Konoha, reported by the Fourth Hokage at the start.

Chapter 455 Caring and Fear

With Orochimaru dealt with, the matter of the disappearance of the Lightning Release clone, White Fang, was now settled.

If we wait a few more days, and once Pakura, who possesses unlimited chakra, defeats Orochimaru, this war can be over.

"Brother Zuoyun!!!"

Lightning Release clone - White Fang emerged from Orochimaru's captain's tent, only to be met head-on by Tsunade, who was rushing towards him.

"Tsuna... uh!"

Duang!

Feeling the almost completely encased pressure on his chest, Lightning Release clone - White Fang showed a slight look of surprise.

"Great, you're back!"

Tsunade stood on tiptoe, buried her face in the left shoulder of her Lightning Release clone, White Fang, and hugged its back tightly with both hands, bursting into tears of joy.

"Lady Tsunade and..."

"My goodness, you two... when did you get together?"

The surrounding Konoha ninja stared in disbelief at Tsunade, who was tightly embracing her Lightning Release clone, White Fang.

Tsunade expressed her feelings to her Lightning Release clone, White Fang, but it wasn't a formal confession.

Therefore, not many people know about the subtle relationship between Tsunade and her Lightning Release clone, White Fang.

At this moment, Tsunade's sudden and bold embrace shocked everyone, including her Lightning Release clone, White Fang herself.

Lightning Release Clone - White Fang never expected Tsunade's affection for him to reach this level.

However, with such beauty before him, he naturally couldn't remain unmoved. He immediately put his arms around Tsunade's back, gently caressing her and responding to her.

"interesting."

At this moment, ten thousand meters above, Li Yao, lying on the back of the ink-wash bird, sensed Tsunade's actions below and a thoughtful expression appeared on his face.

"Uncle, do you want Tsunade from this world? I'll go and get her back for you."

Xiao Yezi sat up from Li Yao's lap and said excitedly.

Having also been branded with the Puppet Heart Seal by Li Yao, she now longs to experience the thrill of endless explosions.

"No need to rush. For now, having these two Tsunades with us is enough. Let's head to Konoha first."

Li Yao hugged Tsunade, who was holding him tightly on both sides, feeling her greatness without needing to say a word. He smiled, and the ink-wash bird continued to fly towards Konoha.

Tsunade's feelings for her Lightning Release clone, White Fang, may have been amplified due to the disappearance of White Fang and the death of her younger brother, Nawaki.

It might be that this is the first time they've fallen in love, making their feelings even more intense.

Li Yao could sense that Tsunade in this world had her heart completely devoted to her Lightning Release clone, White Fang.

After witnessing Hiruzen Sarutobi's moral bottom line in the Fourth Shinobi World, Li Yao realized that Tsunade didn't hold much weight in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart.

Torture and humiliate Tsunade in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi, but don't let that old man feel any pain.

So now, collecting all three Tsunades is just Li Yao's twisted sense of humor.

Since Tsunade in this world is in love with her Lightning Release clone, White Fang, let her enjoy the beauty of love a little longer.

Li Yao wonders what Tsunade will do and what choices she will make when she finds out that the Lightning Release clone, White Fang, is just a clone of Li Yao.

Will she transfer her love from the Lightning Release clone, White Fang, to Li Yao, or will she turn love into hatred and vow to kill him?

Li Yao was looking forward to it; this was yet another of his wicked pleasures.

three days later.

Night, above the dark clouds.

After a leisurely flight, traversing mountains and rivers, Li Yao and his companions finally arrived at an altitude of 10,000 meters above Konoha.

"How should we torture this old man, who has lived for three generations?"

Upon arriving in Konoha, Li Yao, who possessed overwhelming strength and could do whatever he wanted, hesitated and did not immediately attack Hiruzen Sarutobi.

To torment someone and cause them immense suffering, you need to figure out what they care about most and what they fear most, and then do the opposite.

If someone who cares most about money is robbed of all their money, that person will definitely suffer a lot.

For someone who is most afraid of death, physical torture will surely make them suffer unbearable pain.

Torture is nothing more than physical and mental suffering.

Needless to say, physical torture can be achieved by targeting the body's senses of smell, touch, pain, and taste.

Mental torment can be categorized in many ways.

Fear, loneliness, anger, and other emotions can all be used as a form of torture.

Secondly, there are higher-level mental torment such as the collapse of ideals, beliefs, and logic.

However, whether it's physical or mental torture, it ultimately comes down to what a person cares about most and what they fear most.

"So... what does Hiruzen Sarutobi care about most? And what is he most afraid of?"

Li Yao carefully considered what he knew about the life of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

According to many online analyses, the three generations cared most about their family and feared losing power the most.

It's clear that the Third Hokage cared deeply about and feared the clan and the position of Hokage.

Are there any other things you care about or are afraid of besides these?

Li Yao pondered carefully.

While Li Yao was pondering how to torment the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, below in the Hokage's office, that old schemer hadn't gone home yet and was also thinking about how to deal with Li Yao's two clones.

"White Fang, Uchiha..."

Inside the office, the lights were dim, and the Third Generation's face was grim as he stared intently at the three intelligence reports on the desk.

The document on the left contains information about Sakumo's reappearance after his disappearance and his embrace with Tsunade, confirming their relationship.

Upon seeing this information, the Third Hokage did not feel joy that his beloved disciple had finally found a man; instead, he felt the chair beneath him suddenly become hot.

The Third Generation felt a strong sense of threat from White Fang.

This threat was even stronger than when most of the villagers agreed that White Fang was the Fourth Hokage.

Because White Fang's identity was illegitimate at that time, although he was very popular among commoner ninjas, he was not so popular among ninja clans.

But things are different now.

After establishing a relationship with Tsunade, the princess recognized by both Konoha and the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, White Fang's status immediately changed. Whether in Konoha's elite families or the Daimyo's household, White Fang would be the best candidate for the next Hokage.

Once the war ends, the Third Hokage's position will inevitably be in jeopardy.

This goes against the original intention of the First Hokage when he founded the village, and the Third Hokage was well aware of this, as he brought five- or six-year-old children to the battlefield.

Once the Fourth Shinobi World War ends, he must resign from his position as Hokage to give an explanation to the families who lost children in the war and to the various shinobi clans.

By then, with Tsunade's support, White Fang would almost certainly be the best candidate for the Fourth Hokage.

Without Tsunade's support, Minato, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya cannot compete with White Fang.

"No, the war absolutely cannot end!"

The Third Hokage made a firm decision and immediately wrote to Orochimaru, instructing him to order White Fang to return to the village and simultaneously invade the Land of Wind to find the mines and make up for Konoha's losses.

On other fronts, the Third Generation also sent letters, urging a full-scale attack.

Only the hatred born of battle and death can keep the war burning.

If White Fang is locked up in the village again, even though more people in Konoha will die as the war continues, it will pave the way for Minato to become Hokage.

Compared to Orochimaru and Jiraiya, if Minato were to become Hokage, given his personality, as long as the Third Hokage had the thick skin, he would lose the least amount of power. At least the Anbu, which symbolizes the Hokage's authority, would still be in his hands.

(End of this chapter)