After sensing the Suna-nin, Uzumaki Jun hid.
He planned to wait a few days until the entire shinobi world knew that Sunagakure had dug up the legendary sword, then go back to complete the act. As for now...
He should return to the Land of Whirlpools.
Kakuzu should have reached the Land of Iron by now, and the other villages should have received the auction information...
Then, with Sunagakure's sword added to the mix.
The other countries would definitely start to think that their own countries also had legendary swords in the past.
They were just lost over the years.
Especially Iwagakure and Kumogakure...
As one of the Five Great Nations, the Five Great Shinobi Villages, who would think they are worse than others?
So they would definitely think...
Back then, when Uchiha Shin came to their village, he was there to steal the swords. Then, filled with anger, old grudges and new hatred, they would finally declare war on the Akatsuki, demanding the return of their swords.
Otherwise...
With only the two of them among the Five Great Villages lacking a sword, a fight was bound to happen.
Because who could be sure that Konoha and the others wouldn't eventually succeed in awakening the sword spirits?
So, for the peace of the shinobi villages, either no one should have the legendary swords, or everyone should have them.
It could be said...
If only Konoha possessed the legendary swords, the balance of power wouldn't be broken. The alliance of the four great villages wouldn't fear Konoha, and since Konoha hadn't awakened the sword spirits yet, who was afraid of whom?
But once the balance was broken...
If the villages that obtained the swords numbered two, or more than two...
Who could be sure that these villages who obtained the swords wouldn't ally with each other?
Especially as village leaders, they would absolutely not entrust peace to verbal agreements from other villages.
So...
"Be happy for a few more days." Uzumaki Jun looked towards Sunagakure and murmured, "You know, this is a sword worth tens of billions."
These poor folks from Sunagakure had definitely never seen such a huge sum of money before.
But...
In a few days, he would come back to reclaim it.
...
"Teacher Jiraiya." Namikaze Minato showed his signature smile, looking at Jiraiya, and said, "It really has been a long time."
Back then, he became Jiraiya's student, but never expected...
Apart from signing the contract at Mount Myoboku, Teacher Jiraiya just ran off and didn't teach him anything.
In the end, he could only study the notes Jiraiya left him, researching on his own. It was really...
An irresponsible teacher!
"Haha!" Jiraiya, seeing the complaining look in Minato's eyes, quickly turned his head away and laughed awkwardly, saying, "Yeah!"
"I never thought Minato would already be a jonin now."
"Truly worthy of being my, Jiraiya's, student!"
"..."
Teacher Jiraiya was still the same as always, completely unchanged.
Minato smiled helplessly and said, "Teacher Jiraiya, how long will you stay this time?"
"How long will I stay?" Jiraiya looked at the peaceful Konoha before him, fell silent for a moment, and said, "Minato, what do you think of Konoha?"
"It's very good." Minato was startled, then showed a gentle smile and said, "So quiet and harmonious."
"I believe there probably isn't another village in the shinobi world like Konoha."
"Is that so?" Jiraiya, hearing Minato's words, shook his head, smiled, and said, "Perhaps you are right."
It was better not to mention the Land of Whirlpools.
This was for Minato's own good.
After all...
Minato was, in the end, a shinobi.
However...
"Teacher, what's wrong?" Seeing Jiraiya's expression, Minato asked curiously, "Is there a village more harmonious than Konoha?"
Why did he feel like the teacher was hiding something from him?
"No." Jiraiya came back to his senses and said cheerfully, "Your teacher has wandered the shinobi world for so many years and has never seen a village better than Konoha."
Absolutely not!
The Land of Whirlpools is not a shinobi village, so this Toad Sage isn't wrong.
"Yeah!" Although he felt the teacher was acting a bit strange, since the teacher wasn't saying, Minato didn't press further. He nodded and said with emotion, "Konoha is still the best."
When he was an orphan, it was Konoha's relief that kept him from starving, until now when he became a jonin.
So...
He would absolutely not allow anyone to destroy this.
"Hokage." Minato thought firmly, "I will definitely become Hokage."
And protect all of this with his life.
Jiraiya patted Minato's shoulder欣慰地 (with欣慰地 meaning欣慰地 is a typo, likely meant to be 欣慰地 xīnwèi de, meaning欣慰地 contentedly/欣慰地 approvingly) and said, "Let's go, it's been so long since we master and disciple have eaten a meal together."
"If you have any questions about jutsu this afternoon, Minato, you can come ask me."
"So..."
"You're paying for this meal."
He really had no money left.
Tsunade, who inherited the vast Senju fortune, was not only stingy but also ate the most.
Indeed...
There was a reason she could grow so big.
Only Orochimaru...
Seemed to have changed.
Jiraiya couldn't quite put his finger on it. Although he was still as quiet as before, his smile now seemed even more sinister.
What had Orochimaru been doing these past few years?
Even Tsunade didn't know.
Ah, forget it.
Since he's staying in the village, nothing too serious should happen.
Moreover, with the old man watching over Konoha, even if something happens, it won't be a big deal.
...
Land of Whirlpools.
"Such trash." Uchiha Madara looked at a little brat not far away training in taijutsu and the Uchiha clan's exclusive jutsu, the Great Fireball Technique, sighed, shook his head helplessly, and murmured, "If he doesn't awaken the Sharingan, this kid will only ever be this good."
He could sense this brat's potential. He was a kind-hearted, not-too-bright Uchiha variant.
Originally, today was supposed to include training in the Uchiha throwing technique, but...
He didn't bring his tool pouch.
And...
From the look of this kid, Madara guessed forgetting wasn't a one-time thing.
He originally wanted to get angry, but then thought about it...
Forget it, forget it.
He was already old and didn't have many years left to live, so he shouldn't bother so much.
Madara really couldn't bear to watch. He closed his eyes and lay back in his wheelchair, basking in the warm sun.
However...
"Is Grandpa Madara tired?" Obito, seeing Madara close his eyes, immediately ran over, a foolish smile on his face, and asked, "Should we just call it a day for training?"
"We can continue tomorrow."
"I feel like I've improved a lot already with Grandpa Madara's help."
Last time, he helped Grandpa Madara push his wheelchair across the street, and then...
He never expected this Grandpa Madara to be the legendary teacher at the academy, the one who taught genius seniors like Mokushukuma, Uchiha Iketo, Uzumaki Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko.
Immediately...
Obito was excited and begged Grandpa Madara to teach him.
He wanted to get stronger too!
So, every day at noon when he had time, he would come with Grandpa Madara to train.
"Shut up, don't even think about slacking off." Madara opened his eyes, looked at Obito's foolish smile, and said flatly, "If you can't skillfully use the Great Fireball Technique today, don't even think about going home."
Trying to leave?
Did he think his years as a homeroom teacher were for nothing?
"Okay, Grandpa Madara." Obito, seeing Grandpa Madara's expression, knew he was angry and quickly turned back to the training ground.
He knew if he didn't listen, Grandpa Madara would definitely hit him.
But...
"I'm obviously training very seriously." Obito scratched his head and muttered, "I'm not slacking off at all."
"Hmph!"
A cold snort immediately came from behind.
"Hurry up and train."
"Yes, yes." Obito shivered and quickly said, "I'll train right away."
Better not say anything else, just train hard.
And Madara...
Watching Obito's back, shook his head, the corners of his mouth slightly turning up, and murmured, "Perhaps..."
"Not awakening the Sharingan isn't so bad either."
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