Uchiha Jin truly didn't quite understand.
He couldn't figure out why Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, wasn't curious about the Uchiha's rise to power, wasn't in a hurry to reunite with Kushina and Naruto, and didn't even seem to care about Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Sandaime.
Instead... he was only interested in him?
This made the corner of his mouth twitch. Though he didn't understand, he shrugged and spoke, "Actually, the reason is quite simple. Long before I entered the Ninja Academy, I keenly sensed the subtle tension between the Village and the Uchiha."
"Geniuses get sucked into political whirlpools, while trash becomes cannon fodder on the battlefield."
"Only the mediocre are like chicken ribs—tasteless to eat but a pity to throw away. That's how one can truly hide. Only then could I silently plan my own affairs in an unnoticed corner."
"Of course..."
"In the past, I didn't have any grand ambitions. Forget about being the Hokage of Konoha Village; I wasn't even interested in being the Uchiha Clan Head."
"After all, everyone knows what the Uchiha's personality is like. I didn't think anything could be accomplished by relying on them. So, my goal was merely to use war missions to slowly carve out a few secret channels for myself. I planned to defect with my parents as soon as the Village prepared to wipe out the Uchiha Clan."
"But, unfortunately."
"That fellow Danzo kidnapped my parents from the clan grounds to study the Sharingan."
"At that moment, I not only awakened the Mangekyo but also completely severed my path of defection. To save my parents and for revenge, I could only choose to turn my blade against the Village."
"Oh, and by the way."
"Kakashi and I were actually classmates in the same class at the Ninja Academy."
His tone was flat as he spoke.
Uchiha Jin had no intention of hiding anything, nor did he intend to sugarcoat his story.
But after hearing these words, Minato Namikaze's brow couldn't help but furrow slightly.
Clearly.
Through these simple words, he slowly sketched a psychological profile of the Uchiha Jin before him.
Intelligent from a young age, and skilled at hiding his brilliance!
Despite being the same age as his disciple Kakashi—and even in the same class—the Village higher-ups, including himself, and even the Uchiha elders, had utterly failed to notice anything unusual about Uchiha Jin.
This proved that the other's acting had reached a level of perfection.
Especially considering he was just a child of a few years old; this ability made Minato Namikaze's heart sink.
Furthermore... Uchiha Jin had no real bonds to his clan or the Village. He even possessed a somewhat egoistic nature.
Even when speaking of defection, he sounded perfectly natural!
Even though he had now become the Village's Hokage, it seemed the Village didn't hold much weight in his heart. At the very least, he would certainly never be willing to sacrifice himself for the Village.
To put it bluntly, the Village was merely a tool to him!
Besides that, his methods were terrifying.
He could sense the rift between the Village and the Uchiha while still a young child before the academy. He had already determined his path upon graduating, beginning preparations for defection at such a young age and even securing channels outside during the war.
This kind of capability... an ordinary person simply couldn't achieve it!
More importantly, he was calm enough.
A more accurate term would be 'indifferent'!
Having sensed the Uchiha's character flaws early on, he didn't think of helping his clansmen change or overcome their weaknesses. On the contrary, he unhesitatingly discarded them like worn-out shoes.
His mind was solely focused on—defection!
When Danzo truly infringed upon his core interests—namely, the secret kidnapping of his parents—Uchiha Jin unhesitatingly abandoned his plan to defect. Even though he awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan because of it, he didn't foolishly clamor for a rescue. Instead, he very calmly devised a new path for himself.
The clansmen he had previously discarded like worn-out shoes thus re-entered his vision.
Though Minato Namikaze didn't know the details at this moment, he knew the other had unified the Uchiha and somehow managed to win over the various Ninja Clanss.
Even Lady Tsunade, who had immense bonds with the Village, and his own disciple Kakashi, among others, had all unhesitatingly joined his banner.
This kind of temperament was simply terrifying!
If he were still the Hokage, he would definitely kill Uchiha Jin at any cost.
Because from the Village's perspective, this man was an unstable factor.
He was too calm, or rather, too indifferent. The Village didn't even have any bonds to hold him back. If any accident occurred, Uchiha Jin would surely explode.
But, unfortunately.
Uchiha Jin's level was high enough. He was the current Hokage, with all the major clans and powerhouses submitting to him, and even the two previous Hokages had acknowledged him.
So, sigh!
After a helpless sigh, Minato Namikaze chose silence.
This was actually why he had asked about such a minor detail. Even through such an insignificant matter, he could instantly understand the other's character in a short time.
However, even knowing this, he was somewhat powerless.
Because the momentum lay with the Uchiha!
In fact... Minato Namikaze also wanted to ask one more thing: how exactly did Uchiha Jin hide his strength during the war and even manage to plan his defection route?
However, he couldn't bring himself to ask!
Having participated in the war, Minato Namikaze knew very well that strength was impossible to hide in battle, especially since Uchiha Jin, as an ordinary Ninja, would have always had teammates following him.
Therefore.
There were only two ways to hide one's strength: either convince one's teammates to cover for them...
Or—kill!
Whether they were teammates or enemies, anyone who had seen him use his true power had likely been killed by him.
As for—the truth?
Minato Namikaze leaned toward the second option, but he couldn't ask it out loud.
The reason was the same as before!
Uchiha Jin was the current Hokage, recognized by everyone. Not only did Minato lack the power to change this, but even if he did, he would never do it.
After all, he was just a dead man, and one controlled by others at that.
Although he wasn't being manipulated right now, if he truly became an enemy of Uchiha Jin, he would likely be completely controlled.
Not to mention—Naruto!
His child still had to grow up in the Village. Since he couldn't take down Uchiha Jin, he had to consider his child first.
Yes!
Making such a concession was actually effortless for Minato Namikaze.
In the past, he had been unhappy with Hiruzen Sarutobi but still chose to temporarily endure. Even though he suspected Hiruzen Sarutobi on the Nine-Tails Attack Night, he ultimately gave the key to the Eight Trigrams Seal to Mount Myōboku while still entrusting his child to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
And now.
When facing the even stronger Uchiha Jin, Minato Namikaze was naturally willing to yield for the same reasons.
He hadn't secured his position as the Fourth Hokage just because he was as warm as a little sun!
His political wisdom was naturally no worse than Hiruzen Sarutobi's.
He only lacked luck, having run into that disastrous disciple Obito. Otherwise, if given some time, he was confident he could have seized the Hokage's power without shedding a drop of blood.
As for now.
Still wishing to be close to Kushina and even Naruto, these thoughts only circled in his mind once before he revealed a faint smile and spoke slowly.
"I see. I understand!"
"Hokage-sama, since you've summoned me this time, is there something you need my help with?"