Naruto: In Konoha Village, I awakened Wood Release at the start.

Leaf.

The Hokage's office.

"Hiruzen".

"Wake up!"

"He even dared to attack the Anbu, do you think he still cares about you being the Hokage?"

"If this kind of person is allowed to fully develop, he will become Konoha's greatest hidden danger!"

"Only the root can control him."

"Give him to me."

"I will erase his emotions and plant the seed of 'trouble' in him."

"I want to thoroughly dissect his body and study the secrets of the Senju clan's bloodline!"

Danzo once again revealed his purpose.

But a glint of greed flashed in his single eye.

That was a desire for great power.

He simply didn't believe that Chiba had awakened Wood Release.

How could the god-like power of Wood Release appear in a junior?

Since the fall of the First Hokage.

No one in the Senju clan could control that power anymore.

In Danzo's view, Chiba was just extremely lucky.

He exhibited a rare atavistic phenomenon, his bloodline concentration was far higher than that of ordinary people.

As long as we can get Chiba into the roots.

He was able to extract Chiba's cells to improve his arm, which had been transplanted with the first generation's cells.

He will then gain a longer lifespan and greater strength!

"No!"

however.

Even though Danzo's logic made him break out in a cold sweat.

Hiruzen Sarutobi still gritted his teeth.

He suddenly stood up, and the aura of a Shadow-level expert instantly erupted.

He stared directly into Danzo's eyes, refusing to budge an inch.

"I told you, absolutely not!"

"As long as I am Hokage, you can forget about touching Chiba!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi is not stupid.

He understood that Chiba was a huge threat.

But he understood even more clearly that Danzo was a venomous snake with insatiable greed.

Handing Chiba over to Danzo would be like drinking poison to quench thirst.

If Danzo really does discover something amazing, or uses Chiba's power to launch a coup.

That Konoha is truly doomed.

"Hiruzen!"

"You're pushing Konoha into the abyss!"

Danzo was furious.

His chakra surged as well.

Cracks even appeared in the floor around the cane.

The two were evenly matched, neither willing to back down an inch.

The air in the Hokage's office seemed to freeze.

At this critical moment.

A series of steady footsteps came from outside the door.

That's enough.

A slightly aged, yet authoritative female voice rang out.

Koharu and Homura walked into the office side by side.

These two advisors and elders of Konoha, who usually live a secluded life, have made an unprecedented joint appearance.

Obviously.

The news of what happened in Chiba had already reached their ears.

Koharu Utatane frowned, glancing at the bloodstains on the ground, then at the tense standoff between Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo.

"Look at the state you've become."

"What kind of talk is that?"

"Both the shadowy forces and the root forces are watching from the outside."

"Do you want the whole village to laugh at you?"

Xiaochun, who was turning over to her new room, scolded him without any politeness.

Mitokazu pushed up his glasses on the bridge of his nose.

His usually expressionless face now showed an unprecedented solemnity.

"Hiruzen, Danzo."

"Now is not the time for you to fight for power and profit."

Mitokado Yan's voice was calm, yet it hit the nail on the head.

"We already know about Chiba's situation."

"A thousand-handed bloodline hidden for sixteen years."

"A dangerous individual who can severely damage elite members of the secret service simply by relying on his aura."

"He is currently entrenched in the former site of the Senju clan."

"What good will all this arguing do?"

Mitomon Homura raised his head, his gaze sweeping over Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo.

"That's right."

"Is Chiba loyal or treacherous? What is his true attitude towards the village?"

"It wasn't something you guessed from here."

"Since he doesn't want to see the Hokage."

"Then let's go see him."

Xiaochun, who was switching dorms, took over the conversation, her tone revealing a cold rationality.

"We need to talk face-to-face."

Only then can we confirm his true thoughts.

"Only then can decide..."

Speaking of it.

Xiaochun paused for a moment after turning around, a murderous glint flashing in her eyes.

"What happened next."

What happened next.

These five words silenced the three people in the office.

Everyone knows the truth.

If Chiba is willing to obey the higher-ups' arrangements, then continue to use the village's ties to bind him.

If Chiba shows even the slightest sign of rebellion.

What awaits him is the relentless crushing of Konoha as a whole!

Even if he is of the Senju clan bloodline.

Even if he is Tsunade's disciple.

Anyone who threatens the stability of Konoha must be eliminated!

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag on his pipe.

He had picked up the pipe that had fallen to the ground earlier, without anyone noticing.

But the tobacco inside had long since gone out.

He took a deep breath of cold air, trying to calm his wildly beating heart.

"it is good."

Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his pipe on the corner of the table, making a crisp sound.

"Then let's go see him."

He turned his head and looked at the dark squad leader waiting outside the door.

"Go and relay my orders."

"Assemble five secret service squads."

"Barrier team, sealing team, all in position."

A resolute glint flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.

If Chiba is willing to back down.

He wouldn't mind being a nice guy.

After all, Chiba is Tsunade's disciple and Hiruzen Sarutobi's grand-disciple.

but.

If Chiba wants to break off all pretense of civility.

Then he must prepare for the worst.

Danzo snorted coldly.

He gestured to the Root ninja behind him.

"Notify the root."

"Level A combat readiness status."

"Everyone, move towards the Senju base."

Danzo's idea was very simple.

If the talks break down.

He must take down Chiba before the Anbu!

Capturing Chiba alive is his most important strategic objective at present.

Koharu and Homura exchanged a glance.

Neither of them objected.

When facing a monster of this unknown level, you can never be too cautious.

A few minutes later.

Below the Hokage Building.

A dark mass of ninjas gathered, like ghosts.

There was not a sound at all.

Only the occasional clash of weapons produced a faint metallic sound.

A somber atmosphere instantly enveloped the entire core area of ​​Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi changed into the combat suit he hadn't worn in a long time.

It was a black bodysuit, with specially made armor over it.

Although he is old.

Although his face was covered with wrinkles.

But when he put on this gear...

He remains the legendary ninja hero who once dominated the ninja world!

Danzo stood beside Hiruzen Sarutobi.

He leaned on his cane as always, his cold gaze sweeping over the surrounding ranks.

Koharu and Mitokado stood at the back.

Surrounded by a group of elite ninjas.

The four elderly men, who stood at the pinnacle of power in Konoha, walked in a grand procession toward the southeast corner of the village.

along the way.

All the civilians and ordinary ninjas sensed that something was wrong.

They all gave way, staring in horror at the terrifying group.

"What happened?"

"Why did the Hokage personally come out?"

"..."

Whispers spread along both sides of the street.

But no one dared to make a sound.

Because everyone could feel that extremely oppressive murderous aura.

Hiruzen Sarutobi ignored the stares of those around him.

His gaze remained fixed on the southeast direction.

That is the former site of the Senju clan.

Once, that place was the most prosperous and sacred place in Konoha.

But since the first and second generations fell one after another.

In order to integrate into the village, the Senju clan voluntarily broke up their clan structure.

Countless members of the Thousand Hands tribe went into hiding and blended into the common people.

That vast base gradually fell into disrepair, becoming an untouchable scar in Konoha's history.