Chapter 264: Two Birds with One Stone
August, Konoha Year 44.
The aftermath of the Third Great Ninja War had finally completely dissipated, and Konoha had returned to its former peaceful atmosphere.
Civilians coming to issue missions were endless. The backlog of missions from the wartime period made the ninjas who had just returned from the battlefield busy once again.
In Masahiko's small shop, a long-absent guest arrived: Sakumo Hatake.
Regarding Sakumo's "new arm," Masahiko tapped and examined it for a long time, feeling slightly disappointed.
It was an arm made entirely of steel and chakra-conductive metal. It lacked the high-end technology of connecting to nerves that Masahiko had imagined; it could only be controlled through chakra.
"Elder Masahiko, this is fine. As long as it doesn't affect my daily life, it's enough."
Masahiko shook his head. "I'll figure out a way to get you a better arm later. With this kind of thing attached, your strength still can't be restored to its original state."
Losing his right hand almost halved Sakumo's strength. It wasn't as simple as losing a right hand, practicing left-handed swordplay, and becoming the "Hatake version of a one-armed swordsman" to elevate his strength to the next level.
The Hatake clan's swordplay used both hands. Most swordplay in the Naruto world was the same.
He originally thought Yuna could bring some surprises, but he forgot that Yuna had always been interested in steel machinery and had done no research on the human body.
"This is enough, Elder Masahiko," Sakumo repeated.
Masahiko smiled and shook his head. "How did it turn into you comforting me? Where is Kakashi? Didn't he come back with you?"
"He came back, but he was stopped by your young apprentice. The two of them went to the training ground to spar."
"That guy Obito is looking for a beating again. Couldn't he just endure it for a bit? He just awakened his Sharingan, which is a period of rapid strength advancement."
Masahiko felt helpless inwardly. Although Obito awakened the two-tomoe, apart from his "eyesight," he hadn't made any significant progress in other areas. Rushing to challenge Kakashi so urgently, barring any accidents, he was going to get thrashed again.
However, this actually suited Masahiko's intentions; Obito needed "stimulation."
After a moment of silence, Masahiko spoke again.
"Let's go. To celebrate your arm recovering... even if it's just this kind of recovery, I'll treat you to a meal of ramen."
Sakumo didn't know whether to laugh or cry. For such a big event, just a meal of ramen?
Masahiko noticed his expression and shook his head. "You have no idea how popular Ichiraku Ramen is right now. These ninjas coming off the battlefield haven't eaten it for months; they act like they've suffered a massive loss."
"It's still early now. If we wait until mealtime, we probably won't even be able to squeeze in."
Sakumo was stunned for a moment. Seeing Masahiko leaving, he hurriedly followed.
Sure enough, even though it was nearly an hour before mealtime, the seats inside Ichiraku Ramen were almost full, occupied by both civilians and ninjas.
Seeing the two enter, the noisy environment quieted down for a moment, followed by endless shouts of "Lord White Fang."
Masahiko's face stiffened slightly. He remembered he was still using his Hagoromo identity. Eating with Sakumo would probably arouse suspicion.
But he quickly became calm and composed again.
"What's wrong with the White Fang? Even the White Fang needs to take medicine when his health is bad!"
Afterward, Masahiko generously ordered two of the most expensive bowls of ramen, adding extra meat and noodles. His appearance of not lacking money left Sakumo speechless.
"You are... truly doing as you please."
Masahiko ignored him.
The noodles were served very slowly, but the two didn't mind. However, the atmosphere in the shop was a bit off.
After they entered, given Sakumo's status, it was reasonable for the noisy environment to quiet down for a moment. But remaining quiet for over ten minutes was a bit weird.
Sakumo wasn't usually an overly strict person. How could he make the diners afraid to speak loudly?
The two exchanged a glance. Watching the people in the shop whispering among themselves, they couldn't make heads or tails of it for a moment.
"Can't even have a peaceful meal." Masahiko sighed. He outputted Wind attribute chakra, and the conversation of two Chunin not far away reached his ears.
"I didn't expect Lord Orochimaru to be this kind of person..." One of them had a face full of disappointment.
"What's wrong? I think Lord Orochimaru's way of handling it was correct."
"Why are you... keep your voice down." It was another ninja who noticed the attention of the two.
Masahiko heard this without beginning or end. "What happened to Orochimaru? Were his human experiments discovered?"
He wanted to eavesdrop a bit more, only to find that even the whispering in the shop had ceased.
He helplessly shook his head. "Sakumo, go ask those two ninjas what happened to Orochimaru."
Sakumo was startled and did as instructed.
Masahiko didn't eavesdrop either. He looked left and right, then picked all the meat from Sakumo's noodle bowl and put it into his own...
A few minutes later, Sakumo walked back with a very ugly expression.
"Elder Masahiko, something happened."
Masahiko, eating his noodles, casually asked, "What is it?"
"Three years ago, the details of a highly classified S-rank mission executed by Orochimaru were exposed. To complete the mission, Orochimaru... left his captured comrades to die without trying to save them!"
Masahiko was stunned. This story sounded a bit familiar. Especially looking at Sakumo across from him, it felt even more familiar. It was a complete "cheap copy" of a certain event in the original story.
"Saving a comrade would cause the mission to fail, bringing huge losses to Konoha. Even the comrade you saved would blame you. Would you still save them?" Masahiko shook his head and spoke.
Sakumo paused.
"Say no more, I understand." Masahiko waved his hand and finished the last bite of his noodles. "Eat your noodles, they are getting cold. Don't get involved in this matter for now; just watch the situation calmly."
Sakumo hesitated, then sat down. Just as he picked up his chopsticks, he froze.
Watching Masahiko pay the bill and hurriedly leave the ramen shop, Sakumo was rendered speechless and choked up.
"Did he really just treat me to noodles?"
Inside the Taobao Shop.
Masahiko sighed inwardly. "The details of an S-rank classified mission spread so widely, and from three years ago too. It would be a ghost's doing if no one was adding fuel to the fire behind the scenes... Is it Danzo, or are both Danzo and Hiruzen involved?"
"But what use is this? The target this time is not Sakumo, but Orochimaru. Moreover, Orochimaru chose to complete the mission. This might make some people think he's cold and heartless, but shouldn't the majority of ninjas actually support him even more?"
"Do they actually expect Orochimaru to be unable to bear the accusations of that small group of people and... commit suicide?"
The more Masahiko thought about it, the weirder it felt. If such a thing really happened, he must be under a genjutsu.
Sure enough, over the next few days, this matter gradually fermented in Konoha, going from being known by a small number of people to being known by everyone.
In the streets and alleys, both civilians and ninjas were discussing this matter, gradually forming two factions. One side believed the mission was more important, while the other side believed comrades were more important.
However, Orochimaru, the focus of the incident, showed no reaction at all.
Until one day, a new topic of discussion appeared in the streets: Nawaki Senju, the new Head of the Senju Clan, publicly condemned Orochimaru's actions, stating that comrades should be saved.
This was the first ninja with sufficient status and position to clearly state their stance.
"Although Nawaki is a simpleton, it's normal for him to say this in private. But he shouldn't have publicly refuted Orochimaru..." Masahiko sighed inwardly.
"Two birds with one stone... is it?"
☆☆☆
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