Chapter 13: Light-Wheel Popsicle Inspired Jiraiya Double-Spin Ball!
The news of Sakumo Hatake's departure was kept under wraps, officially described as a secret mission. Konoha's White Fang was one of the village's strongest forces, second only to the Hokage, and his departure would have had massive repercussions.
In the Hokage's office, a fierce argument was underway over this matter.
"Declare Sakumo Hatake an S-rank rogue ninja! He knows too much—send all the ANBU after him and have him killed!" Danzo Shimura slammed the table, shouting.
Hiruzen Sarutobi simply watched him, his gaze growing colder.
It wasn't just the two of them; the two elder advisors were also present. Konoha's "Four Illustrious Ones" were all gathered.
Koharu Utatane spoke in a low voice. "Danzo isn't wrong. Sakumo knows too much. If he falls into the hands of other villages, it would be catastrophic."
Homura Mitokado remained silent, clearly sharing the same sentiment.
Suppressing his anger, Sarutobi glanced at the others, his voice heavy.
"I trust Sakumo. He just needs some time to clear his mind."
"Hiruzen…"
"I'll make myself clear!" Sarutobi's voice was cold as he looked at Danzo. "If Sakumo is truly a rogue, who should go after him—me or Kushina?"
"Or perhaps… you, Danzo?"
Sarutobi was furious. Danzo was the one who leaked the details of that classified mission. This situation could have been resolved quietly. Sakumo could have made amends for the losses he caused the village.
After this incident, Sakumo had essentially disqualified himself from the Hokage candidacy. In Sarutobi's eyes, a true Hokage, when faced with such a dilemma between the mission and comrades, should sacrifice himself to ensure the village's interests remained intact.
Both the Second Hokage and he himself had accepted this principle. While he hoped for one of his students to become the next Hokage, he had no intention of framing Sakumo.
He was angry at Danzo—and at Sakumo, too.
Was it really that serious? All over a few accusations? Was leaving the village really necessary?
This was the village where he had lived his entire life, and his son was still here!
Danzo was momentarily at a loss for words.
They knew Sakumo's power well. If there were a level above Jonin called "Kage-level," Sakumo would undoubtedly be there.
Every Jonin was an elite of the village, but in the face of that White Fang blade, they might as well be ordinary shinobi.
Before the appearance of the Yellow Flash, Konoha's White Fang held the record for most kills among Jonin across the ninja world.
Danzo didn't consider himself weaker than Sakumo; if he had to fight, he estimated the odds to be sixty-forty in his favor.
Sixty percent for me!
But… it wasn't necessary. There were more important things to do, and if Hiruzen misstepped, he would have to take control himself.
After some thought, Danzo chose not to back down and said gravely:
"Then I'll need to hand over my village intel operations. Who do you think should take over?"
"Once I finish, I'll personally hunt down Sakumo Hatake!"
…
Now it was Sarutobi's turn to fall silent.
He knew exactly what Danzo was up to. Where else would he find someone so dedicated and willing to do the village's dirty work as Danzo?
With a reluctant sigh, Sarutobi said, "For now, let it be. Kakashi is still here in the village, and Sakumo wouldn't do anything to harm us."
After all, this wouldn't be the first time something like this had happened. Even Jiraiya had spent years in the Land of Rain.
At this point, Homura spoke up.
"Jiraiya and Minato have returned, and Minato has mastered the Second Hokage's Flying Thunder God technique. They could be sent after Sakumo."
Sarutobi frowned. He had already decided on how to handle this situation, and Homura was talking about a pursuit mission? Was his reflex just slow?
"They just dealt with Iwagakure's tailed beasts. Let them rest," Sarutobi said, exhaling smoke.
"Speaking of which, I could assign Uchiha Kagami and Kakashi to Jiraiya's team for training."
At the mention of Uchiha, Danzo's senses tingled with alarm.
"No way! It's one thing to have Kakashi under Jiraiya, but there's no way Jiraiya can handle Uchiha Kagami!"
Remembering that Danzo had taken the blame for the mission leak, Sarutobi softened his tone slightly.
"Danzo… When you hear that name, all you hear is Uchiha, isn't it?"
"Kagami… That was also the name of a friend."
Koharu and Homura's expressions softened, recalling fond memories. But Danzo was unmoved.
"Kagami was inspired by Lord Tobirama's ideals. This boy isn't related to him; he's merely a Uchiha with the same name."
Even now, Danzo wouldn't say Tobirama had "guided" Uchiha Kagami, but instead, "reformed" him. This was how deeply ingrained his view of the Uchiha as demons was.
"We have to try. Maybe he, too, will integrate into the village, just like Kagami did." Sarutobi smiled warmly.
"Well, it's almost time for lunch. Since you all have family waiting, I won't keep you."
With others around, Danzo decided not to bring out his classic complaints. He simply glared at Sarutobi, turned, and left.
If I were Hokage…
If I had been chosen, the Uchiha would have been tamed long ago!
Why didn't Lord Tobirama choose me?
Back then, I was just one step away…
Danzo was still hung up on not offering himself to cover their escape back then. Perhaps, if he had done that, Tobirama would have survived.
——
Konoha Training Grounds.
Jiraiya approached the scorched earth slowly.
"Controlling a chakra sphere spinning at that speed is still too difficult, huh?"
He looked down at Minato, who was lying in the crater.
"There's a theory that focusing on the direction of your hair swirl makes chakra control easier."
"If this technique…"
Minato, panting, chuckled, "That's probably just a rumor."
"Not necessarily. I focus on spinning my chakra to the right… Let me see which way yours goes…"
"Huh… you have two hair swirls, one spinning left and one right…"
"Forget it, take a break!"
Jiraiya reached into his bag, pulling out twin popsicles and breaking them in half. "Which side do you want?"
"Either's fine."
Suddenly, a spark of inspiration flashed in Minato's eyes, and he stopped reaching for the popsicle.
Either side… works!
Forgetting the popsicle, Minato quickly rose to refine his chakra again.
If both directions work…
…
A faint blue light shimmered in the center of the training grounds.
Watching the now-stable chakra sphere in Minato's hand, Jiraiya was awestruck.
As expected… You're a true genius, Minato!
Minato's face lit up with joy.
"It's starting to take shape. I'll name it…"
"Light-Wheel Popsicle Inspired Jiraiya Double-Spin Ball!"
…
Aside from his naming sense.
Jiraiya shook his head with a smile and said, "You should rest for now. The old man asked to see me about something."
"He wants me to train an Uchiha kid and Sakumo's son. I'll bring them by for you to meet later."
"An Uchiha, huh…" Minato dispersed the chakra sphere, smiling. "They're quite reserved. The Uchiha teammates I had before were all rather shy about expressing themselves."
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