After meeting with Hiruzen Sarutobi, Natsuhiko finally achieved his short-term objective.
Although nine out of ten things he told Hiruzen were lies, there was one thing that was absolutely true.
He wanted to become Hokage.
And he intended to start from the ANBU, gradually stepping from the shadows into the light, until he eventually stood on the stage as one of the most dazzling figures—not only in Konoha, but in the entire shinobi world.
Of course, all of this would take time.
Fortunately, Natsuhiko wasn't short on time. The point in the timeline he had transmigrated into gave him significant room to prepare.
As for the position of division commander, Natsuhiko believed that as long as nothing unexpected happened with Hiruzen Sarutobi, the position would eventually be given to him.
Even though Hiruzen had made no promises at all.
After all, to the true higher-ups, the position of division commander wasn't particularly significant.
Especially since the ANBU Commander was already one of Hiruzen's people.
Using a position that others considered extremely valuable as a favor while subtly telling Natsuhiko: Following me is definitely better than following Minato Namikaze.
Such a move would be completely normal.
Of course, since there had been no explicit promise, Natsuhiko still felt he should take the exam seriously.
Unexpected things could always happen.
And he definitely didn't want such accidents happening to him.
However, what he never expected was that something unexpected really did occur during the exam.
But it wasn't a problem.
During the test, Natsuhiko was stunned to discover that his exam paper actually contained a hidden answer sheet!
This isn't just about guaranteed promotion anymore…
Natsuhiko couldn't help but laugh helplessly at the situation.
If one looked at Hiruzen's action in a positive light, it meant he was ensuring Natsuhiko's success completely.
But if one looked at it negatively, it meant Hiruzen didn't believe Natsuhiko could succeed on his own at all.
Of course, Natsuhiko also couldn't help but wonder maliciously whether Hiruzen was intentionally trying to set up both him and Minato Namikaze.
Thinking about matters with the worst possible assumptions was something Natsuhiko didn't enjoy—but it was something he had to do.
However, regarding this particular situation, he didn't believe Hiruzen would actually sabotage him. After all, Natsuhiko was supposed to be a chess piece planted beside the Fourth Hokage.
...
When the exam ended, Natsuhiko quietly removed the hidden answer sheet from the test paper.
He wouldn't leave any evidence behind.
Even though the entire ANBU essentially belonged to Hiruzen Sarutobi, the most valuable subordinate was one who never caused their superior to worry or clean up their mess.
Natsuhiko understood this principle very well.
He would never casually leave behind any weaknesses.
After the exam, Natsuhiko also realized that it was time to meet Minato Namikaze.
Ever since he had defeated Lone Wolf using the Flying Thunder God Technique, he hadn't seen Minato again.
Firstly, he himself had been extremely busy.
Not only did he have to carry out ANBU missions, but he also had to seriously review materials in preparation for the exam.
Secondly, Minato was also extremely busy.
Natsuhiko had once seen Minato accompanying Kushina to a medical examination.
Judging by the timing, it was likely that in just a few months, Naruto would be born.
With both of them so busy, naturally there hadn't been any opportunity to meet.
But now that the exam was finished, Natsuhiko had more free time.
He could finally find an opportunity to have a proper conversation with Minato.
"And besides… there are some things I need to report to the elders."
Whenever he thought about the matters within his clan, Natsuhiko couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
Most of his plans had always deliberately avoided involving the clan, because he didn't want interference from others.
But now that things had reached this point, he had to go back and explain the situation.
More importantly…
He also hoped to completely take control of the clan.
Although the Senju clan had declined, it still possessed considerable foundations and heritage. If Natsuhiko failed to make use of it, he wouldn't even be able to forgive himself.
"Still, this matter can wait… at least until the official appointment is announced."
With that thought in mind, Natsuhiko took out the sealing scrolls that Minato Namikaze had given him and quickly activated the Flying Thunder God mark left on it.
It was already midnight.
After finishing the exam, Natsuhiko had not been given any time to rest. Moreover, since the official appointment had not yet been announced, he was still just a team captain in the First Division.
As for the results of this exam, no one knew what they would be yet.
Therefore, his division commander simply continued assigning him work as usual.
Natsuhiko had no complaints about this. After all, he had already rested for quite a long time earlier.
As his chakra flowed into the mark, he quickly established a connection with the Flying Thunder God seal.
Minato Namikaze's Flying Thunder God Technique was actually not the original version.
It was a modified version that Minato had improved himself.
Every technique has an original form, and users often modify the original ninjutsu according to their own needs and abilities.
Natsuhiko, however, was something of an exception.
Because of the system, he didn't seem to need to modify anything at all.
More importantly, even if Flying Thunder God seals were modified, the core mechanism remained the same.
Someone like Natsuhiko could use any Flying Thunder God mark.
"Natsuhiko-kun."
Just as he was thinking about this, a voice suddenly called out.
At the same time, a figure appeared in front of him.
"Hokage-sama."
Natsuhiko immediately bowed slightly.
"I apologize for summoning you so late at night."
The person who arrived was naturally Minato Namikaze.
This time, Natsuhiko didn't have to wait long for him to appear.
Minato looked quite happy. Perhaps it was because of his child, or perhaps because he was seeing Natsuhiko.
"There's no need to be so polite, Natsuhiko," Minato said with a smile, shaking his head.
"Actually, I should congratulate you… and also thank you for the sacrifice you made."
The congratulations were for Natsuhiko's victory, especially since he had won using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
As for the thanks, it was because Natsuhiko had not directly taken the divison commander position, but instead chose to participate in the exam.
In Minato's view, Natsuhiko's actions were actually a form of sacrifice.
His decision protected Minato's reputation within the ANBU, but it also placed himself in danger of losing the opportunity to become divison commander.
Hearing this, Natsuhiko sighed quietly in his heart.
His actions had clearly been misunderstood, but he didn't intend to explain too much.
"By the way," Minato asked curiously, "how did your exam go this time?"
"I heard it was quite difficult. Do you feel confident, Natsuhiko-kun?"
"Confident…"
Natsuhiko hesitated for a moment before finally nodding seriously.
"I should be confident. If nothing unexpected happens… I should become the divison commander."
In the end, Natsuhiko still didn't mention his meeting with Hiruzen Sarutobi, even though he had originally prepared to talk about it tonight.
The words reached his lips…
But he held them back.
Originally, when Natsuhiko summoned Minato tonight, he had planned to reveal that he had met with Hiruzen.
Doing so could actually benefit him.
However…
It would also bring several extremely serious problems.
The first issue was that this might push Minato Namikaze, who had already begun to harbor certain doubts about Hiruzen Sarutobi due to seeds planted by Natsuhiko, even further into despair.
Especially considering the remark Hiruzen had made about Minato—it was truly both insulting and deeply hurtful.
If Natsuhiko approached Minato at a time like this, the attitude he displayed would carry extraordinary significance.
To put it bluntly, Minato currently had nothing.
The core group protecting his interests was practically nonexistent, and many of the powers that should have belonged to him were out of his reach.
Frankly speaking, he was a Hokage in name only.
Calling him a puppet wouldn't even be entirely inaccurate.
If Natsuhiko were to move closer to him now and demonstrate his value, the effect would be like delivering coal in the middle of a snowstorm—a timely rescue.
But every advantage came with disadvantages.
The nature of Natsuhiko's clan background would inevitably make Minato suspicious.
Moreover, Natsuhiko had already met with Hiruzen Sarutobi. If he then turned around and met Minato while declaring that he was willing to stand on Minato's side…
Wouldn't it also mean that Natsuhiko could show the same attitude to Hiruzen, effectively benefiting from both sides?
Aside from that, the information Natsuhiko possessed could further worsen the divide between the Third Hokage and the Fourth Hokage.
If that happened, the relationship between Natsuhiko and Minato would likely suffer as well.
Naturally, Natsuhiko hesitated about such a thing.
Although he had never truly chosen a side, in his heart he believed that someone like Minato Namikaze, who sincerely treated others well, was far better than the Third Hokage.
Natsuhiko might have a somewhat dark heart and be extremely calculating.
Calling him morally ambiguous wouldn't be an exaggeration.
But at the end of the day, he was still someone capable of gratitude—a fundamental part of human nature.
He had never forgotten the kindness Minato showed in teaching him.
He wasn't truly as cold and ruthless as he had pretended to be when speaking with Hiruzen.
And besides, there was also Kakashi between them.
Although Kakashi's problems had been partly shaped by the persona Natsuhiko deliberately created—and solved because he happened to strike at the core of the issue—the truth was that their relationship had become quite good.
Toward strangers and enemies, Natsuhiko could remain cautious and scheme as much as he wanted.
But when it came to friends and classmates, constantly viewing them through the lens of whether they were useful or not…
He felt that was unnecessary.
Life was already difficult enough.
Aside from maintaining a bit of vigilance, there was no need to make things even more exhausting for himself.
So even if I haven't completely chosen a side yet, my attitude has already begun to lean in a certain direction… which means the things that shouldn't be said are better left unsaid.
Natsuhiko thought silently to himself.
In the end, he chose to remain silent about certain troublesome matters.
He could treat Minato Namikaze with this kind of consideration.
But Hiruzen Sarutobi was completely different.
Natsuhiko had almost no real connection with Hiruzen.
The only link between them was Hiruzen's intention to place him as a piece beside the Fourth Hokage.
Although Hiruzen seemed extremely generous—almost giving Natsuhiko the division commander position, even leaving behind the "answer sheet" as apparent evidence—
In reality, that answer sheet would never harm Hiruzen in the slightest.
On the contrary, Natsuhiko was certain that if things ever went wrong in the future…
He would be the one who died.
Being a triple agent was not easy.
No matter which side you dealt with, none of them would truly trust you.
Even if I've already started leaning in one direction… I still can't openly declare a side.
Choosing a side was a serious matter, especially since both sides he could choose from gave him considerable concerns.
Of course, Natsuhiko knew that if he openly chose a side, with his knowledge of the future, he could easily obtain many more benefits.
Status and power wouldn't be problems at all.
In fact, they could almost be within arm's reach.
After all, the people he might choose to support were both Hokage. Having either of them back him would greatly help his chances of becoming Hokage in the future.
But deciding which side to choose truly troubled him.
As for Hiruzen Sarutobi, Natsuhiko simply didn't like him very much.
The things Hiruzen had done, as well as the things he had allowed Danzo to do, were difficult to accept.
Most importantly, the Senju clan, to which Natsuhiko belonged, clearly held a hostile attitude toward Hiruzen.
Natsuhiko had grown up in that clan, receiving its care and guidance.
It was difficult for him to deny those feelings.
As for Minato Namikaze, everything about him was good—both his personality and even his current situation.
Although Minato currently possessed almost nothing and was in a weak position in every aspect, that was exactly why he showed greater potential.
After all, giving help in times of hardship was far more memorable than adding decoration to success.
The only unfortunate thing… is that his life is a bit short.
Shaking his head, Natsuhiko stopped thinking about these matters.
Thinking too much about rebellious intentions wasn't a good idea.
If he could change something in the future, he would certainly try.
But even then, he would carefully weigh the gains and losses first.
"What's wrong, Natsuhiko-kun?"
Minato looked at him curiously.
Why had this kid suddenly stopped speaking halfway through his sentence?
"It's nothing, Hokage-sama."
Natsuhiko quickly came back to his senses and smiled while nodding to Minato.
"Although I spoke confidently earlier, I'm still somewhat worried. I hope Hokage-sama won't blame me."
"That's perfectly natural," Minato replied with an easy smile.
"In my opinion, Natsuhiko-kun has already gained something incredibly valuable, hasn't he?"
"The Flying Thunder God Technique?"
Natsuhiko glanced at Minato, momentarily unsure what to say.
Did this Fourth Hokage really not realize that if Natsuhiko became a division commander, even though it might not mean much at first, the long-term influence it would bring within the ANBU would be enormous?
Learning the Flying Thunder God Technique was essentially a personal improvement for him.
Of course, from the perspective of Konoha Village, it indeed meant a huge overall improvement for the village.
Clearly, Minato was thinking entirely from the village's perspective.
That kind of thinking was certainly noble.
But being too noble, in Natsuhiko's view, wasn't necessarily a good thing either.
"The Flying Thunder God Technique is indeed extraordinary," Natsuhiko said.
"But my understanding of it is still not very deep."
"And my own strength has also reached a bottleneck. I was hoping to receive some guidance from Hokage-sama."
Shaking his head, Natsuhiko pushed aside the thoughts in his mind.
Since he had already weighed the pros and cons and decided not to mention those matters, he needed a reason to justify summoning Minato tonight.
After thinking about it for a while, only the simplest method remained.
That was to spar with Minato.
Not only did he want to discuss the Flying Thunder God Technique, but he also hoped to receive more guidance from him.
...
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