Hinata: I'm in charge of Konoha.

Chapter 94 Only Konoha Remains!

Atop the tower, a mountain breeze swept by, causing Huo Ying's flaming robes to flutter wildly.

Although the central tower is located in the very center of the Death Forest, looking down from the top of the tower at this moment, there is no trace of the Death Forest's gloom.

Beneath the azure sky stretched an endless, lush forest. What seemed dangerous to ordinary people was teeming with life. Hiruzen Sarutobi stood on the rooftop of the tower, watching this scene with deep emotion, and remained silent for a long time.

Hinata stood by the railing, following Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze, but couldn't make heads or tails of it.

If I had to say what my feelings were...

That is, the scenery is quite nice.

Building a scenic area and charging admission fees would be a good idea.

"Hinata, do you know who planted this forest?"

After a long while, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke slowly.

The weathered words carried on the wind to Hinata's ears, and she asked uncertainly, "From the First Hokage's lineage?"

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and nodded, saying, "When Konoha was first established, a large number of ninja clans and commoners joined Konoha because of the First Hokage's reputation."

"Because there are too many people, there isn't enough timber to build houses."

"Therefore, the first generation master planted this vast forest all by himself."

"The first generation master was worried that there wouldn't be enough wood, so he planted more."

"But it's clear that the First Generation Lord went a bit too far."

A glimpse of that man from years ago, with black hair, black eyes, crimson armor, and a spirited demeanor, seemed to flash in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.

Hinata remained leaning against the railing without responding.

This is indeed Hashirama Senju's style; otherwise, how could there be such massive trees in the Forest of Death, with so many people in Konoha, that are as thick as a dozen people could encircle?

There is no other possibility besides Hashirama Senju.

"The scene of the First Hokage establishing Konoha is still vivid in my mind when I think back to it now."

"Now, looking back, decades have passed."

"Countless heroes were buried on the battlefield."

"Even I myself have grown from a young child into a decrepit old man."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke words that conveyed an untold story of vicissitudes.

He watched as one after another exceptionally talented genius grew up only to perish in the war.

During his decades-long rule over Konoha, he personally sent one energetic young man after another to the battlefield.

Only I grow old silently.

"Grandpa Naruto?"

Hinata was somewhat confused as to why Hiruzen Sarutobi was telling her all this.

To reflect on the passage of time, one can go home and reminisce.

She was still an innocent, naive, and harmless little girl.

You don't need to understand these things.

"Haha, when you get old, you just like to reminisce."

"Little Hinata, please try to understand this old man."

Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to notice Hinata's unusual behavior and couldn't help but smile and speak.

Then he slowly sat down on the rooftop, patted the spot next to him, looked at Hinata, and gestured for her to sit next to him.

Hinata sensed that something was off with Hiruzen Sarutobi, but without thinking too much about it, she simply sat down next to him.

At first glance, they give off a strong impression of a grandfather and grandson.

"Hinata, can you tell me, do you really not know Gaara's identity?"

When Hiruzen Sarutobi saw Hinata sit down, he couldn't help but ask the same question he had already asked in the room.

He didn't believe it.

Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't believe that someone as intelligent as Hinata wouldn't be unaware of Gaara's identity.

After all, the identity of this son of the Fourth Kazekage is not a secret.

"I really don't know."

"Grandpa Hokage, you have to believe me."

Hinata stubbornly insisted that she didn't know and refused to admit it.

"I didn't mean to blame you."

"In fact, Sunagakure actually sent such an unstable Jinchuriki to participate in the Chunin Exams."

"There is bound to be some sinister intention hidden within."

"It's not a bad thing that Hinata was able to use the rules to deal with this One-Tailed Jinchuriki during the Chunin Exams."

"Even if Fengying questions me afterward, I can still argue my case."

Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Hinata's heart stirred, and she then asked in return, "What if the Kazekage doesn't give up?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a moment, then looked at Hinata, a hint of helplessness flashing in his weathered eyes.

"What does Hinata think we should do?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi threw the question back at him.

"Of course, once the arrow is released, there's no turning back."

"Since Fengying is determined not to give up, then we have no choice but to send him to reunite with his son."

Hinata's words did not surprise Hiruzen Sarutobi.

He knew Hinata's personality from the very beginning.

If you want to avenge your son, then show the corresponding strength.

If not, I'm sorry, I'll take you to see your son.

"Yes, that makes sense."

"If it only involves Sunagakure, then that's the case."

"But now, the Hidden Cloud Village is eyeing us covetously from the outside, and the Hidden Sand Village is constantly embroiled in internal conflicts."

"The Hidden Mist Village appears to be uninvolved, but in reality, they are secretly watching and are eager to make a move."

"How should we deal with these issues?"

Hinata fell silent for a moment at Hiruzen Sarutobi's words. Her brow furrowed slightly, but then relaxed, and she asked Hiruzen Sarutobi in return...

"Grandpa Naruto".

"Is Sunagakure really that strong now that they've lost the One-Tailed Jinchuriki and the Kazekage?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was startled upon hearing this.

Does Hinata mean she's planning to go all the way and leave the Kazekage in Konoha as well?!

"Even without the One-Tailed Beast and the Kazekage."

"Sunagakure is also home to the famous siblings Chiyo and Ebizo."

"Not to be underestimated."

Hinata immediately retorted, "Then why isn't Sunagakure a match for Konoha?"

Why?

Because Konoha has never faced just one enemy.

Even now, in what seems to be the weakest period in Konoha's history, there are still four masters: Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Jiraiya, and Tsunade.

Adding to this Might Guy, a powerhouse who can reach the Kage level by opening the Seventh Gate, Konoha now has a total of five formidable fighters.

Although Tsunade suffers from hemophobia and Danzo Shimura harbors ill intentions, they are ultimately forces belonging to Konoha.

Even if it's out in the open, it can still have a deterrent effect on the other four villages.

"because----"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to speak when Hinata added, "Because they are afraid."

"Even though we have encountered some changes now."

"It is still not something that a single village can contend with."

"Whoever dares to be the first to stick their neck out will be the first to be attacked!"

"What about Sunagakure?"

"How about Mist Hidden?"

"So what if it's Cloud Village?"

"When it comes to the strongest ninja in the world, it's none other than Konoha!"

Only Konoha!

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a tremor in his heart.

Since Minato Namikaze's sacrifice, he has almost never again had this confidence that makes him regard all the ninja villages in the world as nothing.

I can't believe I'm hearing this kind of confidence from a twelve-year-old.

It really is true—

Youthful arrogance—

But Hiruzen Sarutobi liked it that way.

Because back then, he was just as young and arrogant.