tatsuma nodded and said, "You were indeed tricked into agreeing, but whether you want to or not is up to you. Lord Orochimaru won't force you."

Hearing his teacher's words, Shisui breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that he wouldn't be forced to do it. After all, he was the one who was to inherit his teacher's title of White Demon! How could he become someone else's successor?

Unexpectedly, Orochimaru spoke up in a sinister tone, "Who said I wouldn't force myself?"

Shisui: "Glug~"

(End of this chapter)