Naruto: Two opponents versus Naruto, Konoha panics!

"It's you, Murata. What's up?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression grew increasingly grim.

[Especially when the person who woke me up was that weakling, I felt even more annoyed.]

But for now, we must be patient and not react impulsively as soon as someone comes to our attention.

"Hokage-sama..."

[Click—]

Murata seemed hesitant to look directly at Hiruzen Sarutobi, fearing he might notice something amiss.

After entering, he also closed the door to the Hokage's office.

"What's the matter?"

【"Murata?"】

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, gave Murata a forced smile, sat up straight, and maintained one of the few remaining Hokage-like postures.

Seeing Murata's stammering, the dangerous glint in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes intensified.

【"Lord Fox, what...what should I say?!"】

"Please, I'll do whatever you say... I'm under so much pressure, I need to use it for free for two months!"

[Inside Naruto's sealed space.]

The large fox, with its eyes closed, was connecting with the pseudo-Nine-Tails chakra within Murata's body.

[Upon hearing that Murata intended to raise the price at the last minute, it sneered.]

Is fortune found in danger?

What's the danger?

Although the old man disliked him, he didn't dare to resort to underhanded tactics.

This kid's pretty famous in the tavern.

[Every time she gets drunk, she talks badly about the old man.]

If you just remove it directly, the old man will only get covered in filth.

Even if we were to do it, we'd have to wait until this kid leaves the village to do a mission.

However, every time Hiruzen Sarutobi planned to do it, he would always forget.

Murata's strength is too low, and he's very cautious; after offending Hiruzen Sarutobi, he hasn't left the village much.

Consequently, resources couldn't keep up, and strength regressed instead of progressed.

[But at least he survived.]

"Like this... Hokage-sama..."

Murata forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.

[Then he walked towards Hiruzen Sarutobi.]

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly.

A look of disgust flashed in his cloudy, bloodshot eyes.

"Murata, now that we're here, just say what you need to say."

"I've been very tired and busy lately."

"If nothing else..." Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, suppressing his temper for the time being.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi would soon regret it.

【“Fox Lord...do you really want to do this?!”】

【"No, I've already offended it. If I do something like this again, I'll probably be kicked out!"】

【What?!】

"You mean... I'll get a year's worth of chakra fees waived if I complete the mission?!"

【Great!】

【As expected of Lord Fox!】

The big fox is in danger recently.

[Idiot, don't waste your energy.]

【...】

"Speak." Patience had run out.

Murata took a deep breath.

The voice of the big fox kept echoing in my mind.

He gritted his teeth and immediately said:

"Hokage-sama... don't blame me. If anyone's to blame, it's himself."

With that, Murata forced a smile, his expression extremely complex.

"Lord Hokage, actually... I received a mission, so..."

[How dare you!]

Hiruzen Sarutobi was taken aback, then flew into a rage.

Everyone: "..."

This gift does indeed contain something.

However, just when everyone thought that was about it...

"Have mercy, Lord Hokage!!!"

Something unexpected happened.

[It's clear that Hiruzen Sarutobi is already a lamb to the slaughter.]

[But Murata ran straight to the window and begged for mercy.]

There were already plenty of rumors circulating, and now, an even bigger one has emerged.

"Ah~!!!"

[Task complete.]

[When Murata attempted to sneak away, or even leave Konoha, an unexpected event occurred.]

At that moment, Murata regretted it.

Greed...it's all because I was too greedy.

Murata plopped down on the ground.

Things happened so fast; Murata was completely unprepared.

[I felt my chakra disappearing at an extremely rapid pace.]

Then, with another sensation, it all vanished.

[And so, he no longer even had the strength to stand.]

【Om—】

【at the same time.】

The inner four-element seal on Murata's lower abdomen shattered instantly.

The great fox's chakra, combined with his own, vanished instantly.

"Heh..." Murata gave a bitter laugh.

His gaze unconsciously fell on the Empress, who had just regained some of her power.

[He opened his mouth.]

Ultimately, before it could utter a sound, it died.

[Whoosh—]

Several breaths after his death, several ANBU ninjas arrived belatedly.

[Upon entering, I saw Murata lying on the ground.]

[Also, there's Hiruzen Sarutobi, who just recovered and is sitting at the Hokage's desk.]

"Damn it, Danzo sent them!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was ashen.

Murata's outburst just now will really have a huge impact.

"Whether it's true or not, I have to go and see for myself."

Without another word, the ANBU ninjas quickly disappeared in a flash.

After the ANBU ninja left, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but rub his temples.

[A hard-earned half-day off.]

[It's all gone just like that...]

The thought hadn't even formed yet.

[Knock knock knock—]

The door to the Hokage's office was knocked on again.

【"Enter!"】

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, preparing to explain.

[Squeak—]

The door to the Hokage's office was pushed open again.

A figure walked in.

[A moment later.]

"Spare me, Lord Hokage!"

"I only said a few bad things about you behind your back, just like Murata... It was just a few harsh words! It's not a capital offense!"

【Gah——】

The cries for help abruptly ceased.

The once bustling street fell silent instantly.

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.

This is... the second time.

How could their beloved Third Hokage be such a person?!

【...】

On this day, Konoha, which had just begun to calm down, was thrown into chaos again.

Moreover, the chaos originates from the root.

Rumors and gossip about Hiruzen Sarutobi have increased several times over.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was furious.

[I'm issuing a few orders and explaining them to everyone; these are tactics employed by the enemy.]

[Then, donning his brand-new combat suit, he personally led the Anbu ninjas to confront Danzo's Root organization.]

Before the two advisors, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, could stop them, Hiruzen Sarutobi issued a confinement order against them.

The entire Hidden Leaf Village was once again in complete chaos.

[On the Hokage Rock, Naruto appeared at some point, seemingly out of nowhere.]

"This is just the beginning, old man... there's more fun to come."

"Big Fox, have you sorted things out with the Root organization yet?"

"You look down on me, fox?"

"So many of that old man's men have died, he definitely needs to replenish his ranks with fresh blood... Don't worry, we've already arranged everything perfectly for him."

However, to Naruto's surprise, at this time, a message came back from the new Ninja Clan.

"There's news about Tsunade in Tanabata... She's left Tanabata with her disciples."

"Here comes Konoha?"