The atmosphere in the office fell silent.
Minato was thinking, and the two Uchiha were thinking even harder.
Arashi’s arguments had shattered many conventional beliefs, exposing blind spots that people who preferred to see the best in others rarely considered.
Arashi was in no hurry.
Minato was a firm believer in the Will of Fire, so Arashi had deliberately left many things unsaid.
For example, Hiruzen had likely presented the proposal with malicious intentions.
There was also the question of how much of the enormous leasing fee would actually reach Sunagakure and how much would disappear into private pockets.
With Minato’s current personality, even if Arashi placed undeniable evidence before him, he would probably respond, “Hiruzen-sama only meant well.”
Still, Minato genuinely wanted what was best for Konoha and hoped to change the village.
Arashi’s proposal was clearly superior to leasing the One-Tails.
Minato merely needed time to understand that.
After a long silence, Minato finally spoke.
“Arashi, have you been winning over the Uchiha because you were preparing to establish a standing army?”
Arashi fell silent.
To be honest, he had won over the Uchiha entirely to build a private army.
However, since Minato had begun imagining deeper intentions, Arashi naturally followed his line of thought.
“That’s right.
The redundant personnel removed from the Military Police Force could enter the standing army’s training program.”
“If the Uchiha take the lead, the other clans will have far less reason to complain.”
“So that’s what you intended…”
Shisui’s eyes also lit up.
“That truly would solve both problems.
You kept saying there was no need to hurry because you were waiting for the standing-army proposal to pass, Advisor Kaeda?”
Itachi said nothing, but his writing speed visibly increased.
He was clearly taking notes.
“That would be the ideal outcome, but gaining approval will still be extremely difficult.”
Arashi shrugged.
“Scientific ninja tools will face especially fierce resistance.
Countless shinobi clans will claim their interests are being threatened until we abandon the entire plan.”
Scientific ninja tools were equivalent to transforming ancient battles with swords into modern battlefields filled with firearms.
Everyone knew how satisfying it was to mow down swordsmen with a gun.
Then why were scientific ninja tools still so difficult to promote during the era of Boruto?
Why was Boruto, the protagonist himself, disqualified from the Chunin Exams for using one?
The answer was simple.
Scientific ninja tools threatened the foundations of every great shinobi clan.
Their secret techniques had been treated as precious family inheritances for generations.
If anyone could reproduce those techniques with a tool, what purpose would the clans serve?
The Aburame, Yamanaka, and Akimichi clans all relied on secret techniques to maintain their status.
If Arashi made those techniques available to everyone, how could they possibly tolerate it?
“We will not abandon it.”
Minato suddenly rose to his full height.
“Arashi is right.
I cannot make a mistaken decision merely because I’m worried about Kushina.”
“This plan will be implemented.
That is my firm decision as the Fourth Hokage!”
Arashi smiled and inclined his head once again.
“Yes, Hokage-sama.”
It was only a small step, but he had finally pushed Minato beyond blindly accepting the Will of Fire and encouraged him to think for himself.
Of course, no one should misunderstand Arashi’s motives and assume he genuinely wanted Konoha to prosper.
He opposed leasing Shukaku for one reason alone: he could gain nothing from it.
If Konoha established a standing army, however, Arashi would have countless opportunities to interfere and profit.
Nothing more.
After leaving the Hokage’s office, Arashi looked toward the sky and released a long breath.
“Shisui, take my invitation to the Nara compound.”
“Tell Nara Shikaku-san that I would like to share a few drinks with him tomorrow evening.”
Now that Minato had decided to establish a standing army, his chief advisor needed to prepare the ground.
Nara Shikaku was undoubtedly essential.
The Ino-Shika-Cho clans had always advanced and retreated together, while the highly intelligent Shikaku served as their brain.
He was also the jonin commander and possessed a thorough understanding of Konoha’s middle-ranking structure.
As Konoha’s leading strategist, Shikaku could attend certain high-level meetings.
He was an important bridge between the village’s leadership and ordinary shinobi.
If Arashi obtained his support, Minato’s plan would proceed far more smoothly.
Naturally, Konoha’s greatest strategist would not be nearly as easy to control as Fugaku.
“Yes, Advisor-sama!”
Shisui recognized that Arashi was finally preparing to act and immediately departed.
Itachi stared expectantly at Arashi, hoping to receive an assignment of his own.
He was eager to contribute if it would improve the village, even if that meant persuading his father to reduce the Uchiha Military Police Force.
“Ugh!”
Instead, Arashi suddenly staggered and nearly collapsed.
Because important matters required his personal attention today, he had remained in the office while sending a shadow clone to train with Duy.
The resulting exhaustion was easy to imagine.
When training with his real body, Arashi could rest whenever he became tired and replenish his water immediately.
When a clone vanished, however, an entire day’s exhaustion struck him at once.
It was far more difficult to endure.
Despite needing a six-year-old child to support him, Arashi gritted his teeth and remained mentally alert.
“Take me to Obito’s house.”
Tomorrow, he would meet Orochimaru, and Obito—the meat bun being thrown to the dog—would enter the laboratory.
Whether out of obligation or merely to strengthen Obito’s trust, Arashi needed to speak with him tonight.
“Yes.”
…
With Itachi leading the way, Arashi soon reached Obito’s home.
However, his grandmother informed them that Obito was not there.
Arashi recalled the original story and soon found him near the swing outside the Ninja Academy, the same one Naruto would often sit on years later.
Obito was not alone.
Nohara Rin sat beside him, along with his best friend, Hatake Kakashi.
The relationship between the three was rather complicated.
Obito secretly loved Rin—or rather, his feelings were so obvious that they could hardly be called secret.
Rin, meanwhile, secretly loved Kakashi.
As for Kakashi…
He acted like a cold and distant prince around Rin, yet somehow became a complete tsundere whenever he faced Obito.
‘Man, what can I say?’
[Knocked unconscious by the power of Konoha’s friendship.jpg]
“Advisor Kaeda.”
Despite his cold and solitary personality, Kakashi deeply respected the man who had saved his life.
“Mm.
You’ve returned from your mission.”
Arashi greeted him with a smile before sitting beside Obito.
“You’ll undergo Orochimaru’s experiment tomorrow.
You’re nervous, aren’t you?”
“W-Who’s nervous?!”
Naturally, Obito refused to show weakness in front of his teammates, especially Rin.
“I’m not afraid at all!
Uchiha Obito is going to become Hokage someday.”
“A little obstacle like this could never…
could never…”
His voice gradually faded.
Without Madara’s influence and corruption, Obito was still only a twelve-year-old child, no matter how cheerful and strong he pretended to be.
How could he not fear an experiment conducted by Orochimaru?
The very idea was enough to drain a person’s sanity.
Besides, Fugaku had already warned him that the chance of success was no higher than thirty percent.
“Then admit you’re afraid.
There’s nothing embarrassing about it.”
Arashi smiled and patted his shoulder.
“Before Minato rescued me, a single bandit frightened me so badly that I couldn’t even move.”
“Everyone grows, and suffering is unavoidable along the way.”
“Fear is perfectly normal.
Showing your companions a little weakness isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”
“I…
I…”
Obito mumbled for several moments before lowering his head in defeat.
“All right.
I’m actually terrified.”
“At Kannabi Bridge, I thought I was going to die.
I was filled with regret because Kakashi and I had only just become friends, and I still hadn’t told…”
He secretly glanced at Rin before immediately lowering his head again.
“This time is the same.
When I think about how likely I am to die, I become terrified.”
“I’m afraid I’ll never see Grandma again.”
“I’m afraid I’ll never fight beside Kakashi again, never protect Rin properly, and never achieve my dream of becoming Hokage.”
“Obito…”
Kakashi and Rin looked heartbroken.
Almost unconsciously, they each reached out and took one of his hands.
“Then would you like to stop?”
Arashi’s expression became serious.
“I’ll explain everything to Orochimaru-sama and cancel the experiment.”
“Of course not!”
Obito raised his head excitedly.
“I might die during the experiment, but I would rather die than spend the rest of my life as a cripple!”
“I’ll definitely stand again and become a shinobi!”
“I’ll protect Kakashi and Rin, and I’ll absolutely become Hokage!”
His Sharingan activated as his emotions surged.
Under the moonlight, the scarlet eyes appeared even more beautiful and ominous.
“Well said!”
Arashi patted him firmly on the shoulder.
“For showing such courage, I’ll treat your entire team to a feast tonight.”
“Tomorrow, I’ll also try to bring Shizune-san to assist.”
“And I’ll allow Kakashi and Rin to remain beside you throughout the procedure.”
“Really?!”
All three immediately brightened.
Shizune was Tsunade’s apprentice and companion.
After Tsunade’s previous visit, Arashi had pleaded with her repeatedly until she agreed to leave Shizune in Konoha.
She was currently the village’s most capable medical ninja.
Having her present would at least provide some reassurance.
Allowing Kakashi and Rin to accompany Obito also meant that, should the worst happen, his closest friends could remain with him until the end.
“Ohhh!
I’m going to eat until I burst!”
“Idiot!
Don’t run so fast!”
Obito leaped up and ran ahead, using his appetite to conceal his fear.
Kakashi immediately chased after him, worried about his injured body.
Only the thoughtful Rin remained behind.
She turned and bowed deeply to Arashi.
“Advisor Kaeda, thank you so much!”
Arashi had something he needed to tell her as well.
“Rin, do you want Obito to return safely?”
“Yes!”
Rin answered without hesitation.
“I’m willing to do anything within my power to help him!”
Arashi leaned down and whispered beside her ear.
“Then I have an idea that may prove useful at the most critical moment…”
…