From Naruto onwards, I've become a dreamer.

Chapter 253 I am the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi!
The entire Hidden Leaf Village was ablaze with flames, and billowing black smoke rose into the air like the claws of demons reaching towards the sky.

Under the hazy, overcast night sky, illuminated by a thin, waning moon, it seemed as if the most violent and ferocious natural disasters in the world, feared by humankind, were gathering and wantonly destroying everything within sight. Humans, in their presence, were like tiny ants.

Driven by extreme rage, the monstrous creature roared to the sky, unleashing a deafening, thunderous roar.

Centered on it, a violent shockwave spread outwards, like an extremely ruthless bulldozer, plowing a huge, deep pit into the ground. The surrounding buildings were mercilessly crushed, and the ruins flew up like dust, turning into powder amidst the deafening sonic boom.

"Konoha—!!!"

Completely out of control, the Nine-Tails' eyes blazed with a terrifying, molten fury.

His orange-red fur flared in the gale, resembling a burning flame. His body possessed an immeasurable, vast chakra, like a deep sea, erupting like a volcano and exuding the most ferocious pressure. It was as if an invisible hand was stirring the surrounding air, causing it to explode and turbulent.

Such a terrifying scene left the ANBU and ordinary ninjas around who wanted to help powerless.

Just as everyone was forced to retreat by the berserk Nine-Tailed Fox, watching helplessly as the sharp, enormous beast claws above them fell and were about to tear them to shreds, they suddenly heard a muffled explosion in the air, followed by a jet-black staff as thick as a millstone, carrying the force of wind and thunder, sweeping across.

boom!
The massive, jet-black stick-like shadow of the millstone actually managed to deflect the nine-tailed beast's claws.

The collision of the two caused a tremendous roar that shook the earth and the air, and visible air currents spread outwards.

Then, a lithe figure leaped in front of the group, wearing a black, tight-fitting combat suit with chainmail over it, a ninja hat, and white ribbons that fluttered in the howling wind: "You go and evacuate the civilians, I'll take care of this place."

"Third generation sir."

In a daze, the Dark Guard looked at the old man standing alone in front of the natural disaster and subconsciously called out.

"No, I am no longer the Hokage."

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained calm, his back to the crowd, and said indifferently, "Go. This level of battle is beyond your reach."

"But you're all alone."

The Anbu hesitated, wanting to stop the completely berserk Tailed Beast alone, especially at nearly fifty years old, which was almost impossible.

"Don't forget, I was once the Hokage."

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, his expression firm and resolute: "As the Hokage, one must have the courage and determination to sacrifice oneself at any time to protect Konoha and its people!"

As she spoke, the Nine-Tailed Fox swung its claws, unleashing immense power that poured down like a waterfall. The heavy wind pressure, like the collapse of the heavens, pressed down on everyone, making them unable to lift their heads. It was as if they were facing a natural disaster, and the feeling of helplessness and despair eroded everyone's hearts.

"With me here, you won't be able to hurt a single person!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi threw out his Vajra Staff, which transformed into dozens of iron rods that crisscrossed to form a cage: "Sarutobi, Vajra Prison Wall!"

boom!
Nine-Tails' near-full-force attack only caused sparks to fly from the Vajra Cage.

Enma let out a painful groan, and Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes showed heartache, but he still forced himself to say, "You've suffered, Enma, hang in there a little longer!"

As he spoke, the Vajra Cage vanished, and Hiruzen Sarutobi, with his arms gripping the Vajra Staff, which was as thick as a millstone, planted his feet firmly on the ground. He forcefully exhaled a blast of air, veins bulging on his forehead, and swung his arms in a wide arc, like hitting a baseball, directly smashing it onto Kurama's head.

Boom! ! !
The nine-tailed fox saw stars as it was struck on the head with the iron rod and staggered to the ground.

"Come on!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted at the ANBU ninja behind him who were still in a daze.

The former Third Hokage has once again demonstrated his profound knowledge and experience as a 'Hokage' and a ninja hero.

After a moment of silence, the leader of the ANBU nodded slightly, expressing his respect to Hiruzen Sarutobi: "It's up to you now, Lord Sarutobi!"

Led by the Anbu, the ordinary ninjas withdrew from the battle and instead went to evacuate the civilians.

After being hit on the head, the Nine-Tails, briefly stunned, immediately turned its attention to Hiruzen Sarutobi and roared as it charged towards him. "That's right, that's it, come at me!" Seeing his goal achieved, Hiruzen Sarutobi no longer hesitated, turning and running with his staff: "Come with me, Nine-Tails, your target is me!"

He moved nimbly, dodging and weaving across the broken houses, dodging the Nine-Tails' attacks while luring it away from the center of the village.

The Nine-Tails charged wildly, chasing after Hiruzen Sarutobi, but gradually grew tired of it and unleashed a Tailed Beast Ball.

boom! ! !
The chakra, compressed to its limit, was shrouded in an ominous, dark aura.

In an instant, the Tailed Beast Ball, carrying a world-destroying force, shattered everything in its path and flew at an astonishing speed toward the 'little person' who was still dodging.

"Lord Sarutobi!" Minato Namikaze noticed this scene, his pupils contracted slightly, and he took a half step forward.

"Don't get distracted, I'll handle the Nine-Tails!" Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted in a deep voice, stopping him from sending reinforcements: "Only you can deal with that guy's abilities!"

Even when facing the Tailed Beast Ball, Hiruzen Sarutobi remained fearless, his eyes sharp: "Minato, don't underestimate me. A mere Tailed Beast Ball? Watch me blast it away!"

At that moment, his rich combat experience allowed him to devise a solution in the blink of an eye.

Hiruzen Sarutobi held the Vajra Staff with both hands, using himself as a fulcrum, and then used the extended Vajra Staff to forcefully flick upwards at the end.

“Ahhhh——!!!”

The veins on Hiruzen Sarutobi's forehead bulged, his face turned bright red, and he let out a roar that was not human.

His bones and muscles seemed to be screaming hysterically, but under the influence of his willpower, he unleashed a power beyond anything he had ever had before. Both his chakra and his aging body were completely squeezed to the limit, leaving no room for anything else!

boom!
The Tailed Beast Ball was actually knocked away by Hiruzen Sarutobi's staff.

"You, get out!"

Before the stunned Nine-Tailed Fox could react, its abdomen was pressed against by the Vajra Ruyi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, holding one end of the Nine-Tails, stomped heavily on the ground, unleashing a burst of powerful and refined chakra. With his brute force, he pushed the massive body of the Nine-Tails out of Konoha bit by bit.

boom!
The Nine-Tails crashed through the outer wall of Konoha, was propelled away by the Vajra Staff, and landed in the forest.

Being knocked away by a mere human filled the Nine-Tailed Fox with deep humiliation. It roared and howled, its massive body like a mountain, unleashing astonishing power in an attempt to crush the frail old man who dared to stand in its way.

Considering the issue of chakra, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not choose to use ninjutsu, but instead used the most direct and effective taijutsu.

"Ruyi Jingu Bang: Gale!"

In Hiruzen Sarutobi's hands, the Vajra Staff was incredibly versatile, its length and range making it impossible to defend against.

Moreover, the already heavy Vajra Ruyi Cudgel, amplified by his innate immense strength, became even more powerful with each strike, especially when the nine tails were struck by the end of the cudgel, causing them to scream in agony.

Despite feeling exhausted by his aging body, Hiruzen Sarutobi persevered.

The heavy Vajra Ruyi Cudgel in his hand seemed to have become much lighter, unleashing a sky full of staff shadows. The heavy and violent attack was like a continuous downpour, and for a moment, the attack even suppressed the berserk Nine-Tailed Fox, causing the latter to roar repeatedly.

He made many wrong decisions and used underhanded political methods to persecute and oppress many people, but his original intention never changed: to make Konoha stronger.

Looking back now, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly realizes that his entire life has been a joke.

Konoha not only failed to become strong, but also declined under his leadership. He watched as generations of young people died, and the disciples he personally taught betrayed the village. His most trusted deputy and companion turned out to be a spy who had been hiding for many years. Looking back on the second half of his life, it seemed like a microcosm of countless failures.

But at least now, at this moment, in this second, he is not a loser, but the 'Shadow' who protects Konoha!
"Nine-Tails, as long as I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, have a breath left."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, wielding his Vajra Staff and with bloodshot eyes, stood like a war god atop the shattered outer wall of Konoha: "Today, you will not set foot in Konoha!"

(End of this chapter)