Ethan’s words left Tsunade speechless. Moreover, she realized that Ethan seemed to know far more about the Hidden Leaf Village than expected. Wasn’t he just a Genin? How did he know all this?

"A smart person can infer many things from small details."

As if guessing what Tsunade was thinking in her silence, Ethan’s voice rang out at just the right moment.

"Besides, many things were done so obviously that it would be hard even if you tried not to notice them."

For some reason, Ethan’s calm remark made Jiraiya feel even worse. Even a freshly promoted Genin could see it. Had the Hidden Leaf’s dark side really become this obvious? Had his teacher truly been wrong to indulge that person time and time again?

Leaving everything else aside, this new generation genius, whom the Third Hokage valued so highly, was now wary of the Hidden Leaf because of that person’s actions. This was by no means a good thing.

"Ethan, many things aren’t as simple as you think."

"No, actually, many things are fundamentally very simple."

The idea that the world is complex is pure nonsense. This world has always been simple. The bigger your fist, the more you can do as you please.

It was clear that Ethan was already dissatisfied with that person. Jiraiya now worried that this dissatisfaction might provoke Ethan into making some drastic choice.

He worried that Ethan might defect from the Leaf. In reality, Ethan would not do that. If Danzo truly dared to provoke him, he would simply wipe out Danzo, his subordinates, and his entire faction.

As for whether the Leaf would hold him accountable afterward, at worst, he could claim it was under the Hokage’s orders. This was also why Ethan chose to cast a genjutsu on Tsunade, pull her into this space, and appropriately reveal part of his true strength.

His undisguised hostility toward Danzo was also a reminder to Tsunade. He was not on the same path as Danzo. If she found that old man disgusting in the future and wanted to deal with him, Ethan would be happy to help.

It could also be interpreted another way. If she wanted to protect Danzo, then she should tell that old man not to bother him, otherwise he could not guarantee what he might do.

These underlying meanings were far beyond Naruto and Sasuke, but Jiraiya and Tsunade both understood Ethan’s intentions during the conversation.

What made things even more awkward was that they seemed to have no room to refuse.

Ethan had displayed terrifying strength. Was everything before just an illusion? With Jiraiya and Tsunade’s experience, they would never think that. For someone capable of casting such a terrifying genjutsu, his previous combat ability was not worth questioning. He could absolutely unleash those abilities in reality.

Even if his real combat power was slightly weaker than what he showed in the illusion, it would not be by much. After all, aside from the technique called Senbonzakura, Ethan had not used any especially powerful ninjutsu earlier. Flying Thunder God and Wood Release were abilities he had genuinely mastered.

Even ignoring all that, the genjutsu itself could not be overlooked. With such a powerful genjutsu, who in the entire Hidden Leaf could break it?

Based on this alone, Ethan had already reached the pinnacle among Hidden Leaf ninja, because no one could truly break or defend against this genjutsu.

Therefore, Ethan’s previous statement was not arrogance at all, but a statement of fact.

"I understand what you mean."

As Tsunade spoke, everyone present felt a brief sense of dizziness, and the scene before them changed once more.

This time, they were all back in the guest room where Ethan was staying, surrounding Ethan, who was half reclining on the bed, looking frail and sick, exactly as he had appeared when they first arrived.

"Cough, cough, cough, you’re here!"

Tsunade watched Ethan’s exaggerated performance and rolled her eyes repeatedly.

"That’s enough."

Ethan smiled, dropped the half-hearted act, and sat up very naturally, looking at the people in front of him.

Compared to his relaxed demeanor, the expressions of the others were quite strange.

Pulling several people into a genjutsu at once, including two of the legendary Sannin, was undoubtedly the most humiliating moment for the Sannin.

Fortunately, no outsiders saw it. Including Sasuke and Naruto, none of them seemed like the type to spread this kind of thing around.

Moreover, what happened today was absolutely not to be mentioned.

"Everything you heard just now, not a single word is to be spoken outside."

Jiraiya had remained silent earlier, observing the surroundings and confirming that there were no spies nearby before speaking in a low voice to the two young men beside him.

Naruto nodded without hesitation, while Sasuke clenched his teeth and fists. After a long pause, he nodded unwillingly.

In fact, they did not all leave the genjutsu at the same time. Sasuke stayed a little longer than the others.

This was because he had many questions he wanted to ask Ethan, such as how Ethan’s real strength compared to what he showed in the illusion. Was it stronger or weaker?

"I didn’t do anything in the illusion that I can’t do in reality."

This answer satisfied Sasuke. It meant Ethan’s strength was indeed terrifying. At the same time, Sasuke pressed him about the so-called spies.

Ethan did not answer directly and simply dismissed him with one sentence.

"You’re too weak."

Too weak to know there were spies in your own home.

Too weak to know why someone would send spies to watch you.

Too weak to do anything except know nothing at all.

That was precisely why Sasuke looked so unwilling. At this moment, he made up his mind to work even harder to improve his strength.

"Since you’ve ’recovered,’ remember to work."

"What kind of work do I have to do?"

Tsunade glanced at Ethan. She had not paid much attention to his arrangements before, but now she had an idea.

"I’m about to take over as Hokage, and there are many things to handle. You can come and help me for now."

After saying that, Tsunade did not bother with Ethan anymore and left the Uchiha compound to discuss matters with the Third Hokage.

Jiraiya did not leave with her. Instead, he quietly watched Naruto excitedly recount his experiences during this period to Ethan and Sasuke, including learning a powerful ninjutsu from him and the great battle between the Sannin. Of course, since Naruto was injured and fainted midway, he focused on how he defeated Kabuto with the Rasengan he had just learned.

Naruto had become stronger again.

If this were the previous Sasuke, his mindset would have collapsed at this moment. However, he already knew what he should do. He calmly listened to Naruto’s description, inferring the strength of these people and comparing it to his own to judge how far he was from top-tier fighters.

It was Ethan who suddenly asked a question after hearing Naruto’s story.

"You just said how you used the Rasengan?"

Naruto did not think much about it and explained again how he defeated Kabuto.

"So, in order to use the Rasengan, you first need a Shadow Clone, and then cooperate with the clone to use it."

"Yeah."

Naruto did not think there was anything wrong with that, while Jiraiya showed a subtle smile.

"The Rasengan is called a ninjutsu without hand seals. Is what you used really a ninjutsu without hand seals?"

"Hmm, but what’s the difference?"

"The difference is simple. Me raising my hand and slamming a Rasengan into your face, and you posing for half a day and using other ninjutsu to prepare for half a day. Don’t you think there’s a difference?"

...

With such an obvious comparison, even Naruto understood.

If the Rasengan, a ninjutsu without hand seals, was a top-tier attack, then what he used was merely a ninjutsu with a cumbersome activation process.

"So, you haven’t truly mastered the Rasengan at all."

"Hmm..."

Naruto originally wanted to show off his newly learned ninjutsu, but he did not expect Ethan to say outright that he had not mastered it at all. Still, Ethan was right. Activating the Rasengan was indeed slow and troublesome for him. Jiraiya could use it so effortlessly. The difference in battle was obvious.

Recalling his fight with Kabuto, if he could activate the Rasengan freely, he would not have been seriously injured.

"Alright then, I’ll truly learn the Rasengan."

With Naruto’s chakra reserves, if he fully mastered the Rasengan, very few people would be able to withstand his attacks. A Rasengan with every wave of his hand would be terrifying, even for top Akatsuki members.

If possible, Ethan also hoped Naruto and Sasuke could train together. They could motivate each other and engage in practical sparring.

After all, Ethan had recovered and could no longer stay at the Uchiha house pretending to be injured. After another two or three days of ’recuperation,’ he returned to work.

"Ah, Shikamaru, have you finished the procedures?"

Shikamaru was already wearing a Chunin vest. During the time Ethan was ’recovering,’ Shikamaru had completed his promotion and officially become a Chunin.

"Yeah. Becoming a Chunin just means more troublesome work. What a drag." He glanced at Ethan. "Speaking of which, you finally decided to come out after slacking off for so long?"

"But I was injured."

"Being able to rest properly without anyone bothering you, what’s a little injury compared to that?"

"That’s a dangerous way of thinking."

They exchanged a few casual remarks before Ethan bid Shikamaru farewell and entered the building.

Tsunade had officially become the Fifth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village. This time, Ethan was going to see the new Hokage to confirm his work arrangements.

Although Tsunade had told him earlier to stay by her side and help, Ethan had not taken it too seriously. It was only when they met again that he realized she was not joking.

"Hokage’s Assistant?"

(To be continued.)