Hinata: I'm in charge of Konoha.

Chapter 70 If you don't come back now, I'll kill myself out there!

In the Hokage Building of Konoha's Sixtieth Anniversary, in the Hokage's Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi was already sixty-nine years old. The wrinkles on his face were more pronounced than they had been two years ago, and the skin on his palms was much older. He was no longer as spirited as he had been in his youth.

His cloudy eyes stared at the tea in his cup, and he remained silent.

He stared at his reflection in the tea in his cup, speechless for a long time.

"Lord Hokage."

A staff member knocked on the door.

"Enter."

Hiruzen Sarutobi drank the tea in one gulp and slowly opened his mouth.

"Lord Hokage, a letter has arrived from Sunagakure stating that they are willing to participate in this Chunin Exams."

"In addition, Kirigakure (Hidden Mist Village) also agreed."

"However, the Mizukage might arrive in Konoha a few days later."

The staff reported the latest news, which made Hiruzen Sarutobi nod slightly.

Inviting other ninja villages to participate in the Chunin Exams hosted by their side was essentially a military exercise to demonstrate their strength.

Let the rest of the world know that Konoha is still the same Konoha it always was.

Still powerful.

Furthermore, the fact that he sent invitations to the other four major ninja villages, and that two of them were willing to attend, is also a form of recognition of Konoha's strength.

A smile appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's wrinkled face.

He doesn't know how many more years his old bones can hold on, but he's already quite satisfied to have done something like this before retiring.

"I remember this year's ninja academy students are graduating, right?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought of Naruto Uzumaki and couldn't help but ask him about it.

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

"The heirs of the Ino-Shika-Cho families will all graduate from this exam."

The staff members who had not yet left answered Hiruzen Sarutobi's questions.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up, waved to signal the staff that they could leave, and then stood alone by the office window, gazing at the village that had been quiet for many years.

To be honest, none of this year's graduates could satisfy Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Not to mention the glory days of Minato Namikaze.

Naruto is too impulsive, Sasuke is obsessed with hatred, the three heirs of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans each have their own flaws, and Inuzuka Aburame also makes him somewhat dissatisfied.

Only Hinata and Toneri, who graduated in the same year as them but two years early, could satisfy Hiruzen Sarutobi.

However, Hyuga Toneri was an outsider, and Hiruzen Sarutobi never considered giving him a significant role.

And Hinata—

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, a look of regret on his face.

Talent, strength, and strategy are all excellent qualities.

Only a person with an extremely wicked nature —

This is also an important reason why Hiruzen Sarutobi tacitly agreed to Hiashi Hyuga's request for Might Guy to be Hinata's teacher.

Hopefully, Might Guy's pure heart can inspire Hinata.

And if we go back further—

Kakashi wasted ten years, his strength stagnated, and he missed the golden period for a ninja's growth. Although his personality changed greatly, his lack of hard power prevented him from becoming the leader of Konoha.

Especially given the current volatile situation in the ninja world.

Might Guy, on the other hand, is strong enough, but his temperament is too high and passionate, and his training method is too strange to convince the masses.

Others, such as Asuma and Red, also have their own problems.

Upon careful consideration, it seems that only Jiraiya and Tsunade can truly stand alone in Konoha right now.

Furthermore, their strength, military achievements, and reputation all align with their ability to take control of Konoha.

but----

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed deeply.

He had a vague feeling that his days were numbered and he wouldn't last much longer.

And Konoha hasn't even found a suitable candidate for the next Hokage yet!

This is truly—

"Hokage-sama!"

Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was feeling sentimental due to his old age, the staff member who had just left rushed back, his face extremely solemn.

"What happened?"

Upon seeing this scene, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately sensed something was wrong.

"Kaiban is back!"

"They captured a Cloud Village ninja!"

"That's how it is, Hokage-sama."

Team Guy, having completed their mission and rushed back to Konoha, immediately brought the captured Cloud Village ninja to Hiruzen Sarutobi and reported on the mission's progress.

"Hidden Clouds—"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Hinata and Toneri beside Might Guy with a very complicated expression.

With the Chunin Exams approaching and the Kazekage and Mizukage soon to arrive in Konoha, Kumogakure has suddenly caused this mess.

If not handled properly, it could very well become the trigger for war.

Furthermore, it is also necessary to appease the Hyuga clan; stabilizing the Hyuga clan is the top priority, no matter what.

"I understand. The village will give you, and will give Hyuga, a satisfactory answer."

"No matter what, Konoha will protect every comrade."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke in a deep voice, his words leaving no room for doubt.

Hinata didn't question this point, but she was worried that her clan elders might cause trouble.

After all, in the original story, when he was kidnapped by the Cloud Village, Hiruzen Sarutobi was prepared to fight the Cloud Village at all costs, but his own old geezers made Hizashi Hyuga die in place of his father.

Hinata couldn't have come up with such a clever trick even if she thought about it for ten years.

This is how Hyuga Hiashi was framed for having a younger brother to save his life.

In addition, Hiruzen Sarutobi was given the reputation of being a coward who feared death and war.

It also caused Hyuga Neji, a branch family member who should have doted on his younger sister, to be blinded by hatred in an instant.

Finally, she gracefully disappeared into the shadows.

This is definitely a classic case of one scheme harming three wise men, a ninja world version.

This is hardly a clan elder!

This is clearly a living father!

This is also why Hinata dislikes those clan elders so much.

He's not very bright, has a stubborn temper, and all he does all day is pontificate.

"yes!"

"Then we'll leave this guy to the Hokage to deal with!"

Might Guy pointed to the Cloud Village ninja in the corner of the office, who had been knocked unconscious by his punch.

"Yes, I'll arrange for the mountain tribe to deal with him."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly.

He made a decision about this in the blink of an eye.

With the Chunin Exams approaching and the Kazekage and Mizukage personally present, we absolutely cannot compromise on this matter.

We must confront the Hidden Clouds with the strongest possible stance.

This would make the Cloud Village hesitant to act, while also intimidating the Two Shadows of Feng Shui. Observing their attitude later, we can consider whether to form an alliance with them.

If an alliance can be formed, the crisis in the Hidden Clouds will be resolved instantly.

At that time, this incident can also be used to appease the Hyuga clan while demonstrating to the other ninja clans that the village will never compromise for any reason.

A two-pronged approach.

"Summon Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, Nara Shikaku, and Yamanaka Inoichi."

Thinking of this matter, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately gave instructions after Might Guy, Hinata, and the others took their leave.

His murky and ruthless gaze swept over Yun Ren for a moment, then withdrew without hesitation.

Looking out the window at the thriving scene of Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart remained as firm as steel.

"Pass down the order: use the fastest ninja hawks to send Jiraiya back to the village immediately!"

"I told you, if you don't get your ass over here, I'll die out there!"

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