All sorts of answers mixed together, some even in very low voices.
But Hiruzen Sarutobi, as a Ninja, and one of the top Ninjas, how could he not hear them?
With each answer he heard, Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart sank deeper!
After everyone had finished answering, Yuuki's smile also faded, and he said to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"I'm not good with words, but I still have to say this: Hiruzen Sarutobi, everything you've done has only brought suffering to Konoha!"
After stating his conclusion, Yuuki summarized it again.
"Konoha does not thank you, Hiruzen Sarutobi!"
Yuuki's words delivered a fatal blow to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Of course, it wasn't some unfounded 'talk no jutsu'; the Ninja world has never had 'talk no jutsu', even in the original story.
Strength is the foundation of everything, whether it was Neji, Gaara, or later Nagato, Obito, and finally Sasuke.
If Naruto hadn't beaten his opponents into submission, anything he said would have been useless.
Just like now, no matter what Hiashi said, Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't have taken it to heart.
The words of those people before were merely embellishments; although they made Hiruzen Sarutobi feel bad, it wasn't unbearable.
After all, they were just some villagers; even if they were Ninjas, so what? They were short-sighted people who couldn't see the bigger picture.
Only Yuuki's words, as someone stronger than Hiruzen Sarutobi and also a Hokage, truly hit home.
No matter how much Hiruzen Sarutobi denied it in his heart, Yuuki was now Konoha's Hokage, a Hokage recognized by everyone.
Hiruzen Sarutobi now recalled his life; he had endured too much for Konoha, but what did he get in return?
Hiruzen Sarutobi, everything you've done has only brought suffering to Konoha!
Konoha does not thank you, Hiruzen Sarutobi!
After the only thing he held dear in his heart was completely negated, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly felt a sense of emptiness.
His teacher, his comrades, his son, his wife, and even his entire life had been dedicated to Konoha.
Yet, all he brought to Konoha was suffering; his whole life was meaningless!
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a bit of regret at this moment; if the Shadow Clone hadn't appeared earlier, allowing him to die at Hiashi's hands, perhaps he would have died with his ideals and regrets.
Suddenly, Hiruzen Sarutobi envied Danzo; Danzo perhaps died with a glimmer of hope still.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood there blankly, his eyes filled with the will to die, like a walking corpse.
"Do you all want this old man to die? Then come, kill me!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke mechanically, then stood motionless in place.
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had no desire to live, Yuuki felt that his goal had been achieved, and then turned to the crowd and said.
"You can do what you want to do now; go, don't be afraid, I will protect you."
The middle-aged man who had spoken earlier mustered his courage, took a Kunai from Yuuki's hand, and came before Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He raised the Kunai in his hand, aimed it at the heart, but hesitated for a long time, then returned dejectedly after standing still for a while, handing the Kunai back to Yuuki.
"Hokage-sama, I'm sorry, I can't do it!"
Yuuki gently comforted him.
"It's alright, do you still hate him?"
The middle-aged man answered without thinking.
"I do hate him, but... never mind, maybe I'm just destined to suffer!"
Then he shook his head and walked away, tears streaming down his face, and no one knew what he was thinking in his heart.
A few people went up to try, one after another, but ultimately couldn't bring themselves to do it.
But it wasn't entirely without results; some people did strike, but they avoided vital points, and now Hiruzen Sarutobi had multiple wounds on his body, bleeding profusely.
This scene was somewhat comical, like a group of people bullying a lonely old man; Yuuki at this moment was definitely playing the villain's role.
Hiashi and Kakashi both had their Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm ready, and their Chidori raised and lowered.
And Hiruzen Sarutobi was utterly disheartened, with no light left in his eyes.
Hatred fills one's heart with endless motivation, but at the moment when revenge is truly possible, everyone hesitated.
Will they truly be happy after revenge?
Do they really want to kill someone?
No!
They just couldn't accept the people who brought them warmth and strength leaving them.
Yuuki watched this scene with a similar feeling; he didn't want to experience all this, he didn't want hatred, so he had to work even harder.
All powerlessness stems from insufficient ability; Yuuki also felt his own limitations at this moment.
Those who clamored for Hiruzen Sarutobi's death all left one by one; Hiruzen Sarutobi ultimately did not die.
Although if left unattended, he would eventually die from excessive blood loss.
However, Utatane Koharu, who had long since slipped away, now appeared here, carrying a medical kit and providing simple treatment for Hiruzen Sarutobi.
This outcome was very different from Yuuki's initial prediction; he had never harbored much hatred since childhood and didn't understand the thoughts of those burdened by hatred.
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't die, and the result Yuuki expected didn't occur.
"This is truly unexpected, but it further illustrates your failure. Konoha's villagers are surprisingly reasonable; what they want is so simple, yet you made them hate you to the bone, Hiruzen Sarutobi. To bear the name of Hokage alongside you is an absolute disgrace!"
Yuuki's words made Hiruzen Sarutobi slightly come back to his senses.
"You win, Uchiha Tomoki, but you will ultimately meet the same end as me, unless you die in battle outside!"
Yuuki smiled slightly and said.
"It's too early to talk about winning or losing now. I have something interesting to show you, Advisor Sarutobi."
Although there was a difference from the initial plan, Yuuki always had a backup plan. After clapping his hands.
A Ninja appeared in the center, carrying a square, cube-like object.
Utatane Koharu was immediately drawn to it, while Hiruzen Sarutobi remained indifferent; already disheartened, he didn't think anything could strike him again.
After watching for a while, Utatane Koharu suddenly spoke.
"Hiruzen, you should take a look; that seems to be Asuma!"
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