Chapter 193

No matter how much envy or jealousy Hitoshi felt, he couldn't simply rush to kill Namikaze Minato. After all, his goal was not to conquer the entire Shinobi World. Hitoshi's aim was much simpler—to lead Sunagakure to prosperity and avoid making enemies everywhere.

Killing Namikaze Minato would have significant consequences. He was a key figure in the timeline, and his death could potentially lead to the destruction of Konoha, provoke the Sannin, and draw the attention of Rikudo Sennin himself. Moreover, it would disrupt the birth of Naruto and Sasuke and alter the course of the Shinobi World.

In a more imaginative sense, one couldn't change the path set by fate. Altering the course of destiny would change everything. Fictional protagonists always defied the odds because they were destined to do so. Hitoshi didn't feel like he was a protagonist of such caliber. If he were, he wouldn't have been born into a humble family in Sunagakure but into a wealthy and prestigious one in Konoha.

In the Ninja Village era, all the protagonists were born in Konoha, adhering to this principle of fate. Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, the White Fang and the Sannin, Namikaze Minato, and finally Naruto and Sasuke. Every significant battle in the Shinobi World involved Konoha taking the lead. Sunagakure or Kumogakure never emerged as the dominant force.

Why? Because they weren't the protagonists. They were merely stepping stones for leveling up the main characters. Hitoshi couldn't help but feel embarrassed by this realization. He didn't believe he was destined to be a protagonist, so there was no point in indulging in such fantasies.

Furthermore, he understood that his goal of sweeping the Shinobi World and allowing Sunagakure to dominate it wasn't practical in the long run. If his successor didn't succeed, the village would eventually decline and face its demise. As the saying goes, life begins in sorrow and ends in happiness. It was better to be a person with a sense of crisis, always aware of the challenges that lay ahead.

The first Martial Dao conference of the Shinobi World was coming to an end, or rather, the first half was ending and the second half was about to begin. The first half consisted of the youngsters' melee, while the second half would feature a Kage Level melee. The battles in the second half promised to be even more exciting.

There were various bone attacks from the Kaguya Clan, body transformations into water by the Hozuki Clan leader, and the monstrous sand waves created by Yasuke and Bunpuku. However, the most remarkable presence was Hitoshi himself alongside the Sannin. Despite participating in the first half, the Sannin showed no signs of fatigue as they entered the second half.

"Oh, so the three of you want to challenge me again, preferably at your full power," Hitoshi casually twirled his sword and unleashed a powerful frontal attack.

Jiraiya used Sage Mode, Orochimaru employed the five escape Ninjutsu he inherited from his own teacher, and Tsunade utilized her Baihao and Yin Seal.

"Back then, the three of us were defeated by you. Today, we aim to reclaim our honor," Jiraiya proclaimed.

"Reclaim it, huh? Let's see how much you three have grown," Hitoshi responded playfully with a smile.

He knew that the Sannin's strength now far surpassed their abilities during the same period in the original timeline. But to Hitoshi, it made no difference.

"Sacred Dragon's Roar!" Hitoshi unleashed a powerful roar as his first move.

"Third-layer Rashomon!" Orochimaru's pupils contracted as he swiftly activated his technique, shattering the third-layer Rashomon and deflecting the roar.

Jiraiya quickly counterattacked with his enhanced Senbon from Sage Art, while Tsunade descended from the sky with a Chakra Enhanced Strength punch aimed at Hitoshi's head.

"Kenryu no Tekken!" Hitoshi's mouth curled into a smile as purple Chakra appeared on his body, forming an angelic Chakra coat. He threw a punch at Tsunade.

"The Evil Snake Bursts into the Wrist!" Orochimaru and Jiraiya followed up with their own attacks.

The battle transitioned into a Taijutsu confrontation. Hitoshi wore his Chakra coat, held an ordinary straight knife in his hand, and engaged in a fierce struggle with the three of them, occasionally interrupted by sneak attacks from Hatake Sakumo.

This was just one corner of the battlefield. On another side, Bunpuku and Lao Zi were engaged in a variety of large-scale, high-consumption Chakra tactics. The Eight-Tails and Two-Tails Jinchuriki also joined the fray from time to time.

The Mizukage, Raikage, Tsuchikage, and Hokage found their own corner and unleashed various attacks. Surprise ice attacks, lightning-fast Nintaijutsu, versatile five escape Ninjutsu, and even Dust Release sneak attacks.

The display of extraordinary Kekkei Genkai, intricate five escape Ninjutsu, and formidable Nintaijutsu left the spectators in awe. No one had ever witnessed such incredible feats of Ninjutsu.

"Damn, the Third Raikage is incredibly strong," Kushina exclaimed in disbelief. She had always believed that Sarutobi Hiruzen's position was secured through money and influence. She never expected him to possess such strength.

"The ice attack is horrifying. It shattered Father's strongest defense," Fourth-Kage Ai watched in disbelief as the Third Mizukage's ice pierced through his father's body protection Chakra.

The chaos on the battlefield made everyone realize that these seemingly amiable elders possessed astonishing strength. Their casual attacks could prove fatal.

"Such terrifying techniques. I must enhance my Hiraishin no Jutsu, especially in facing Yasuke and Bunpuku. I also need to strengthen my offensive capabilities," Minato observed the battle intently, contemplating his next steps.

The power displayed by the Third Raikage and the Kaguya Clan shattered his expectations. Additionally, Bunpuku's sand sensory abilities demanded his utmost vigilance. Minato understood that defeating them would require swift and powerful attacks.

"Sage Mode? That sounds unattractive," Jiraiya commented, visibly unimpressed.

"Well, that's because Teacher Jiraiya hasn't fully understood it yet. There are consequences," Minato responded with a smile.

Namikaze Minato—the one who spoke the most lighthearted words while doing the hardest deeds. In the original timeline, Jiraiya dedicated years of effort to master Sage Mode, but Minato achieved it instantly and used it to deliver a devastating blow to Madara right after Impure World Reincarnation.

Only Senju Hashirama and Namikaze Minato could enter Sage Mode instantly. Naruto would have to wait a while before achieving it himself.