Stars of Konoha

"Damn it!" he muttered. Shaking his head, he took a long drag from his pipe. "The world is going to get even more complicated, isn't it?"

The ANBU, sensing the gravity of the situation, added in a solemn voice: "Hokage-sama, there's something else. Duy asked me to inform you that Luo Lei-sama... took the Eight Inner Gates practice scroll from him."

Hiruzen's reaction was instantaneous. He choked on the smoke from his pipe, coughing violently.

"What? But he... could have refused..."

The words faded into the air, replaced by coughing and an expression of deep concern.

The Eight Inner Gates are a physical technique of immense power, but they carry extreme risks. Mastering them requires extraordinary dedication and years of rigorous training.

Duy, for example, dedicated almost two decades of his life to perfecting this technique, a commitment that, ironically, contributed to his stagnation at the Genin rank.

Initially, when Luo Lei and Duy developed a close relationship, Luo Lei showed great interest in learning the Eight Inner Gates. However, Konoha's high command intervened directly, ordering Duy to deny this teaching.

Their reasoning was twofold: on one hand, they wanted Luo Lei to focus on developing his ninjutsu skills; on the other, they feared the potentially devastating side effects this technique could have on someone so promising.

Hiruzen, in particular, was very aware of the overwhelming power of the Eight Inner Gates, especially in their final form, the Eighth Gate, which was essentially a suicide technique of unimaginable power.

The decision to limit knowledge of this technique was not frivolous. Konoha had maintained a strict policy over the years: only one person in each generation could fully master the Eight Gates, usually passing the knowledge from father to son.

This restriction not only protected the secrets of the technique but also served as a safety measure. By limiting the number of practitioners, Konoha could maintain some control over a potentially catastrophic power. The idea was that, even if the current master of the technique perished, the knowledge would pass only to his designated heir.

"Alright, you may leave," he said wearily.

The ANBU, sensing the Hokage's mood, bowed his head respectfully. "Yes, Hokage-sama," he said, carefully retreating towards the door.

As soon as the door closed, Hiruzen's facade crumbled. His face hardened into a mask of cold frustration.

SLAM!

The sound of his pipe hitting the desk echoed in the empty room.

Not satisfied with this small release, he grabbed the nearby tea cup. For a moment, he held it, his hand trembling slightly. Then, with a growl of barely contained rage, he threw it against the floor.

CRASH!

The porcelain shattered, the tea forming a dark puddle on the floor.

Hiruzen stared at the scattered fragments.

In his long years of work, he had rarely felt as challenged and disregarded as he did now.

This young man, whose actions seemed to mock his authority, was testing his limits. He had hoped that, after the brutal battle of Kikyoyama, Luo Lei would keep a low profile for a while. However, in less than a week, he had acquired the Eight Inner Gates scroll, a jealously guarded technique.

This unauthorized acquisition weighed heavily on Hiruzen's mind. Not even the news of the elimination of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist could mitigate his unease. The victory, although significant for Konoha, was overshadowed by Luo Lei's unpredictable actions.

What made the situation even more precarious was the broader context. With the war at a critical point, he found himself in a delicate position. He couldn't act hastily against Luo Lei without risking destabilizing the fragile image of unity that Konoha presented to the world.

After all, Luo Lei had become the village's "Superhero."

It was frustrating....

"Hmph, the Eight Inner Gates have severe side effects," he muttered, his brow deeply furrowed. "Luo Lei is already too strong. If he uses them, the effects could be catastrophic.... What the hell am I supposed to do?"

His words were lost in the silence of the office, mixing with the smoke from his pipe.

After a moment of reflection, he came to a conclusion that left a bitter taste in his mouth.

For the sake of Konoha, and yes, for his own sake, he would have to yield once again. Luo Lei's terrifying strength made any hasty action too risky. His only option was to wait, to hold out until the end of this war, and then, step by step, find a way to handle this explosive situation.

Suddenly, an idea crossed his mind, causing his eyes to narrow. "I can't allow Luo Lei to hog all the attention," he muttered. "We need a counterweight... Minato. Yes, we must focus on Minato, make him compete with Luo Lei."

With a quick movement, he pulled out an intelligence report detailing Minato's recent feats on the battlefield. A spark of satisfaction lit up his face.

"Using the Flying Thunder God Technique... three elite squads from Iwagakure eliminated... 35 Jōnin and over 60 Chūnin," he read, a twisted smile forming on his lips. "It's not enough yet, but if we manage to double these numbers..."

Leaning back in his chair, "Minato, it all depends on you now. Don't let Luo Lei overshadow you. After all, you are the true hope of Konoha's high command."

_________

The following day dawned with important news. Konoha publicly announced the annihilation of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist at the hands of their "Superhero," Luo Lei.

The news spread quickly, crossing borders and shaking the delicate balance of power that had been established during the war's stalemate. The impact was immediate. Nations and villages alike found themselves reevaluating their strategies and alliances in a matter of hours.

The magnitude of this feat was difficult to comprehend. Luo Lei, already feared for his previous actions, had elevated his legend to new heights.

The Seven Swordsmen, Kirigakure's ace in the hole, had been eliminated before their village could even officially enter the war.

Shock and disbelief quickly gave way to palpable fear. If a single ninja could defeat such a formidable team, what did this mean for the balance of power in the world?

Konoha, skillfully seizing the moment, didn't stop there. In a masterful strategic maneuver, they launched a propaganda campaign that linked Luo Lei with another rising star: Minato Namikaze.

Minato's achievements on the Grass Country battlefield were announced. His mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique, which had allowed him to eliminate 70 Jōnin and over a hundred Chūnin, was presented as the perfect complement to Luo Lei's brutality.

This carefully crafted narrative presented Konoha as an unstoppable force, with two legendary warriors leading the way. "Konoha's twin stars," as they began to be known, became symbols of hope for their allies and terror for their enemies.

Minato's name, the "Yellow Flash of Konoha," began to resonate throughout the ninja world, reaching high status. His reputation, carefully cultivated by Konoha's strategists, catapulted him to global fame.

________

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