Chapter Ninety-Five: Conflict (Part One)

After leaving the Hokage’s office, Jiraiya and Kato Dan exchanged a glance and nodded to each other before heading off in completely different directions.

Both could tell that the other liked Tsunade, and since they rarely spoke in the village, they were considered rivals in love. However, Tsunade had no particular feelings toward either of them — one was a teammate and companion, the other a fellow shinobi from the village.

Beyond that, it was difficult to deepen their relationships. Jiraiya had been trying to win Tsunade’s affection ever since they were separated into different squads, but with little hope. Kato Dan had also tried, but at that time, Tsunade’s entire focus was on Tsunade’s recovery, and later she was busy with medical system reforms and the special drug development commissioned by Kaan — she simply had no interest.

After walking for a while, Jiraiya suddenly spoke to Namikaze Minato, “Minato, do you have any ideas about coordinating with the Flying Thunder God Technique? If not, since Shikimaru-senpai is in the village right now, I can visit him and see if he can help.”

Shikimaru’s swordsmanship was even more intimidating than the fame of the Legendary Three Ninja. They earned the title after facing demigods in battle, but Shikimaru gained the title of Konoha’s White Fang solely through his swordsmanship.

Even the Daimyo of the Land of Fire knew of Shikimaru’s name and held him in high regard.

Recently, it seemed Shikimaru’s son was about to start school, so—

“No, thank you, Jiraiya-sensei,” Namikaze Minato replied gratefully. Jiraiya always wanted to help him improve, but Minato was simply not suited to sword techniques.

“I want to develop a powerful ninjutsu that doesn’t require hand seals. Swordsmanship helps me no more than kunai, and I’ve already mastered the Wind Release chakra nature transformation…”

Minato then took out a kunai and demonstrated the Wind Release chakra nature transformation. Within a second, a thin layer of Wind Release chakra coated the kunai, emitting a sharp humming sound from the friction.

“I see. Well, then I can only support you as your master,” Jiraiya said, patting Minato on the shoulder. “I’ve already spoken with Sarutobi-sensei. If you have any questions about ninjutsu, you can always consult him.

“Also, starting today, you and two others will form an official Chunin squad. When you become a Jonin, your team will be expanded to four members.”

Minato asked in surprise, “Jiraiya-sensei, are you leaving the village?”

“That’s right. The old man assigned me another mission, so I’ll be away for a while.”

Jiraiya nodded to Minato. The truth was, he needed to leave the village. Since Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn’t match Jiraiya’s abilities, he entrusted him with a long-term intelligence-gathering mission to keep records. Otherwise, if another incident like the one in the Land of Rain occurred, Sarutobi Hiruzen would have no choice but to designate Jiraiya as a rogue ninja.

“Alright. When you return, I’ll definitely complete the development of the new technique!” Minato said with some disappointment but forced a smile as he promised Jiraiya.

Although Sarutobi Hiruzen had informed Minato and Kato Dan of the village’s secrets, he hadn’t assigned them further missions. The reason was simple: the failure rate was too high; they hadn’t reached the required level yet.

Even Kato Dan, an elite Jonin, faced a 90% failure rate when cooperating with Minato against Kaan because Root and the Anbu had gathered considerable intelligence, allowing them to perform space-time transfers even within isolation barriers.

Thus, Sarutobi Hiruzen would wait until everything was foolproof before taking action.

...

Jiraiya left immediately after speaking, but before departing, he gathered the other two students in the squad, ensuring they were cared for. However, talent was the dividing line between the strong and the ordinary ninja — the other two were unlikely to rise beyond Special Jonin in the future.

After sharing a farewell meal and handing the captain’s role to Minato, Jiraiya left the village.

After becoming captain, Minato made few changes. After consulting his two comrades, they decided to slightly increase the number of missions they accepted. After all, each of them was alone, and ninja could only earn money by completing missions.

They had spent most of their recent time training under Jiraiya, rarely accepting missions, and their savings were running low.

If their efficiency was high, they could complete six to seven missions a month. So Minato decided to take three B-rank and three C-rank missions, which would earn a decent income while leaving time for rest and training.

The others agreed without hesitation, given Minato’s superior strength and status.

Once the squad disbanded, Minato suddenly found himself at a loss.

Study ninjutsu? But he had missions tomorrow and little time or mood today. Thinking of what the Third Hokage told him, Minato felt a heavy weight in his heart. Besides developing new ninjutsu, he also needed to work on improving the Flying Thunder God Technique, at least enough to break through the limitations of spatial isolation barriers to meet the Third Hokage’s expectations.

“Right, Kusunoki still doesn’t know that guy’s true nature, but the Third Hokage told us not to spread this secret. Jiraiya-sensei wouldn’t even tell Tsunade or Orochimaru, so I can’t talk about it with Kusunoki either…”

Minato grew anxious but decided to seek out Kusunoki anyway. Even if he couldn’t share the secret, he wanted to persuade her to stay away from that dangerous person.

After graduation, Kusunoki had joined a mission squad for a while, but her exceptional talent in sealing techniques led Sarutobi Hiruzen to transfer her to the sealing class.

This was both safer and allowed Kusunoki to maximize her abilities.

Besides the sealing class, Kusunoki often visited the barrier class.

Though staying in these classes improved her sealing skills quickly, it offered few mission opportunities, resulting in a meager income.

Adding to that, every time she met Kaan, her small orange wallet was confiscated, leaving her with little savings and forcing her to make sealing scrolls during her free time to sell.

“Kusunoki!”

As Kusunoki finished her day’s work and prepared to head home, she heard that familiar voice on the street.

“Chunin Namikaze, what do you want? I don’t have time to eat with you,” Kusunoki said flatly, having recently discovered that this guy was foolishly trying to flirt with her.

“It’s not about eating. I have something to tell you…” Minato waved his hand and then spoke seriously. “If possible, please stay away from the owner of Kaan’s sweet shop.”

“Why!?” Kusunoki snapped before Minato could finish. Who did he think he was, telling her who she could befriend? Not even Tsunade would say that to her!

“…Because he’s dangerous… there are often accidents around him, and he’s not from Konoha. If you’re often with him…” Minato tried to explain, but since he couldn’t mention the Anbu and Root killings, he had to allude to other dangers.

“Shut up!” Kusunoki’s eyes turned vertical slits. Minato’s words reminded her of when she first came to Konoha and was ostracized for being from another village.

“My matters are none of your business. Don’t bother me again.”

“Wait, Kusunoki…”

Suddenly, six gleaming golden chains shot out from behind Kusunoki. Before Minato could react, he was wrapped tightly in layers of golden adamantine chains.

“Flying Thunder God… chakra suppressed?” Minato’s heart jolted. He had planned to use the Flying Thunder God Technique to escape, but now, bound by golden chains, he could barely gather chakra.

“Hmph!”

Though annoyed by Minato’s words, Kusunoki, as a fellow Konoha ninja, had no intention of harming him. Using the chains, she flung Minato down the road behind her. He tumbled twice on the ground but quickly adjusted to avoid crashing into a wall.

The adamantine chains were a power Kusunoki had awakened long ago but rarely used in the village.

“Hey, what’s going on here? Fighting is forbidden in the village,” a guard nearby shouted, rushing over to stop them.

Before the Uchiha ninja could approach, two Anbu operatives instantly appeared before the three guards, informing them the matter would be handled by the Anbu.

Though confused, the Uchiha recognized the Anbu’s authority, directly under the Hokage, which superseded the guards. After the Anbu declared they’d take over, the Uchiha left for other patrols.

After the last explosion, many villagers had lost trust in the guards, so their patrol times had been extended.

“It’s alright now.”

The two Anbu approached Kusunoki and Minato, signaling that they were free to leave. After they left, one Anbu followed Kusunoki while the other reported the incident to the Hokage.

They had been dispatched by Sarutobi Hiruzen to protect the Nine-Tails’ jinchuriki and monitor Kusunoki’s daily activities. Since her relationship with Kaan was growing closer, Sarutobi had to pay attention.

Sarutobi was troubled by this as well. He didn’t want to hand Kusunoki over to Root for harsh training under Danzo; instead, he hoped she would form a deep bond with the inheritor of Konoha’s Will of Fire, which would aid in controlling the Nine-Tails.

But things had not gone as hoped. One mistake had led to increasing misunderstandings.

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Chapter 95: Conflict (First Update) Free Reading.