Konoha: The thirty-year-old Uchiha is not motivated.

Chapter 939 What could be more satisfying than someone who makes you want to die watching you keep j

"Is Sarutobi kid trying to make fun of this old man?"

The scenario that Jiraiya feared had finally come to pass. The kind old man, Uchiha Hikaru, who had been smiling just moments before, revealed a chilling killing intent in his cloudy eyes after reading the contents of the mission scroll.

"His!"

The fragile scroll shattered instantly. Jiraiya, seeing this, knew something was wrong. Hadn't the Uchiha clan been publicly claiming this old man was useless? This man's aura was even stronger than that of the clan head, Fugaku!

"We're just messengers. If you have any complaints, feel free to file a complaint with the Hokage's office."

As he spoke, he waved his hand and subtly took a half-step back, while his cunning eyes darted around, searching for Orochimaru, who had betrayed his teammate.

"Elder Fire Core, what exactly is the mission?"

Looking at the debris on the ground, Fugaku couldn't help but feel a little curious. Uchiha Kakuzu's temper wasn't usually that bad; on the contrary, he was much more peaceful than the other elders. Why would he suddenly get so angry?

"Humph!"

Uchiha Kakuzu snorted coldly and did not answer, clearly angered by the contents of the mission scroll.

However, at the same time, some doubts arose in the heart of this nearly seventy-year-old man.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi really just wanted to test the Uchiha clan's limits, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths; he could have simply caused some trouble in the security forces' affairs.

"Sit down, all of you."

After frowning and pondering for a few seconds, he gave an order, and the elders who had been eyeing Jiraiya with predatory intent stopped in their tracks, looking at the suddenly calmed-down Uchiha Kakuno in bewilderment.

"I'll take this task."

Uchiha Kakuzuki sneered inwardly, wanting to see what Hiruzen Sarutobi was really up to. Did he really think the Uchiha couldn't lift a sword?

"Ah? Elder, your health..."

If something were to happen to Uchiha Kakuno, their powerful backer, their years of wealth and luxury would be ruined.

"It's just a routine task to verify identities."

Facing the worried gazes from the elders, Uchiha Hikaru glanced indifferently at this group of incompetent cowards, waved his hand, and explained in a deep voice,

Identity verification?

Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged bewildered glances, their aged faces filled with utter confusion.

As to who this person truly is, it is up to Uchiha Higanbana, a senior member of Konoha, to determine.

"If Elder Huhuo Core accepts, then I'll be leaving now."

As the countless crimson Sharingan eyes moved away, Jiraiya felt a sense of relief. He lowered his large hand, which had been behind his back preparing to unleash the Reverse Summoning Technique, and then disappeared into the distance at the end of the gate.

"Elder Fire Core, are the higher-ups of Konoha preparing to take action against us?"

After the outsiders left, the worried elders gathered around. These seemingly respectable clan elders were actually old Uchiha who had survived the purge by Tobirama Senju under the protection of the Uchiha Fire Core.

Having witnessed the tragic end of Uchiha Setsuna, their youthful ambition had long been worn away. Whenever they encountered anything related to the higher-ups, they would become extremely nervous and fearful, lest a purge be delayed.

Don't scare yourself.

Uchiha Kakuzu frowned as he glanced at the elders, who were adept at infighting, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.

They were just lucky to be born at the right time. If it were during the Warring States period, people like them wouldn't even be worthy of carrying Madara's shoes.

"Fugaku, get ready and come with me."

Turning to look at Fugaku Uchiha, who was frowning in thought, a hint of admiration appeared in Huo He's eyes.

As the saying goes, "choose the tallest among the short," this new clan leader, though a bit soft-hearted, is quite intelligent and adaptable, surpassing 99% of the Uchiha in the clan.

If Lord Madara had had a few people like that under his command back then, he wouldn't have been driven to the point of running away from home.

"Yes, Elder."

"Phew~ I thought a fight was going to break out."

On the other side, Jiraiya, who had run out of the Uchiha clan's territory, leaned against the wall with one hand and let out a long sigh of relief, still feeling lingering fear.

"You actually made it out alive?"

Suddenly, a cold voice rang out beside him. Jiraiya's face instantly turned ugly. He immediately turned around, grabbed Orochimaru by the collar, who was leaning against the wall, and spat in his face.

"You stinking snake! You actually abandoned me and ran away!"

"I just happened to go to the bathroom."

When Uchiha Kagura appeared, Orochimaru, sensing that this old man was not as frail as rumored, was very clear-headed. Taking advantage of the moment when everyone's attention was drawn to him, he quietly made his exit.

His resistance to illusions is rather weak, which is why he doesn't want to take the risk.

As for Jiraiya, he believed that the opponent's health bar was thick enough for him to escape unscathed.

"you!"

Seeing Orochimaru's nonchalant expression, Jiraiya, who had just clenched his fist in frustration, suddenly remembered what Minato had mentioned when relaying a message from their teacher, and his tense hand slowly relaxed.

"Alright, I'm going to see that senior that Minato mentioned now, so I'll let you off this time."

Senior?

Orochimaru, who was always full of curiosity, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, put the matter of asking for funds out of his mind, and got up to catch up with Jiraiya's departing figure.

"Wait, I'll go too."

He was also curious to know what kind of person would be addressed as a senior by Minato, Konoha's number one talent.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Gin, at the center of the incident, is currently savoring black tea brewed by the renowned Konoha White Fang.

Slurp~

"The tea is good tea, that's all."

Uchiha Gin smacked his lips, still feeling something was missing. So, amidst the horrified gazes of those around him, he picked up the remaining half-can of sugar and poured it into the teacup in one gulp, instantly turning the crimson tea into an indescribable viscous liquid.

"That's more like it!"

After taking a sip of the tea, which was a mixture of solid and liquid, Uchiha Gin finally revealed a satisfied smile, his handsome face filled with the word "enchanted".

"This can be considered poison, right?"

Tsunade, who was holding a teacup, twitched her pretty face slightly. Based on her years of medical experience, she knew that the lethality of this tea was not much less than that of Chiyo's poison.

"Uncle, may I try some?"

Obito leaned closer, his large eyes fixed curiously on the teacup in Uchiha Gin's hand, which was covered in mosaic-like pixels.

"I really can't do anything with you, you can only have one bite~"

Uchiha Gin, who prided himself on being an enlightened parent, immediately smiled and handed over the teacup.

"Obi-boo, no!"

Kakashi and the others behind him couldn't bear to see their childhood friend die so young, and they all tried to dissuade him, fearing that Obito would die if he drank it.

"Hmph! Would my uncle harm me?"

Obito glanced at his worried friends behind him, then scoffed and wiped his nose. These guys were just jealous of his awesome uncle.

"Gudu~"

Puff-!

Seeing Obito lying on his back, foaming at the mouth, Kakashi and the others quickly grabbed his limbs and dragged him to Tsunade.

"Obi-chan! Don't die, Lady Tsunade! Please, please save him!"

"He's hopeless, just wait to die." After a quick check on Obito, whose sugar content was off the charts, Tsunade, suppressing a laugh, shook her head with feigned seriousness, her tone full of sorrow and reluctance.

"The young people in the village now are really energetic, unlike us back then, who were all full of bitterness and resentment, as if someone owed them eight hundred taels of silver."

Holding a teacup, Uchiha Gin smiled as he looked at the children in disarray, and spoke to Hatake Sakumo, who was kneeling before him.

"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Senior Yin."

Glancing at his son, who was holding Obito who was foaming at the mouth and shaking him vigorously, Hatake Sakumo gave an awkward smile, and his tense nerves, which had been stretched for many days, relaxed considerably without him realizing it.

"Sakumo-senpai, you must hold on. I believe the Hokage will definitely clear your name."

Kneeling beside him, Minato looked at the dejected Hatake Sakumo with eyes full of worry. This once dignified war hero had been tormented to this state by some exaggerated rumors.

Indeed, killing doesn't necessarily require weapons; the power of words can be just as terrifying.

“I know, but I do bear an unshirkable responsibility for this matter.”

Sakumo Hatake forced a smile. From the moment he chose to rescue his subordinate, he had already prepared himself for a barrage of public criticism.

Unexpectedly, the person least qualified to stand up and criticize him actually led the way in smearing him, which is one of the reasons why Sakumo Hatake was so vulnerable.

"It's normal for missions to fail; after all, no one can achieve a 100% success rate."

Except for me.

Uchiha Gin calmly offered his words of comfort, but secretly added in his heart that his battle record was verifiable, with no defeats in decades of service.

"That's right, but the current public opinion is a bit strange, as if someone is stirring things up behind the scenes."

Minato nodded in approval, his delicate eyebrows furrowing slightly.

Even he and his teacher sometimes fail their missions, causing losses to the clients and the village, but Minato had never seen such an exaggerated public outcry as that of Hatake Sakumo.

"Someone is causing trouble behind the scenes, and I have a pretty good idea of ​​who it is."

After taking a sip of the bitter tea, Sakumo Hatake, feeling much better, nodded gently.

"Who is it? I'm going to find the teacher and the Hokage to report this."

Upon hearing this, Minato's expression turned serious. He couldn't stand this kind of infighting. If you're not satisfied, you can let your achievements speak for themselves, instead of resorting to such despicable acts of stabbing someone in the back.

"it's useless."

Sakumo Hatake slightly shook his head, tilted his head back, and drank the remaining tea in his cup in one gulp. The bitter tea slid down his throat, suppressing the bitterness in his heart.

"I can't afford to offend that person, and I don't want to."

The Hatake clan was not a prominent family; the entire clan consisted of only a handful of members. It was already quite remarkable that they had produced a genius like him over the years.

Recalling the lavish praise the Fire Country Daimyo had bestowed upon him before his mission, Sakumo Hatake's smile grew even more bitter.

It's just that he's been too outspoken and arrogant over the years, which has led to this current predicament.

"I see. I understand."

Minato stared intently at the dejected Hatake Sakumo for a long time, then, as if struck by a sudden thought, his expression shifted repeatedly before finally settling into a faint look of helplessness.

He probably guessed who was behind this incident.

"Was it done by that sinister old man?"

Just then, Tsunade, who was shaking her teacup, suddenly spoke up, causing Minato and Sakumo Hatake's expressions to tighten abruptly.

"Lady Tsunade, it's best not to say things that are detrimental to unity."

Minato shook his head solemnly. Like Sakumo Hatake, he had no background; his only assets were his skills and his status as the Hokage's first student.

However, even Jiraiya would most likely be unable to shake the deep darkness lurking beneath the great tree of Konoha.

"Tsk! That's why I hate politics."

Upon hearing this, Tsunade curled her lip in disdain, a hint of displeasure appearing on her delicate pink face.

I hope Konoha Village will just collapse already!

She had recently been hesitating about leaving the village that had caused her so much pain, and going out to heal her soul. Now, the sordid things that happened to Sakumo Hatake have only strengthened her resolve to leave.

"Don't think too much. It's better to live a miserable life than to die a good death."

Uchiha Gin sensed the faint aura of death emanating from Hatake Sakumo, and patted his thin shoulder encouragingly, smiling as he offered words of comfort.

"What could be more satisfying than having someone you want to die watching you keep jumping around?"

"Senior Yin, please rest assured, I am not that fragile."

Feeling the warmth of the large hand on his shoulder, Sakumo Hatake nodded, his heart warming. He glanced up at Kakashi, who was chatting and laughing with his friends.

Under extreme public pressure during this period, he did consider ending his life to atone for his sins, but after calming down, he was suddenly overcome with fear.

He himself would be at peace if he died, but what would become of young Kakashi?

Without his father's protection and guidance, this child's future may be bleak, and he may even embark on a path of no return.

The thought of his beloved son becoming a scoundrel hated by everyone in Konoha made Hatake Sakumo feel terrible.

"However, I still have to give the village an explanation for the mission's failure."

Although Hatake Sakumo has temporarily lost his will to die, his guilt has not lessened in the slightest. The village's losses are real, and as the person in charge of this mission, he should bear the corresponding consequences.

"Well, tell me about your mission this time, and I'll give you some advice."

Uchiha Gin stroked his chin. To quell the public outcry within the village, he needed to start with the mission Hatake Sakumo had been carrying out.

Since ninjas, as tools, are meant to create value for the village, as long as Sakumo Hatake successfully makes up for the losses of this mission, public opinion will take a complete 180-degree turn, and any unfavorable comments against him will fall apart on their own.

"It was a mission to wipe out a group of assassins who were trying to assassinate the daimyo. Because I abandoned it, the daimyo's favorite concubine was assassinated."

Uchiha Gin raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.

A man's anger could lead him to ruin for the sake of a beautiful woman.

No wonder the Fire Country Daimyo was so angry that he even went so far as to punish the entire Hidden Leaf Village by cutting military spending. It turns out that his beloved beauty had passed away.

But if that's really the reason, then the daimyo seems far too incompetent. To be able to control such a large country for so long and build the Land of Fire into a major power second only to the Land of Lightning, this daimyo is definitely not someone who tries to control the big picture from a small one.

"In the end, this was a serious safety incident. The reason why the emperor was angry was not because his beloved concubine died, but because his safety had never been guaranteed."

"So, what does Senior Yin mean?"

Unable to understand what Uchiha Gin was thinking, Hatake Sakumo frowned. Could it be that there was still a chance for his situation to turn around?

"Since everyone in the village believes that you are responsible for this, you should go with the flow and have the Hokage write a letter to your daimyo, expressing your remorse and apology while showing your strong desire to atone with your death. To put it bluntly, you should pay for his beloved concubine's life."

"what?"

Hatake Sakumo stared wide-eyed in utter bewilderment. He had already given up on dying, but Uchiha Gin's actions were practically pushing him to his death.

Meanwhile, Minato, after repeatedly pondering Uchiha Gin's suggestion, gradually showed a deep look of surprise on his fair and handsome face.

"Senior Yin, your tactic of retreating to advance is brilliant!" (End of Chapter)