Chapter 52: A 'Hokage'

After Yasu left, Minato stood still for a long time.

He thought a lot, but his mind was in a mess, and he just couldn't understand him.

"Minato."

Jiraiya appeared in front of Minato. He had heard everything Minato and Yasu had said earlier.

Minato asked somewhat blankly: "Teacher Jiraiya, was I wrong? But I don't think I was wrong. Those are our comrades, and I hope my comrades can live. Besides, I have never been soft-hearted towards the enemy."

Jiraiya put his hand on Minato's shoulder and enlightened him: "You are not wrong, and he is not wrong either, but this is war. There will always be sacrifices in war, and there is no way to have both."

"Yasu is very similar to Orochimaru. Both of them are very rational and will make plans based on the most favorable situation. They won't be sentimental. As long as the benefits outweigh the losses, they won't value the losses."

"And you and I are very similar. We are unwilling to abandon our companions until the last moment, and we hope that our companions can live well."

"But... this is the battlefield. After being here for so long, Minato, you should get used to it. No war is without sacrifices. We can only temporarily hide our emotions and act rationally. We are all doing it for Konoha, but you don't need to doubt yourself. You are more excellent than him, and the excellence I am talking about is not the excellence in strength."

Minato looked up at his teacher, not understanding what he meant by saying he was more excellent than Yasu.

Jiraiya said with a smile: "Minato, you have inherited the Will of Fire. The Will of Fire is a selfless spirit. You care about Konoha and regard everyone in Konoha as your comrades. You want to protect the villagers and think that everyone in the village is family."

"But Yasu, as I said is like Orochimaru, has an indifferent personality and somewhat extreme behavior. Moreover, they both act alone and can't get along with anyone. People like him can be used as the 'General' in shogi, while people like you are more suitable to become the 'King' who leads the 'General' in shogi. In other words, you have the qualifications to become Hokage." 

Minato was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect his teacher to say that he had the qualifications to become Hokage.

And he said somewhat embarrassedly: "Teacher Jiraiya, I am still far from it."

Jiraiya laughed heartily a few times: "Of course you are still far from it now, so you have to work harder to become a 'King' who can lead the 'General'."

Jiraiya suddenly brought his head close to Minato and whispered: "Don't you want to pursue speed? I have applied to the old man for a ninjutsu that will allow you to learn one of the strongest ninjutsu in the world."

"It is a space-time ninjutsu created by the Second Hokage, called the Flying Thunder God Technique. As long as you learn it, you will be the fastest man in the ninja world!"

Minato was extremely moved: "Teacher Jiraiya..."

Jiraiya patted Minato's shoulder hard and said with a smile: "I am your teacher. Okay, go and have a good rest. There is still a tough battle to fight tomorrow night. If we want to reduce sacrifices, then we have to work harder to help our comrades reduce the pressure."

...

The next day.

All Konoha's ninjas currently in the Land of Hot Water gathered together.

There were only less than a hundred ninjas in total.

Originally, more than 150 Konoha ninjas were sent to the Land of Hot Water, but some were sacrificed in the battle with the Cloud Ninjas.

Orochimaru's snake eyes swept across the crowd in front of him.

Ordinary people facing him would feel nervous and scared because of his gloomy aura, but the people in front of him did not.

These ninjas were all excited and looked at Orochimaru excitedly.

These days, they had been losing repeatedly, and they felt very frustrated.

Now that Orochimaru had arrived, and now that there were two of the Sannin stationed here, and they were preparing to counterattack the Cloud Ninjas, they could finally vent their frustration.

How could they not be excited?

Orochimaru said: "Now, line up according to your respective specialties in ninjutsu."

A group of ninjas began to separate and stand in line.

The ninjas who used Fire Release ninjutsu were the most numerous.

The ninjas who used Earth Release and Water Release ninjutsu were the next most numerous, with roughly the same number of people.

Then there were the ninjas who were good at Lightning Release ninjutsu.

Finally, the ninjas who used Wind Release ninjutsu were the least numerous.

There were 5 genjutsu ninjas and only 3 sensory ninjas.

Orochimaru then announced: "I think you should all know that we will be attacking Hidden Cloud Ninjas tonight. This operation will directly determine whether all our subsequent actions in the Land of Hot Water will be smooth."

"All of you are very important in this operation. I will assign tasks to you next. After the operation begins, strictly execute the tasks I have assigned to you."

"First of all, before the surprise attack begins, the sensory ninjas will sense the current situation in Hidden Hot Spring Village. Then Jiraiya and I will take the lead in entering Hidden Hot Spring Village and cause destruction in the most crowded place."

"After the Cloud Ninjas' attention is attracted, the ninjas who are good at using Earth Release ninjutsu will immediately take action and use Earth Release ninjutsu to divide the battlefield, so that a large number of Cloud Ninjas and Hot Water Ninjas do not gather together."

"After the battlefield is divided, the Earth Release ninjas and Water Release ninjas will cooperate to create mudslides to hinder the opponent's actions. Then there are the Fire Release ninjas. Divide into a small team and cooperate with the Wind Release ninjas to create flame winds throughout Hidden Hot Spring Village."

"And the remaining Fire Release ninjas will advance from the front, using Fire Release ninjutsu to bombard from a distance to attract firepower, and the Lightning Release ninjas will support, and immediately provide support if any side shows a decline, while the genjutsu ninjas will follow the Lightning Release ninjas to provide support."

"The purpose of this operation is not to occupy Hidden Hot Spring Village, but to remove the Cloud Ninjas' stronghold in there. As long as we drive them out of the Village, our goal will be achieved."

"Each of you will choose a squad leader. Each squad leader will receive a toad from Jiraiya. During the operation, Jiraiya's toad will inform the squad leader of the latest tasks, and the squad leader will tell the ninjas in the team about the task situation. Now start preparing. I will give you an hour to prepare."

The ninjas began to discuss who should be the squad leader.

Orochimaru walked to Yasu and said: "Yasu, you are very mobile, and I am very confident in your strength. You will act alone and find their commander to assassinate!"

Yasu solemnly agreed: "Yes, Teacher Orochimaru!"

At this time, Jiraiya said: "Minato's mobility and strength are also very strong. Add him to the task of assassinating the Cloud Ninja commander."

Orochimaru glanced at Minato and said to Jiraiya: "This is your disciple, you can arrange it yourself."

Jiraiya asked: "Minato, are you confident in completing this task?"

Minato looked at Yasu and said decisively, "I am confident!"

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