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No one could understand Tsunade's words better than him. As long as it doesn't violate the relevant village regulations, do whatever you want. No need to be as timid and fearful as before, acting like a thief.
To achieve this, there are only two conditions: first, possess strength so formidable that no one dares to object; second, have your own backer.
Either possess near-invincible strength like Uchiha Madara or Senju Hashirama; or have a backer powerful enough to allow you to live and grow peacefully in Konoha, someone ensuring no one secretly troubles you.
Don't think that just because you have the Hokage's attention, you can rest easy. Rong Lin was taking a gamble—betting on whether Tsunade would choose to support him. If she was willing, then from now on, the sky's the limit, the ocean's his oyster.
Even if Tsunade left Konoha in the future, so what? Who would dare oppose him then?
If Tsunade was unwilling, Rong Lin would still leave Team Tsunade, apply for the Chunin Exams as soon as possible, apply for the Jonin assessment in the shortest time frame, and become a Jonin. As for joining the Anbu, Rong Lin had never considered it, because hidden within it was the even more worrying Danzo!
If he didn't join Anbu, then rejecting Danzo's invitation would be much simpler. If he even refused the Anbu directly controlled by the Third Hokage, refusing your Root division would be perfectly logical, right?
Furthermore, after entering Anbu, Root members are everywhere. Who knows, maybe one day he'd be directly buried in a pit without even knowing what happened.
"Sigh~~ Indeed, scheming and intrigue are the most annoying things. But perhaps I can also reach out to some people. Can't put all your eggs in one basket."
After Tsunade left, the corners of Rong Lin's mouth lifted slightly. Indeed, the timid starve, the bold burst. Sometimes, if you want to seize an opportunity, you have to be a bit bolder.
From the Ninja Academy onwards, the main points emphasized by teachers were team unity and trust in teammates!!
Rong Lin's actions, however, ran counter to these two points. Because leaving Team Tsunade equated to distrusting the team, distrusting his teammates. This might cause certain higher-ups to view him negatively, deeming him too pragmatic. But between a worsening impression and finding a backer, Rong Lin decided to take the gamble.
His own issues would be exposed sooner or later. Rather than waiting for others to slowly come after him, it was better to make plans early, to avoid being caught off guard later.
Prepare for a rainy day!
Rong Lin never wanted to take things one step at a time; that way, he would die miserably. Unless he grew strong enough to ignore everything—not necessarily comparable to the Sage of Six Paths, but at least capable of contending with figures like Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara.
Madara! Perhaps we will meet before you die.
A faint smile appeared on Rong Lin's profile, which bore an eighty percent resemblance to Uchiha Madara's. He pulled up the covers, closed his eyes, and rested.
Perform well. Tsunade, you will see. But before that, I need to recuperate. The body is the foundation of the revolution.
"Ah! Rong Lin, you're participating in this Chunin Exam? Isn't it too early?"
When Shimura Oto and Haru Ame Yoru came to visit him in the hospital the next day, Rong Lin chose to be frank. It wasn't that he disliked the two, but some things just had to be said. Rather than making Tsunade play the villain, it was better for him to be upfront.
"Not early."
Rong Lin looked at the two and shook his head apologetically. "Sorry, I can't continue staying in Team Tsunade with you two. I believe someone suitable will join after I leave."
Glancing out the window, Rong Lin lowered his voice. "Compared to Kakashi, I'm already much slower."
The two were instantly speechless. They had once thought he wouldn't care, but now it seemed that wasn't the case.
"Then we congratulate you and wish you success in passing the exams."
Shimura Oto and Haru Ame Yoru both showed reluctance to part. Although they were the ones holding the team back, having spent several months together, they had developed some affection. Suddenly separating still felt difficult.
Fortunately, Rong Lin brought up Kakashi himself and requested to apply for the Chunin Exams early. After the exams, the three would basically go their separate ways. This prevented any negative feelings from arising in the two; they just instinctively wished Rong Lin success in passing the Chunin Exams. Soon, they couldn't help but smile.
Rong Lin could instantly kill even a Tokubetsu Jonin; how could he possibly fail the Jonin assessment? On their way back, the two were even wondering: if that Tokubetsu Jonin hadn't hindered him, allowing Rong Lin to fight the leader of the rogue ninjas at full strength, who would have been stronger!!
"Looks like you won't die."
A certain Chunin boy stared at him from a forty-five-degree angle.
"Kakashi!! If you don't talk like that, will you die?!"
Having learned from his dad that Rong Lin was hospitalized and needed to rest for a while, Kakashi thought about it and came to visit. Unsure what gift to buy, Kakashi ended up just bringing a package of things Rong Lin usually liked.
Towards this, Rong Lin could only forcefully suppress the twitching between his brows and say seriously, "No greasy food allowed during recuperation."
"Oh!" Kakashi responded faintly, leaning against the window and looking out at the street below.
"I'm going to participate in the Chunin Exams," Rong Lin said, looking at Kakashi, who seemed almost unchanged from before.
Kakashi's half-lidded eyes instantly shot wide open. "Are you serious?"
"En," Rong Lin nodded.
"But, didn't you say back then..." Kakashi's tone couldn't help becoming agitated. Back then, Rong Lin had advised him differently. But now, Rong Lin himself was applying for the exams early? Then what was the point of him going back to the Academy to continue studying?
"We're different!"
Rong Lin raised a hand to stop Kakashi, saying seriously, "Kakashi, I don't want you to take too big a step and end up pulling something painful. But I'm different. After passing the Chunin Exams, I will apply for the Jonin assessment in the shortest possible time. Can you understand?"
"..." Kakashi remained silent.
The phrase "pull something painful" was clearly not elegant, but it was quite a good metaphor. Men would eventually experience that kind of heart-wrenching feeling, and of course, the same applies when attacked there.
"I won't be left behind by you, Uchiha Rong Lin. Remember your words today. One day, I, Hatake Kakashi, will repay you."
After a long silence, Kakashi turned and left. His retreating figure seemed somewhat lonely, also holding something back. Opening the door, Kakashi paused and said without turning his head.