Almost instantly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi cursed Fugaku to hell in his heart, even vaguely wondering if his plan was flawed?
Could this idiot Fugaku really restrain Uchiha Jin?
Yes!
Because of Uchiha Jin's rise, he had long regarded Fugaku as an ally, planning to use the Hokage's authority to support Fugaku against Uchiha Jin.
But, damn it.
Although he knew Fugaku was incompetent before, he never expected him to be this incompetent!
So at this moment, he couldn't help but ponder, could relying on this useless person possibly achieve internal strife within the Uchiha?
Difficult, too difficult!
He felt somewhat pessimistic about this idea for a moment.
However, similarly.
Among the current Uchiha, was there any other choice besides Fugaku?
Undoubtedly—no!
Shisui was a good pawn, and his own strength was strong enough, but unfortunately, this kid was too naive.
Moreover, this guy was Kagami's grandson, inherently subtly opposed by the Uchiha, especially because he was too close to him, those guys within the Uchiha Clan naturally didn't acknowledge him.
Although this kid was loyal to him, he wasn't fit to be the head of a faction.
Shisui could only be a pure blade; he really couldn't handle building a faction.
So, sigh!
It seems he truly had no choice; to split the Uchiha, he still had to rely on Fugaku.
No choice.
Danzo, that black glove, was unwilling to do dirty work, even if it involved the Sharingan, he wouldn't go to the Radical Faction. So, to prevent Uchiha Jin's rise, even if Fugaku was truly useless, he had to be supported!
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.
Truly—a sin!
The thought of allying with someone like Fugaku made Hiruzen Sarutobi feel like he'd been screwed over.
Finally.
After glancing at Fugaku, who had completely calmed down and adopted a 'lying flat' posture, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Uchiha Jin: "Lord Jin, do you know that Konoha is in chaos?"
"No," Uchiha Jin replied, his tone flat. "Nor am I interested."
"I'm just a freelance Ninja; without missions, I prefer to stay in the clan compound and haven't paid attention to outside matters."
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's veins pulsed on his forehead.
Freelance Ninja?
Are you kidding me?
You, who have sidelined Fugaku, the clan head, and are almost completely in control of the Uchiha, are now telling me you're a freelance Ninja?
But he still took a deep breath and spoke in a profound tone: "Lord Jin, don't be absurd. You are the leader of the Radical Faction. If you are just a freelance Ninja, then what are the other Ninja of Konoha?"
However, unfortunately.
Uchiha Jin's expression remained normal; he merely shrugged casually.
"Hokage-sama's words, I don't quite understand."
"What Radical Faction? I've never heard of it."
"I'm just a freelance Ninja; I don't hold any authority, and I haven't even joined the Police Force."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face instantly darkened.
This Uchiha Jin refused to engage, making him feel like he was punching cotton. He didn't know what to do next.
No choice!
Because if it were strictly official business, Uchiha Jin wasn't lying.
The so-called Uchiha Radical Faction was not an official organization registered in Konoha, but a civilian organization established within the Ninja Clans. If they didn't acknowledge it, he truly had no recourse.
According to official records, Uchiha Jin was just an ordinary Chunin, one of the accurate freelance Ninja.
It was just that his squad members died in the Third Great Ninja War. Considering the Uchiha's special situation, although many clan members would die in each battle, a large number of people would awaken their Sharingan.
So, under his orders, the Uchiha were confined to Konoha and no longer allowed to freely accept missions.
And, precisely because of this.
Uchiha Jin's official position was only promoted to Chunin due to his contributions on the battlefield.
Jonin? Heh heh!
Konoha's Jonin were not common goods; they were a privileged class with voting rights. How could he just hand that to Uchiha Jin?
So, it was troublesome!
Because, strictly speaking from an official position, he truly had no right to find fault with Uchiha Jin.
Making a Chunin responsible for the chaos among Konoha villagers?
If this got out, his reputation as Hokage would be ruined!
"U! CHI! HA! JIN!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi crushed the pipe in his hand, his tone becoming extremely cold.
However, in response.
Uchiha Jin's expression remained normal.
Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi, his eyes were filled with contempt.
And—a faint disdain!
As someone from China in his previous life, he knew very well that any shortcuts in this world were actually secretly priced.
Equal rights and responsibilities, this was an ironclad rule!
Since you, for your own schemes, didn't even want to give me the status of a Jonin, then don't even think about pushing the responsibility onto me!
This was actually the fundamental reason why the Village didn't promote him to Jonin, and Uchiha Jin himself wasn't angry or trying to find a solution.
Because he knew that strength was the most important thing!
As long as his strength was powerful enough, whether he became a Jonin or not was irrelevant.
On the contrary!
Since he didn't hold this position, they shouldn't expect him to bear responsibility.
Even if he was an elder of the Uchiha Radical Faction, even if the Uchiha secretly listened to him, even if the Village was in chaos without the Police Force, Hiruzen Sarutobi could not make him take responsibility.
Because officially, he was just a Chunin!
Since Hiruzen Sarutobi had blocked his promotion to Jonin, now it was naturally time for him to pay the price.
"Hokage-sama, don't get agitated."
"Let's discuss things slowly; getting too angry is bad for your health!"
"Do you need me, a Chunin, to perform any missions?"
"But, what a pity!"
"I don't even have any teammates right now, so according to Konoha regulations, I can only perform C-rank missions at most."
"Whose cat is missing? Who needs a babysitter? Or needs the river cleaned?"
"I am ready to contribute to Konoha, so please, Hokage-sama, give me a mission directly!"
Uchiha Jin's lips curved into a smile.
Although his tone was quite calm, anyone could hear the sarcasm.
Yes!
As a registered Chunin with no squad, he could only perform C-rank missions.
It would be difficult for Konoha to even trap Uchiha Jin, because Uchiha Jin didn't even have the qualifications for B-rank missions.
Hiruzen Sarutobi trembled all over, feeling utterly helpless towards Uchiha Jin.
This kid was too slippery!
No wonder he had never actively applied for the Jonin exam, and even when he wasn't reassigned to a squad or made to join the Police Force, this kid seemed completely unconcerned the whole time.
So... this was his true objective!