"Flying Thunder God?"
"Third Hokage, can I really learn this forbidden Ninjutsu?"
Minato Namikaze asked, holding the Ninjutsu scroll, his face filled with pleasant surprise.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, "Minato, you've made many efforts for the Village. You deserve this."
Upon hearing this, the smile on Minato Namikaze's face vanished, and he said with some guilt, "No, it's because I didn't control the Nine-Tailed well, which caused such great losses to the Village."
Now, he somewhat understood why Uzumaki Kushina was so unwilling to become the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki back then.
He truly didn't want to experience again something that could cause countless deaths with just a moment of laxity.
Seeing Minato Namikaze's expression, Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head, "Minato, you don't need to blame yourself. Aside from a special Physique, it's difficult for anyone to resist the Nine-Tailed's power."
"Before you can control the Nine-Tailed's power, go travel outside the Village."
"Jiraiya will go with you."
After hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Minato Namikaze's face became determined, "I will definitely work hard!"
"Alright, go."
"Yes!"
After Minato Namikaze left, Jiraiya appeared in the office with a flash, "Teacher, even without relying on Flying Thunder God, the Reverse Summoning Jutsu can take Minato out of various dangers."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said calmly, "I just make sure to be fully prepared."
"Then I'll take my leave." Jiraiya turned and left, without any reluctance in his eyes.
He couldn't be as mature as his teacher demanded, so leaving was the best option.
————
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Land of Lightning.
Hidden Cloud Village.
Above the mountain peak, thunder roared.
Uzumaki Kushina, dressed in black, faced the direction of the Land of Fire.
"Grandma Mito..."
"Rest in peace."
After speaking, she carefully placed a white flower on the ground.
Footsteps came from behind, and Uzumaki Kushina wiped the tears from her face.
Seeing that it was Uchiha Yuzuru, Uzumaki Kushina smiled bitterly, "Yuzuru, am I too weak?"
She had already said her goodbyes in advance, but now, hearing the news of Grandma Mito's passing, she still couldn't help but cry... Someone like Yuzuru surely doesn't like such a weak personality, right?
"Strength isn't about not shedding a single tear when facing sadness, but about wiping away your tears and smiling as you face the rest of your life," Uchiha Yuzuru said earnestly, "And didn't I tell you before..."
"The meaning of my becoming stronger is to allow those around me to live as they please."
Uzumaki Kushina paused, then said, "I didn't expect you to still remember after all this time."
"Of course." Uchiha Yuzuru pointed to himself, "Keeping my word is my Ninja Way, dattebane!"
"Pfft~"
Uzumaki Kushina rolled her eyes at Uchiha Yuzuru, then reached out and pinched his waist, "Don't imitate how I speak."
"Hahahahaha..."
Seeing Uchiha Yuzuru laughing heartily, Uzumaki Kushina actively embraced him, whispering, "Yuzuru, from now on, you are my only family in this world."
"Not from now on, but now."
"Eh?"
Seeing Uzumaki Kushina's puzzled gaze, Uchiha Yuzuru explained, "Later, you will have little Yuzuru or little Kushina; they will also be your family."
"You!!!"
"I'm not talking to you anymore."
Uzumaki Kushina buried her face in Uchiha Yuzuru's arm and bit him in annoyance.
Uchiha Yuzuru gritted his teeth in pain.
Such sharp teeth; it seems he'll have to be more careful in the future.
————
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Creak, creak~
The snow made a satisfying crunching sound as Uchiha Yuzuru stepped into the Raikage Building.
Inside the Raikage's office, the Third Raikage and Ay were already waiting.
Seeing Uchiha Yuzuru enter, the Third Raikage spoke, "Yuzuru, you're here."
"Ohayo~ Third Raikage!"
Ay snorted unhappily, "You're late."
Uchiha Yuzuru suddenly widened his eyes and looked at Ay, saying, "How did you know Mikoto knitted me a scarf and Kushina knitted me gloves?"
Dude, who asked?
Ay looked at Uchiha Yuzuru with disbelief, unable to imagine that such a shameless person existed in the world.
But before he could retort, the Third Raikage's big palm had already smacked him on the back of his head.
"Look at Yuzuru, then look at you!"
"All day long, you're either running around carrying rocks or fighting with that Killer Bee guy, so unpromising. How are you ever going to get a wife if you keep this up?"
Ay retorted indignantly, "Father, aren't you the same?"
The Third Raikage roared, "If I'm like this, I have a reason, but if you're like this, I'll hit you!"
This scene made Uchiha Yuzuru laugh out loud.
No wonder Ay always had a sour face; anyone would be confused with a father like that.
"Alright, let's talk about serious matters."
Hearing Uchiha Yuzuru's voice, the Third Raikage and Ay finally quieted down.
Ay asked, "Yuzuru, has your plan made any progress?"
Uchiha Yuzuru nodded, "That's right. Uzumaki Mito has died, the new Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki lost control, and Konoha Village was severely damaged."
"Both the villagers and the Ninja are very dissatisfied with the Third Hokage."
"Now is a good time to launch an attack on Konoha."
Upon hearing this, the Third Raikage and Ay exchanged glances, both seeing excitement in each other's eyes.
The Third Raikage said in a deep voice, "Yuzuru, if we fight Konoha, are you confident we can win?"
Although the Uchiha Clan has come to Hidden Cloud Village, Konoha still has many powerful individuals, and their strength should not be underestimated... Uchiha Yuzuru said confidently, "Winning is inevitable. With me, Ay, and Killer Bee, we are enough to deal with Konoha's Ninja."
Hearing that Uchiha Yuzuru didn't mention him, the Third Raikage was a little unhappy, "Yuzuru, I'm here too!"
"Sorry." Uchiha Yuzuru smiled even more brightly, "Having lived in Konoha since childhood, I almost forgot that the Village's Hokage is also a top combatant who can go to the battlefield."
The Third Raikage proudly puffed out his chest and said loudly, "Precisely because I am the Raikage, I should bear such a responsibility even more."
"As for handling Village affairs, all you need is a smart secretary like Mabu Shin."
Seeing the two chatting more and more happily, Ay couldn't help but interrupt, "What's the reason?"
"Although launching an attack directly isn't impossible, finding a reason would probably be better, right?"
Uchiha Yuzuru was prepared for this and said directly, "Let Konoha return all the Uchiha Clan's assets within the Land of Fire to us."
"If they don't return them, we'll have a reason to launch an attack."
"As long as we win, Hidden Cloud Village will instantly become the strongest Ninja Village in the Ninja World, and our mission commissions and daimyo's appropriations will double."
"And..." Uchiha Yuzuru waved his hand, "After it's done, I'll only take half of the Uchiha Clan's assets that Konoha returns."
"No need. You've contributed the most to this matter. We won't take a single penny of the Uchiha Clan's assets," the Third Raikage said magnanimously, "Worst case, after we win, we'll just demand more war reparations from Konoha."
Inside the Raikage's office.
Uchiha Yuzuru, the Third Raikage, and Ay looked at each other, then all burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha..."