Chapter 40: Sarutobi Hiruzen: Aoba is one of us

To be precise, it could not really be called personal bias; rather, it was high praise for Kawaki Aoba, meant to let the Hokage understand just how exceptional his disciple truly was. Everything reported was factual, and Kawaki Aoba had indeed played a pivotal role.

Next, Kurenai Yuhi’s report was comprehensive and detailed, highlighting Aoba’s significant contributions.

From discovering the Sand shinobi tracking the spy, to leading them in circles, causing an elite Jounin to die in utter frustration, right down to their final escape from the clutches of Sasori of the Red Sand, Kawaki Aoba deserved the utmost credit.

Naturally, the version Yuhi Shinku reported to the Third Hokage had been slightly polished. While every single word was true, certain parts were intentionally glossed over.

Even so, Hiruzen Sarutobi was deeply moved.

Whether it was his constant vigilance, his exaggerated and terrifying sensory range, or his cleverness in launching a sneak attack with explosive tags to take out two Sand Chuunin, none of these feats were things an ordinary Genin could ever accomplish.

Not to mention that Kawaki Aoba had actually managed to severely injure a Sand elite Jounin through a surprise attack. Granted, that elite Jounin had been stripped of his puppets and severely weakened, but it was still more than impressive enough.

And let us not forget, Kawaki Aoba himself was someone who had lost his sight.

That made it all the more astonishing.

Hiruzen’s gaze shifted toward Kawaki Aoba, resting on the white gauze covering the boy's eyes.

At that moment, Hiruzen truly felt a twinge of regret. Had he known earlier that Kawaki Aoba was such a genius, he undoubtedly would have initiated closer ties and tried to win him over much sooner.

No, the fact that Aoba was a genius was something he had known all along; after all, this was a prodigy who had managed to create a seal-less ninjutsu even before graduating.

Yet, back then, he had never imagined the boy would possess a talent reaching such terrifying heights.

Flashes of two figures—one large, one small—crossed Hiruzen’s mind: his disciple Jiraiya’s student, Namikaze Minato, and Hatake Sakumo’s son, Hatake Kakashi.

And the Kawaki Aoba standing before him was undoubtedly a talent capable of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with those two.

Furthermore, unlike the genius of those two, Kawaki Aoba was also a political prodigy.

Hiruzen recalled the day right here in this office when they had teamed up to play the Second Elder of the Hyuga clan for a fool.

From that incident alone, it was easy to see that this brat was definitely not someone easy to manipulate.

A whirlwind of thoughts raced through Hiruzen's mind as he contemplated countless possibilities, while Kawaki Aoba, standing quietly behind Yuhi Shinku like a piece of background scenery, felt immensely speechless.

Through his Observation Haki, in just this brief moment, the emotional fluctuations shifting across Hiruzen were flashing as erratically as neon signs on a busy street.

He oscillated continuously between remorse, worry, awe, and wariness. The sheer frequency of his shifting emotions was something Aoba had rarely witnessed in his entire life.

Damn it, how did it suddenly turn into guilt?

Aoba could only conclude that he was thoroughly numb to it all.

As it turned out, Hiruzen had suddenly remembered his youngest son, Sarutobi Asuma.

This made him abruptly realize that, during the previous uproar regarding the Byakugan incident, he—as the Hokage—had only looked out for his own interests and tried to sweep the matter under the rug, failing to offer the boy any real support.

Yet his younger son Asuma had not only stood by Aoba, but had even run around busily advocating for the kid during that period. That bond of friendship was genuine, and coupled with their camaraderie as peers, the relationship was surely secure.

Once he realized that Kawaki Aoba was effectively one of his own people, Hiruzen felt that his previous actions had been rather unfair, and that he had indeed wronged the boy during the earlier crisis.

Aside from Aoba, who could perceive these changes through his Observation Haki, anyone else looking at Hiruzen's calm and unruffled exterior would have been completely oblivious to the turbulent ripples beneath the surface.

At that moment, Yuhi Shinku finally finished recounting the entire process of their escape from the Land of Wind.

Hearing this, Hiruzen became completely convinced that the Third Kazekage had indeed been assassinated by Sasori of the Red Sand.

Only this explanation could account for the unusually erratic movements of the Sand shinobi during this period.

Just when Hiruzen thought Shinku's report had concluded, the man spoke again, uttering words that caught Hiruzen by surprise: "Lord Hokage, my report has concluded, but my disciple, Kawaki Aoba, still has a few humble insights to share.

At the time, I was simply shocked upon hearing them, yet unable to judge whether the boy's analysis was correct. Therefore, I must once again ask Lord Hokage to help determine whether his analysis holds any weight."

Behind him, Kawaki Aoba raised his head slightly. After waiting for so long, was it finally his turn to take the stage?

"Oh?" As expected, Hiruzen was indeed interested in Aoba's analysis, thanks largely to the groundwork Shinku had laid. Otherwise, Aoba would never have had the opportunity to personally voice his perspective to the Hokage.

"It's Aoba, right? Feel free to speak your mind boldly and openly. If it truly is a good suggestion, I, as the Hokage, will gladly adopt it." Hiruzen understood Shinku's intentions without needing them spelled out, and moreover, he was quite interested in the young Aoba himself, eager to understand the boy's way of thinking.

Even if Aoba's viewpoint turned out to be nothing more than childish and naive rambling, he would not withhold his praise and encouragement; that was the privilege bestowed upon geniuses.

Knowing full well that Aoba could not see him, Hiruzen still offered him a kindly smile.

Yuhi Shinku quietly stepped back a little, leaving the spotlight to his disciple.

Aoba took two measured steps forward, stopping opposite the Hokage. Even when conversing with the Hokage, he showed not a shred of nervousness. All he needed to do was reiterate the fabricated nonsense he had prepared and bamboozle Hiruzen with it once more:

"Lord Hokage, I believe the Village Hidden in the Sand is very likely to declare war on us soon. Furthermore, after that, the scale of the war will gradually escalate until it evolves into the Third Great Ninja War..."

Hiruzen listened intently to Aoba's analysis, but gradually, the serious expression on his face was replaced by one of profound solemnity.

The outbreak of the Third Great Ninja War.

Was this merely alarmist talk born of youthful arrogance, or an accurate prediction of an impending reality?

Hiruzen could not be one hundred percent certain, yet the logical breakdown in Aoba's words left him unable to find any grounds for rebuttal.

Although, due to his youth, Aoba might not fully grasp that the environment of every hidden village differed, and that various factional rivalries existed internally—making the prospect of the four great ninja villages joining forces to stand against Konoha sheer fantasy—