Mikoto took a deep look at Kurenai.
The Bringer-of-Darkness Technique was developed by Tobirama specifically to counter the hyper-perception of the Uchiha Sharingan.
The fear that the Uchiha had instilled in the world since the Warring States Period began to gradually resurface, and the world would once again start targeting the powerful Sharingan of the Uchiha.
The Third Hokage glanced at Kakashi, Obito, and Rin.
"You three as well; I can grant you access to one Ninjutsu of B-rank or higher."
He really couldn't afford to hold back anymore; there was no time left for the younger generation to grow naturally, so he had to force their development.
Kakashi chose a Lightning Release Ninjutsu, while Obito chose Kakashi's Chidori, which was recorded in the scroll of seals.
The Third Hokage was somewhat puzzled: "Obito, why are you interested in Lightning Release?"
Obito began to tearfully recount his experience of being electrocuted.
When Obito was under Madara, he was frequently electrocuted by Ryou; sometimes Ryou was somewhat reasonable.
But whenever he got frustrated by Madara, he would take it out on Obito, showing no reason at all.
He electrocuted Obito until his scalp went numb.
However, thanks to Ryou, Obito's lightning resistance was already comparable to, or even greater than, Kakashi's.
Obito also wanted to practice Lightning Release Ninjutsu so he could shock Ryou to death the next time they met.
Rin chose a Medical Ninjutsu, and then the Third Hokage put away the scroll of seals.
As for Minato, his strength could no longer be improved by conventional Ninjutsu.
The Third Hokage spoke to the drooling, envious young Chunin like Anko and Hayate: "No need to be envious; this is what Kurenai and the others deserve."
"If you can survive an encounter with Uchiha Madara, I will naturally reward you."
There was a customary rule in the Ninja World, if one encountered Minato, they could abandon the mission without any punishment.
So, the Third Hokage now established a new rule: if you encounter Madara, surviving counts as completing the mission.
Faced with a terror like Madara, the Third Hokage was truly at his wit's end... Before long, the Jonin of the Village gathered one by one in the meeting room.
The Third Hokage led Minato, Jiraiya, and the others toward the Jonin meeting room.
Kushina was about to leave, but the Third Hokage called out to her.
"Kushina, stay and attend the meeting as well!"
"Me?!"
Kushina pointed at herself; although she was also a Jonin, as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, she was under constant surveillance and forbidden from accessing any sensitive information.
The Third Hokage nodded: "I think it's time to announce your identity as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki; it can't be hidden anymore."
"Furthermore, Konoha's war with Uchiha Madara this time is to protect you and the Nine-Tails."
"..."
Kushina remained silent, unsure of what to say.
Once her identity as a Jinchuriki was exposed, how would everyone look at her in the future?
But Kushina already knew in her heart; Jinchuriki had always been specifically targeted.
They would be feared, loathed, and even ostracized by their own fellow villagers.
Minato walked over and took Kushina's hand: "Don't worry, Kushina. I will always be by your side."
Jiraiya walked over and laughed heartily: "Kushina, don't be afraid. Isn't it just the Nine-Tails? What has the Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku ever feared?"
Kakashi, Obito, and even Mikoto came over to comfort Kushina.
Kushina immediately cheered up; she was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, but she was also Kushina, a Jonin of this Village.
I am no longer alone.
But the white cat in Kushina's hands threatened: "Kushina, Konoha's war with Uchiha Madara started because of you. The more people die in battle, the more people will hate you."
"Because human nature is to curry favor with the powerful and take advantage of the weak; you will be isolated by the villagers. Just think about Sakumo's end."
Kushina's face instantly turned pale.
Kakashi clenched his fists tightly; his father had committed suicide precisely because he was ostracized by the villagers.
Ninjas are not machines; Ninjas have feelings, and no one can endure being spat upon by the entire world.
Even Konoha's sharpest blade.
Obito snatched the white cat from Kushina's hands, thrust it in front of Kakashi, and shouted hysterically, "Kakashi, shock him! Use your Chidori to shock him!"
Mikoto snatched the white cat from Obito. She didn't comfort Kushina: "Kushina, this is something you must face. You are a Jonin!"
Kushina nodded: "Yes, I am a Jonin. I must face this."
Everyone nodded.
Minato felt some heartache, but there was no other way; with Madara's resurrection, Kushina's identity as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki couldn't be hidden forever.
The Third Hokage took a puff of his pipe; if any of them had a hope of defeating Madara, it was Kushina and the Nine-Tails sealed within her.
But Konoha's attitude toward the Nine-Tails had always been suppression and sealing; they had never thought of controlling its power.
Even a bottom-ranked Ninja Village like Sunagakure had learned Magnet Release from Shukaku.
Now that the situation was critical, the Third Hokage finally understood what they had missed all these years.
Konoha had always been coasting on its past glory.
High-level Ninjutsu and Forbidden Jutsu were basically the reserves of the Senju Clan.
Sealing Jutsu were gifted by Uzumaki Ashina.
For the three top Ninjas, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade, strictly speaking, the Third Hokage was only their Jonin instructor.
What truly made them was the Secret Techniques of the Three Great Sage Regions: Mount Myōboku, Ryūchi Cave, and Shikkotsu Forest.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru were not commoners; their summoning scrolls were family heirlooms.
The Third Hokage shook his head.
He then looked out the window at the Hokage Rock figures of Hashirama and Tobirama, only able to pray that the two Previous Hokage would protect Konoha.
Jonin meeting room.
Utatane Koharu, Homura Mitokado, the heads of Konoha's various departments, the leaders of the major Ninja Clans, and the Jonin arrived one after another.
The Senju Clan, the Aburame Clan, the Ino-Shika-Chō clans... the Uchiha Clan was represented by Mikoto.
Hyuga Hiashi had gone on a mission to Kumogakure, so the Hyuga Clan was represented by Hizashi.
The same went for the Inuzuka Clan; Inuzuka Tsume had gone to Sunagakure, so the clan was represented by Inuzuka Agato, who had carried out missions with Minato.
Among the Jonin present, even Akimichi Torifu, who had once served as a Hokage guard for Tobirama, was there.
There was also Maruboshi Kosuke, who wore the skin of a Genin but used the techniques of a Jonin; he was the same age as the Third Hokage and had once been personally taught Water Release Ninjutsu by the Second Hokage.
He had been invited by the Third Hokage through the Anbu; it was the endgame now, and no one could be hidden anymore.
Konoha's Taijutsu Master, Chen-sensei, was also among them.
Seeing so many people, the Third Hokage's fear of Madara slowly began to ease.
Individual will cannot stand against collective interests.
Utatane Koharu said, "Hiruzen, I heard Minato rescued Obito from Uchiha Madara."
The Third Hokage nodded, then pointed to Obito, whose face was only half-intact, standing next to Kakashi: "Obito is right here! It's thanks to him that Madara's Eye of the Moon Plan was exposed."
The Village's Jonin all looked at Obito, and none of them showed any signs of disgust.
The scars on Obito's face were his symbol as a Ninja; a Ninja must endure what ordinary people cannot.
The more scars one has, the more qualified the Ninja is proven to be.
It's just like a male doctor's hair; the balder the head, the more superb the medical skill.
Obito felt a bit shy being stared at by so many of the Village's experts; he still hadn't quite processed the surprise of already being a Jonin.
He wasn't ready to become an Uchiha elite yet.
Kakashi pressed down on Obito's shoulder, and Obito slowly relaxed.
He had finally caught up to Kakashi; all that was left was to thoroughly outshine Kakashi and let Rin see how excellent he was.
I, Obito, am no longer the dead last who could only support Kakashi; I, Obito, am going to dance!