Boom!
Immense chakra erupted from Sasuke Sarutobi. The nearly fifty-year-old man, though past his prime with his physical energy beginning to wane, possessed a spirit honed by decades of combat, far more condensed than in his youth.
Otherwise, Sasuke Sarutobi couldn't possibly have held the line against the Cloud ninjas on this battlefield for an entire year.
After all, this front faced the Third Raikage, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, and the Two-Tails Jinchuriki – three Kage-level powerhouses.
His son becoming the Hokage of Konoha was Sasuke Sarutobi's greatest source of pride.
To ensure Hiruzen Sarutobi secured his position as Hokage, Sasuke had led the Sarutobi clan ninjas in a desperate defense against the Cloud Village. Over the past year, the Sarutobi clan had suffered heavy casualties.
Just as Hiruzen's position as Hokage had begun to stabilize somewhat, Li Anshi now claimed not to sense the Will of Fire of the previous two Hokage in him. What was his intention?
Did he want to overthrow his son's position as Hokage?
"Insolent brat, how dare you speak such nonsense?"
"Clan Leader Sarutobi, do you wish to fight me?"
Li Anshi's eyes narrowed, a flying dagger sliding into his hand as his spirit locked onto Sasuke Sarutobi.
If Sasuke Sarutobi made a move, his dagger would pierce the man's throat in an instant.
The killing intent in Li Anshi's eyes seemed almost tangible. Sasuke Sarutobi's heart trembled; he felt an itch on his neck, as if the dagger had already pierced through.
Drops of sweat trickled down Sasuke Sarutobi's forehead.
Only then did Sasuke Sarutobi remember that Li Anshi was no ordinary person.
Even the rampaging Two-Tails Jinchuriki had been slain by his single dagger strike.
He himself likely stood little chance of dodging that blade.
Shh, shh, shh—
Seeing the sudden tension flare between Li Anshi and Sasuke Sarutobi, the other Jonin hesitated for a moment before drawing kunai from their pouches, ready to act.
Though wary of Li Anshi's flying dagger secret technique, no one would back down if a real fight broke out!
Even if it meant death!
That was the way of the ninja!
"Wait!"
"Anshi, stop!"
Just as the conflict was about to escalate, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Tsunade quickly intervened.
Tsunade immediately stepped in front of Li Anshi, while Hiruzen Sarutobi flickered in front of his father, shielding Sasuke Sarutobi behind him.
With Tsunade and Hiruzen Sarutobi stepping forward, the tense atmosphere in the tent eased slightly.
"Everyone, calm down first."
Hiruzen Sarutobi pushed his father back into his seat and gestured for the Jonin who had drawn their weapons to stand down. Seeing this, everyone slowly sat back down.
Only then did Hiruzen Sarutobi turn to Li Anshi.
"Anshi, may I ask where you got the impression that I haven't inherited the Will of Fire of Lord First Hokage and Lord Second Hokage?"
"Master Hiruzen!"
Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi say this, Tsunade became anxious.
Hiruzen might not know, but how could Tsunade not?
When Tsunade had first encountered Li Anshi on this battlefield, she had already heard his definition of the "Will of Fire."
Therefore, she knew that if Li Anshi spoke his mind now, an indelible stain would forever mar Konoha's Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
This was not good for Konoha.
As the granddaughter of two Hokage, Tsunade didn't want the village her grandfather and great-uncle had desperately protected to fall into turmoil.
At the very least, before she had the ability to make the village better, she had to ensure it didn't become worse.
"Anshi!"
Tsunade grabbed Li Anshi's hand, her eyes pleading.
Li Anshi looked at Tsunade's expression and sighed softly.
"My apologies, Lord Hokage, I spoke too loudly earlier."
"Anshi, you don't need to worry about Tsunade."
Seeing Tsunade about to say something, Hiruzen Sarutobi raised a hand to stop her.
"Tsunade, as Hokage, if I cannot walk the correct path, it will surely be a disaster for Konoha."
"I am not an invincible God of Shinobi like Lord Hashirama, nor am I as wise as Lord Tobirama."
"Therefore, I must listen to the opinions of others to protect Konoha properly."
"I also want to know where exactly I have gone wrong, that you feel I haven't inherited the will of Lord Hashirama and Lord Tobirama."
Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Tsunade released Li Anshi's hand.
Indeed, if Master Hiruzen realized his mistake and corrected it, it would truly be a good thing for Konoha.
"Anshi, you can speak now, right?"
"Alright, since Lord Hokage wishes to hear it, then I shall ask Lord Hokage a few questions."
"Ask."
"Lord Hokage, have all the ninjas of Konoha's older generation died?"
"Hmm?"
Not just Hiruzen Sarutobi, but the other Jonin in the tent frowned upon hearing Li Anshi's question, their gazes turning unfriendly.
If not for their extreme wariness of Li Anshi's flying dagger technique, they might have attacked him based on this question alone.
In this era, which ninja clan didn't have elders?
Li Anshi's words sounded like a curse; how could these ninjas possibly look kindly upon him?
"No."
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi was displeased, he still answered Li Anshi's question.
"Because of the presence of Lord First and Lord Second, Konoha hasn't experienced war for over a decade."
"Even after this year of fighting, many ninjas of the older generation remain pillars of the village."
"Then, have all the ninjas of your generation, Lord Third, died?"
"Li Anshi, you go too far!"
As soon as Li Anshi finished speaking, one Jonin immediately cursed loudly, "I'm still alive and well! If you dare speak such nonsense again, no matter how strong you are, I'll spill your blood!"
The other Jonin remained silent, but their expressions made it clear that if this Jonin attacked Li Anshi, they wouldn't stand idly by.
"No. Our generation of ninjas is the most numerous in Konoha. How could we possibly all be dead?"
"Then what about our generation? Are we all dead?"
This question made the Jonin who had been scowling at Li Anshi pause.
Then, they sheepishly settled back down.
If they had previously thought Li Anshi's first two questions were curses aimed at Konoha's older generation and their own, then this question was cursing the next generation of ninjas.
This naturally included Li Anshi himself.
In that case, Li Anshi's previous two questions likely held no ill intent either.