Chapter 265: If the enemy can go, so can I!
Looking at Neji's smooth forehead, his straight back, and the brilliant light burning in those Byakugan after breaking free from their shackles...
After a brief moment of surprise, Naruto let out a flamboyant smile.
This really was a big surprise!
Very good.
The first 'role model,' and the one with the most symbolic meaning and impact, had stood up in the most shocking way.
But this wasn't enough.
The 'men' of Hidden Leaf Village—or rather, the new generation of core power who dared to face challenges and take responsibility—couldn't just be one person.
Naruto's gaze began to sweep rapidly across the seats of the younger generation.
His smile remained.
He didn't ask the audience again; instead, he started calling out names one by one.
"Shikamaru."
Shikamaru gave a helpless smile and then stood up.
The moment Naruto brought up the final topic, he knew this guy would definitely call on him.
Nothing for it—who told me I'm destined to cooperate with him!
"Choji."
Naruto's gaze turned to the somewhat dazed chubby boy beside Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji.
Choji subconsciously puffed out his chest.
We're bros; Naruto wouldn't set me up, right?
"Shino."
In the corner, Shino Aburame adjusted his sunglasses. His eyes behind the lenses remained as calm as a deep well, but he slowly stood up.
I will go through fire and water for you, Naruto.
"Kiba."
Inuzuka Kiba had long been unable to restrain himself. Hearing his name, he lunged up with an eager, excited expression, as if ready to rush out and do something big at any moment.
"Sasuke."
Naruto's gaze fell upon the figure sitting quietly over there.
Sasuke slowly pulled back the bandages on his eyes, revealing a pair of crimson Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
"Lee."
Finally, Naruto looked at Rock Lee, who had just been fired up for Guy-sensei and hadn't even finished wiping away his tears.
Lee's reaction was the most direct. The moment he heard his name, his whole body straightened like a spring, and a flame even more intense than before instantly reignited in his eyes!
Naruto looked at the six people standing, and the smile on his face widened slightly.
"What about you?"
The subtext was obvious: Neji has set an example; are you, my companions and comrades since childhood, going to shrink back?
Good brothers are meant to be 'used' at critical moments like this!
Naruto understood this well.
He didn't just possess the Peak of Hidden Leaf Village's individual military power; he also needed to firmly unite the most promising next-generation core that was closest to him.
These seven people, and the younger generation they represented, were the future pillars of Hidden Leaf Village and the most solid foundation for the reforms he was pushing.
When the strongest force stands together with the most united, core young power to form an unstoppable torrent...
Who else among the rest—whether the Family Elders accustomed to the old order, the wavering neutrals, or the potentially ill-intentioned scoundrels—would dare to stick their heads out and oppose him at this time?
Change the successor?
Don't make me laugh.
Aside from the few stubborn Hyuga Elders who were already dead, which Elder from any other Family would dare to challenge their Clan Chief?
As for the Uchiha? That was even more out of the question!
If they wanted to object, they'd have to crawl out of their graves first.
Seven young, upright figures stood in the center of the venue like fresh, sturdy pines, radiating an undeniable vitality and determination.
This gathered power had already shaken many hearts, as if they were seeing the prototype of Hidden Leaf Village's future backbone.
However, just at this soul-stirring moment.
"There's us too!"
A clear yet firm female voice, tinged with a bit of unyielding childishness, suddenly rang out from the back row.
Everyone looked toward the sound and saw a small hand raised high, stretching upward with effort.
The owner of the hand was a girl with delicate features but exceptionally bright and sharp eyes.
Hyuga Hanabi.
Under everyone's surprised gazes, Hanabi stood up with a 'whoosh.' Though small, she stood straight, tilting her little face up to fearlessly meet Naruto's gaze behind the podium, shouting clearly:
"Big Brother Naruto! Don't forget about us! Kunoichi aren't necessarily worse than male shinobi!"
"That's right!"
Ino Yamanaka brushed back her long blonde hair, a confident smile on her face.
Beside her, Tenten also nodded vigorously, clenching her small fists, her eyes sparkling.
Sakura Haruno took a deep breath, her pink hair swaying gently as she stood up. Her gaze was firm as she looked at Naruto and then at her companions on the stage.
Although Hinata Hyuga's cheeks were slightly flushed with shyness, driven by her sister Hanabi and her friends Sakura, Ino, and Tenten, she also plucked up her courage and slowly stood up, her hands nervously clasped in front of her, but her eyes no longer averted.
The gratified smile on Hiashi Hyuga's face suddenly froze after seeing his younger daughter Hanabi also stand up with a 'whoosh.'
It quickly transformed into a mixture of shock, a headache, and gnashing teeth!
Why is my younger daughter here too?
Uzumaki Naruto, you bastard!
Hiashi Hyuga achieved a great score of 0.1 seconds in the 'guess the mastermind' game; why don't you give it a try too.
"Very good. The boys and girls of the Village are all full of vitality, daring to fight and strive, with hearts full of passion and ideals..."
He shifted his tone, and his voice suddenly grew heavier:
"So, what about our Hidden Leaf Village's mainstay?"
"We Jonin, Clan Chiefs, and heads of various departments who have weathered more storms and shoulder the heavy responsibility of bridging the generations..."
"Has your blood already run cold?
Have your backs already been bent by past compromises and humiliations?!"
This blunt questioning caused the faces of many middle-aged and elderly shinobi to change. Some looked embarrassed, some were pensive, and some showed expressions of defiance.
"I think this is inappropriate; we don't have a legitimate reason..."
The Third Hokage had just stood up when he was glared back down by Naruto.
Golden Chakra erupted as Naruto entered Kurama Mode.
Many people's faces changed drastically because Naruto had previously thrown a Great Rasengan Wheel after entering Kurama Mode.
Jiraiya immediately pulled his teacher back.
The Old man might be tired of living, but he still had plenty of time to squander!
"Reason? Legitimacy?"
A mocking curve curled at the corner of Naruto's mouth.
"When others hold a knife to our throats, we don't need a reason."
"When our compatriots are traded like goods, legitimacy is meaningless."
"Peace isn't something you beg for; it's something you fight for!
Dignity isn't something you get by enduring; it's something you fight for!"
"Since we've decided to change, let's start with the most direct action."
"If the enemy can go, so can I!"
"I will lead the charge."
His voice wasn't loud, yet it was like a clap of thunder, announcing the violent beginning of a whole new era:
"First, that 'fence-sitter' who is double-minded, used to speculating in the cracks between great nations, and may have even secretly cooperated with hostile forces to damage Hidden Leaf Village's interests.
The Grass Ninja Village shall be completely annihilated!"
"Hidden Leaf Village's logistics unit will follow closely behind, responsible for pacifying civilians, cleaning up the battlefield, and establishing effective control."
He paused slightly, his eyes flashing with a cold and grand light of planning:
"Then, once the matter of the Grass Ninja Village has settled, I will convene a Five Kage Summit in the Land of Iron."
"Not to request, not to negotiate."
"But... to declare war on the entire Ninja World!"
"To declare that Hidden Leaf Village will no longer accept any humiliating 'peace,' and to declare that we have the ability and the determination to bring true order and tranquility to this land in our own way!"
Finally, he looked down at those who might still be speechless with shock at this earth-shattering plan and gave an arrangement that was simple to the extreme, yet also overbearing to the extreme:
"I am the army."
"Most of you only need to handle logistics and stabilize the rear. Reconstruction of the rear is equally important; let me and a few powerful individuals take action, and the losses of war will be smaller.
We are not bringing war to other hidden Villages; we are driving war away and bringing peace.
The prelude to the Fourth Great Ninja War has already begun.
Those who want to fight for their families, for Hidden Leaf Village, and for the peace of the entire Ninja World—stay!"
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