"It's you, Murata. Is something the matter?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression grew increasingly gloomy.
He was especially displeased to see that the person who woke him up was that weakling.
But for now, he had to endure; he couldn't just lash out the moment someone arrived.
"Hokage-sama..."
*Click—*
Murata didn't quite dare to look Hiruzen Sarutobi in the eye, for fear of revealing any clues.
After entering, he also closed the door to the Hokage Office.
"Is there something?"
"Murata?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and looked at Murata with a fake smile, sitting up straight to maintain his dwindling image as Hokage.
Seeing Murata hesitating, the dangerous glint in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes grew even more intense.
'Lord Fox, what... what should I say?!'
'I'm counting on you, I'll do whatever you say... The pressure is too much, I need two months of free use!'
Inside Naruto's Sealing Space.
The Great Fox had its eyes closed, connecting to the Pseudo-Nine-Tailed Chakra inside Murata's body.
Hearing Murata's attempt to raise the price last minute, it gave a cold snort.
Seeking wealth in danger?
Where's the danger?
Although the Old Thing was unhappy with him, he didn't dare to make a move in the shadows.
This kid was quite famous in the taverns.
Every time he got drunk, he would badmouth the Old Thing.
If he were disposed of directly, it would only bring trouble upon the Old Thing himself.
Even if he were to be dealt with, it would have to be when the kid left the Village for a mission.
However, every time Hiruzen Sarutobi planned to do it, he would always forget.
Murata's strength was too low, and he was very cautious; after offending Hiruzen Sarutobi, he rarely left the Village.
As a result, his resources couldn't keep up, and his strength regressed rather than progressed.
But at least he managed to keep his life.
"It's like this... Hokage-sama..."
Murata forced out a smile that looked worse than crying.
He then walked towards Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly.
A look of disgust flashed through his cloudy, bloodshot eyes.
"Murata, you're already here. If you have something to say, just say it."
"I've been very tired and busy lately."
"If there's nothing else..." Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, momentarily holding back his temper.
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi would soon regret it.
'Lord Fox... do I really have to do this?!'
'I can't. I've already offended him. If I do this, I'll probably be kicked out!'
'What?!'
'You mean... if the mission is completed, you'll waive a year's worth of Chakra fees?!'
'That's great~!'
'As expected of Lord Fox!'
The Great Fox was dangerous lately.
"Idiot, don't waste your effort."
...
"Speak." His patience had run out.
Murata took a deep breath.
The Great Fox's voice kept echoing in his mind.
Gritting his teeth, he immediately spoke:
"Hokage-sama... you can't blame me. If you want to blame someone, you can only blame yourself."
As he spoke, Murata forced a smile, his expression extremely complicated:
"Hokage-sama, actually... actually, I received a mission, so..."
What nerve!
Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned, then flew into a rage.
Everyone: "..."
This gift indeed had something to it.
However, just when everyone thought it was about over.
"Spare my life, Hokage-sama~!!!"
Something unexpected happened.
Clearly, Hiruzen Sarutobi was already a lamb to the slaughter.
Yet Murata ran straight to the window and shouted for mercy.
There were already many rumors, and now, an even more explosive one had arrived.
"Ah~!!!"
Mission accomplished.
Just as Murata was about to sneak away, or even leave Konoha, a sudden change occurred.
At this moment, Murata regretted it.
Greed... it was all because he was too greedy.
Murata slumped to the ground.
It happened too fast; Murata was completely unprepared.
He felt the Chakra in his body disappearing at an extremely rapid rate.
Sensing again, it was all gone.
Consequently, he didn't even have the strength to stand.
*Hum—*
At the same time.
The Inner Four Symbols Seal on Murata's lower abdomen shattered.
The Great Fox's Chakra swept up his own Chakra and vanished instantly.
"Heh..." Murata gave a miserable laugh.
His gaze unconsciously fell upon the Empress, who had just recovered some strength.
He opened his mouth.
In the end, before he could make a sound, he died.
*Whoosh—*
A few breaths after his death, several Anbu Ninja arrived late.
As soon as they entered, they saw Murata lying on the ground.
And Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had just recovered and was sitting at the Hokage's desk.
'Sent by Danzo... damn it!'
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was ashen.
Those few shouts from Murata earlier would truly bring about a massive impact.
"Regardless of whether it's true or false, we have to go check it out first."
Without another word, those Anbu Ninja quickly left using the Body Flicker Technique.
After the Anbu Ninja left, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but rub his temples.
The half-day of rest he had finally managed to get...
...was gone just like that.
Before the thought could even settle...
*Knock knock knock—*
The door to the Hokage Office was knocked on once again.
"Enter!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, preparing himself to explain.
*Creak—*
The door to the Hokage Office was pushed open again.
A figure walked inside.
A moment later.
"Spare my life, Hokage-sama!"
"I only badmouthed you behind your back a few times like Murata... just a few bad words! It's not a capital offense!"
*Gah—*
The cries for help stopped abruptly.
The street, which had been somewhat lively, instantly fell silent.
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.
This was... the second time.
How could their beloved Lord Third Hokage be such a person?!
...
On this day, Konoha, which had just calmed down, was in chaos again.
And it was chaos starting from the very roots.
Rumors about Hiruzen Sarutobi multiplied several times over.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was furious.
He issued several orders, explaining to everyone that it was the enemy's doing.
Then, he changed into his brand-new battle suit and personally led the Anbu Ninja to block Danzo's Root Organization.
Before the two Advisors, Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado, could stop him, they were placed under house arrest by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
All of Konoha was once again in a complete mess.
On the Hokage Rock, Naruto appeared on the Third Hokage's rock face at some point.
"This is just the beginning, Old Thing... there's even more fun to come."
"Great Fox, is the Root Organization's side handled?"
"Are you looking down on This Fox?"
"So many of that Old Thing's subordinates died, he'll definitely need fresh blood... Don't worry, I've already arranged everything perfectly for him."
However, to Naruto's surprise, at this time, a Ninja from the New Shinobi Sect sent back a message.
"There's news of Tsunade in Tanzaku Town... she has left Tanzaku Town with her disciple."
"Coming towards Konoha?"