CHAPTER 353: KAZEKAGE NINJA-CHAPTER 142: THREE-TAILS STRATEGY

Danzō was momentarily speechless with rage. Hey, am I invisible? Isn’t anyone listening to my opinion? Wasn’t my objection clear enough just now? How are these master and disciple already discussing how to send out the Tailed Beast without suffering losses!

Seeing Danzō’s grim expression, Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at him and forced a smile.

"Danzō, I know you’re concerned about losing the Tailed Beast’s combat power. But think about it—how did we get the Three-Tails? Hatake Sakumo helped Hidden Mist Village quell their internal strife to obtain it. Now we’re just returning it to its rightful owner, and we can get ten thousand ninja in return. Such a cost-free benefit—why wouldn’t we want it? As for other matters, we can plan for the long term after this war!"

Oh, so that’s your thinking. And you specifically mentioned Hatake Sakumo’s name—you’re clearly targeting me.

So Danzō fell silent.

"Exactly, cost-free! Just imagine—if ten thousand Mist ninja can land on Yuexi Peninsula, then the Sand army will inevitably retreat. With only Cloud’s ten thousand or so ninja left, they’ll be much easier to deal with."

Orochimaru smiled slightly.

Danzō glanced at Orochimaru. Ever since he’d lost power, Orochimaru had completely abandoned him and thrown himself entirely into Sarutobi Hiruzen’s embrace. This guy really is as cold-blooded as a snake. To think I provided so many test subjects to support your research back then.

"Danzō, don’t be emotional. Tobirama-sensei once said, ’Among all Tailed Beasts in the world, the Nine-Tails is king.’ As long as we have the Nine-Tails, we still maintain strategic advantage. No need to worry too much."

Damn, I don’t remember Tobirama-sensei ever saying that. But it doesn’t matter anymore—now they have the upper hand. Whatever they say goes. Saying more is just wasted breath.

"Since you’ve all decided, I have no objections."

The Northern Army had been dismantled, ANBU ninja and Root had been thrown into battle. His own power was pitifully small. Acting up now would be suicide. Better to lie low for now—there would be other days.

"Good. Minato, what’s your opinion?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to look at Minato.

Minato had remained silent since the meeting began. No choice—the village only had two jinchūriki total. One was his soon-to-be wife, the other his direct disciple. What opinion could he have?

"I... submit to the village’s decision."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, stood up, and patted Minato’s shoulder.

"I know Rin is your student. After all these years, bonds are inevitable. If not for the urgent situation, I wouldn’t agree to this trade either. The greater good comes first."

Minato lowered his head.

"I... understand."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded.

"Don’t worry. A jinchūriki is a ninja village’s strategic weapon. I’m sure Hidden Mist Village won’t mistreat that child."

"Mm."

"So this task..."

Minato gritted his teeth.

"I’ll do it."

At this moment, Danzō added ominously,

"I think Orochimaru made an excellent point earlier. We must guard against others—it’s necessary to do something to the jinchūriki. What if Hidden Mist Village plays tricks? Wouldn’t we lose both reinforcements and a Tailed Beast!"

Minato suddenly looked up, his gaze toward Danzō filled with hatred. This was clearly stabbing him in the heart.

"I think... this matter needs to be arranged."

Sarutobi Hiruzen directly set the tone for the matter.

While others kept their distance from war, for Uchiha Obito, it was a golden opportunity to shine. As a... genin who had made Hokage his ultimate life goal, what was war? War meant achieving merit and establishing a career, gaining fame and renown, getting one step closer to his Hokage dream.

Finding cats and dogs, delivering packages, being a bodyguard—was that what ninja should do? Real ninja should slay enemies on the battlefield, establish merit, achieve fame and success, turn the tide!

Due to personnel shortages, Team 7, who had graduated from the Ninja Academy less than two years ago, was also incorporated into the combat roster. Minato was too busy with affairs to look after his students, so he handed the entire combat group over to Hatake Kakashi, for the simple reason that Kakashi was the only chūnin in this combat group. If not for the war, he might have already passed the jōnin exam and been promoted.

Though they’d joined the combat roster, kids like these definitely couldn’t be pushed directly to the front lines. If they actually went to battle, they might be less useful than cannon fodder. So they were still assigned to logistics positions—delivering meals to frontline ninja, maintaining equipment, transporting supplies, and such. Only Kakashi was repeatedly called up for reconnaissance missions.

This greatly displeased Uchiha Obito. If not for the war, I might have been promoted to chūnin too! Doing meal delivery and knife-polishing work every day—when will I ever get ahead!

Whenever he felt dejected, his other teammate—Rin—always gave him spring-like warmth.

"Obito, if you can’t do small things well, how can you do big things!"

"Obito, ninja need patience. I believe you can definitely do well."

"Obito, I believe you can complete missions steadily and surely..."

Those gentle words and sweet smiles always calmed his restless heart. In those moments, he’d already thought of names for his and Rin’s children.

When I become Hokage, you’ll be the Hokage’s wife!

Like Uzumaki Mito-sama and Sarutobi Biwako-sama, you’ll become Leaf’s most noble woman!

But always being so "steady and sure"—when would he achieve merit and establish his career!

Sometimes he even hoped Sand and Cloud would attack immediately, so he could slaughter enemies on the battlefield and display his prowess.

The opportunity came quickly.

Minato-sensei, who hadn’t appeared in a long time, came to Team 7 that day.

"I’m here today to assign you an important mission. S-rank."

Minato seemed to be in low spirits.

Hearing "important mission," Uchiha Obito immediately became extremely excited. The opportunity he’d been waiting for had finally come!

"Minato-sensei, just leave it to me! I’ll definitely—"

Before Obito could finish, Minato raised his hand to stop him.

Minato pulled a hundred-ryō bill from his chest and handed it over.

"Obito, please go to the tea shop at the east end of the village and buy me a milk tea. Remember to bring back the change."

"Buy... milk tea?"

Obito dumbly accepted the money.

Seeing Obito wasn’t moving, Kakashi urged,

"Hurry up and go!"

"Oh..."

Obito dejectedly walked toward the east end of the village.

Seeing Obito walk away, Kakashi said seriously,

"Sensei, please assign the mission."

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