Chen Baojun's face was very calm; even when he saw Senju Tobirama, he just calmly greeted him.
Within Konoha's system, he belonged to the category of a recluse.
Although he was the same age as Maruboshi Kosuke, he hadn't joined any faction and simply remained quietly in the background as an invisible person.
And, regarding this.
Uchiha Jin narrowed his eyes slightly.
Looking at this senior whose name resembled those from the Flower Nation, especially after learning about his true past, he had to admit in his heart that this guy's behavior pattern was really damn similar to a purebred Flower Nation person.
Yes!
Right after the meeting ended, he had the Anbu retrieve Chen Baojun's detailed file.
The other party had participated in the First and Second Great Ninja Wars and then completely vanished from Konoha.
Core reason: he wasn't short on money!
His mind had transcended the boundaries of a Ninja. Although he was very short on money when he first became a Ninja, whether it was training in Taijutsu or purchasing Ninjutsu, it consumed almost all the money he earned from mission commissions.
Later, Chen Baojun made a decision: apart from a few necessary Ninjutsu, he stopped buying any other Ninjutsu and instead began creating Ninjutsu tailored to his own characteristics.
Although creating Ninjutsu was extremely difficult, his natural genius allowed him to succeed.
Relying solely on his talent, he managed to create the Konoha Dragon God, which saved him a large sum of money originally intended for purchasing Ninjutsu.
After the Third Great Ninja War ended, he took advantage of the plummeting housing prices in Konoha due to the war's conclusion and the deaths of many Ninjas. Using his savings, he directly bought two commercial properties. Since retiring, he has lived a leisurely life collecting rent.
It was precisely after understanding Chen Baojun's information that Uchiha Jin became increasingly convinced that this guy's bones were infused with the Flower Nation's mindset.
Although Konoha doesn't restrict any Ninja from voluntarily retiring, in reality, not many are willing to retire. The main reason is that all Ninjas are trapped by a set of rules, making it impossible for the vast majority to break this curse.
Only a few from Ninja Clan have the privilege to retire and enjoy life, while the vast majority of ordinary Ninjas simply cannot.
Because under Konoha's established rules, Ninjas simply cannot save money!
Ninja tool consumption, purchasing Ninjutsu, daily training... money is needed everywhere!
Even due to daily training, a Ninja's appetite is several times that of an ordinary person!
Saving money?
That's a pipe dream!
Yet Chen Baojun, a Ninja from an ordinary background, actually managed to do it. Apart from special conscription missions like today's, he can live like an ordinary person in daily life.
As for why he, Uchiha Jin, hadn't thought of using this method to avoid the terrifying Third Great Ninja War before?
Hah!
Because he was an Uchiha!
Forget whether Hiruzen Sarutobi would let him go; the Uchiha clan itself wouldn't let this waste of space off the hook!
The glory of the Uchiha absolutely wouldn't allow it.
At that time, he had just graduated from the Ninja Academy and truly didn't have the ability to resist the clan's demands.
Thinking of this, Uchiha Jin couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Afterward.
He looked at Maruboshi Kosuke and couldn't help but ask, "Senior Maruboshi Kosuke, I'm actually a bit curious."
"During our conflict with Hiruzen Sarutobi before, why didn't you step forward at that time?"
Uchiha Jin was full of curiosity.
He truly couldn't understand. After all, unlike Chen Baojun, Maruboshi Kosuke was truly part of the Hokage faction.
Not to mention he was a disciple of Senju Tobirama; even during Hiruzen Sarutobi's era, his life was quite comfortable.
Perhaps out of respect for Senju Tobirama, Hiruzen Sarutobi held Maruboshi Kosuke in high regard.
It was precisely because of this that Uchiha Jin couldn't understand why he hadn't intervened back then.
And, regarding this.
Upon hearing this, Senju Tobirama was taken aback and instinctively wanted to cover for Maruboshi Kosuke. But before he could speak, he saw Maruboshi Kosuke immediately smile and say, "Hokage-sama, you're mistaken!"
"What I love isn't any particular faction of Konoha, but Konoha itself!"
"I have my own measure of the Uchiha in my heart. Although I didn't help the Uchiha at that time, I also didn't help the Sandaime's side."
"In my view, it was merely factional strife, not something like an external invasion."
"And the facts have proven that you've done an excellent job!"
"The current Konoha is politically stable and harmonious, full of vitality. I personally really like the New Konoha now."
His tone was calm, and a smile still hung on his face.
Regarding Uchiha Jin's inquiry, he didn't try to cover up anything and directly spoke his mind.
Yes!
He had nothing to hide. If he had any desire, it was simply hoping for Konoha to improve.
What the Uchiha had experienced back then, he, as an observer, naturally knew very well. Unlike others who just followed the crowd, he had his own measure in his heart.
Actually, after the Nine-Tails Attack Night, he felt very distressed too!
But Hiruzen Sarutobi was the Hokage; what could an Old Man like him do?
Although he didn't want to see internal strife in the Village, he didn't have the ability to stop it, so he could only helplessly choose to stand by.
Similarly... later, when the Uchiha gained the upper hand, he naturally wouldn't help Hiruzen Sarutobi either!
In his view, this was purely internal factional strife within Konoha. As long as it wasn't an external invasion, he would only choose to remain silent.
Senju Tobirama let out a light sigh.
After hearing Maruboshi Kosuke's words, he finally relaxed completely.
In his view, this response was very good, and indeed it was. After hearing these words, Uchiha Jin also couldn't help but let out a helpless sigh.
Factional strife!
This kind of thing can never be stopped. Take the current New Konoha, for example. Although it seems full of vitality everywhere, in reality, internal struggles still abound. It's only because Uchiha Jin himself is too powerful that it's kept within a certain range.
No way around it!
The pie is only so big; if you take a bigger bite, others have to take a smaller one!
Unless there's a massive explosion in material wealth to a certain extent, this issue can never be fundamentally resolved.
After pondering for a moment, he slowly spoke.
"Alright, understood!"
"Senior Maruboshi Kosuke, don't overthink it. I was just curious, so I asked casually."
"Your team can set off now!"
Uchiha Jin then spoke.
With his words, everyone present bowed respectfully and then left the Hokage Office directly... Half an hour later, at the main gate of Konoha.
After Senju Tobirama and his group submitted their Village departure documents, they began explaining this mission to the three people present.
After hearing it.
Maruboshi Kosuke and Chen Baojun naturally also looked astonished.
However.
After the initial surprise, their expressions became calm, and their eyes grew extremely determined.
They—were Ninjas!
Right and wrong weren't important; justice and evil didn't matter.
The sole purpose of a Ninja was to complete the mission, no matter the cost!