Naruto: Two opponents versus Naruto, Konoha panics!

In his great joy, Hiruzen Sarutobi overlooked the fact that a small number of ninjas had gone missing.

Those were once ninjas who deeply believed in it and inherited its Will of Fire.

But my strength is too low, and all the missions are outside the village...

[Hiruzen Sarutobi subconsciously categorized these missing people as an aftermath of the incident in the Land of Waves.]

[The nickname "Ninja Bear" isn't given lightly.]

[Anyway, we'll continue according to the plan, and in the future, there will be perfect jinchūriki who will completely obey its commands...]

Of course, Hiruzen Sarutobi had flattered him to the point that he had even forgotten the crucial fact that he hadn't seen Naruto for quite some time.

In short, for Hiruzen Sarutobi himself, everything was moving in a positive direction.

[It's better than when my eldest son was still alive.]

After discussing the Chunin Exams, Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand.

"Then it's decided."

"Everyone, get ready."

"This Chunin Exams... we can't afford any mistakes."

"Wait." Just then, Koharu, who had been silent for a long time, finally couldn't help but speak.

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at her indifferently.

Because he wanted to hang out with his best buddies, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave the two Hokage advisors a lot of face.

But now, Hiruzen Sarutobi doesn't want to play anymore.

I don't even have the energy to play.

[I sensed Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze.]

[Xiaochun's face instantly fell after she changed dorm rooms.]

"Advisor Koharu, do you have any suggestions?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked casually.

"Hiruzen... something's not right. Be careful."

[Koharu, turning to her new room, hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.]

"Okay, I understand," Hiruzen Sarutobi replied calmly.

Mitokado Homura narrowed his eyes slightly.

It couldn't stand Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude.

【"snort!"】

"The rapid advancement of so many ninjas requires a significant amount of resources."

"They're all just ordinary civilian ninjas..."

"This has never happened before, but after the Uchiha incident, there was Gato not long ago, and now Danzo..."

Mitokado Haruhi didn't state it so directly, leaving some room for interpretation.

To be frank...

That is, the wealth of the Uchiha clan, Gato's wealth, and the wealth accumulated after the Root organization was brought under control... Such vast resources, if used to train those commoner ninjas, could indeed have resulted in the current situation, with these commoner ninjas springing up like mushrooms after rain.

【"oh?"】

"Advisor Yan, do you mean these things are all related to me?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at Homura Mitokado.

"I didn't say that." Mitokado Homura paused for a moment before finally uttering these words.

"Asma, tell him."

Asma opened his mouth, but seeing his father's expression, he had no choice but to give up.

He sighed inwardly and looked at Mitokado Homura, saying, "None of the remaining evidence points to the Hokage, nor to the Anbu."

"On the contrary, the Root organization left quite a few traces in it."

"Advisor Yan, these matters have nothing to do with the Hokage."

"Without evidence... even if it's an advisor, questioning the Hokage without cause..."

Asuma did not continue speaking.

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at him, a barely perceptible hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes.

Tobirama Senju: "What immense official power!"

Tobirama Senju: "Hiruzen, what's wrong? You've been silent for so long, what trick have you come up with?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi: "I dare not... Tobirama-sensei, I am repenting."

Orochimaru: "Hehehe~"

Orochimaru: "Sarutobi-sensei, do you even believe what you're saying?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi: "Hmph! Orochimaru, shut your mouth!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi: "While I repent, I also deeply regret not killing you with my own hands back then!"

Danzo Shimura: "Hiruzen, I told you, you'll regret this."

Hiruzen Sarutobi: "Yes, Danzo, I really regret it. I should have listened to you completely."

Danzo Shimura: "..."

"Alright, let's leave it at that."

"Let's focus on the Joint Chunin Exams from now on."

"Well done. Konoha will be able to develop rapidly for a long time to come."

"At the same time, we must be prepared... After this joint Chunin Exams, a war is very likely to break out."

Having said that, Hiruzen Sarutobi shut his mouth and said no more.

Upon hearing this, everyone present subtly changed their expressions.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's words imply that Sunagakure, as an ally, will face ruthless suppression.

[Having learned from past experiences, Sunagakure will proactively spread the flames of war to the surrounding areas and then to the entire ninja world when faced with a crisis, muddying the waters in order to protect itself and... gain an advantage.]

Temari: "There's nothing wrong with admitting it."

Kankuro: "That's right, we had that in mind this time."

Kankuro: "If it weren't for Orochimaru..."

Sakura Haruno: "If that's the case, then Orochimaru wouldn't be..."

Tobirama Senju: "Without this Konoha Crush plan, it would probably have escalated into the Fourth Shinobi World War."

Tobirama Senju: "This Konoha Crush Plan... should be called the Konoha Salvation Plan."

Orochimaru smiled but didn't say anything.

Well, if the goal was truly to destroy Konoha, it wouldn't be like this.

In conclusion

Orochimaru essentially prevented a full-scale war between Sunagakure and Konoha, which would have led to the Fourth Shinobi World War spreading throughout the entire shinobi world.

Incidentally, Orochimaru also had his own objective—Uchiha Sasuke.

Because of his resurrection, his soul is flawed, resulting in a decline in mental strength and low resistance to Yin Release.

After being defeated by Itachi Uchiha in one glance, he developed an almost obsessive fascination with the Sharingan.

Of course, the Uchiha clan was included as well.

It can be done without coming to Konoha in person.

Most importantly—he killed Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Out of gratitude, he allowed him to die as a hero.

It was a pretty perfect ending.

"If there are no problems, everyone can disperse and prepare themselves."

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced around and, seeing no one speak, decided not to waste any more time.

There are still many things that require the strongest Hokage to make decisions.

Seeing this, Asuma quickly gave chase.

In fact, this is not the situation he wanted to see.

However, the blow from Yuhi Kyou, coupled with the constant pressure from her elderly father, further exacerbated the situation.

Asuma reluctantly accepted the position.

Despite disliking being controlled by Hiruzen Sarutobi, he ultimately chose this path.

The more he learns about someone, the less likely he is to act recklessly.

Given the current situation, retreating would be a devastating blow to the Sarutobi clan.

In addition to being assisted by the Hokage, he also officially became the young head of the Sarutobi clan.

【"dad!"】

Asuma called out to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned and glanced at him.

"What did you call me?"

"Dad... Lord Hokage."

"Hmm." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, then didn't give him a chance to speak.

"No matter what methods you use, take down Kurenai Yuhi."

"Also, find suitable replacements within the clan for the two positions of Hokage advisor."

"If you can't even do these two things, then you might as well continue being a guardian ninja under the daimyo."

Asuma lowered his head slightly, unable to utter the words he was about to say.

"Go ahead."

"Don't let me down again."