"I think he means that we may not be chosen," Minato replied.
"Why?" Nawaki was confused. "Our team is strong, especially Xin. He's adept at Lightning Release-he'd definitely be able to suppress the enemy in battle. Why wouldn't they choose us?"
"Is it because of the Hokage?" Nawaki wondered aloud, naturally assuming that it was the Third Hokage opposing Xin again.
After all, Hiruzen had a track record, and it wasn't a good one.
Should I explain? Minato hesitated. He wasn't as naïve as Nawaki.
From Xin's seemingly ambiguous statement, he deduced a lot. The real issue wasn't with the Third Hokage-it was with Orochimaru.
"I think what Xin meant was that Orochimaru may not choose us," Minato said.
"?????" Nawaki was even more bewildered.
Our teacher wouldn't choose us?
Now Nawaki was thoroughly confused.
He could understand if the Third Hokage didn't want to choose their squad, but Orochimaru?
There was no animosity between him and Xin. They had no bad blood.
"Why don't you go and ask him?" Minato said with a mischievous grin, trying to provoke
Nawaki into confronting Orochimaru.
Nawaki stared at him. Do you think I'm stupid?
Is that something you can just ask?
Ignoring the two of them, Xin walked off on his own to the hotpot restaurant's second floor. He poured himself some tea and waited.
After a while, the door to the private room opened, and Tsunade walked in, sitting in the chair across from Xin.
"You were worried that if I went to the front lines, some people would start acting out in the village?" Tsunade asked.
She had initially planned to assist Orochimaru, but after Xin's hint, she chose not to go.
Instead, she pushed Jiraiya to take on the role.
"Not just that someone might act out-I'm certain some will," Xin replied.
What had started as a mere suspicion had turned into a certainty.
If Tsunade left, certain individuals would undoubtedly cause trouble.
Turning to look out the window, Tsunade frowned. Those old geezers.
She said, "I'll keep a close watch. They won't have a chance to take anything that doesn't belong to them. I'll personally inspect everything that leaves the logistics division."
Previously, Tsunade hadn't cared much.
But now that she held the position of Head of the Logistics Division, anyone who tried to get around her would find themselves out of luck. She wouldn't give them the opportunity. "What about those two boys?" she asked, looking around, sensing for chakra. She couldn't find Nawaki or Minato anywhere. Turning back, she gave Xin a questioning glance.
Xin shrugged. "They're still discussing whether our squad will be chosen to go to the front lines."
"Oh," Tsunade said, amused.