Naruto: Nara's skill set is incredibly sneaky.

Danzo Shimura couldn't help but break the silence.

"Did they all make this arrangement a year ago? I think they did it on purpose; they don't want to contribute to Konoha!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi realized something was wrong.

It's fine to say these things to him, but don't take it too seriously.

How could you say that at a meeting like this?!

It's important to understand that Sakumo Hatake's strength is undeniable, and he's also the head of the Hatake clan. Regardless of how many people are in the Hatake clan, they are still a representative of the smaller ninja clans.

The little ninja clan already had some complaints because of the last mission incident, and now they're saying this again.

Jiraiya and Orochimaru were both his students. Isn't this a slap in the face to Hiruzen Sarutobi?

As for Tsunade, Minato, and Shikatoki.

Both Tsunade and Minato have the support of the Uzumaki and Senju clans.

The depiction of deer is even more exaggerated.

The Uzumaki clan, the Senju clan, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, and even the Uchiha clan all sided with Shikatoki.

The most important thing is!

All of these individuals made outstanding contributions during World War II.

Where is Danzo Shimura? He hasn't accomplished anything, yet he's still making a fuss here.

As Hiruzen Sarutobi had predicted, many people's faces darkened after Danzo Shimura said those words.

"Danzo! Shut up!" Hiruzen Sarutobi growled, then looked at the crowd. "Danzo didn't mean that, he just..."

Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could finish speaking, Shikaomi Nara stood up and interrupted him.

"Lord Hokage, I am not young anymore. I recommend my son, Nara Shikaku, to command this battle, and the position of clan leader will soon be passed on to Shikaku."

Next up are the Yamanaka clan and the Akimichi clan.

"The Yamanaka clan recommended my son, Yamanaka Inoichi, to take over the intelligence and communications teams. At the same time, the position of clan leader will soon be passed on to Inoichi."

"The Akimichi clan has recommended my son, Akimichi Choza, and the position of clan head will soon be passed on to Choza."

The same rhetoric—it's obvious that Nara Shikaomi had planned it all along.

After all, the three races of pig, deer, and butterfly are closely related.

The sudden change of personnel at this critical juncture seems like sending one's own son to the battlefield to demonstrate loyalty.

In a sense, this is also putting pressure on Hiruzen Sarutobi, as all three are newcomers!

Hiruzen Sarutobi forced a stiff smile. "Shikaomi! Isn't this a bit too hasty?"

"Lord Hokage, children need to grow up. When we were his age, we would have been on the battlefield long ago. How could we be so comfortable? Young people need more experience, and we will assist them from the sidelines."

Nara Shikaomi's words were watertight.

He even said he would abdicate the position of clan leader, so what else could he say?

"Let's leave it at that for now." Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't want to continue the meeting. "If there's nothing else, let's adjourn. Danzo Shimura, please stay behind."

Everyone stood up to say goodbye.

In the end, only Danzo Shimura and Hiruzen Sarutobi remained.

As soon as they left, Danzo couldn't help but say, "Hiruzen! I was just speaking up for you, look at all of them!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his temples. "I know you mean well, but you can't say that in this situation! Don't you know who's behind Shikatoki and the others? Anyway, how's the Wood Release experiment going?"

That's right.

Orochimaru rejected Danzo Shimura.

Furthermore, to avoid being manipulated by Hiruzen Sarutobi using their teacher-student relationship, he simply decided not to return to Konoha.

However, the Wood Release plan is still being implemented.

This time, Danzo Shimura was the one in charge.

The result was disastrous. In the original work, there was a scientific genius like Orochimaru, and in the end, they only managed to achieve a Yamato victory by sheer luck.

Orochimaru is gone now.

Forget about success, they haven't even figured out what the components of Wood Release are!

Danzo Shimura's face also looked somewhat grim. "There's been no progress. Everyone who's been injected with Wood Release dies, and we can't get our hands on Hashirama Senju's body. We're researching the remnants of Wood Release from the Land of Rain."

"This is too restrictive."

"The First Hokage's remains are in the Senju clan's territory. What am I supposed to do?" Hiruzen Sarutobi replied irritably.

Even though Mito Uzumaki died, Danzo still couldn't get his hands on Hashirama Senju's body.

That's hilarious, Lu Shi is a time traveler.

After Mito Uzumaki's death, arrangements were made to move the remains of Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Mito Uzumaki to the Senju clan's territory.

In addition, the rope tree didn't die.

Although the Senju clan has lost its surname, as long as Nawaki is alive...

The Senju clan, both the older and younger generations, will support them unconditionally, and the Senju clan will not fall apart.

The Senju clan's status in Konoha is far superior to that of the Uchiha clan.

If Shimura Danzo dared to rush in and steal the corpse, the Senju clan would truly dare to kill him.

"Forget it, let's stop the Wood Release experiments for now," Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed.

Danzo Shimura panicked. "No! Hiruzen, we've already invested so much manpower and resources, and we were just one step away from victory. Stopping now will only result in greater losses. Besides, there's an unknown ninja outside who knows Wood Release!"

"This factor is absolutely uncontrollable; we must develop our own Wood Release technique!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his fist on the table. "Do you know how much resources and money were spent researching Wood Release? Most of Konoha's entire treasury was invested in it, and what was the result? Not a single ripple."

"There's some unusual activity in Sunagakure. If a battle breaks out, who will pay for Konoha's war? Your Root will! Do you think I don't know how much funding you've embezzled? Now, in the name of the Hokage, I'm halting the Wood Release research!"

"Danzo! This isn't a discussion, this is a notification, an order!"

Danzo Shimura's face was more grim than ever before.

In the end, all he could do was scoff, "Hiruzen, you'll regret this."

After saying that, he slammed the door and left.

After Danzo walked away, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in a chair and took a drag of his cigarette.

"Owl!"

"Hokage-sama!"

"Send men to search for Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru. Once they're found, bring them back!"

"yes!"

……

In Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi was in a terrible predicament, and Sunagakure wasn't much better off.

"Where did the Third Kazekage go?! Haven't they found him yet?!" Chiyo slammed her fist on the table and roared angrily.

The people below all lowered their heads, not daring to make eye contact.

"The Third Kazekage disappeared in the Land of Wind, and there's been no news of him since, not even a trace. Do you know what this means?! Stop playing dead!"

Chiyo has been in a bad mood ever since her son and daughter-in-law died.

Ebizo tugged at Chiyo: "Sister, the key now is to conceal the news of the Third Kazekage's disappearance, and also to immediately select a new Kazekage."

Chiyo took a deep breath; she knew Ebizo was right.

"Starting today, everyone must keep the news under wraps. No ninjas from other countries are allowed to enter the vicinity of Sunagakure. Anyone who tries to force their way in will be killed without exception. Pakura and Rasa, stay behind."

Yekura and Rasa exchanged a glance.

Yecang's expression remained calm, without much change.

Luo Sha looked confident, and even his expression towards Ye Cang carried a hint of provocation.

After everyone left.

Chiyo looked at the two of them.

"Currently, only the two of you are the best among the younger generation in Sunagakure, so the Fourth Kazekage will be selected from among you two."

"I won't seal it until I defeat Nara Shika. Rasa happens to have Magnet Release, so let him do it!" Yekura refused directly.

Upon hearing this, Luo Sha immediately puffed out his chest.

"I will definitely make Sunagakure shine again."

Chiyo glanced at Rasa speechlessly, her only thought being, "Completely guileless."

"This is not something any of you can decide. The Kazekage is not someone I can dictate. Whoever investigates the disappearance of the Third Kazekage first will naturally win the hearts and minds of the Sunagakure ninja. Alright, you may leave now and think it over carefully."

"yes!"

The two walked out of the building.

Rasa said earnestly, "Yakura, I'm determined to become Kazekage. I have the same bloodline limit as the Third Kazekage: Magnet Release. You have no chance! If you know what's good for you, give up!"

Ye Cang was somewhat puzzled.

Wasn't what I just said clear enough?

I've already said, she's not interested in the position of Kazekage! Not interested! Not interested! Are you deaf?!

However, Ye Cang didn't say these words aloud, but simply replied coldly, "Whatever."

"Hmph! We'll see!" Luo Sha turned and left.

Ye Cang cursed under her breath, then turned and left. She was only somewhat shocked by the disappearance of the Third Kazekage, but she wasn't really that worried.

Since the Second Shinobi World War, Sunagakure has been stagnant and lifeless.

The news of the Third Kazekage's disappearance hasn't spread yet, but Sunagakure is making a huge move.

After all, they were the only village designated as the defeated ninja village in the Second Shinobi World War, and they were the only ones who had to pay compensation!

This made matters worse for the already impoverished Sunagakure village.

Therefore, Pakura really didn't have much affection for the Third Kazekage.

Almost the entire ninja village was mobilized.

This is bound to attract the attention of other ninja villages.

So it's not just Konoha Village.

Other ninja villages sent people to investigate what was going on.