Chapter 46: What is the Strongest Ninjutsu?!
The Art of Compromise
No matter how serious the conflict, it would always be resolved in the most "reasonable" way possible.
Or, to phrase it more accurately—in a way that everyone involved could grudgingly accept.
Politics is fundamentally the art of compromise, and this principle was perfectly embodied by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He'd cleverly used Tsunade as a weapon to suppress Danzō's growing arrogance and reclaim a significant portion of Root's autonomous authority. Simultaneously, he'd successfully diminished Tsunade's immense prestige and influence within Konoha's medical establishment.
Through these calculated maneuvers, power throughout all of Konohagakure had finally been centralized and consolidated once again—all flowing toward a single source.
Inside the Hokage's office building, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep, contemplative drag from his pipe, exhaling thick smoke that curled lazily through the air. Through the transparent window glass, he gazed out at Konoha Village spread below, his weathered expression uncertain and conflicted.
Just moments ago, he'd received a letter from Tsunade.
The message was brief and direct—she planned to leave the village for an extended period, with no clear date set for her return.
Between the carefully chosen words, one could sense profound disappointment radiating from every line.
"Has she already departed?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked the ANBU operative stationed beside him, his mood noticeably downcast.
"Yes, Hokage-sama," the masked shinobi replied truthfully. "Early this morning, Lady Tsunade and her disciple Shizune left Konoha through the main gate."
"I see."
Hiruzen Sarutobi gazed toward the distant village gates, feeling a sharp pang of regret pierce his chest. Perhaps he shouldn't have been quite so harsh and direct with her.
But he quickly suppressed that treacherous thought with iron discipline.
No. My actions were absolutely correct. Tsunade was simply too naive and idealistic!
As the Hokage—the supreme leader and protector of the entire village—everything he did served the village's continued survival and prosperity. Even if that meant necessarily sacrificing certain people or ideals along the way!
"Summon Uchiha Kazuki to my office immediately."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat down heavily behind his desk and issued the command with quiet authority.
Now that Tsunade's departure was an irreversible fait accompli, he needed to take concrete action to salvage the political situation—even if such gestures had minimal practical effect. At the very least, he had to maintain proper appearances and mollify the remaining dissatisfied parties.
The Hokage's Summons
A short while later, Uchiha Kazuki was escorted into the Hokage Building by ANBU guards.
"Hokage-sama, you summoned me?"
Uchiha Kazuki kept his eyes appropriately lowered, his expression carefully controlled and somewhat stiff.
Although his emotional response was well-concealed, the exceptionally experienced Hiruzen Sarutobi could still detect subtle traces of righteous indignation and confused hurt lurking beneath the boy's controlled facade.
After all, he's still quite young, Hiruzen thought with private satisfaction at having correctly read the situation. He deliberately arranged his features into a kind and grandfatherly expression.
"Child, I understand you must be feeling considerable internal conflict right now—questioning my recent decision regarding Danzō's punishment, correct?"
"No, not at all, Hokage-sama."
Caught seemingly off-guard by the direct accusation, Uchiha Kazuki displayed a flash of panic before quickly denying the charge.
"Heh, it's perfectly alright. I understand your feelings completely."
Hiruzen waved his hand dismissively, indicating the matter was of no consequence. "I was your age once, too, you know. Young people—who among them doesn't possess a passionate temper? I understand you're dissatisfied with my judgment. Danzō made such an egregious mistake, and this relatively light consequence seems insufficient, doesn't it?"
"Hokage-sama, I... I simply don't understand the reasoning. But I'm not dissatisfied with you personally."
Uchiha Kazuki lowered his head further, clenching his fists with apparent indignation and hurt confusion.
"There are certain political realities I cannot fully explain to you at this particular time."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took another measured drag from his pipe, pausing deliberately for effect before continuing. "However, I do acknowledge that Danzō behaved absolutely inexcusably in this matter. That's precisely why I summoned you here today—to discuss two important things with you directly."
He tapped his pipe sharply against the ashtray, emptying the accumulated ashes with practiced ease.
Setting the pipe carefully aside, he met Kazuki's eyes with calculated warmth.
"First—your recent mission was completed beautifully and exceeded all expectations. Therefore, I've decided to grant you the exceptional privilege of choosing one technique from the Scroll of Seals as your personal reward."
The Scroll of Seals
Hearing this unprecedented offer, Uchiha Kazuki's eyes widened with apparent shock, momentarily rendered speechless by the magnitude of such generosity.
"Hokage-sama, isn't this reward far too excessive...?"
The Scroll of Seals represented Konoha's single most valuable treasure—the most important legacy left behind by the legendary Second Hokage Tobirama Senju!
Techniques like the Reaper Death Seal, the Four Symbols Seal, the Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation, the Eight Gates technique, and the Flying Thunder God—all of these incredibly powerful jutsu played absolutely crucial roles throughout shinobi history!
Generally speaking, unless one had rendered truly extraordinary service to the village or belonged directly to the Hokage's personal faction, it was virtually impossible to gain access to the forbidden techniques recorded within the Scroll of Seals.
Not to mention someone of his particular lineage—the historically problematic Uchiha clan.
"Hokage-sama, this is genuinely far too generous."
Although he desperately wanted to accept immediately, Uchiha Kazuki maintained his hesitant performance, feigning appropriate trepidation and unworthiness.
"I understand your concerns, but I have complete faith in you, Uchiha Kazuki."
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand dismissively, apparently anticipating this exact objection. He interrupted before Kazuki could voice further protest.
"While it's true the Uchiha clan and the village leadership have experienced numerous misunderstandings and unfortunate friction over the years, we are all ultimately citizens of Konohagakure. More importantly, I can clearly see that you are fundamentally different from certain other members of your clan. You genuinely possess the Will of Fire burning in your heart!"
"Hokage-sama..."
Uchiha Kazuki allowed an appropriately moved expression to cross his features, just the right amount of grateful emotion showing through.
"Of course, this generous reward also serves as my personal compensation to you for the injustice you've suffered."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression shifted to reveal calculated regret and apology. "Regarding the Danzō matter—let's consider it permanently closed. I've already issued him an extremely stern warning that such behavior will absolutely not be tolerated again. I sincerely hope you can understand and appreciate my difficult position and good intentions in all of this."
Understand? Of course I understand perfectly.
Uchiha Kazuki sneered inwardly with cold amusement. He had absolutely zero intention of letting Danzō escape consequences—what possible use was "understanding" the Hokage's political maneuvering? He needed the other party to properly understand his position instead.
Of course, he still had to maintain appropriate face for the Hokage publicly. He pretended to consider the matter in troubled silence for a long moment before finally nodding with apparent reluctant acceptance.
"I understand your meaning completely, Hokage-sama. The geopolitical situation throughout the shinobi world is becoming increasingly tense and unstable. Danzō's Root organization represents an indispensable defensive force for Konoha's continued security. I will... let this matter rest here."
But as anyone with functional eyes could plainly see, this was pure performative nonsense.
If the Hokage genuinely cared so deeply about preserving Konoha's internal strength, why would he have systematically destroyed Sakumo Hatake—the White Fang—and driven him to suicide?
In the end, it was nothing but calculated political rhetoric—all carefully designed to consolidate personal power and systematically eliminate potential rivals and threats.
The Choice
"Indeed, I knew I was correct about you, Uchiha Kazuki."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with evident satisfaction, then walked around his desk to pat the young man's shoulder with practiced warmth, his expression growing earnest and almost fatherly.
"At such a remarkably young age, you already demonstrate the proper mindset and wisdom of a future Hokage. Mark my words—it won't be long before you rise to prominence. Perhaps someday in the not-too-distant future, even you—a member of the Uchiha clan—could potentially become Hokage yourself!"
Ah yes, the classic leader's empty promises.
Uchiha Kazuki felt virtually no internal reaction whatsoever to this transparent manipulation.
With this pathetic level of skill, I'd suggest going back for some advanced corporate training. Those soul-crushing office environments back in my previous world were far more professionally manipulative than this amateur performance.
After enduring another tedious round of motivational platitudes and hollow encouragement, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally seemed satisfied with his propaganda efforts. He retrieved a prepared scroll from his desk drawer and handed it over.
"This scroll contains detailed descriptions of various techniques from the Scroll of Seals. You may review it carefully at your leisure. Once you've decided which jutsu you wish to learn, I'll have a specialized copy made exclusively for your use."
Naturally, he would never show anyone the actual original Scroll of Seals itself.
Uchiha Kazuki accepted the scroll with appropriate gratitude, though he'd already made his final choice long before this meeting. Still, he maintained his careful performance, pretending to seriously review each available option with great deliberation.
Unsurprisingly, the list conspicuously lacked any information regarding truly dangerous techniques like the Reaper Death Seal or the Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation.
After an appropriately lengthy pause for consideration, he closed the scroll and met the Hokage's expectant gaze directly.
"Hokage-sama, I wish to learn the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags technique."
"The Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared genuinely surprised by this unexpected choice. He'd fully anticipated the ambitious young Uchiha would select obviously powerful techniques like the Flying Thunder God or perhaps the Eight Gates.
This was absolutely the first time anyone had chosen this particular jutsu. He frowned with slight concern.
"You understand this is primarily a technique involving mutual destruction alongside your enemy, correct? When combined with the Shadow Clone Technique, it consumes truly tremendous amounts of chakra. Are you absolutely certain this is your choice?"
"I am completely certain, Hokage-sama."
Kazuki reaffirmed his decision without hesitation.
The Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags might appear to others as merely a specialized suicide technique—useful only when combined with Shadow Clones for devastating close-range self-destruction attacks.
While its destructive power was admittedly considerable, the enormous chakra consumption and extremely limited practical battlefield applications made it far less valuable than more versatile techniques.
But in his eyes, the true value of the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags was incalculably greater than even legendary jutsu like the Reaper Death Seal.
When properly combined with Konan's Paper Person of God Technique in the later timeline, even the Sage of Six Paths himself would probably have to kneel down and beg for mercy!
Rasengan, Tailed Beast Bombs, the Thousand-Armed Buddha—all of them would have to step aside and make way!
This was the technique that would serve as the foundation for his most devastating future plans.
[End of Chapter 46]
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