A comic book journey to see the Eye of Antiquity

"Yes."

The Third Hokage nodded, his eyes somewhat vacant as he stared ahead, muttering, "It's not that I can't protect Yang Lei, but if Danzo seizes this opportunity, the Fifth Hokage will have to take the blame."

When people said that the people of Konoha were not united, they were actually referring to Danzo.

The third generation leader knew that once he disregarded his pride and said he would protect Yang Lei no matter the cost, the village would prepare for war with all its might, even if there were still grievances.

However, Danzo will definitely seize the opportunity to make a scene. At that point, the decision of who becomes the Fifth Hokage will no longer be up to the Third Hokage, but will be left to Danzo. That's politics. You have to give something for something you gain, or you'll lose.

But once your political enemies decide they're no longer willing to play along, things get really complicated. They'll go all out to challenge you, and it could even lead to a political disintegration, or what's known as a split.

And now, hasn't the Third Generation perfectly resolved this crisis?

Although sending Yang Lei away would make him somewhat sad, he would not hold a grudge against the village because the third generation had specifically warned him at the beginning that Yang Lei was too careless, which was why this had happened.

Moreover, he did not attack Yang Lei, but allowed him to leave safely, even leaving him a way out so that he could come back at any time once this storm had passed.

All of this combined means that Yang Lei will not only not hold a grudge against the village, but will also be grateful to the Third Hokage. This is the best way to handle things for both the village and the Sarutobi clan.

Especially since the third generation wouldn't have to pay the price to protect Yang Lei, and the fifth generation's appointment would still be his right, wouldn't that be a win-win situation?

That's why Asma said he was really ugly, that he was scheming against a child like that, even he, as the son, couldn't stand it.

But what could the Third Hokage do? Should he hand the village over to Danzo, that radical? Or should he lead the current Konoha Village into war against the three great ninja villages?

He was about to retire, but before the fifth generation took over, he still had to think about the village. Although he didn't want to see Yang Lei leave, Yang Lei's departure was the best outcome for now.

Furthermore, he left Yang Lei a way out and gave him the initiative. He can choose where to go as he pleases, which is already quite generous of him.

0179 Saying goodbye to Sakura

As Yang Lei emerged from the Hokage Building, he looked up and sighed softly, drawing puzzlement from Shikamaru and the other two. What was wrong?

Yang Lei didn't say much, forced a smile at the three of them, and then turned and left.

Walking down the main street of Konoha Village, Yang Lei suddenly realized that he had become very familiar with the village without even realizing it. For the past six to seven years, he had been going for a morning run on the main street almost every day, so he was extremely familiar with it.

Now that I've been suddenly told to leave the village, I'm really not used to it and don't know how to face it.

But what could he do? The three great ninja villages were so shameless.

The Third Hokage's meaning was clear: the village couldn't keep him, at least not now, because the situation was too chaotic. Not only was their fighting strength at its weakest, but the political situation was also unstable. It can only be said that the three great ninja villages chose the perfect time.

"Let's go see Hinata and Sakura."

Yang Lei made his decision and continued walking forward. However, when he arrived at the Hyuga family's residence, he was told that Hinata had already left. She had been taken away by Kurenai Yuhi early in the morning, who said that she was going to give Team 8 some training in teamwork. She might not be back until very late, or even today.

"I see."

Disappointed, Yang Lei returned home at 757 and went to Chunye's house again, only to encounter the same treatment. Xiaoying's mother said that she had left after having breakfast in the morning, and she didn't know where she went.

After saying goodbye to Mrs. Haruno, whose face was burning with gossip, Yang Lei walked alone down the street with his arms behind his back, looking rather lonely.

"There's nothing to be disappointed about. As long as you're strong, life is still life no matter where you are."

In the end, that was all he could console himself with. However, he would not forget to retaliate for the actions of the three great ninja villages.

"Now I'm a free man. The three great ninja villages? Hmph, you were the ones who provoked me first."

At this moment, Yang Lei seemed to have forgotten the plot and that in the original work, Obito and Zetsu were able to unleash 100,000 White Zetsu to start the Fourth Shinobi World War. He secretly made a decision in his heart to take revenge on the three great ninja villages that had disturbed his life.

"Huh? Mr. Yang?"

Just then, a voice interrupted Yang Lei's revenge plan.

Yang Lei turned his head and saw Xiao Ying, who was holding a thick book in her arms, standing prettily at the entrance of the library.

"Little Cherry Blossom".

Yang Lei exclaimed in surprise. He thought he might not be able to say goodbye to Hinata and her, but he didn't expect to run into her here. Was it fate?

"I've been looking at information about what medical ninjas need to know at the library these past few days. What are you doing?"

Chapter 192

Xiaoying raised the book in her hand to indicate why she was there, then asked Yang Lei, "Isn't your Class 10 already able to carry out missions normally?"

Team 7 had to temporarily suspend their activities because Naruto had been taken away by Jiraiya and Kakashi was injured and was recovering at Konoha Hospital. That's why Sakura had time to come to the library to look up information.

"I'm here to see you."

Yang Lei brazenly said that he actually had no idea what the two women had been doing lately, otherwise he wouldn't have kept coming back empty-handed, almost to the point of breaking into their homes only to find no one there.

Although he was indeed looking for Hinata and Sakura, their meeting at this moment was an incredibly coincidental coincidence.

Xiaoying believed it, because after what happened before, she vaguely felt that Yang Lei had feelings for her, so she thought that Yang Lei had been paying attention to her all along. She shyly twisted her body a couple of times and asked in a low voice, "What does Yang Jun want with me?"

"Come with me."

Yang Lei didn't say much, just greeted Xiao Ying and turned to leave.

Xiaoying paused for a moment before catching up, and the two walked silently along the main path to the back mountain.

"Little Cherry Blossom".

Standing before a stream, Yang Lei finally stopped, sighed softly without turning his head, and suddenly said, "I may have to leave the village."

"what?"

Sakura exclaimed in surprise. She had thought that Yang Lei had brought her to such a remote place to do something naughty. She was still wondering whether she should refuse or go along with it, or let him choose between her and Hinata.

She never expected Yang Lei to say such a thing; it truly shocked her.

"Why did Yang Jun leave? Was he treated unfairly? Or is there something he has to do outside? Or is there someone in the village who makes him uncomfortable?"

Xiaoying was really anxious. She stepped forward and stood a step behind Yang Lei, asking a series of urgent questions. She even said at the end, "Please don't leave, Mr. Yang. I'll do anything if you can stay."

"It's no use."

Yang Lei gave a wry smile, turned around and stood face to face with Xiaoying. Forgetting what he had promised the Third Hokage, he told her everything: "It wasn't my choice to leave. I was forced to leave."

As he spoke, Yang Lei recounted the information that Sunagakure had relayed to him about the oppression he faced from the three great ninja villages.

After listening to Yang Lei's account, Xiao Ying fell silent. She didn't know what else to say. Even the Third Generation couldn't keep Yang Lei here, let alone her.

"Then..."

Suddenly, an idea popped into Xiaoying's mind. She looked up into Yang Lei's eyes and said firmly, "If possible, please take me with you. I will take care of Yang Jun and make him happy, I promise."

“Cherry blossom”.

Yang Lei was touched by Xiao Ying, but he couldn't be so selfish. He shook his head, ruffled Xiao Ying's long hair with his hand, and said with a smile, "I am already very satisfied with your attitude, but please forgive me for not being able to take you away."

"Is it because of Hinata?"

Sakura didn't dodge or avoid Yang Lei's antics, but there were some things she needed to clarify: was it because of Hinata that she couldn't take her with her?

"Of course not."

Yang Lei shook his head and reminded him, "Don't forget, you still have your parents at home. If you leave like this, they will be heartbroken and sad. In addition, they will be monitored by the village. How can you abandon them?"

"I won't take you away, nor will I take Hinata away. I just want to say goodbye to you all. We'll meet again in the future, because I'll be back in the village sooner or later."

"Sakura, if I ever come back, whether I'm still with Hinata or not, I will acknowledge your feelings. I just hope you won't blame me for being fickle and won't reject me because of it."

Hearing Yang Lei's words, Xiao Ying couldn't help but feel a deep sadness. Her feelings had finally been acknowledged, but in the blink of an eye, she was about to face separation. Oh, her love!

. . . . . .

On a side note, Hinata may have had his reasons for choosing to abandon Yang Lei as a pawn.

The third generation didn't know about Sakura, but he wasn't blind; he knew something about Yang Lei and Hinata.

Therefore, Hinata was the Third Hokage's source of reassurance. He believed that no matter how long Yang Lei was away from the village, as long as Hinata was still a ninja of Konoha, Yang Lei would never become an enemy of the village, and might even return to the village one day.

Because the third generation had already figured out Yang Lei's personality, knowing that he was a person who valued relationships, whether it was gratitude or love, otherwise he wouldn't have tried so hard to give Yang Lei benefits before.

So Asuma wasn't wrong; the behavior of the previous Third Hokage was truly hideous.

0180 Sakura declares war on Hinata

It was around 10 p.m. at night, in front of the Hyuga clan's residence.

"I'm so tired."

Hinata, who had been out training all day, was finally brought back by Kurenai Yuhi. The young lady, who had been clean and tidy before leaving, was now covered in a mess. It seemed that today's training was not easy.

Hinata.

Just then, a person stood up in front of the main gate of the Hyuga clan's residence. It was none other than Sakura! What was she doing here?

"I have something to tell you."

Sakura waved to Hinata, then, ignoring Hinata's reaction, turned and walked away.

"Sakura?"

Hinata frowned and turned to look at Kurenai Yuhi.

After returning from the Land of Waves, Kurenai Yuhi said something to Hinata that made Hinata, who hadn't noticed anything before, wary.

At this moment, Hinata was even more puzzled as to why Sakura had suddenly approached him. Was she about to reveal her true colors?

But she had never experienced anything like this before, and couldn't help feeling somewhat helpless.

Chapter 193

"Let's go take a look."

Kurenai cursed Yang Lei inwardly, thinking how he was so young and already so bad, but she couldn't show it on her face. She smiled calmly and told Hinata to go and see what Sakura was up to.

"Oh."

Hinata nodded and got up to follow Sakura, stopping only when they were out of Kurenai's reach.

"Yang Jun has already left the village."

As soon as she caught her breath, Sakura dropped a bombshell that stunned Hinata.

"what?"

After calming down, Hinata exclaimed in disbelief, "What do you mean? What do you mean by Yang leaving? Did he go out of the village on a mission, or what?"

It was easy to guess from Hinata's half-spoken words that she was worried that Yang Lei hadn't left the village because of a mission, but rather because he had betrayed the village.

"neither."

Xiaoying shook her head and coldly recounted everything she knew that Yang Lei had told her before. Finally, she said, "Yang Jun waited for you all day, intending to say goodbye to you in person, but you didn't come back. He had no choice but to leave two hours ago. Before leaving, he asked me to tell you that he will definitely come back in the future, and that you don't need to worry or be sad."

"I see."

Hinata breathed a sigh of relief. Although she was still worried and sad, she was relieved that Yang Lei hadn't betrayed the village and would come back in the future.

But then Hinata opened his mouth again and started to scold, not at Yang Lei or anyone else, but at the shamelessness of the three great ninja villages who were taking advantage of the situation and joining forces to put pressure on Konoha after discovering Yang Lei's extraordinary talent, trying to force Konoha to submit.

The two women were unaware that Danzo and the Third Hokage were both involved in this effort; otherwise, the three great ninja villages might not have succeeded. After all, their alliance was hasty and unreliable, and they had no intention of actually going to war.

At least on the surface, they all knew that Konoha Village was definitely not capable of waging a major war, and compromise was the only option.

They believe that if the Sannin were still in Konoha, or if Konoha hadn't experienced the Konoha Collapse Plan, Yang Lei wouldn't have been forced to leave.

This makes the three great ninja villages appear even more despicable. They usually dare not utter a sound because Konoha always wins in every major ninja war. They only dare to speak up when Konoha is in dire straits. They are truly a group of despicable and shameless people.

Faced with Hinata showing this rare side of herself, Sakura remained silent and did not participate until she was tired of scolding and went to rest in the middle of the court, at which point Sakura spoke again.

Hinata.

Sakura looked at Hinata and suddenly declared, "I like Yang-kun. It may be a bit shameless, but please understand, I may become your rival in love."

After saying that, Xiaoying breathed a sigh of relief. Ever since she realized that she had developed feelings for Yang Lei, or even fallen in love with him, she had been living a very tiring life, as if she was carrying a huge mountain on her back, because liking a 'married man' was really an immoral act.

But after this shock, she dared not delay any longer.

Yang Lei was forced to leave today, but what about the future? Who knows what other unexpected events might occur?

This time, Yang Lei still has a chance to come back. But what if she encounters an unforeseen event that cannot be undone?

After this experience, Sakura finally mustered her courage and, disregarding everything, challenged Hinata, determined to defeat him as the newcomer.

Hinata was silent for a moment. She should have scolded Sakura, as Kurenai had taught her to, but given her personality, she wouldn't do such a thing.

The reason she was able to rebuke the behavior of the three great ninja villages was because what they did was indeed very unethical. In addition, she didn't say much, only a few words that she couldn't help but say.

Overall, Hinata's personality has improved slightly compared to her original self, but she is still that gentle girl, and she really can't bring herself to scold or condemn her to her face.