Starting with Naruto, I'll become stronger through my own efforts.

Chapter 121 The Idea of ​​Hokage Dissolving in Water

Xia Zuo suddenly burst into laughter: "I understand, so that's how it is."

"To this day, Hiruzen Sarutobi still hasn't broken free from the mindset of the Hokage that he's had for 30 years."

"He thought that because he had been Hokage for so long, he wouldn't be punished."

"He thought that the prosperity and growth of the Sarutobi clan was a matter of course, and that the Sarutobi clan should not have to spit out the fat meat they had swallowed."

Xia Zuo's face darkened: "He's dreaming!"

Xia Zuo's anger emanated, along with his imposing aura, grand and majestic, as deep and boundless as the sea.

Uchiha Izumi, Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Shisui, Tenten, and the others felt a sinking feeling in their hearts, as if a god was standing beside them.

An instinctive fear made them break out in a cold sweat; their eyes were fixed on the ground, and they didn't even know where to put their hands.

Kakashi Hatake and Shisui Uchiha exchanged glances, suddenly understanding why the First Hokage was called the God of Shinobi.

If someone as powerful as Lord Xia Zuo can have a godlike influence from mere emotional changes, then what about the legendary First Hokage, who was even more powerful?

Xia Zuo was quite self-controlled and quickly regained his composure, suppressing his aura and smiling again.

But his smile was anything but warm; instead, it was quite sinister: "Since the Third Hokage lacks self-awareness and is still trying to protect the interests that the Sarutobi clan has greedily seized at this point, I should be more direct in telling him something."

"The era of the Third Hokage has passed, and the scum of the old era should also be swept away by the wind."

Kakashi Hatake licked his lips and said with difficulty, "Lord Natsume, Hiruzen Sarutobi has been the Hokage for 30 years after all, and he deserves some respect—"

Xia Zuo snorted coldly: "I've already given him face, but he's the one who won't back down."

"Not only did they interfere in the selection of the Fifth Hokage and even subsequent Hokage, but they also wanted to protect the bloated interests of the Sarutobi clan. Hmph."

"Hiruzen Sarutobi is too greedy."

Although Xia Zuo is still a Chunin and has not yet ascended to the Hokage throne, he has already completely won over many people.

In the eyes of his close ninja friends who were watching the drama unfold with Xia Zuo, he was already the Fifth Hokage.

Moreover, he was a young, powerful, wise, resourceful, far-sighted, and almost perfect Fifth Hokage who valued the interests of Konoha Village.

Now that Xia Zuo has made his decision, no one will object anymore.

Kakashi Hatake stopped trying to persuade him and instead asked, "Lord Shaza, what do you need me to do?"

Xia Zuo ordered, "After we finish watching the show, go and gather intelligence on the Sarutobi clan—all the intelligence. I need to decide on a course of action against Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Sarutobi family based on the specific information."

He noticed Kakashi's doubts and reassured him, "Don't worry, I won't drag Hiruzen Sarutobi into a public trial. Although I really want to nail him to the pillar of shame, I know—I can't do that."

"We're afraid to act rashly, lest we incur the consequences."

"No matter what, he is the Third Hokage. If his reputation is too bad, it will implicate all the previous Hokage and the entire Hidden Leaf Village."

Therefore, the Third Hokage's old age and frailty, and his accidental dissolution in water while taking a walk at home, is a barely acceptable ending.

Once Hiruzen Sarutobi is dead, Natsumi will publicly express his dislike for the Sarutobi clan.

He wouldn't need to do anything else; the Konoha ninja would naturally step in and strip the Sarutobi clan of their privileges, businesses, and wealth.

With reduced benefits and privileges, those opportunists who have been exploiting the Sarutobi clan will inevitably break away, taking with them a large amount of wealth and manpower.

Thus, the vulnerable parts of the Sarutobi clan would be exposed.

At that time, with just a gentle poke, the Sarutobi clan will quickly decline and disappear.

Xia Zuo is not a cruel and tyrannical killer. He will not kill all of Sarutobi's people. He will even carefully nurture talented children like Sarutobi Konohamaru.

However, the Sarutobi clan, this interest group, must disappear, just like the Senju clan, becoming a seemingly existent yet seemingly nonexistent part of Konoha's foundation.

The Third Hokage and Jiraiya's visit to Naruto Uzumaki ultimately turned into a humiliating scene for Hiruzen Sarutobi.

After Naruto left, an even more intense argument broke out between the master and his student.

Both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya were extremely self-centered and stubborn, so naturally they parted on bad terms.

Just as Jiraiya was about to jump out of the window, Hiruzen Sarutobi called out to him, "Don't forget to bring Tsunade back and make her the Fifth Hokage."

Jiraiya stared in disbelief: "Sarutobi-sensei, you're going to compete with Natsume?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi said seriously, "Of course I will fight, but I'm not fighting for myself and for Natsumi, but for Konoha and for Natsumi."

Jiraiya took a few deep breaths before asking, "Master, how do you know you're doing this for the good of Konoha?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi snorted coldly: "I have made a lot of mistakes in the past 30 years, but I have also done a lot. Your understanding of Konoha Village is beyond what you can match."

"I am absolutely certain that it is not a good thing for Konoha Village, nor is it a good thing for him, that 17-year-old Xia Zuo became the Fifth Hokage."

"He's too young. I see ambition in his eyes, ambition that won't be bound by Konoha Village."

"With such ambition and without an old guy like me to restrain him, Xia Zuo will definitely cause a lot of trouble after becoming Hokage."

"Tell Tsunade that her mission is to suppress Natsume for ten years. He will only be 27 years old in ten years, which would be perfect for him to become the Sixth Hokage."

Jiraiya was persuaded and said in a muffled voice, "I understand, I will bring Tsunade back."

After saying that, he jumped out of the window and left.

The show was over, and the ninjas watching from the sidelines relaxed and all turned to look at Xia Zuo.

Uchiha Izumi asked, "Brother, is what the Third Hokage said true?"

Xia Zuo laughed, "Izumi, you actually still have any respect for Hiruzen Sarutobi? You're the head of the Uchiha clan."

Naruto Uzumaki shook his head and said, "Izumi-neechan, how can you still believe in Hiruzen Sarutobi? He never keeps any of his promises."

Xia Zuo patted Naruto's head and said, "Naruto is right. For politicians like this, never listen to what they say, but look at what they have done in the past."

"He promised Orochimaru that he would become Hokage, but in the end, Orochimaru was beaten into a rogue ninja by him."

"He promised to take good care of Naruto, but Naruto's childhood turned out to be incredibly miserable."

"He promised to protect Konoha Village, but he never went to the battlefield in 30 years, unless the battlefield was in Konoha Village."

"Perhaps Hiruzen Sarutobi was sincere when he made the promise, but he would soon be forced to break it due to various unavoidable reasons."

"Interestingly, the Third Hokage also made many promises that he never broke, but those were all made to the enemy, and all of them were betrayed by the enemy."

"In short, you can treat any promise Hiruzen Sarutobi makes that is just empty talk if it spans more than a year, let alone ten years."