Time passed bit by bit.
A month had gone by since the Uchiha and Hyuga clans were appointed as advisors.
During this month, Sarutobi Hakuto's daily life was all about helping Hinata build up her endurance—
making sure she wouldn't faint at the slightest touch.
At night, he would study human anatomy with Izumi Uchiha.
As for the Ninja Academy,
he went when he wanted, skipped when he didn't.
After all, he could just act like a playboy and get stronger.
Even though each fusion only added a small amount,
accumulated over time, his fusion degree increased by 1% in the past month.
Meanwhile, Naruto came every day to check in.
The boy's progress was astounding.
Without Kurama interfering,
and under the careful guidance of the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze and Kushina within his inner world,
Naruto had mastered chakra control with unprecedented precision.
He could perform Destiny Techniques, Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, and Rasengan.
His power now was worlds apart from just a month ago.
On the other side,
Sasuke Uchiha constantly plotted to take brutal revenge on Sarutobi Hakuto Sarutobi.
These days, he had been relentlessly training under Itachi,
preparing for the day Sarutobi Hakuto would come to the academy.
His goal: defeat Sarutobi Hakuto and humiliate him,
repaying the earlier shame he had suffered.
But the ninja world was not limited to Konoha.
In Iwagakure,
Onoki frowned as he studied the intelligence report in his hands.
"Are you sure this information is real?!"
Over the years, Onoki had received intelligence on Konoha,
especially Sarutobi Hiruzen, which was always top priority.
Naturally, Sarutobi Sarutobi Hakuto was included.
Previously, Sarutobi Hakuto had been nothing more than a slightly clever playboy,
a character Onoki wouldn't even glance at twice.
But this time,
the intelligence stated that Sarutobi Hakuto had easily defeated Sasuke Uchiha,
and possibly awakened a unique kekkei genkai,
blocking kunai and C-rank ninjutsu like the Great Fireball Technique with ease.
"Yes, father! The intelligence has been verified multiple times by our agents!"
"Although Konoha tried to suppress the information, our spies still got it out."
Onoki's brow furrowed tightly.
He read the report with a mix of disbelief and irritation.
In all the ninja wars, Iwagakure had rarely gained an advantage.
The environment was harsh, and Konoha continued producing prodigies at a staggering rate.
And now,
the grandson of Sarutobi Hiruzen had suddenly appeared,
a potential second Minato Namikaze.
"How can I stand for this?!" Onoki snorted.
"If they try to hide it, I'll make sure Hiruzen won't get his wish!"
"Spread the news! Exaggerate it even more! I want the brutes of Kumogakure to see another Minato rise!"
This underhanded strategy suited Onoki perfectly.
No need for Iwagakure to intervene directly—just sit back and watch.
Huangtu's eyes lit up at this.
Clearly, some things were best left to father's expertise.
Soon, the intelligence was disseminated after Iwagakure's processing.
In Kumogakure,
when the scouts' report reached the Raikage,
he almost exploded in fury.
"Damn Konoha!
Another prodigy? How long has it been since Minato died?!
Why do all the good things go to Konoha?!"
The Fourth Raikage slammed his fist through his recently replaced desk.
Hizame calmly recorded the incident, intending to collect compensation later.
"No, Hizame! Notify Tsuchida immediately!"
"Have him come to the office for a strategy meeting!"
Seeing that Sarutobi Hakuto had enormous potential,
possibly becoming the next Minato,
the Fourth Raikage couldn't stay still.
He had finally removed Minato from the equation,
and Konoha had been exploiting the advantage.
Hiruzen was loyal—he couldn't allow a second Minato to appear.
Tsuchida arrived shortly after.
Upon reviewing the intelligence, he sensed something off,
though he couldn't pinpoint exactly what.
After all, spies rarely defected,
yet this report left Tsuchida uneasy.
"So… what's your take, Raikage-sama?"
Seeing Tsuchida deep in thought,
the Fourth Raikage nearly jumped out of the office in anger.
"Enough! Notify Killer Bee and the other two Yūmin!
Prepare for a strike!
If we hit Konoha hard enough,
Hiruzen will be forced to hand over Sarutobi Hakuto,
just like he did with Hyuga Hizashi!"
Tsuchida agreed—the Fourth Raikage had a point.
Hiruzen's repeated concessions were well-known.
This was a fight worth having.
Kumogakure began preparations immediately, mobilizing vast resources.
Meanwhile, Sunagakure had been in decline since the Third Great Ninja War.
Who knew why they dared to fight a three-front war against Konoha, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure?
They had lost every battle.
Even Yegura in the Kirigakure front line was sacrificed as a bargaining chip.
As Fourth Kazekage Rasa read the intelligence,
he could only sigh.
Konoha truly was a land of prodigies,
constantly giving birth to new talents.
Rasa had no interest in acting against Sarutobi Hakuto.
He would rather wander the desert, panning for gold.
Sunagakure was utterly impoverished.
The Third Ninja War had devastated their strength,
and they had yet to recover.
Kirigakure, meanwhile, remained silent.
After the Bloody Mist policy, their vitality was shattered,
the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had fled or died.
Who had time to care about the ninja world?
Soon, Kumogakure's maneuvers sent shockwaves through the ninja world.
Onoki's face lit up with satisfaction.
"Hahaha! I knew those brutes wouldn't stay still!
This is going to be entertaining!"