klisemfg Chapter 645 Minato Remains Silent
Chapter 645 Minato Remains Silent
However, when he saw the deep sorrow and determination in Zhang Hai's eyes, all the questions he wanted to ask stuck in his throat. He suddenly realized that Zhang Hai was incredibly clear-headed at that moment. He wasn't being swallowed by darkness, nor had he lost his mind; he had simply... made a decision that he believed to be "right."
Minato remained silent, but finally accepted the White Fang Blade. The cold touch of the hilt filled his heart with a heavy weight.
As Zhang Hai saw Minato take the White Fang Blade, a faint smile once again appeared on his lips. Then, he did not resist, allowing the Anbu ninja to step forward, seal his chakra, and put him in specially made shackles.
The entire arrest went exceptionally smoothly, so smoothly that it stirred a sense of unease within the Third Hokage once again. Zhang Hai offered no resistance, no struggle, as if he had anticipated and accepted everything.
"Take him to the severe punishment chamber!" The Third Hokage's voice rang out again, carrying an unquestionable command.
"The heavy punishment cell?!" Upon hearing this order, Tsunade abruptly broke free from the Third Hokage's arm, her face filled with shock and anger. "Sensei! Why are you putting him in the heavy punishment cell?! He was just... he was just..."
She wanted to defend Zhang Hai, but couldn't come up with a suitable reason. The brutal murder of a companion was a heinous crime that no excuse could excuse.
"Tsunade, come with me." The Third Hokage ignored Tsunade's anger and said in a deep voice.
He turned first and walked away from the barrier. Tsunade was reluctant, but she eventually followed. Minato stood there, watching Zhang Hai being taken away, then looking at the heavy White Fang Blade in his hand, his heart filled with complex emotions.
The Third Hokage, accompanied by Tsunade, walked through the village streets until they reached a secluded, deserted area. All was quiet except for the rustling of the night wind through the treetops.
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around and looked intently at Tsunade.
"Tsunade." The Third Hokage's voice carried a hint of weariness, yet was unusually serious. "I'm asking you... do you... have fallen for Zhang Hai?"
The night wind whistled softly through the deserted area, carrying a hint of the night's chill. The Third Hokage's words, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirred up enormous waves within Tsunade's heart.
"Teacher! What are you saying?!" Tsunade's face paled instantly, then flushed slightly. She denied it almost reflexively, her voice tinged with embarrassment and annoyance, "How could I possibly like him?! I just... I just think he's talented and can become an excellent medical ninja in the future, someone who can... help me!"
Her voice was hurried, and her eyes darted away, avoiding the Third Hokage's deep gaze. Help herself? The reason sounded so weak and unconvincing that even she herself felt it was untenable.
Seeing Tsunade's flustered state, Hiruzen Sarutobi understood immediately. He simply sighed and didn't pursue the matter further, instead saying, "I've heard that Zhang Hai didn't hide his Uchiha identity from you. For a child who is so secretive about his clan to reveal such an important secret to you... that in itself shows that your relationship is extraordinary."
Tsunade froze again upon hearing this. She did indeed know that Zhang Hai was a descendant of the Uchiha clan; she had discovered this secret by chance. Zhang Hai had always been tight-lipped about it, even explicitly stating that he wanted no connection with the Uchiha clan. The fact that the Third Hokage knew even this surprised her.
“That was an accident…” Tsunade explained softly, her tone becoming somewhat somber. “He… he really didn’t want to be associated with the Uchiha. He hated the Uchiha’s obsession and darkness, and he also hated the rumors that had hurt his teacher.”
“Hatred…” The Third Hokage’s gaze became even more complicated. He looked at the dark night sky in the distance, his voice heavy, “Hatred is a double-edged sword. It can inspire power, but it can also devour everything. Zhang Hai… has already awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan.”
Tsunade was startled, her face filled with shock.
"The Mangekyou Sharingan?!" She repeated the word in disbelief. As a renowned medical ninja in the ninja world, she certainly knew what the Mangekyou Sharingan meant; it was the highest form of the Uchiha clan's bloodline limit, representing unparalleled power.
"Isn't that a good thing? He's become stronger!" Tsunade said subconsciously. Although she knew that the awakening of the Mangekyou Sharingan was often accompanied by great pain and cost, becoming stronger was always a good thing for a ninja.
“Strong is indeed a good thing.” The Third Hokage’s voice became unusually serious, even carrying a hint of coldness. “But if this power is accompanied by extreme hatred and obsession, if this power ultimately leads to turning against the village… then he may become the next Madara Uchiha!”
"No! Impossible!" Tsunade denied it almost reflexively. She suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with determination. "Zhang Hai will never become like Madara Uchiha! He will not betray the village!"
But in an instant, she understood the Third Hokage's intention. The Third Hokage was warning her, and also warning Zhang Hai. The awakening of the Mangekyou Sharingan had given Zhang Hai power enough to threaten the village. If Zhang Hai truly betrayed the village out of hatred, he would become Konoha's greatest threat and must be nipped in the bud.
However, a bitter smile appeared on Tsunade's face.
"Teacher, won't what you're doing push him into even deeper darkness?" Tsunade retorted, her tone tinged with confusion and helplessness. "He has just experienced the immense pain of losing his teacher, been betrayed by the village, and now he's been accused of 'torturing his comrades,' and is even going to be imprisoned in a torture chamber... Don't you think this is precisely forcing him to his death?"
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a bitter smile. He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, as if expelling all the heaviness and helplessness in his heart.
"Tsunade, do you think I don't know?" The Third Hokage's voice carried a hint of age and weariness. "How I wish I could be like the First Hokage, using my power and magnanimity to influence every Uchiha clan member? But I cannot do it..."
He paused, a deep contradiction and struggle flashing in his eyes: "The power of the Uchiha clan is too great, and their love and hate are too extreme. I cannot suppress them with absolute power like the First Hokage, nor can I embrace them with a broad mind like the First Hokage."