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

Konoha Village.

The Senju clan's stronghold.

"Lord Chiba."

"Our three clans have always been the cornerstone of the village."

"What happened during the day had a huge impact on the entire village."

"We just want...something to be clear."

Nara Shikaku stepped forward.

He spoke cautiously, afraid that he might say something that would anger this ruthless man.

"Can you explain this clearly?"

"You're asking what I should do if I take Konoha, right?"

Hearing what Nara Shikaku said.

Chiba chuckled and leaned forward slightly.

Nara Shikaku's back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.

He didn't dare answer, and could only nod stiffly.

The atmosphere in the hall instantly plummeted to freezing point.

Uchiha Shisui and Aburame Shiki also perked up their ears, even slowing their breathing.

Chiba did not answer immediately.

His fingers tapped on the table again.

"Tap—tap—tap—"

Each sound felt like a blow to the hearts of the three people.

A full half minute passed.

Chiba stopped what he was doing and uttered an extremely cold sentence.

"Hiruzen Sarutobi must step down."

"Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado must go home and retire."

boom!

These words struck like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, exploding directly in the minds of the three.

Nara Shikaku clenched his fist tightly, his nails digging deep into his palm.

He guessed that Chiba would seize power.

But he didn't expect Chiba to be so direct and domineering!

This is practically a table-flipping stunt!

Yuu-Nyo's eyes widened suddenly behind her sunglasses.

His body trembled slightly, but he forced himself to remain calm.

The most intense reaction came from Uchiha Shisui.

He suddenly stood up from his seat, the chair making a screeching sound.

"That's impossible!"

"The Third Hokage is the heart of the village!"

"If he steps down, the entire Hidden Leaf Village will be thrown into turmoil!"

"Other ninja villages will definitely take advantage of this situation!"

Uchiha Shisui's voice became shrill due to his excitement.

He stared intently at Chiba.

Although what happened during the day made him feel disappointed in Konoha.

But deep down, he still harbored a last glimmer of hope for Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"core?"

"turmoil?"

"Uchiha Shisui"

"The strongest genius of the Uchiha clan."

Is your brain filled with mush?

Chiba gave Uchiha Shisui a cold glance.

That look in his eyes, as if he were looking at an idiot, made Uchiha Shisui feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

Upon hearing this...

Uchiha Shisui's cheek twitched.

He wanted to retort, but didn't know what to say.

"I'm asking you."

"What is the Will of Fire?"

next moment.

Chiba spoke again.

His voice wasn't loud, but it had a penetrating power that went straight to the heart.

Uchiha Shisui was stunned.

He hadn't expected Chiba to suddenly ask such a question.

This is a belief he's held since he was a child.

"Where the leaves dance, the fire will never die."

"The firelight will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout."

He said these things.

A glimmer of light rekindled in Uchiha Shisui's eyes.

This is his faith, the truth for which he is willing to give his life.

"Snapped!"

Chiba clapped his hands hard.

The crisp sound of the slap was particularly jarring in the hall.

"That sounds nice."

"It's so moving it brings tears to my eyes."

"Since you admire the Will of Fire so much."

"Then let me ask you another question."

"Hiruzen Sarutobi, have you put this utter nonsense into practice?"

Chiba swore.

He was fed up with this brainwashing-style, hypocritical propaganda.

"The Hokage has devoted himself tirelessly to the village!"

"He dedicated his entire life to Konoha, how could you insult him like this?"

Shizuka Uchiha was completely panicked.

He roared loudly, and three tomoe appeared faintly in his eyes.

"Dedicate one's entire life?"

"What a huge joke."

Seeing Uchiha Shisui's reaction.

Chiba gave a cold laugh, his voice chillingly cold.

The Third Shinobi World War.

"The situation at the front is critical, and we are short of troops."

"What is our Hokage doing?"

"He forced the students at the ninja academy to graduate early, sending them batch after batch to the battlefield as cannon fodder!"

"Is this what you mean by the firelight illuminating the village?"

"Is this what you mean by getting new leaves to sprout?"

"..."

Uchiha Shisui's chest heaved wildly.

He tried hard to refute, but found that he couldn't find the right words at all.

"That's because the front lines need support!"

"The Hokage must be stationed in the village to oversee the situation!"

"He can't take unnecessary risks!"

For a long time.

Uchiha Shisui finally found an excuse.

This is also the reason that Hiruzen Sarutobi has always claimed to be.

"Taking charge of the overall situation?"

Chiba felt as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world.

He tilted his head back, his laughter filled with sorrow and sarcasm.

"Uchiha Shisui"

"Go out and see the ninja world."

"Don't always stay in Konoha like a frog in a well."

Speaking of it.

Chiba stretched out his hand and pointed to Nara Shikaku, who was standing to the side.

"Ask our Jonin squad leader."

Where was the Third Raikage of Kumogakure during the Third Shinobi World War?

I was suddenly called out by Chiba.

Nara Shikaku's throat was dry.

He swallowed hard and managed to utter a few words.

"On...the front lines of the Land of Earth."

"To cover his comrades' retreat, he single-handedly faced 10,000 Iwagakure ninjas."

He fought for three days and three nights... and died from exhaustion.

Nara Shikaku's voice was very soft.

But in the quiet hall, it could be heard clearly.

Uchiha Shisui's expression stiffened slightly.

Chiba didn't stop and continued to press Shikaku for answers.

Where are the Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure?

Sweat trickled down Nara Shikaku's forehead and cheeks.

"On...the border of the Land of Fire."

"Personally leading the demolition unit to launch a surprise attack on Konoha's defenses."

Chiba sneered repeatedly.

Where is the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure?

Nara Shikaku felt like he was about to collapse.

"At the front lines of the Battle of Kikyōyama."

"Use Magnet Release to suppress our Konoha forces."

Chiba suddenly swung his hand, smashing a wooden chair next to him to pieces.

Wood chips flew everywhere.

"Did you hear that!"

"Uchiha Shisui!"

Chiba's gaze shifted, turning to Uchiha Shisui once more.

Uchiha Shisui's eyes trembled violently from extreme shock.

"The Kage from all the other ninja villages are fighting valiantly on the front lines!"

"They risked their lives to carve out a path for survival for future generations in the village!"

"Only our great Hokage of Konoha!"

"Only that Hiruzen Sarutobi, who's always spouting 'Will of Fire'!"

"He's hiding in the Hokage's office, watching the lists of fallen soldiers sent back from the front lines!"

"And then...keep sending those recent graduates to their deaths!"

Every word Chiba uttered was like a heavy hammer, striking Shisui's heart.

Uchiha Shisui's face was as pale as paper.

He staggered back two steps and crashed into the pillar behind him.

His cherished beliefs were shattered in the face of Chiba's bloody truth.

He couldn't refute it.

Because every word Chiba says is an undeniable fact.

"No...that's not how it is..."

Shisui clutched his head in pain, uttering unconscious murmurs.

But Chiba wasn't going to let him off the hook.

Today, he's going to reshape this brainwashed wretch's values.

Then.

Chiba looked at Nara Shikaku again.

"Nara Jonin."

"You are the chief of staff of Konoha, and you possess the village's most crucial secrets."

"Can you answer a few questions for me?"

"..."