Minato was somewhat moved, but after thinking for a while, he found something inappropriate.
"Obito, what identity are you planning to use to negotiate?"
Obito smiled and said, "Since I want them to end the war against Konoha, of course I'll go as a Konoha ninja, Uchiha Obito."
Minato said, "But if your abilities are completely exposed, the higher-ups over there..."
Minato paused and expressed his concern, "I'm afraid they'll do something stupid."
Minato was a very smart person. Ever since entering Konoha's inner circle, he had realized a problem.
People who have held high positions for a long time, because they are used to controlling everything, will firmly grasp all power in their hands.
If Obito were just a genius, even if he learned Flying Thunder God, the higher-ups wouldn't react much, thinking of him as just the next big thing.
But if Obito is so strong that he can casually meet with other village Kage and even stop a war, then some in the higher-ups wouldn't be able to sleep well.
Because if Obito can do that to other villages, it also means he could do the same to Konoha.
At the same time, the higher-ups are used to giving orders, immersed in power for years, enjoying the convenience that power brings. They might forget that Konoha's original authority was actually brought about by Senju Hashirama's powerful personal strength.
They might subconsciously believe that no matter how strong Obito is, he is still a Konoha ninja, someone they can manipulate at will.
Maybe, ordinary Konoha ninjas are used to taking orders and following rules.
But Obito is different. In his bones flows the blood to break rules. If Konoha dares to do anything excessive to him, it might lead to an irreversible consequence.
Obito noticed Minato's concern and smiled, "In that case, let's wait a bit longer. Just take care of Danzo first."
Saying this, Obito seemed to recall something interesting and sighed, "Speaking of which, it's strange. Although I feel that Konoha's higher-ups aren't lacking in darkness, if we have to trace the source, everything seems to fall on Danzo."
"Danzo is like bearing all the darkness of Konoha alone, making the Third and the inner Hokage circle appear bright and upright."
Minato was stunned and suddenly realized something, falling into deep thought.
Obito smiled and said, "Teacher Minato, you should know, a Hokage can't always do only the bright things. Some problems really need some methods to solve."
"The Third tolerated Danzo doing all sorts of bad things and gave him only light punishments, not without reason."
"Sarutobi Hiruzen is the trunk bathed in sunlight, while Danzo is the root buried deep."
"Without the roots, the trunk cannot remain stable."
Minato nodded and said calmly, "Obito, what you said is right, but I still don't agree with some of Danzo's ways."
Obito smiled and said, "That's because Danzo made one mistake. As the root, he should have the awareness of a root. Forever buried in the shadows."
"The root shouldn't show its head and fight the trunk for sunlight. If the root is no longer underground, how can it absorb nutrients from the earth?"
"Danzo was too active, too eager to become the trunk himself. But he didn't realize that when a root sticks out, even the big tree will become shaky."
After a pause, Obito looked at Teacher Minato, his voice full of temptation, "So, Teacher Minato, have you thought about who will become the root after you rise to the top?"
"I don't mind doing it for a while. After all, I have rich experience in this area."
Minato knocked on Obito's head, "You're still young, don't think about these things."
Then, he looked at Kakashi, Rin, and Obito, and said seriously, "Since the test is tomorrow, I'll give you the final guidance."
"Obito, because you can't use the Sharingan tomorrow, you're also not allowed to use phasing right now."
"Watch out! Ice Pop-Inspired Nimbus Jiraiya Twin Whorl Sphere!"
[T/N: Also known as— Jiku Shippu Senko Rennodan Zeroshiki]
After saying that, a ball formed in Minato's hand, and he impatiently rushed toward Obito to press it down...
'Damn, Teacher Minato actually launched a sneak attack!'1
Obito hurried to dodge.
Kakashi and Rin also instantly entered battle mode.
For a while, the training ground echoed with waves of explosions...
———
At Root, in Danzo's office, Danzo was eating.
Suddenly, Aburame Ryoma walked in. His usually emotionless face looked slightly anxious.
"Not good, sir, the Third came with a few ANBU."
Danzo was shocked, almost jumping out of his seat. But then he noticed a detail.
"Just a few ANBU?"
Aburame Ryoma said, "Yes, only three."
Danzo let out a breath of relief. Three meant it wasn't a raid on Root.
He said, "Invite Sarutobi Hiruzen in. He must have something to discuss with me."
Ryoma nodded and left. Not long after, he brought in the Third and a few people.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the simple bowl of plain noodles on Danzo's table. For some reason, he felt a little sad.
He didn't bother asking anything else, just asked, "You eat this kind of thing normally?"
Danzo glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen calmly, "This is enough. You know I'm not someone who enjoys comfort."
"But you, what a rare guest."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked around at the somewhat gloomy environment, feeling a bit uncomfortable. He glanced at the ANBU behind him and waved his hand.
"You all withdraw first. I have something to talk to Danzo alone."
The three ANBU obeyed and retreated.
While eating noodles, Danzo asked, "Want to eat some? I'll have someone bring another bowl."
Hiruzen just sat in front of Danzo and slowly said, "Are you planning to leave the village?"
Danzo looked up, somewhat surprised yet unsurprised, and looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"So, you admit it?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was stunned, "Admit what?"
Danzo said sarcastically, "Admit that all of Root is under your surveillance."
"My top-secret outbound message was only sent for a moment, and you already knew what was written on it."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked a bit awkward, coughed, and said, "Danzo, you know I did it for Konoha's stability."
Danzo didn't say anything more. After taking a bite of noodles, he answered, "Yeah, I need to go out for a bit. You've also seen the trouble at Amegakure. Their unity is not good for Konoha."
Hiruzen thought for a moment, "Actually, it doesn't have to be so aggressive. You can handle things more gently. More friends are better than more enemies."
Danzo looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with disdain, "You treat them as friends. What will they think once they become strong?"
"Hiruzen, you're getting weaker and weaker."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked troubled, thought for a bit, then said meaningfully, "Danzo, you don't understand. If you haven't been in this position, you'll never understand."
These words made Danzo angry. He said sarcastically, "Yeah, I don't understand. Just because I was a moment too late, you got to sit in that position."
"When did I ever have the chance to understand?"
Seeing his old friend's attitude, Hiruzen felt helpless. He decided not to provoke Danzo with this matter.
He paused for a moment, then simply said, "The shinobi world isn't stable right now. Although your schedule is secret, accidents can happen. Be careful when you're outside the village."
Danzo was inexplicably moved. Looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen, his eyes flickered, "You came to Root just to say this?"
Hiruzen turned his head away, "No, it's just that there's a jonin exam tomorrow. I want to invite you to watch."
Danzo's heart had a trace of hope, "Uchiha Obito, Nohara Rin, Hatake Kakashi, and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio's battle?"
"This old man isn't very interested. I asked you to give them to me, but you wouldn't."
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up, "Just take a look. They're Konoha's future. You're heading out anyway."
Danzo's eyes flickered, then he only said one word, "Alright."
Sarutobi Hiruzen turned and left...
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