"Precisely because he's young and without his own faction, he's easier to control. Let's wait and see, if after defeating Hidden Rock, Minato gets deployed to the Land of Hot Water to deal with Hidden Cloud, it will be almost certain that the Third Hokage is paving the way for Minato, preparing to abandon Orochimaru."
Shikaku spoke calmly, his eyes gleaming with the wisdom of seeing through everything.
Inoichi and Chouza still found it difficult to accept. The three of them were old acquaintances with Minato, and had a very good relationship with him usually. If it was indeed as Shikaku said, the position of Fourth Hokage would very likely fall to Minato, and as fellow ninjas of the same era, it was indeed quite discouraging.
But from another perspective, Minato becoming the Fourth Hokage might be just the puppet put forward by the Third Hokage, with the real power in Konoha still in the hands of the Third Hokage himself.
The situation is truly complicated. Inoichi and Chouza shook their heads, wary to delve further into the thought.
Hopefully, when the time comes, the village won't erupt in turmoil over the position of Fourth Hokage.
"They're coming."
Shikaku looked up, stopping on the path, with Inoichi and Chouza stopping alongside him.
Ahead, two figures appeared, one large and one small.
It was Minato and Kakashi.
"Shikaku, Inoichi, Chouza, long time no see."
Minato called out the names of the three.
"Indeed, in the blink of an eye, you're now the renowned Yellow Flash in the Ninja Realm. You've done well, Minato."
Shikaku looked at Minato's youthful and energetic smile, admiring him from the bottom of his heart.
If a person like this becomes the Fourth Hokage, it might not be a bad thing after all.
Compared to Orochimaru, Minato, to them, is more familiar and closer in age, making cooperation easier.
If they align with him, Minato, without his own faction, would value their abilities greatly, allowing them to immediately enter the core instead of starting from the outer layer.
Kakashi nodded in greeting to the trio, despite them being his seniors, now that he officially ascended to Jonin, he was on equal footing with them, no longer having a superior-subordinate relationship.
"Sorry, can't reminisce with you now, I'll treat you to a meal once we return."
Minato expressed with a hint of apology.
"No need to be formal, these are extraordinary times, we understand. So, what's the S-Class Mission this time?"
Shikaku waved his hand, indicating Minato needn't worry.
Minato nodded, pulling out a scroll from his Ninja Tool Bag, spreading it on the ground so that Shikaku, Inoichi, Chouza, and Kakashi could see. It depicted a map.
"These locations are the most critical supply points for Hidden Rock in the Land of Grass. Next, we have to eliminate all these supply points within a day. Shikaku, you and Kakashi work together, your role is to draw the enemy's attention, I'll handle the destruction of the supply points alone. If you understand, let's start now. Kakashi has backup maps and specific action plans."
Minato's face turned serious.
"Got it. But Minato, are you sure you'll be fine acting alone?"
Shikaku paused and asked.
Minato nodded in response: "Don't worry, I've already conducted an investigation beforehand. According to my findings, Hyuga Ayane has already severed ties with Hidden Rock. As long as she doesn't disrupt, I'm more than capable alone. Too many people would only waste time."
This is the drawback of the Flying Thunder God Jutsu.
Due to the rapid pace of action, many times he could only fight alone, with other Konoha Ninjas unable to synchronize tactics with him.
Furthermore, to eradicate all Hidden Rock supply points in the Land of Grass within a day indicates he can't afford to be distracted by ensuring his comrades' safety; he must end the battle swiftly.
"Well, that's fine then."
Shikaku agreed.
Inoichi and Chouza, led by Shikaku, also naturally agreed with Minato's strategy of splitting forces.
"I'll leave this to you."
Finishing these words, Minato disappeared from the spot.
"Follow me, I'll provide detailed arrangements on the way."
Kakashi also spoke minimally, beginning the operation.
The three adults scratched their heads, feeling slightly strange about taking instructions from a twelve-year-old.
Normally, after Minato's departure, shouldn't the leadership fall to the three of them?
Although the other party is an officially recognized village Jonin, something still felt off.
"Let's go, follow along. Anyway, the key point of the mission lies with Minato, we're merely expendable pawns here."
Shikaku chuckled helplessly, leading Inoichi and Chouza to follow Kakashi's steps forward.
◎
Shikkotsu Forest.
In the bone-white barren woods, Hakushi brought Obito and Lin here for foundational training in Natural Energy.
Although Natural Energy training can be done elsewhere, given the high density of Natural Energy here in Shikkotsu Forest, it's easier to complete the foundational training.
However...
Hakushi looked at Obito sitting on the ground, his face flushed red, momentarily at a loss for words.
Half a month has passed, and Hakushi has conveyed all the keys to Natural Energy training without omission, even personally demonstrated dozens of times, yet the other party has failed to control Natural Energy, and hasn't even perceived its presence.
Never has Hakushi seen such poor talent for sensing Natural Energy.
Meanwhile, Lin, practicing nearby, has already managed to refine Natural Energy relatively well, using it to hone her Taijutsu.