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Akira felt that Uchiha Fugaku's reaction as he left was odd. He seemed to be in a hurry to leave. Due to Lady Mikoto's presence, it wasn't convenient for Akira to ask.
Inside the House
"Akira, the village will be a little restless recently. You need to pay attention to your safety," Namikaze Minato warned, his tone serious.
"I'll be fine," Akira agreed. He added another sentence internally: "Even if the village collapses, I'll be fine."
Anko on the side was utterly confused. The village isn't peaceful?
What does that mean? Is it about Danzō?
However, she found a way to jump in.
"I saw someone causing a ruckus at the hospital this morning~~"
"That's normal," Akira said casually.
"Huh?" Namikaze Minato was taken aback. He calls that normal?
"This is just the beginning of the conflict. It won't be long before the village has a major problem," Akira judged.
His words successfully captured Namikaze Minato's attention. Anko also looked curious. Something big?
"Wait a minute, are we even talking about the same thing?" Namikaze Minato was confused.
"Sensei, what are you talking about?" Akira countered.
"I'm talking about a potential conflict between the Uchiha and Root," Namikaze Minato said.
"Ah, so it's not the same thing~~" Akira was momentarily stunned. He thought Sensei Minato was standing on the ninth floor, but he turned out to be on the first?
Namikaze Minato thought hard.
Is there something else going on in the village? Why don't I know about it?
Next, Akira gave a brief presentation.
"First of all, let's look at the severity of Orochimaru's defection."
"Orochimaru abandoning the battle not only caused the front line to collapse but also led to massive losses for the frontline ninja. Is that clear?"
The two nodded. At that moment, it seemed Akira was the teacher, and Namikaze Minato and Anko were the students.
Akira continued: "Afterward, instead of hunting Orochimaru, the Third Hokage mobilized forces from the village to support the front lines."
"On the surface, there's nothing wrong with that. Because holding the front line is the most important thing!"
"So the ninja on the front line won't complain."
Akira paused here. He wanted Minato to digest the information so he wouldn't get confused. After all, the teacher was on the first floor, while he was on the stratosphere.
"I don't think there's anything wrong with it," Anko said seriously.
"It is indeed not a problem," Namikaze Minato also nodded. Holding the front line was more important than hunting down Orochimaru.
"If it were just that, it would be fine." Akira had more to say. He continued, "But there is one thing that broke this rule."
"What is it?"
"Sarutobi Shinnosuke was killed!" Akira blurted out.
Anko was still confused, with an expression of 'I still don't understand.'
However, a bright light flashed across Namikaze Minato's mind, and he faintly grasped the implication.
"You mean, frontline ninja died in battle, and the Third Hokage didn't hunt Orochimaru. But when his own son died, he immediately sent numerous Anbu to catch him?" Namikaze Minato articulated.
"That's right!" Akira sneered. He continued, "Moreover, this happened when the front line was under tremendous pressure from the three major ninja village alliance!"
"What will this make the ninja on the front line think?"
"So many ninja died on the front line because of Orochimaru, and you didn't even make a peep! But your Hokage son was killed by Orochimaru, and suddenly Anbu is mobilized?"
"That's going to deeply discourage a lot of people..." Speaking of this, Akira shook his head.
Akira and Anko left. Looking at his student's retreating back, Namikaze Minato couldn't calm down.
Strategic vision?
No! It was far more than that. He found that Akira already possessed an overarching perspective that even the Third Hokage lacked.
This quality, should Akira ever become Hokage, would surely grant him insight into the overall situation.
"Akira, your vision has already surpassed mine, your teacher."
Training Ground No. 9
When Akira brought Anko to the training ground, Anko honestly couldn't believe it. She had never seen Akira come here except for team assemblies.
"Do you want to practice?" Anko asked.
"Yes." After speaking, Akira jumped onto a tree and settled into a comfortable pose.
"This is your practice?" Anko pouted. She truly couldn't figure Akira out. He chose an incomprehensible place just to sleep.
Akira was indeed practicing. To be precise, he was testing his [Perception] ability.
With a slight mental command, Akira released his perception. At that moment, he felt the surrounding environment change. His eyes were closed, yet he could clearly 'see' Anko under the tree.
"I can see everything, but with no color."
"…especially, huh? Ahem~~" Akira hastily turned his attention in other directions.
Maximum sensing range: 10 meters.
Angle: 360 degrees.
Perception level: Insightful into everything except color.
"Isn't this equivalent to an incomplete version of the Byakugan?" Akira came to a conclusion.
His own perception seemed to have no major drawbacks, except that the range was too small.
"In perception, the most important thing is the range!"
"Ten meters... do you even need 'perception' for ten meters?" Akira complained internally.
Furthermore, this perception was an active skill. One had to actively cast it to gain perception, and it consumed a small amount of Chakra.
"It seems I can only wait for it to double."
"If it doubles a few more times, won't I basically have an enhanced version of the Byakugan?"
After testing the perception, Akira was ready to apply it in actual combat. After all, actual combat was the only true test of an ability.
Next to the wooden target. Anko was about to practice her kunai throwing when Akira walked up. He moved the target aside, stood where it was, and waved to Anko.
"Akira? What are you doing?" Anko held a kunai, her face surprised. You moved the target away, but why are you standing in its place? Do you want me to shoot you with a kunai?
"Come on, Anko! I'm the target now! Use your best kunai throwing technique and hit me hard!" Akira looked calm. After speaking, he turned his back to her.
"You... are you crazy? It's one thing to take a kunai head-on, but you're turning your back?" Anko couldn't understand.
Do you think you're from the Hyūga Clan? Do you have Byakugan?
"Don't worry, just throw at me!" Akira urged.
"..."
"Quick! Don't hesitate!"
"Don't blame me then."
"Why so much fuss?"
Whoop!