After Jiraiya's interruption, Namikaze Minato also smiled.
Then, Sarutobi Hiruzen put down his pipe and asked Namikaze Minato, "Minato, if you encounter this kind of situation, how would you handle it?"
Upon hearing this, Minato was taken aback. After thinking for a while, he said, "I... Third Hokage, I'm not too sure either."
"But I probably won't agree to the Hidden Cloud Ninja's requests; they've demonstrated untrustworthy behavior twice, making it really hard for me to trust them this time. If we return the Two-tails, will they retaliate against Konoha?"
"Moreover, what they offered in exchange for the Two-tails isn't comparable at all. We're unfamiliar with the Six Paths Ninja Tools—what if Hidden Cloud gives us a faulty one..."
It's common sense in the Ninja World to be exceptionally cautious with even the enemy's ninja tools, not to mention those of the legendary Six Paths Sage. If they used ninja tools given by the Hidden Cloud and suffered significant casualties, they would become a laughingstock in the Ninja World.
"Hmm, you're right, Minato. You already have the perspective to consider issues from the viewpoint of a Hokage."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and praised him, then glanced at Jiraiya: "Jiraiya, if it were you, you'd probably say 'I don't know,' right?"
Jiraiya immediately crossed his arms and said angrily, "Old man, don't disdain me just because you've discovered Minato. Keep in mind that Minato is my student!"
"Lucky Minato didn't pick up your bad habit of peeping..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said disparagingly. Then he looked at Namikaze Minato and continued to ask, "Minato, what do you think about the Two-tails?"
"The Two-tails, Yugito, right? Since joining Konoha, she's a ninja of Konoha. If I become Hokage, I'll protect her in my capacity as Hokage."
"But you know nothing about her or whether she can control the Tailed Beast. There could be unrest in the village, and right now all we know is her movements outside the Uchiha Clan Land..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly exhaled a puff of smoke and continued: "Minato, you've seen what happens when a Jinchuriki loses control. Back then, Kushina almost killed you even though you helped seal her. If a free Jinchuriki were to unleash the power of a Tailed Beast within the village..."
These words rendered Minato silent. He had been pierced through the chest by an out-of-control Kushina and had a deep impression of the consequences of a Jinchuriki losing control.
"...If it were me, I would personally find Yugito, tell her my true intentions, and then persuade her to agree with Konoha's method of managing Jinchuriki."
After some thought, Namikaze Minato said, "Everyone in Konoha Village is my comrade. I will strive to understand my comrades and have them understand me. That's what I think."
"That's correct, Minato."
Jiraiya praised him with satisfaction. In his novels, he hopes everyone can understand each other so that war will be eliminated.
His student inherited his will and is even more outstanding.
Sarutobi Hiruzen also nodded. Although it wasn't the answer he wanted, it was acceptable. Minato's initiative and will were very high, and he had support...
Then, Sarutobi Hiruzen needed to convene two advisors to discuss matters, so he let Jiraiya and Namikaze Minato leave.
After leaving the Hokage Building, Namikaze Minato quietly asked Jiraiya: "Jiraiya-sensei, is the Uchiha... really so domineering in the village?"
"It used to be fine. I remember that before Fugaku's defection, he had a pretty good relationship with the old man. But after they got a new clan leader, the Uchiha's attitude has become forceful."
Jiraiya stroked his chin and said. He had dealings with Uchiha Yoichi and had heard rumors around the village.
"I've heard that the Uchiha Race has two factions—those hoping to achieve their goals through somewhat peaceful means and the more hardline ones. Uchiha Yoichi, the new clan leader, belongs to the latter faction. Even among the village's high-ranking members like Danzo, he has a hardline, martial arts faction style."
"But the martial arts faction style isn't very popular in the village. After all, most ninjas yearn for peace..."
Hearing Jiraiya's words, Namikaze Minato nodded with some understanding. He also wondered how his performance was in front of the Third Hokage earlier. It seemed like he had a long way to go if he wanted to become Hokage.
On another side.
Hatake Sakumo originally wanted to take Uchiha Yoichi to a dango shop, but midway, they had a disagreement, and Hatake Sakumo was eventually dragged to the food district by a single sentence.
"Senior Sakumo, it's nearly noon, and you haven't eaten yet. Why don't you take a look at the new hot pot restaurant my clan has opened and give me some pointers?"
Just like that, Hatake Sakumo found himself standing in front of the Uchiha hot pot restaurant. He could already smell the intense spiciness inside before even entering.
'How can there be such an inappropriate place in Konoha Village?'
Hatake Sakumo was about to find an excuse to go home but was forcefully dragged in by Uchiha Yoichi.
He then ordered a super spicy dish, but seeing Hatake Sakumo's complexion change, he changed it to a double-flavor hot pot, which finally eased Sakumo's expression.
After the hot pot was served, Uchiha Yoichi ordered ten portions of Magic Goat meat, of which only two hundred portions were supplied daily, usually sold out shortly after noon. Fortunately, they arrived early enough.
"Senior Sakumo, do you think the Hidden Cloud Ninja will start a war again?"
"Originally, I wasn't sure, but after what just happened...it's highly likely they'll start a war again."
Hatake Sakumo said with a smile, not because of Uchiha Yoichi's comment, but knowing that if the Hidden Cloud Ninja weren't planning to start a war, even cutting off Dodai's two legs wouldn't start one.
But with the Hidden Cloud Ninja so eager to reclaim the Two-tails, even willing to bow down and admit defeat, they're likely harboring intentions to continue the war once they retrieve the Two-tails.