When Hiruzen Sarutobi used his Tōmegane no Jutsu (Telescope Technique) to see Naruto Uzumaki explode the Four-Tails, the pipe he was holding immediately fell to the ground with a 'thud'.
In particular, the small Bijūdama that was condensing caused Hiruzen Sarutobi's pupils to shrink and his entire body to tremble incessantly.
How could that be?
He's been perfectly fine for the past three years, so why did he suddenly go berserk?
Could it be... Danzo's doing?
"His direction..."
Just as he was wondering if Danzo Shimura was behind it, he suddenly realized that Naruto Uzumaki was pointing directly at the Hokage Building.
"Run!"
Without a second thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi roared and jumped out of the window to escape.
The ANBU member kneeling on the ground was still confused about what was going on.
Then a loud 'boom' was heard, and he and the Hokage Building turned into smoke and fire, completely disappearing from the world.
...
Outside.
The numerous ninjas who had just arrived at Naruto's location hadn't even had a chance to do anything when the small Bijūdama was launched, sending the Hokage Building flying in the distance.
The rising mushroom cloud and the deafening roar left everyone stunned in place.
His eyes were filled with disbelief. The Third Hokage... had ascended to heaven?
"Quickly, control the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. We can't let him continue to destroy the village."
"Sealing team, prepare sealing techniques, Earth Release ninjas to restrict his movement."
"Nara family members, follow me and use the Kagemane no Jutsu to subdue him!"
Nara Shikaku was the first to come to his senses and quickly directed everyone to divide the work and prepare to reseal Naruto's Nine-Tails chakra.
At the same time, he was deeply saddened, as he estimated that the Sandaime had most likely died in the line of duty.
Once the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is under control, it seems we'll have to elect another Hokage.
Three years, just three short years, and Konoha is already changing its Hokage again.
This time, I'm afraid Daimyo will be unable to sit still.
Just thinking about these troublesome things gave Nara Shikaku a huge headache.
"This is so troublesome!"
He sighed inwardly, but his hands remained perfectly still.
Suddenly, earthen walls rose up around Naruto, trapping him inside.
Immediately afterwards, black shadows connected with Naruto Uzumaki, rendering him unable to move.
"roar--"
Bound and manipulated by Black Zetsu, Naruto Uzumaki once again let out a low growl that sounded inhuman.
The raging Nine-Tails chakra caused the Nara clan members' expressions to change drastically.
The power of the Nine-Tails is indeed terrifying!
There were more than ten of them, and they seemed to be on the verge of losing control.
"The people of Konoha do have some skills, huh?"
"Fine, I'm not playing with you guys anymore."
Black Zetsu tried for a moment, but seeing that he couldn't break free from their control, he stopped struggling.
Anyway, he didn't intend to fight Konoha to the death; he just wanted to make them feel the pain.
Now that the goal has been achieved, it is time for me to retire gracefully and keep my achievements and fame hidden.
Of course, in the process of making his successful retreat, he also took care of the secret agent before giving up the fight.
"Sealing Technique—"
The sealing team was trying to take this opportunity to seal Naruto Uzumaki.
Unexpectedly, before they could even make a move, the Nine-Tails chakra on Naruto's body automatically receded, revealing the burned skin beneath the Nine-Tails' cloak.
After entering Four-Tails Mode, the Nine-Tails' chakra not only protected his body, but also constantly burned him.
Fortunately, his kind-hearted uncle Black Zetsu was protecting him; otherwise, with the appearance of the Four-Tails, he would have instantly returned to the Pure Land, let alone unleash a Bijūdama here in style.
"The Nine-Tails' chakra has receded!"
"Why did it suddenly go berserk? Is there something wrong with the seal?"
"Sealing team, go check the seals on the Jinchuriki."
Seeing that the Nine-Tails' chakra had receded on its own, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and immediately sent the sealing team to check the seal.
"The seal is fine. It should be that the Nine-Tails' chakra leaked out, which caused the Nine-Tails to go berserk."
The sealing team quickly completed their inspection and found that both the Fourth Hokage's Eight Trigrams Sealing Style and the Third Hokage's Five Element seal were intact.
This makes one wonder just how cautious Black Zetsu is now that he's been reborn.
He was afraid that something was wrong, so before the Nine-Tails' chakra disappeared, he put the Five Element seal back on.
"I have said long ago that we cannot allow the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to roam freely within the village."
"Unfortunately, Hiruzen didn't listen to me, which is why he suffered this misfortune."
"From now on, I will take over the role of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!"
"Also, pass on the word that a new election for the Fifth Hokage will be held tomorrow."
Just as everyone was wondering why the Nine-Tails' chakra had leaked when the seal was intact, Shimura Danzo arrived at the scene accompanied by Root ninjas.
He first criticized Hiruzen Sarutobi for not heeding his good advice during his lifetime, and then he wanted to bring the Jinchuriki under his command.
Finally, a new Hokage election is needed.
"Lord Danzo, it's still unknown whether the Third Hokage is dead or not. Is there any need to rush to elect a new Fifth Hokage?"
Nara Shikaku's lips twitched violently, even though he also felt that the Third Hokage couldn't possibly have survived.
But he never expected that Danzo Shimura's path to seizing power would be so swift.
"Hmph, the Kumogakure envoy is about to arrive in Konoha."
"If Konoha doesn't even have a Hokage by then, how can we sign an alliance agreement?"
"If I do not step forward now, the people of Kumogakure will take this as an excuse to attack Konoha, and use it as an opportunity to start a war."
"As the saying goes, in times of emergency, one must act expediently. At this critical juncture, I have no choice but to step forward and assume the position of the fifth generation leader..."
Shimura Danzo gave Nara Shikaku a cold look, then slammed his cane into the ground and snorted.
Unfortunately, Danzo was destined to be disappointed. Just as he was about to finish speaking, a weak voice came from afar.
"Cough cough—Danzo, I'm not dead yet!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi staggered over to the spot, glared at Danzo, and said...
"Sandaime-sama!"
"That's great, Lord Sandaime is alright."
"Third Hokage, what about the Jinchuriki..."
Upon seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi arrive, Nara Shikaku and the others all showed expressions of joy.
Only Danzo's expression visibly darkened.
The Hokage position that was within his grasp has been lost again!
Damn Hiruzen!
How come you're so lucky?
Even a Bijūdama won't kill you.
"Hiruzen, I'm so glad you're still alive."
"However, you can't be so casual about the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
"Hand him over to me, or he will cause a great disaster sooner or later."
Since it was no longer possible to usurp the Hokage position, Danzo Shimura immediately shifted his focus to Naruto Uzumaki.
"I will take good care of Naruto, so you don't need to worry about him."
Hiruzen Sarutobi straightened his robes and spoke slowly.