Konoha: The Soul King from the Uchiha Clan

Chapter 171 Hunting Time

Besides the Sarutobi clan ninja who was speaking, Sarutobi Shinnosuke and other Sarutobi clan ninjas were also affected.

Since it wasn't a pity directed at them, I only felt slightly uncomfortable, but not to the point of losing my composure.

"Enough, Yuan Jing!"

"You seem to lack manners and respect."

Although Sarutobi Shinnosuke was reprimanding his trusted aide, he was actually looking at Uchiha Gen when he spoke.

Uchiha Gen smiled faintly. This indirect criticism and using someone else's strength against them was quite a clever tactic; it was a sarcastic jab at him.

He is now the deputy commander, while Sarutobi Shinnosuke is the commander. Back when he was just a lowly henchman, Sarutobi Shinnosuke was already the head of the Anbu.

That's true, but he's only just begun, while Sarutobi Shinnosuke has basically reached his peak.

In the original work, this person was only mentioned once as Sarutobi Konohamaru's father, and he never appeared. He either disappeared into obscurity or died.

"Alright, Xuan."

"Kyo and Shinnosuke are from the same generation, so you should respect your elders."

Orochimaru gently patted Uchiha Gen's shoulder, his words seemingly reproachful, but actually tinged with relief.

Even if his apprentice's protectiveness towards him was partly due to his own potential transfer, it was still a source of comfort.

"In the military, seniority doesn't matter; what matters is rank, ability, and competence."

Uchiha Gen muttered to himself, but he also withdrew the terrifying killing intent he had released.

He's not afraid of Shinnosuke Sarutobi's revenge for his outburst today. Does he think Shinnosuke, who's so old, would complain to his father?

It's fine if others report to Hiruzen Sarutobi; what's wrong with them complaining about their teacher and themselves when they feel wronged?

As long as you don't cross Hiruzen Sarutobi's bottom line, Hiruzen Sarutobi is quite magnanimous.

Besides, Hiruzen Sarutobi still needs his master and apprentice to contribute to Konoha, so it's impossible for him to react so angrily over something like this.

As for the other members of the Sarutobi clan, Uchiha Gen didn't take them seriously.

If someone takes advantage of another and can't even stand the slightest mockery, and wants revenge, then he won't be polite.

It's not good to openly attack the villagers; it's fine to do it covertly.

His assassination skills might not be the best in the world, but they are certainly among the best in the ninja world.

If Sarutobi Shinnosuke and the others vent their anger on the old subordinates of the two masters and disciples, that would be... wonderful!

The harsher the suppression, the more these former subordinates support them and their apprentice!

Orochimaru smiled helplessly and said, "Sorry, Shinnosuke, I've spoiled this disciple of mine."

As for Sarutobi Hara Kyo, Orochimaru completely ignored him, clearly not taking him seriously.

Sarutobi Kyo clenched his fists, regaining his senses, but dared not say anything more.

"It's alright, young people are bound to be impetuous."

"Let's move on from this now that it's over."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke was naturally unhappy and extremely displeased with Uchiha Gen.

Although Uchiha Gen's words did not completely tear off the mask of civility, they still caused him to lose face and suffer a loss of substance.

This unnecessarily increases the difficulty of controlling the frontline troops. Even if the war is won in the future, the official credit will not be reduced, but the prestige gained will be significantly reduced.

As a paratrooper, he wouldn't have gained much prestige to begin with.

But since Orochimaru had spoken, they had to save face, and continuing to cause trouble would only make them look more humiliated. They also couldn't do anything to Uchiha Gen, so they had no choice but to back down.

If he doesn't know his place and Orochimaru doesn't offer him a way out, he'll be the one who's embarrassed, since he's in the wrong.

The most urgent task now is to get rid of this master and apprentice, and then find a way to make amends later.

It's clear that Sarutobi Shinnosuke still has a sense of shame. The most terrifying thing is someone who does evil but thinks they are on the side of justice.

The harm caused by such people is immeasurable!

The handover process proceeded smoothly without any major issues.

After the handover was completed, Uchiha Gen and Orochimaru left the Konoha camp, escorted by Sarutobi Shinnosuke and others.

This method proves that Sarutobi Shinnosuke's abilities are indeed quite good, and the lower-ranking ninjas are unaware of the conflicts within the higher-ups.

Seeing the harmonious scene between the old and new commanders will make you feel good about the new commander, and it will be easier to control the front-line troops later.

After leaving the Konoha camp, Uchiha Gen summoned Zhu Rong, who carried him and Orochimaru to the Land of Rice Fields.

The Land of Whirlpools is located southeast of the southeastern border of the Land of Fire, while the Land of Fields is located right next to the northern border of the Land of Fire; the two are quite far apart.

Even though ninjas travel very fast, it still takes a lot of time to travel on foot.

Therefore, Uchiha Gen would first send Orochimaru to the Land of the Fields before rushing back to Konoha.

High in the sky, Zhu Rong rode on crimson flames, flying swiftly towards the north. The strong wind made the robes of the master and disciple flutter wildly, and Orochimaru's long black hair danced wildly in the wind.

Uchiha Gen's hair is black and choppy. He doesn't grow his hair long mainly because it's troublesome to wash, since the Soul-Soul Fruit doesn't allow him to wash his hair himself.

"Xuan, after this birthday, you'll be sixteen next year, right?"

"Yes, I'll be sixteen next year."

"Is there a girl you like?"

"Um?"

Uchiha Gen turned around in surprise and asked, "Teacher, when did you become interested in this kind of thing?"

"This isn't like you."

"Heh heh... I'm really not interested in women."

"But that doesn't stop me from checking up on you; it's pretty boring to travel in silence all the way."

"You're so outstanding, I reckon your clan has already started looking for excellent girls for you."

Is Orochimaru's lack of interest in women due to the lingering trauma Tsunade inflicted on him since childhood?

I suspect that's part of the reason.

In addition, the deaths of his parents, Kato Dan, and Nawaki made Orochimaru extremely pessimistic about the world. He developed a desire for immortality and did not want his child to come into this world and suffer.

Perhaps being too busy is also a factor.

During wartime, they certainly wouldn't be in the mood for romantic relationships; in their spare time, they would be practicing ninjutsu, conducting research, or even abducting children.

In conclusion, the reasons are multifaceted.

Fortunately, he still has an interest in women, otherwise it would be truly terrifying.

He has no interest in women and would rather not live forever; that's his current thought.

The main problem is that I haven't experienced enough and I can't escape low-level interests. Once I've experienced more, I might be able to see things more clearly.

"Let's look for someone. If we like them, we'll accept them; if not, we'll politely decline."

"Who can force me to do something like this?"

"Do you have a girl you like?"

"have."

Which one?

"She is not any one, she is a kind of."

Orochimaru: "???"

"A pretty girl," Uchiha Gen said with a slightly shy smile.

Orochimaru's heart skipped a beat, and he asked somewhat uncertainly, "You mean you like all pretty girls?"

"Teacher, you're so smart!"

Orochimaru: "..."

"Heh heh... Your behavior with women is quite similar to Jiraiya's. Perhaps you should take Jiraiya as your teacher."

"Jiraiya-senpai?"

"He's no good. He's the kind of lecher who has the desire but not the courage. I'm the kind of lecher who has both the desire and the courage."

Uchiha Gen silently added in his mind, "In my past life, I was also a pervert who had the desire but not the courage."

Orochimaru looked thoughtful, and after a moment said, "Indeed, Jiraiya has lustful thoughts but no courage. He seems unrestrained in matters of the heart, but in reality, he is as cowardly as a mouse."

"But I didn't see that you had the desire and the audacity..."

"I'm still young, I'm at the age where I'm growing. It's not too late to start hunting when I turn sixteen."

"It's planned, that's fine."

(End of this chapter)