Naruto: I, who fooled the ninja world, was hailed as a savior.

Chapter 334 The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility

Inside the Hokage Building in Konoha, in a heavily guarded video communication room.

The room had no windows, and the walls were covered with soundproofing and spy-proofing runes.

The light mainly came from beams of light projected from the ceiling and the glow emanating from four large screens, illuminating Hiruzen Sarutobi's solemn and dignified face.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat alone in the main seat, with some files spread out on the table in front of him, his gaze sweeping over the figures displayed on the four screens in front of him.

First, naturally, are the Fourth Raikage A and the Third Tsuchikage Onoki, then Mei Terumi succeeds as the Fifth Mizukage, and finally...

The fourth generation Kazekage, "Rasa".

"Third Hokage, what did you say?"

The Fourth Raikage broke the brief silence among the five people, leaning forward with an angry gaze that almost pierced through the screen.

"You want the Hidden Cloud Village to contribute the chakra of the Tailed Beasts to open up the next few levels of that underground palace? Are you dreaming?!"

"Lord Raikage, please calm down." Facing the Fourth Raikage's anger, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face remained relatively calm, and he spoke in a steady tone.

"The situation in the ninja world is currently extremely precarious. The threat from the Void Realm remains constant, and its purpose is still unclear. Furthermore, the Akatsuki organization has set its sights on the Tailed Beasts."

"The reason I invited the two Kage from Sunagakure and Kirigakure to this meeting is to make a statement."

"Now is no longer the time for our five great powers to act independently and be preoccupied with immediate gains and losses."

He glanced at the four people on the screen and continued, "The opening and exploration of the first level of the underground palace in the Land of Hot Water involved Konoha, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure."

"Naturally, they also gained far more than expected in return, a fact that the Raikage and Tsuchikage are well aware of."

Upon hearing this, Mei Terumi, who was being formally informed of the secrets of the underground palace for the first time, frowned, while Rasa's eyes flickered slightly.

Their previous knowledge of the underground palace was limited to rumors and scattered information. They only knew that Konoha, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure had taken action there and obtained some powerful ninja tools.

However, the specific details and their importance have been kept strictly confidential.

"The ninja tools found in the underground palace are unlike any weapons we know of."

Hiruzen Sarutobi continued without pausing, "They possess a certain degree of 'soul' or 'consciousness,' and have extremely special abilities."

“These ninja tools can directly and effectively damage the spiritual essence of the ‘hollows’ even without attacking their weaknesses.”

This news made Mei Terumi's breath catch in her throat. She subconsciously turned to look at her side. Clearly, besides her, there were other people participating in this remote meeting outside the screen.

Undoubtedly, effective means to combat "virtualism" are the most pressing needs for all countries facing the threat of virtualism.

"Moreover, according to our research, these ninja tools can grow and strengthen by absorbing the souls they kill, and may even undergo a fundamental transformation in the end."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Onoki and the Fourth Raikage, narrowed his eyes, and asked, "Your Majesty the Raikage and Tsuchikage must have already verified this through practice, right?"

In response, Onoki let out a cryptic chuckle on the screen, neither confirming nor denying, but his attitude itself spoke volumes.

The Fourth Raikage let out a heavy snort, his face turning ashen, which was tantamount to acknowledging the fact.

If it weren't for those two ninja tools, even if they returned to the village in time, it would have been impossible for them to defeat the Akatsuki so easily given their bizarre methods.

The growth potential and adaptability of those two ninja tools far surpassed those rigid "Six Paths Ninja Tools" described in historical records.

It was precisely because he personally experienced the leap in strength brought about by the underground palace ninja tools.

The Fourth Raikage secretly contacted Hiruzen Sarutobi and Onoki, hoping to gather the elite forces from all three sides to continue exploring the underground palace.

Actually, Konoha only learned about the ability of those ninja tools to "evolve" not long ago, based on information obtained from both Kumogakure and Iwagakure. Onoki and the Fourth Raikage tacitly kept this from Konoha.

After all, Konoha actually obtained the most ninja tools, including Hyuga Kumokawa's "Ten Thousand Miles of Flying - Hatred" and a complete set of "Seven Deadly Sins", for a total of eight ninja tools.

Aside from "Anger" which was taken away by Hyuga Neji, and "Arrogance" and "Lust" which have yet to find their owners, Konoha now possesses five ninja tools.

Oh, no, there should be six, plus that "useless sword".

After learning of the value of the underground palace's ninja tools, Konoha also attempted to study that "discarded sword."

However, so far, we don't know what use it is. It's too dull to even use for chopping wood, making it a completely useless sword. So we have to put it aside for the time being.

However, what Sarutobi Hiruzen found somewhat strange was that Hyuga Aomukawa had killed many people and Hollows with "Seven Deadly Sins: Greed," yet he hadn't shown any signs of evolution.

On the contrary, "Flying Ten Thousand Miles Away - Hatred" said that he could already sense the turning point of transformation.

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't hide any of these things from the other four Kage, which is why Onoki and the Fourth Raikage weren't so angry, but rather relieved.

No one knew better than them how powerful those ninja tools would be after they were transformed.

If all eight of Konoha's ninja tools could truly transform, then Konoha would immediately be able to cultivate eight powerful individuals whose strength reaches the level of the Five Kage.

However, despite this, the Fourth Raikage was still somewhat angry.

He never expected that Hiruzen Sarutobi would so readily reveal this secret, which should have been kept between the three of them, to Kirigakure and Sunagakure without reservation!

The number of treasures in the underground palace is not large, and each additional participant means that the share they can receive will inevitably shrink.

"Hmph! That's quite a grand and righteous statement!"

The Fourth Raikage said coldly, "Why must we, the Hidden Cloud Village, risk sending out a Jinchūriki? Doesn't your Hidden Leaf Village also have a Nine-Tails Jinchūriki?"

"Why shouldn't it be Konoha that contributes the power of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"

However, before Hiruzen Sarutobi could respond, Onoki smiled, as if he had heard a joke.

"Heh, Raikage, your anger is a bit unreasonable."

He slowly began, "Now, the only village that possesses two tailed beasts is Kumogakure. Wouldn't it be alright to risk sending a Jinchuriki to the underground palace?"

"With great power comes great responsibility. You surely understand this principle, right?"

"You!" The Fourth Raikage, A, was so taken aback by these words that he almost choked on his breath, his bronze face instantly turning bright red.

It is a fact that the Akatsuki did not take away the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails from Kumogakure, but this power has now become the reason for them to be put on the hot seat.

These guys...

Seeing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a headache coming on and subconsciously glanced at his side.

Hinata Kumokawa sat off-screen, wearing a Hokage hat and a divine robe, quietly listening to their argument.

Noticing Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze, a smile appeared on his face.

Even at this critical juncture, they are still scheming against each other.

These are the five great nations, and these are the five great ninja villages.

(End of this chapter)