Chapter 49 I will remember you two (new book please collect, please recommend~)
Uchiha启 and Minato Namikaze chatted for a long time. Uchiha启 could tell that Minato Namikaze was quite friendly towards him.
This made Uchiha启 quite happy, for even though Minato Namikaze might only rule for less than a year before his death, Uchiha启 might still be able to gain some benefits during that time before he passed away.
Uchiha启 was also pondering what he should do in the future. After all, if anyone were to come to this world and become a member of this Clan, Uchiha启 couldn't refuse even if he wanted to.
Danzo and the Third Hokage were not good people; both were insidious and hypocritical.
The only difference was that Danzo fully displayed his insidiousness for all to see, then hypocritically claimed, 'Everything I do is for Konoha.'
The Third Hokage, on the other hand, completely hypocritically displayed his 'tolerance and benevolence' as Hokage, but how he truly operated behind the scenes was probably clearest to the major Ninja Clans of Konoha.
While these two were in power, it's undeniable that they managed Konoha very well, but as they aged, this glamorous tree of Konoha inevitably began to rot from within.
Power is the best catalyst. The two of them didn't necessarily go completely against each other, but they certainly had some superficial harmony masking internal discord. Yet, even so, their views on certain matters were absolutely consistent.
Turning the Fourth Hokage into his puppet was the Third Hokage's masterpiece. If he hadn't had such a thought, it would have been impossible for him to reclaim the Hokage position himself after the Fourth Hokage's death, without reopening the Hokage election.
In his eyes, he was probably the best Hokage, wasn't he?
Although Danzo might try to interfere, don't forget there's still the Jonin confidence vote. Danzo's highest achievement to date is only Acting Hokage.
Speaking of Danzo, this guy is also a man consumed by greed. His infiltration of Anbu and control over Root clearly reveal his objectives.
Anbu is one of the most complex units in the Konoha Ninja organization. They are mysterious, powerful in combat, proficient in assassination, and skilled in protection. This unit can only be controlled by the Hokage.
"Rest well, you'll be able to return soon, and your squad will too. Because of you all, the war situation has largely become clear."
Minato Namikaze didn't know what Uchiha启 was thinking. He smiled at Uchiha启, then stood up, preparing to leave.
Uchiha启, turning his head, shook it, too lazy to think about these things anymore. Watching Minato Namikaze turn and leave, Uchiha启 could only wish him good luck.
Minato Namikaze's strength was indeed formidable; there was no doubt about that. Uchiha启 still remembered the scene he witnessed after dealing with four Stone Ninja.
Those massive Rasengans, emanating a terrifying aura, rained down from the sky one by one. With violent explosions and the Five-Tails' screams, the battle truly ended.
Uchiha启 couldn't forget how stunned he was at the time. He suddenly realized that he seemed to have narrowly escaped death thanks to him, and his luck was truly good.
No wonder Uchiha Obito was beaten by him when he attacked Konoha. Although Obito lost an eye, his control over the Sharingan and Mangekyo Sharingan was not something Uchiha启 could compare to now.
However, Uchiha启 actually felt that if he had Obito's skill level, he might have a very good chance of winning against Minato Namikaze.
"You use your Flying Thunder God. The moment you appear, I'll use 'Time Stop' and then simply twist your neck."
Uchiha启 thought to himself. As for what would happen to his eyes after using it, Uchiha启 wasn't sure, but at least Uchiha启 did have a way to defeat Minato Namikaze.
Lying down on the stone bed, Uchiha启's mind began to relax. At this moment, he suddenly remembered a question: he seemed to have underestimated Imai Kenta.
Although Uchiha启 had always placed Imai Kenta in a rather formidable position, he now realized that he seemed to have still underestimated him.
As a Stone Ninja who also guarded the bridge, how could he be a simple character?
But when Uchiha启 saw Imai Kenta yesterday, he found that although the guy had some scrapes and his Chakra consumption was relatively high, he had completed the mission and returned alive.
This could only mean one thing: this guy defeated the Stone Ninja hiding under the bridge, perhaps even killed him and completed the mission. This guy was indeed not simple.
"In contrast, Hyuga Aya was a bit worse off."
Uchiha启 stroked his chin, then suddenly paused: "Wait, could this woman have done it on purpose? At that time, Kakashi was severely injured. Whether judged as Kakashi's teammate or by the severity of injuries, Rin Nohara would prioritize treating Kakashi. So, Hyuga Aya..."
Uchiha启 had been quite envious of Hyuga Aya's injury before, but now that he realized, Uchiha启 discovered that Hyuga Aya might genuinely have done it on purpose!
As a woman who had survived so long on the battlefield, she might not have been so easily defeated by a Stone Ninja Jonin, especially since she was a member of the Hyuga Clan.
Hyuga Aya detested him, Uchiha启 knew this well. It wasn't just about the Clan's Dojutsu, nor just the degree of Bloodline Limit manifestation; it was also because they were the same kind of people.
Uchiha启 didn't mind Hyuga Aya's dislike because anyone would be displeased if someone she considered lacking in strength became her captain.
Coupled with some animosity between the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan, this displeasure would naturally be magnified.
Even if Uchiha启 could rely on sneak attacks to deal with some Stone Ninja Jonin, that was limited to sneak attacks and the opponent being unprepared. Hyuga Aya must have believed she could easily handle Uchiha启 with the Hyuga Clan's defensive capabilities.
But everything changed after Uchiha启 'activated his Sharingan.' And with Hyuga Aya having 'offended' Uchiha启, coupled with the extremely dangerous mission, the possibility of her intentionally getting injured truly increased infinitely!
"This woman..." Thinking of this, Uchiha启 felt a bit helpless. Was he really going to eliminate her on Konoha's front lines?
Or kill his own teammate within Konoha?
Uchiha启 would not do that. And although this woman was annoying, Uchiha启 wasn't ready to carve a mark on his forehead protector yet.
As for during a mission?
Uchiha启 might not even strike, because this woman's ability to block Ninjutsu and enemies was far more valuable than dying by his hand.
Now this woman has already embarked on the road back to Konoha Village. She is returning with Kakashi, and she probably didn't expect that he and Imai Kenta would also be returning now, did she?
"I'm actually looking forward to seeing this woman's gaze again."
Uchiha启 thought with a touch of malice: "I really underestimated you, not just you but also Imai Kenta. But I've got both of you marked."