Hui showed no resistance after receiving the order to replace Minato Namikaze, allowing the latter to withdraw and head to the Iwagakure battlefield.
This was expected.
After all, Kaguya held no interest in the position of Hokage or in anything related to politics.
Running a village as its Kage came with a heavy burden. The Third Hokage had aged considerably and was at least twenty years older than Danzō. Onoki had been struggling with chronic back pain for decades, and even Terumi Mei, though once youthful and beautiful, eventually succumbed to age and burden, transforming into a frail elderly figure.
Let someone who desires the role take it.
Hui's travel speed remained as swift as ever. He had already revealed his abilities previously, and at this point, what others thought no longer concerned him. As long as he avoided flying overtly and drawing unnecessary attention, he wouldn't encounter significant trouble.
"Hui, I'm sorry to trouble you with this responsibility."
"It's fine. I'm not interested in these kinds of things anyway."
Minato had sensed something odd, but couldn't be certain yet. If it was truly what he suspected, he wouldn't resist. After all, this was his dream, and he wouldn't abandon it. Still, he felt the need to apologize to Hui.
Hui's calm demeanor embarrassed Minato. It seemed Hui had noticed everything from the beginning but had simply not cared. He wasn't competing. He had no desire for power.
Indeed, the observer sees clearly.
"Since Hui has noticed everything, could there be deeper intentions behind his previous actions?"
Minato couldn't help but consider Hui's past decisions—killing Danzō, dissolving Root, forcing Hiruzen to abdicate. Was Hui deliberately paving a path?
And in the end, Hui had proposed that Tsunade serve as Deputy Hokage, and that a formal election be held for the next Hokage after the war concluded.
Minato now gazed at Hui with deeper emotion.
So that was it. Hui truly was a friend.
He must have known Tsunade wouldn't fight for the Hokage seat once Minato rose to prominence, and she would likely maintain continuity with the Third Hokage's approach while mentoring Minato. Hui hadn't just acted to avenge grievances—he had also cleared away obstacles for Minato's future.
Who in Konoha didn't recognize the corruption of Root?
Many were furious but too afraid to speak.
During the Tsunade-led conflict, she had assumed full Hokage authority, revitalizing Konoha's government. Whoever became the next Hokage would reap the benefits of her reforms.
The more Minato thought about it, the more it all aligned, and his heart swelled with gratitude.
Hui was slightly baffled by Minato's emotional response. He hadn't done anything noteworthy, had he? Was Minato this moved simply by his indifference?
That would be too dramatic, wouldn't it?
"By the way, how are Rin and the others? Have they recovered?"
"Thanks to Tsunade-sama's treatment a month ago, they've mostly recovered. They completed their rehabilitation recently and will accompany me this time."
Before leaving, Hui decided to visit his students.
Though their wounds had healed, their vitality had not fully returned.
The cellular fatigue caused by chakra depletion couldn't be fixed overnight; they would need to recover naturally.
Best to replenish it now before permanent damage set in.
After the war, a large section of the camp had been converted into a training ground. Missions had decreased dramatically, allowing shinobi to focus on training.
Having survived life-and-death battles, the ninjas could now digest what they'd learned.
Konoha's forces would likely grow much stronger after this.
It was evolution born of the battlefield.
Upon arriving at the training ground under Minato's lead, Hui saw Team Seven in the midst of a session.
"Minato-sensei, you're here! Ah—and Senior Hui!"
From a distance, Obito had noticed them. Hui couldn't help but wonder whether this meant he wasn't focused on his training.
This kid…
Hui hadn't even confronted him yet over the previous incident. Such poor willpower—fainting so quickly and failing to awaken his Sharingan—was what had forced Rin into such a dangerous situation.
Obito suddenly shivered, feeling as though a powerful entity was watching him. He glanced toward Hui.
Hui was smiling faintly at him, with no other discernible expression.
But that was the scariest part.
"Master Hui."
"Senior Hui."
Obito greeted him, followed quickly by Rin and Kakashi.
"How have you been? I heard you encountered a crisis last time. What happened to the two special Jōnin?" Hui approached Rin, gently patting her head.
Obito, watching this, felt a wave of envy. Damn… why couldn't that be him?
"Ah, Tsunade-sama treated us, and there won't be any lingering effects."
Hui shook his head, his hands forming seals.
Green chakra gathered in his palms and flowed into all three of them, restoring lost vitality.
The trio immediately felt their bodies rejuvenate. Their cells buzzed with energy as the warmth of the chakra coursed through them.
Minato, who had seen Hui resurrect Nawaki, recognized the technique and understood its significance.
Indeed, with a technique capable of resurrection, what secrets wouldn't Hui possess?
"Mmm… that feels amazing…"
Obito couldn't help but let out a pleased groan.
Hui stopped transmitting chakra and casually lifted Obito by the collar.
Before Obito could even process the embarrassment from his earlier outburst, he found himself dangling in the air.
"I heard you were the first to faint, leaving Rin to fight alone?"
"Sensei, please don't blame Obito."
"Tsk tsk. Obito, you know… if you'd held on just a little longer, you might have awakened your Sharingan."
Obito's eyes bulged. What did he just hear? Had he missed… the chance to awaken his Sharingan?!
Rin and Kakashi turned quickly, both concerned. They too had hoped for Obito to awaken the Sharingan—it would make missions far easier and safer.
Obito turned toward Minato, seeking reassurance, but saw none. In fact, Minato's expression seemed to agree with Hui's point.
His heart sank.
My Sharingan…
Kakashi fell into deep thought. He remembered a note from White Fang's records—Uchiha were most likely to awaken their Sharingan during intense emotional stress, usually involving loss or death.
Perhaps it wasn't just excitement, but grief and desperation that triggered the awakening.
Realization hit Kakashi like lightning.
No wonder people called the Uchiha a cursed clan. Their power demanded suffering.
White Fang's records had never been wrong—he was a neutral and well-respected powerhouse, with years in Anbu and deep knowledge of clan secrets.
"I'm telling you—Obito's will is far too weak. He needs training."
Rin suddenly felt Hui's talk about the Sharingan was merely a pretext—the real goal was to push Obito.
Maybe not "training" in the traditional sense. More like... punishment.
After all, strengthening one's will wasn't something easily done.
Minato nodded in agreement.
Indeed, Obito had wasted a precious opportunity due to lack of will. Fortunately, neither Kakashi nor Rin had been gravely endangered.
Obito needed discipline.
Realizing that even his teacher had agreed, Obito finally sensed how dire the situation had become.
But it was too late.
Once fate grabbed you by the collar, no amount of struggling mattered.
"That's that. Your teacher Minato will lead the training. You better take it seriously."
Hui didn't truly intend to train them himself, but had made the suggestion to Minato, as he'd soon be leaving.
"All right. Continue your training. I need to speak with Minato."
Hui's meeting with his apprentices had served its purpose—he had replenished their vitality.
The camp remained operational for a reason.
They were still detaining the One-Tails Jinchūriki, awaiting diplomatic negotiations with the Land of Wind.
Everything needed to be handled carefully.
Before leaving, Hui handed Rin a notebook on advanced medical ninjutsu.
Then, under Minato's guidance, he went to review the current situation.
The following day, Minato departed with Team Seven and several Konoha forces to support the Iwa front.
Half a month passed, and the situation with Iwagakure finally stabilized.
This marked the beginning of the two-month ceasefire agreement's implementation.
With Hui as the overseeing medical ninja, Fenfu, the One-Tails' host, wouldn't survive much longer. If Sunagakure didn't rush to sign the treaty, sealing Shukaku again would become far more difficult.
If that happened, Hui would likely dispose of Fenfu on the Konoha front, allowing Konoha to gain everything while Sunagakure lost it all.
Thus, Suna was forced to hasten the negotiations.
"Lord Hui, new intel from the village—The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and Clan Heads of Kaguya and Hōzuki are leading Kirigakure's forces and have declared war against Konoha."
"I understand."
The situation had reached its most perilous point.
Konoha now faced three Great Ninja Villages at once—an unprecedented scenario.
And the biggest challenge in such a situation?
Manpower.
Konoha might not lack in top-tier power. With six confirmed Kage-level shinobi, and the seasoned and next-generation Ino-Shika-Chō trios—each capable of rivaling elite opponents—Konoha's high-level combat strength stood at a minimum of eight Kage-tier shinobi.
But still, elite power wasn't everything…
the completed book is available on Patreon.
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