Chapter 202: Shallow Waters Can't Raise Great Crocodiles
Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique truly proved the supreme method for ultra-long-distance movement. One second they were still in the Land of Rain's damp environment, drenched like drowned rats in the rain. The next moment, they'd returned to Konoha Village under gentle breezes and beautiful sunshine, clear skies stretching ten thousand miles.
The group stood on the Hokage Building's rooftop.
Hiruko took a deep breath, his face showing a trace of relief. He couldn't help complaining, "That godforsaken place the Land of Rain truly isn't fit for human habitation. If I'd stayed there any longer, I feel like I'd start growing mold."
This statement immediately resonated with many.
The three Sand ninja especially nodded repeatedly. Accustomed to the Land of Wind desert's dryness, they truly found the Land of Rain's extreme humidity difficult to endure.
Minato surveyed everyone in a circle. Aside from the three Sand ninja, everyone else including himself was soaking wet. The rain cloaks they'd worn had already been discarded before the battle began—those things somewhat hindered combat.
"Alright, everyone."
Minato spoke, drawing everyone's attention. "The mission has ended. Dismissed on the spot. Everyone go back and clean up quickly. Be careful not to catch cold and fall ill."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Everyone acknowledged.
"Sensei, I'm leaving first!"
"Go ahead!"
Hyuga Ritsu exchanged greetings with Hiruko, then leaped down from the building, heading toward the clan compound with quick steps.
Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Shisui, and Kakashi also took their leave. Everyone was eager to return home, take a bath, and change clothes. This soaking-wet feeling truly proved uncomfortable.
But the three Sand ninja didn't move. They looked at Minato—or rather, stared at the ninja tool Crimson Gourd in Minato's hands. The three exchanged glances. Yura forced himself to say, "That... Hokage-sama, we hope to bring the One-Tail back to Sunagakure now."
Minato's expression showed no change, but he also gave no response.
Hiruko, who'd remained beside him without leaving, wore a cold smile at the corner of his mouth. He said coldly, "You want to bring the One-Tail back to Sunagakure? Are you planning to send the One-Tail back into that person's hands? Moreover, how do you intend to bring the One-Tail back to Sunagakure? The Crimson Gourd belongs to my disciple. Are you planning to turn this ninja tool into your Sand ninja's property as well?"
Yura immediately shook his head. "I meant—"
But Minato didn't give him a chance to continue explaining. "Yura-san, you've worked hard traveling back and forth on this operation. Hiruko-senpai and I both have wet clothes. We also need to return home to change and rest a bit. As for these matters, we'll discuss them later."
His voice wasn't loud, nor was it stern. His attitude didn't seem as harsh as Hiruko's. He appeared very gentle.
But he conveyed an invisible pressure.
A gentle face clearly couldn't be equated with weakness. In fact, it proved even more tremor-inducing and terrifying than overt ferocity.
Yura's facial muscles twitched. Several seconds later, he said in a low voice, "I apologize, Hokage-sama. I was too hasty. I'll consult with Kazekage-sama before discussing the One-Tail matter with you."
After speaking, he swiftly departed with Baki and Yashamaru. They headed directly toward the embassy, where the remaining Sand ninja delegation members were staying.
After the three Sand ninja's backs receded into the distance, Hiruko finally spoke. "These Sand ninja truly are insufferably stupid. The One-Tail now represents not usable power for them but rather a source of disaster. Keeping the One-Tail in Konoha means we're helping them block calamity. Not only do they not express thanks, they actually can't wait to bring the trouble back with them."
"Truly foolish!"
Hiruko looked down on these three Sand ninja.
Minato also watched the Sand ninja's retreating backs, sighing, "They should understand the reasoning, but they're more afraid we don't intend to return the One-Tail."
"Not return the One-Tail? Actually, I feel there's truly no need to return the One-Tail to the Sand ninja."
"Why do you say that?"
Minato's face showed an interested expression.
Hearing this, Hiruko thought seriously for several seconds, then answered frankly, "The reason is simple. The Sand ninja currently possess absolutely no strength to protect the One-Tail. Moreover, if they did have strength, that's even more reason not to give them the One-Tail. Once these turban-heads grow strong, they always think about eating our flesh and drinking our blood. Giving them the One-Tail equals releasing a tiger back to the mountains."
"The Third Shinobi World War serves as the best example. These Sand ninja bastards always think about challenging us once they grow strong."
"Well said."
Minato praised once, but immediately sighed afterward. "But unfortunately, distributing Tailed Beasts to the various villages was the First Hokage's policy!"
"The First Hokage, he..."
Hiruko's voice caught.
When it involved the First Hokage, this founding father of the village, some things were fine to think about but awkward to voice.
Especially in front of the Fourth Hokage. Even though the Fourth appeared to harbor objections to some of the First's policies, he felt no need to bare his heart and soul to Hokage-sama.
After all—
Hokage-sama was that Jiraiya fellow's disciple, not his.
Seeing this, Minato smiled slightly. He didn't continue attempting deeper exchanges on this topic but instead chose to stop at an appropriate point. "Alright, Hiruko-senpai, let's end the idle talk here for now! You should also hurry back and get yourself sorted out. These soaked clothes clinging to the body truly feel uncomfortable. This afternoon, we'll properly discuss how to resolve the upcoming matters."
Hiruko nodded.
The next second, Minato used Flying Thunder God Technique to vanish directly. Seeing this, Hiruko also didn't continue remaining on the Hokage Building's rooftop in the wind. Though the village's spring breeze proved pleasant, his soaked clothes made this spring breeze carry somewhat chilling intent.
Returning home, Hyuga Ritsu took a hot bath, changed into clean clothes. The time happened to coincide with lunch. Though they hadn't anticipated Hyuga Ritsu returning at this moment, his mother and Aunt Midoriko still quickly and skillfully increased the lunch portions.
They sliced over two pounds of sausage, fried over ten more eggs, and steamed an additional pot of rice.
Hyuga Ritsu's chakra now proved boundless and endless. His stamina was also exceptionally long-lasting. But such high-intensity combat consumption proved equally massive. He was truly famished now.
All the food was swept clean.
Even this wasn't enough to satisfy him. He poured down over a pound of milk before finally eliminating his hunger, then lay on the living room sofa unwilling to move.
However—
Enjoying leisurely comfort was a privilege belonging to wealthy idle people.
Hyuga Ritsu clearly didn't fall into this category. He'd only lain down for roughly ten minutes when knocking sounds arose. His mother hurriedly went to open the door. Several seconds later, a voice came from the entrance. "Ritsu, someone from Hokage-sama is looking for you!"
"I know!"
Hyuga Ritsu stretched lazily.
He stood up and came to the entrance, seeing Kakashi standing outside the door.
"Kakashi, aren't you tired?"
"Not tired."
Hyuga Ritsu shook his head speechlessly. What an excellent nuclear-powered workhorse that knew no fatigue!
But Kakashi truly didn't feel the slightest bit hard-worked. He looked at Hyuga Ritsu, saying seriously, "Hyuga Clan Head, Hokage-sama commanded me to come notify you. Please come to Hokage-sama's office at three-thirty. There are urgent matters requiring discussion with you."
He didn't elaborate on what matters, but there was no need. Hyuga Ritsu also understood clearly.
Nothing more than Missing-nin Anonymous and the Rinnegan matter.
Perhaps they'd also touch upon the Sand ninja situation.
Hyuga Ritsu readily agreed. "Three-thirty, right? I'll arrive punctually."
After speaking—
He extended an invitation to this junior. "Kakashi, come in for some tea?"
"No thank you, Hyuga Clan Head. I must return to report to Hokage-sama. I won't disturb you."
"Alright then!"
Hyuga Ritsu didn't insist. After Kakashi used Body Flicker Technique to depart, he closed the door and entered the house.
Returning inside, he glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. Currently one-thirty. Two hours remained until the time Kakashi mentioned. Hyuga Ritsu stood in the entrance thinking for two seconds, deciding to take an afternoon nap.
Though this morning's great battle in the Land of Rain had given him more and deeper insights into the path forward for growing stronger, there was no need to rush for a single moment. Growing stronger required proper pacing.
Time swiftly passed during his afternoon nap.
Hyuga Ritsu was awakened from sleep by his alarm clock. After washing his face, he headed directly to the Hokage Building. He arrived right on time. When he entered the Hokage's office, he saw the minute hand on the clock hanging on the wall just pointing to the lowest point.
"My apologies, Hokage-sama. I've arrived late."
Hyuga Ritsu spoke perfunctory words.
His gaze swept through the office, seeing Hiruko-sensei, the two advisory elders Akimichi Torikaze and Inuzuka Jaw, jonin squad captain Nara Shikaku, and Uchiha Fugaku—the Uchiha clan head who also served as police force captain.
Everyone had arrived.
At this moment, those gathered in the office represented Konoha's ruling class.
The Uchiha clan's situation had improved considerably. The Fourth's open-mindedness finally allowed the Uchiha clan, which had long remained outside Konoha Village's ruling stratum, to enjoy the power their clan deserved.
Setting aside other matters, the Uchiha clan's dedication to the village during the Third Shinobi World War alone merited them enjoying such authority.
"The timing is perfect. Hyuga Clan Head, please sit down quickly!"
Minato pressed the call button on his desk, summoning his secretary Yuhi Kurenai. He had the young woman bring Hyuga Ritsu, seated in the reception area sofa, a cup of clear tea.
After Yuhi Kurenai filled everyone else's cups with tea and withdrew from the office, Minato immediately spoke up. "Now that Hyuga Clan Head has arrived, let's proceed directly to the main topic."
He cleared his throat. "There are two matters to discuss. First, Missing-nin Anonymous's matter. Today's operation didn't achieve complete success—Missing-nin Anonymous still escaped. However, this operation wasn't a complete failure either. We recaptured the Tailed Beast stolen from the Sand ninja and eliminated numerous puppets controlled by Missing-nin Anonymous."
"Of course, most importantly, we also discovered the Rinnegan's existence. Learning in advance that Missing-nin Anonymous has colluded with an unknown powerful individual possessing the Rinnegan allows us to prepare corresponding countermeasures ahead of time, rather than being caught completely off-guard by a sudden attack."
Hearing this, everyone nodded.
For ninja, the most terrifying thing wasn't knowing powerful enemies existed but rather having unknown powerful enemies lurking in the shadows. The unknown proved far more terrifying than the known.
Mastering enemy intelligence in advance undoubtedly allowed Konoha to implement targeted defensive measures.
Ninja battles, when stripped to their essence, were battles of intelligence.
Unless one possessed overwhelming violence capable of rendering intelligence ineffective.
Minato looked toward Hyuga Ritsu, speaking very earnestly. "Hyuga Clan Head, you engaged with the Rinnegan's possessor for the longest time. I hope you can submit a report detailing the Rinnegan's various ability characteristics. If you could attach corresponding strategies, that would be even better."
"This presents no difficulty. I'll organize a report as quickly as possible and have someone deliver it."
Hyuga Ritsu readily agreed.
Akimichi Torikaze, the eldest among those present, furrowed his brow at this moment. He couldn't help asking, "Hokage-sama, where exactly did this Rinnegan's possessor emerge from? If the ninja world had such a figure, they should have become famous throughout the world long ago, right?"
Hearing this, Minato's face showed a helpless, wry smile. "Torikaze-senpai, this question equally puzzles me. That's precisely why I've gathered everyone to brainstorm together. I absolutely refuse to believe such a formidable powerful individual would suddenly emerge from nowhere. They must have origins."
"The key lies in these origins. Where in the ninja world could hide such a great crocodile?"
His inquiring gaze fell upon everyone.
Hyuga Ritsu's face showed a contemplative expression, but his mind's thoughts had already drifted far away. Many intelligent people sat here. He needn't show off his prophetic advantages.
As expected—
Several seconds later, Nara Shikaku cleared his throat. "Hokage-sama, the ninja world seems vast when you say it's vast, but when you say it's small, it's actually quite small. First, we can confirm this Rinnegan's possessor absolutely bears no connection to us five great ninja villages. Setting aside our Konoha—if this Rinnegan's possessor had any relationship with the Cloud, Rock, Sand, or Mist ninja, they couldn't possibly have remained deeply concealed throughout the Third Shinobi World War, which only recently ended."
"Therefore, I boldly speculate that if this Rinnegan's possessor is hiding, they're most likely among the numerous small nations. And among the ninja world's dozens of small nations, the Land of Rain, Land of Taki, and Land of Grass prove most likely!"
"Why?"
Minato asked.
"The reasoning is simple—shallow waters can't raise great crocodiles. Setting aside the Land of Hot Water and Land of Frost, these small nations that are vassals of the five great nations, or places like the Land of Rice Paddies and Land of Rivers that border nothing significant and don't even have their own ninja villages—these nations' internal pools are too shallow. Any slight disturbance can't escape notice."
"Only the Land of Rain, Land of Taki, and Land of Grass each possess independent ninja villages of considerable strength. Though located at the borders between great nations, they've all maintained a certain degree of independence. Even we Konoha cannot completely grasp the internal details of these three nations. These three pools have sufficient depth. Who dares guarantee what's hidden inside? Perhaps this Rinnegan is being trained within them."
Nara Shikaku elaborated his viewpoint in detail.
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