Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 199 Hanzo's words came true

Minato Namikaze paused slightly, then bowed respectfully, his expression calm and unwavering.

After joining the secret service and carrying out some clandestine missions, he was no longer the naive newbie he once was. Although his personality hadn't changed, there were some things he was no longer as clueless about as before.

He could naturally tell that the Third Hokage's question, though seemingly casual, was actually a series of probes, testing both his stance and his ambition.

The current Third Hokage seems to no longer value the position of Hokage, appears to have relinquished power, and even casually brings up the matter.

But in reality, if he were to actually say who would be suitable, it would probably take him several more years to realize his desire to marry Kushina Uzumaki, or he might even lose the opportunity altogether.

Minato Namikaze lowered his eyes and said humbly, "Hokage-sama, the position of the Fourth Hokage is related to the foundation of Konoha. It should be held by someone of high moral character and prestige who can stabilize the village and bring peace to the whole village."

"This junior is still inexperienced, and my strength and vision are far from sufficient to shoulder this great responsibility. My only duty is to be loyal to Konoha and to the Hokage, and to carry out every mission well."

He paused, then met Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes with a frank and unbiased gaze: "As for the selection, Lady Tsunade's medical skills are unparalleled and her prestige is extremely high, while Lord Orochimaru's wisdom is profound and his strength is formidable; both are pillars of Konoha. All decisions will be made by the Hokage and the elders considering the overall situation, and this junior dares not presume to comment."

His words were neither flattering nor belittling anyone, neither taking credit nor avoiding suspicion; they demonstrated loyalty while maintaining neutrality, leaving no room for error.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the young yet remarkably composed Jonin before him, a kind smile spreading across his face: "Haha, I was confused too, throwing such a question at you. As people get older, they start to hesitate about things, always indecisive."

He nodded slightly and said, "You're very thoughtful. Go and rest."

"Yes."

Minato Namikaze bowed and stepped back, gently closing the door behind him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat alone in a large chair, his fingertips lightly tapping the table as he muttered to himself:

"Minato Namikaze, I didn't expect you to grow so quickly. But can you really shoulder this heavy responsibility and live up to the position of the new Hokage?"

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated.

He suddenly realized that Minato Namikaze might not be as kind and upright as he had imagined, his heart always filled with sunshine and the will of fire, illuminating the entire Hidden Leaf Village. He also seemed to have a smooth and profound side.

"Perhaps he needs more time to hone his skills. He's not famous enough to become Hokage, and his strength is still lacking."

"Sigh, what exactly changed you, Jiraiya? Could it be because of your death that your disciple has been tainted by darkness?"

-

The land of rain, the city of dawn.

Three months have passed, and Yahiko's city, just as Hanzo the Salamander had predicted, is becoming increasingly chaotic.

The city was indeed quiet for a while after those thugs were taken away.

But before long, new thugs arrived. Hearing that there was free porridge, all the idlers flocked here, like flies that couldn't be driven away.

Yahiko tried many methods. He had people register the identities of those receiving porridge, hoping to find out who truly needed relief.

But those thugs quickly learned to forge identities and used fake ones to collect porridge.

Want people to cultivate wasteland and farm outside the city to survive? Hmph, no way.

Grain grown from the land can't be as fast as something stolen.

What troubled him most was that the thugs started forming gangs and cliques.

They fought over territory, for a spot to receive porridge, and even got into a brawl over who got the porridge first.

Fights and brawls occur in the city every day, and public security is getting worse and worse.

"Yahiko." Konan walked in, looking tired. "We didn't have enough porridge again today."

Yahiko looked up: "How could it not be enough? Didn't we increase the supply?"

"The scale has increased, but even more people are coming," Xiao Nan said. "And those thugs take several portions each, then sell them to others. Those who truly need relief still can't get it."

Yahiko fell silent, recalling Hanzo of the Salamander's words: "Your method is useless. In the future, more and more people will come to your city wanting to gain without working, and it will become incredibly chaotic and impoverished."

"Could he be right? Is our approach really not going to work?" he muttered to himself.

Just then, Nagato walked in wearily and said, "Yahiko, there's another fight. This time, knives were involved, and three people were injured."

Yahiko stood up: "Let's go take a look."

They arrived at the city square and saw a group of people gathered together, with three people lying in the middle, covered in blood.

"What happened?" Yahiko asked.

One bystander said, "It's the East City Gang and the West City Gang fighting over territory."

"East City Gang? West City Gang?" Yahiko frowned. "When did these gangs appear in the city?"

"It's been around for a long time," the man said. "Don't you know? There are several gangs in the city now, the East City Gang, the West City Gang, the North City Gang, and several smaller gangs. They fight over territory, porridge, women, they do all sorts of things."

Yahiko's expression turned grim. He walked over to the injured men, knelt down to examine their wounds. All three were seriously injured; one had been stabbed through the abdomen and was on the verge of death.

"Quickly, carry them inside, I'll treat them," Yahiko shouted.

Several people carried the injured into the house, and Yahiko began to treat them. Although his medical ninjutsu was not as good as Konan's, he could still handle most injuries. He fought with all his might and managed to save the life of the person whose abdomen had been pierced.

But while he was receiving treatment, there was another commotion outside.

"What's wrong now?" He went outside and saw a group of people facing off.

On one side were members of the East City Gang, and on the other, members of the West City Gang. They were armed with knives and clubs, ready to fight at any moment.

"Stop it, all of you!" Yahiko shouted.

When those people saw him, they became a little more subdued, but they still refused to leave.

"Lord Yahiko, please don't concern yourself with this matter. The West City Gang has seized our territory, and they demand an explanation from us today."

"Bullshit! That land originally belonged to our West City Gang; you guys took it first!"

"You're the ones talking nonsense!"

"You're talking nonsense!"

The two groups started arguing again, and the argument escalated to the point where they looked like they were about to come to blows.

"Enough!" Yahiko shouted, his chakra exploding, causing those around him to retreat.

The two groups finally quieted down, but the hostility in their eyes did not diminish at all.

Looking at them, Yahiko felt a deep sense of powerlessness welling up inside him.