Chapter 260.1: High-Level Mobilization, Rising Trend

Now that the origin of the Sharingan was clear, Namikaze Minato heaved a sigh in relief. When all was said and done, the Sharingan was too important. If they couldn’t figure out what was going on now, then once the Uchiha clan noticed it someday, it would be very likely that they would misunderstand that Hatake Kakashi transplanted it by killing an Uchiha in the pursuit of power.

Of course, most people knew that if a person without the Uchiha bloodline transplanted the Sharingan, he wouldn’t be able to deactivate it, resulting in huge chakra consumption. This was also the reason why the Uchiha clan had never been very worried about the loss of Sharingan.

But if the Uchihas saw that Kakashi could freely control it, they might think that he had mastered some kind of secret technique to control the Sharingan. At that time, it would not be wrong to say that Kakashi might not be able to see the sun the following day.

Tonan keenly observed that Minato was still worried. He turned to Kakashi and said, “Kakashi, if someone from the Uchiha clan asks about your Sharingan, just tell them without hesitation that I gifted it to you. And if they have any questions, ask them to come and look for me.”

Immediately after he spoke, the worries on Minato’s face diminished. He sighed and said, “Tonan, the Sharingan is the foundation of the Uchiha clan. But you are actually willing to hand it over to Kakashi.”

Kakashi’s heart was swelling with emotions at this moment. He didn’t know what to say or how to respond. His mind was only filled with thoughts of how to repay Tonan. Tonan didn’t pay attention to this gaze of visible gratitude.

He just looked at Minato and smiled, “I let go of the narrow-minded family doctrine in my heart a long time ago. The village, my friends, and my comrades will always be the most important things in my life.”

Suddenly, Tonan seemed to have thought of something and turned his head. He patted Kakashi’s shoulder and said, “By the way, Kakashi. I adopted two orphans on the battlefield. One of them is named Kabuto and the other one is called Isan. I want to enter their names in the family tree of the Hatake clan. In this way, they will also have a surname.”

Kakashi was worried that he wouldn’t have the opportunity to do anything for Tonan but a small window of opportunity opened up right here. He straightened his face and cheerfully said, “No problem. I can do this kind of a trivial thing.”

Seeing that these two had already drifted to talk about other things, Minato coughed lightly and changed the topic back to the proper business they had come for. “Tonan, I came to see you today because I actually have one more thing to tell you.”

Minato’s words made Tonan raise his eyebrows and he doubtfully asked, “Do you want me to enter the battlefield? No problem, my body has already healed.”

Minato hesitated for a moment and shook his head. He said, “It’s another matter. I have already sent back the report of the last battle. And Konoha’s side has also sent new reinforcements. In short, there is good news and bad news, which one do you want to hear first?”

Just this much indication was enough for Tonan to guess that Sarutobi Hiruzen must have definitely dug another pit for him again. Since the hidden scheme was useless, what could be used on the battlefield was probably some high-sounding covert plot. “Tell me whatever you want, I want to hear both the good news and the bad news.”

Minato nodded his head and said, “The good news is that since you have the achievements of killing Sandaime Kazekage and resisting Sandaime Raikage, Konoha’s senior management officials have made an exception and promoted you as the new chief commander of the Northern front responsible for fighting against Kumo.”

The corners of Tonan’s mouth curled up a little. He pretended to be excited and said, “It seems that Hokage-sama thinks very highly of me. This way, I have ascended to heaven in one step.”

Seeing the happy look on Tonan’s face, Minato also forced a smile. Then he added, “As for the bad news, as Kushina is a jinchuriki, she was called back to Konoha yesterday since there was no absolutely dangerous situation. And I’m also instructed to go to the Western front to support and serve as the new chief commander for the time being.”

Immediately after he spoke, the tent fell into silence. Obviously, both Minato and Kakashi felt that such a decision was a bit inappropriate. They realized that with such an arrangement, the pressure on Tonan would be too great. But the thought that Hiruzen was planning to kill him by making such a decision never crossed their minds even for a second.

“Are you going to attack Iwa… The Kannabi Bridge battle! What a coincidence. This can return everything to the original trajectory. Is it the arrangement of fate or is someone secretly manipulating from behind the scenes?”

Tonan narrowed his eyes a little and pretended to ponder for a while. Then clapping his hands, he said, “A very wise decision. I’m in favor of it. Konoha has already signed a peace treaty with Suna. Now, there are just three ninja villages left. Among them, Kumo has the strongest combat power, and with our current strength, we don’t know how long it will take to win against them.”

“The coastline of the Eastern battlefront is too long and adding the natural barrier of the sea, the place is easy to defend but hard to attack. Only Iwa in the Western battlefront is a chance. Neither is Iwa’s combat power the strongest nor is there an insurmountable natural barrier blocking it. It’s the perfect place to make a breakthrough in this war.”

“Also, enough ninjas have already gathered in the Western battlefront. With just an addition of a few more high-leveled experts who are good at sneak attacks and assassinations, they can quickly wipe out the enemy troops in the Land of Rain and suppress Iwa outside the border. Then, after the battle situation there has stabilized, the extra troops can be brought here to counterattack Kumo.”

After listening to Tonan’s analysis, both Kakashi and Minato felt that it was very reasonable and nodded their heads. Immediately afterward, however, Minato voiced what he was worried about earlier. “But you will be the only one left here. If Kumo’s Sandaime Raikage comes to attack again, what will you do?”