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Two days later.
The second floor of Anbu's underground training ground number six.
At this moment, this training ground, which was usually empty for most of the day, was now filled with dozens of figures, all arranged in rows on the second-floor viewing stands.
If anyone were to appear here, they would find that more than half of Konoha's high-ranking officials who were still in the Village were present.
From the Uchiha and Hyuga Clans to the Ino–Shika–Chō and Aburame Clans, whether they were clan heads or strong representatives from civilian Ninja, all were divided into several groups of varying sizes based on their hierarchy and relationships, discussing something in hushed voices.
"Good day, Uchiha Motoya."
A tall, thin middle-aged man in a wide kimono with long, dark hair falling over his shoulders spoke in a low voice. Behind him were two young men who looked exactly alike, though one had his forehead exposed while the other's was covered by a forehead protector, and their expressions were serious.
Most notably, their eye sockets contained a pair of pure white, flawless pupils.
This was Hyuga Soumin, the current head of the Hyuga Clan.
With his hands tucked into his wide sleeves, he turned to look at the empty training ground, his tone full of hidden meaning:
"It's truly rare to see such a grand display all of a sudden."
"Especially with the war being so critical."
The person he took the initiative to greet was naturally no small figure.
The black-haired middle-aged man, standing with his arms crossed and eyes closed, wore a wide cloak draped over his shoulders, with the Uchiha Clan's iconic red and white fan emblem tattooed on his back.
Hearing Hyuga Soumin speak, Uchiha Motoya slowly opened his eyes and looked at his old rival of many years, calmly remarking:
"Indeed, the war is critical."
"Yet, precisely at such times, some people become self-important, citing their important responsibilities."
He sighed, as if with hidden meaning:
"Lord Third is also in a difficult position."
"Yes."
"After all, what choice does Lord Third have?"
Hyuga Soumin responded with a gentle smile, as if he hadn't heard the double meaning in Uchiha Motoya's words.
It was Hyuga Hiashi behind him who seemed to have caught on, instinctively glancing in his direction.
Uchiha Fugaku, who stood behind his own father, was short-tempered. Noticing Hyuga Hiashi's gaze, he immediately glared back, not backing down.
The three tomoe in his Sharingan slowly rotated within his red eyes, mesmerizing and intimidating.
Hyuga Hiashi narrowed his eyes, and delicate veins quickly bulged, climbing like ivy from the edges of his eye sockets up to his temples.
They stood in silent confrontation.
Only these two old foxes, who had lived from the Sengoku period until now, remained composed.
The three great ocular Ninjutsu, famous throughout the Ninja World, with Konoha possessing two.
If these two clans were always harmonious, how could Lord Third, who works so hard, sleep well at night?
The Hidden Mist disaster was still fresh in their minds.
However, as the two most prominent bloodline clans, whether the rivalry between the Hyuga and Uchiha was real or feigned, only they themselves knew.
"Young people certainly have more vitality."
Uchiha Motoya remarked, seemingly just noticing the confrontation between their two successors, a gentle warning in his tone.
Fugaku then deactivated his Sharingan.
Hyuga Hiashi also deactivated his Byakugan and averted his gaze.
Hyuga Soumin continued to smile, as if he hadn't noticed anything: "I just wonder what caliber these two young people, whom Lord Third holds in such high regard today, truly are."
"I hear one of them is an untamed wild horse, perhaps?"
Uchiha Motoya calmly looked down at the arena, stating: "When wings are fully grown, a new transformation will occur."
As he spoke, he scanned the Ninja clans and civilian forces, which formed distinct groups of varying sizes throughout the training ground: "However, while displaying beautiful wings, isn't it also a deterrent to us?"
"Hyuga Soumin should always think for himself."
Hyuga Soumin's smile remained: "The Sannin, the Hatake, and now new branches have sprouted. Konoha's prosperity is endless."
"Uchiha Motoya, times are changing. As a part of Konoha, if one doesn't try to integrate quickly, there will be a lot of trouble in the future."
Uchiha Motoya glanced at his eyes and sneered:
"Will cutting off one's feet to fit the shoes make one fit in?"
"…"
Hyuga Soumin, however, did not reply.
Those who seek only temporary power cannot plan for a lifetime.
Some reckless individuals cannot see the situation clearly and always want to win like in the Sengoku period.
But he only wanted to secure the survival of the Hyuga Clan.
More words were useless.
While the arena was still noisy, the only two examinees had already entered.
Sawara Kiri scanned his surroundings, identifying the clan crests he had learned in class and memorizing every face that met his eyes.
Whether it was to break free from the Hidden Mist's constraints as soon as possible or for his own future, these faces held significant importance.
At the same time, he also stretched his muscles and bones a little.
After many days of leisure at home, his routine had finally adjusted back to normal hours; not having to work was indeed very enjoyable.
Unfortunately, it couldn't last forever.
"Good day, Sawara-kun."
As he was stretching, he heard a familiar voice from behind him.
Sawara Kiri turned his head.
What he saw was Namikaze Minato's iconic golden, medium-length hair. He wasn't wearing his Anbu uniform today, and his face was smiling, looking handsome and upright, exuding the unique vitality of a young man.
"Good day."
Sawara Kiri said, then, as if remembering something, he teased: "I guess I can call you by your real name today, Namikaze-kun?"
"Ah, I'm very sorry about that day."
"During the mission, the situation was special."
Namikaze Minato put his hands together awkwardly, smiling sheepishly. Only at such times would he reveal the thin-skinned nature unique to his age: "And, when you recognized me so quickly then, I was surprised for a long time after I got home."
"I understand, I understand."
Sawara Kiri waved his hand, not at all bothered by the small matter: "I had a very deep impression of you when we were at the Ninja Academy."
"To be honest, I've wanted to spar with you for a long time."
Hearing this, Namikaze Minato's expression gradually became more serious: "Then, for today's assessment, Sawara-kun, please don't hold back."
"I will give it my all."
"Of course." Sawara Kiri's lie came out effortlessly.
As he spoke, he suddenly turned his head to look at the other passage.
The main character had arrived.
Before long, Sarutobi Hiruzen, dressed in a large red Hokage robe, led his retinue into the hall.
The rustling sounds in the training ground quieted.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood in the center, while Shimura Danzo, Mito Homura, and others stood on either side.
He first quietly scanned the faces of everyone present, pausing for a moment.
Once everyone in the arena was completely silent and looking at him, he suddenly showed his usual gentle and approachable expression, saying kindly:
"At this time of urgent war, all of you hold crucial positions and have been working tirelessly for many days. It is truly difficult for you to have specially taken time out to attend this rank assessment today."
"Today, I want to introduce to everyone this genius Chunin, Sawara Kiri, who recently returned to the regular Ninja ranks after completing an important long-term infiltration mission."
As he spoke, Sawara Kiri, standing below in the arena, looked up and nodded in greeting to the many important figures on the second floor.
Shimura Danzo, standing behind him, watched this scene, a hint of sarcasm in his eyes.
This was what he disliked most about Hiruzen.
He was simply too soft.
Shimura Danzo scanned everyone present.
Whether they were Ninja clan heads, civilian powerhouses, or from Anbu, Root… all these people were watching him.
They were like snakes and scorpions, constantly observing your every move even when they were weakest, sensing your direction, testing your scent, and the moment you accidentally exposed any weakness, they would immediately come forward, bite off flesh, inject venom…
Being so subservient would only make them despise the Hokage's authority even more in their hearts.
See?
Shimura Danzo closed his eyes.
These days, because of the Hokage Building incident, all the Ninja clans in the Village had almost turned over all the information and files of everyone involved in the process.
Would they not know Sawara Kiri's information?
What infiltration mission, what returning to the Ninja ranks… He had personally spread some 'minor incidents' that happened in the Hokage Office that day through Root, in the form of rumors.
Dissatisfaction with the Hokage, long-term concealment of strength, various childhood experiences—
One by one, all these details were quietly circulating through secret channels.
Do you truly think the Ninja clans are fools?
Hiruzen, these 'experiences' you personally fabricated will only bring shame upon yourself.
Today, let me show you…
Their doubts.
Shimura Danzo thought to himself, a sarcastic smirk curling on his lips.
The next second.
"Whoosh—"
"Clap, clap, clap!"
Almost as soon as Sarutobi Hiruzen's brief introduction ended.
Loud applause suddenly filled the entire empty Anbu training ground.
Shimura Danzo suddenly opened his eyes.
Then, he saw all the high-ranking officials present applauding and cheering vigorously, excited and praising Sawara Kiri for his 'contributions' to the Village.
"So, Lord Third has truly an eye for talent."
"Indeed, to be able to hide so seamlessly while lurking among us, the younger generation is truly formidable."
"I never thought, truly never thought!"
"Such a long-term strategy, such astonishing wisdom, could only be achieved by Lord Third."
Those proud, wise, stubborn, and resolute strong individuals, standing at the pinnacle of Konoha's power circle, applauded enthusiastically, as if genuinely oblivious to everything.
The loud applause seemed to slap Shimura Danzo directly in the face.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, however, remained composed, standing before him, calmly accepting all the praise, leaving only a profound silhouette for him.
Calling a deer a horse, overwhelming authority.
He quietly watched everyone in the arena applauding.
A lie, too, depends on who speaks it.
What if it's clumsy?
Danzo.
Even today, after years buried beneath the dark Roots of the earth, you still haven't understood.
What authority truly is.
This is why you should not covet the Hokage's power.
Only when this grand performance concluded did the focus in the arena finally shift from the true center of the Village back to the two young men downstairs.
Their performance was over.
Now, it was time for the young people to perform.
From their eyes, Sawara Kiri clearly read this.
And not just him.
Almost as Sawara Kiri averted his gaze, he happened to see Namikaze Minato also just looking down from upstairs.
As if by prior agreement, the two exchanged smiles.
Though still young, the fifteen-year-old Namikaze Minato understood the source and foundation of power better than Shimura Danzo, who was decades older than him—this was a natural talent.
Because of this, he never hesitated to showcase his excellence in front of others.
People like them only lacked a stage.
His expression gradually became serious.
Hatake Sakumo belatedly noticed the knowing smiles on their faces but said nothing more.
After obtaining permission from Lord Third on the high platform, he walked between the two, separating them with his hand, and simply announced the rules.
"Please form the Seal of Confrontation."
Sawara Kiri and Namikaze Minato stood facing each other, silently raising their fingertips.
At this moment, all eyes in the arena converged upon them.
Their eyes met.
Until the moment the arm swung down.
"Begin!"
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