["Danzo..."]
["Why?"]
Hiruzen Sarutobi closed his eyes in pain.
The last vestige of reluctance in my heart vanished completely.
After this.
It will personally kill its best buddy.
[He also personally handled the cases of Koharu Takuya and Mitokado's inflammation.]
It seems they harbor resentment over being stripped of their position as Hokage advisors long ago.
Since that's the case.
[Let's solve it together then.]
When I opened my eyes again...
The reluctance in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes had vanished, replaced only by endless coldness.
[call--]
Take a deep breath.
[Looking at Orochimaru.]
It said coldly:
"I never expected... no, I should have realized this day would come."
"I regret it."
"Back then, I should have killed you with my own hands, Orochimaru."
[Upon hearing this.]
Orochimaru made no move.
[Laughing while rubbing her forehead.]
But as I laughed, my eyes welled up with tears.
[Hiruzen Sarutobi took the opportunity to glance in the direction of Sunagakure.]
Then, his brow furrowed imperceptibly.
The Fourth Kazekage... has disappeared without a trace.
Orochimaru disguises himself as the Fourth Kazekage.
[Hasn't there been any thought of collaborating with Sunagakure?]
Or perhaps...
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head.
[With a sharp shout:]
["Sunagakure!"]
"As allies, shouldn't we step in now?!"
[Below.]
[Inside the arena.]
Gaara looked up at the four purple flame arrays on the roof.
Through the Four Purple Flames Formation, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face became clear.
A barely perceptible glint of coldness flashed in his eyes.
[snort! ]
Is this the guy trying to control Naruto?
[Click—]
[The next moment.]
Gaara's body rapidly deteriorated.
In the blink of an eye, it turned into sand.
[And in the audience seats above.]
A gust of wind blew by.
The swirling sand and gravel quickly converged.
In the blink of an eye, Gaara appeared before Maki, Temari, and Kankuro, arms crossed.
The group of Sand Villagers behind him paused for a moment, then quickly lowered their heads.
I dared not look at Gaara's retreating figure any longer.
[Sand Instantaneous Body.]
Gaara looked up and glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Sunagakure, obey my command!"
["yes!"]
[Maki was the first to kneel down on one knee.]
Temari and Kankuro reacted quickly as well.
Seeing this, the Sand Village members behind them immediately knelt down on one knee.
[Those hesitant Sand Villagers.]
[I sighed inwardly.]
Then, following the others, he knelt down on one knee.
"The Sand Village remains inactive."
"The Konoha Crush plan has absolutely nothing to do with us."
["yes!"]
The Sand Village members immediately agreed.
[A grand and impressive display.]
[Inside the Four Purple Flame Array.]
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was grim.
[He snorted coldly, but there was nothing he could do.]
At least for now, there's nothing we can do.
However, I still felt somewhat relieved.
The Sand Village did not make a move.
Otherwise, Konoha would face even more enemies.
Then, Hiruzen Sarutobi realized something.
[Immediately look towards the spot where Asuma had been standing.]
[A moment later.]
Hiruzen Sarutobi withdrew his gaze.
[fine. ]
Asma is not here.
[He must have gone to lead his people in a counterattack.]
[Very good... After this, Asuma becoming the Fifth Hokage is a foregone conclusion.]
[Simply support two outstanding members of the Sarutobi clan to become Hokage advisors to Asuma.]
As for the position of Hokage's assistant...
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath.
A figure flashed into my mind.
[Nara Shikaku. ]
This was part of the plan.
Once Sarutobi Asuma becomes the Fifth Hokage, the vacant Hokage position will undoubtedly be filled by Nara Shikaku.
Asuma Sarutobi was also the Jonin instructor of Team 10.
[This effectively stabilized the Ino-Shika-Cho trio situation.]
Of course, Hiruzen Sarutobi doesn't know this yet.
[It has a pre-selected Hokage to assist it.]
[He is currently leading his clansmen in an attack on the Sarutobi clan.]
"Sarutobi-sensei, are you snapping out of it yet?"
Just then.
[Orochimaru's mocking voice rang out.]
[This interrupted Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts.]
"How long are you going to keep using that face?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes.
Looking at Orochimaru, who had a woman's face, he said coldly.
[Hehehe~]
"Is that so?"
"Fine, I'll grant your wish."
[Tear—]
Having said that, Orochimaru dropped his mask.
[Revealing its true form.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi was momentarily dazed.]
What's it like to fight your most valued disciple?
And just then...
A loud explosion was heard in the distance.
Neither Orochimaru nor Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at them.
At this moment, these former master and disciple only have eyes for each other.
[At this moment, the location of the explosion.]
A gigantic figure appeared.
"Lady Tsunade?!"
"This... Lady Kushina?"
[That enormous figure.]
[It was the slug sage that Tsunade summoned.]
The slug's voice is beautiful, but at this moment, it is filled with surprise.
Nothing more.
[Because it hasn't been channeled for a long time.]
Even if a psychic connection is established.
[This was also a summoning technique using Tsunade's blood.]
Right now, Tsunade is probably sitting on her own lap, experiencing symptoms of hemophobia.
"Now is not the time to talk about these things."
Tsunade replied.
[Squint.]
"Found it."
"Let's go, Kushina!"
[Tsunade pointed at the figure rapidly heading towards the arena, and then pushed off with both legs.]
The figure shot away like a cannonball.
Kushina followed closely behind.
[And beneath the slug.]
Seeing this, Uchiha Izumi and Shizune immediately changed direction and followed.
"Slug, split!"
"Silence, take the slug to treat it, it's almost time."
Upon hearing this, Jingyin stopped and caught the baby slugs that had split off from the slug.
["Shizune-sama~!"]
"We'll talk about it later, please, Slug-sama!" Shizune said quickly.
"Yes!"
[Slug Splits!]
Instantly, the slug's enormous body began to writhe.
[Immediately afterwards, countless tiny slugs shed their skins.]
They were too busy chasing after Shimura Danzo.
[I almost forgot about the situation inside Konoha.]
Tsunade also has the task of serving as a medical team member.
However, for now, Tsunade is more inclined towards her personal desires: revenge!
Therefore, I immediately summoned the long-lost slug through spiritual communication.
[...]
Meanwhile, in another space.
"Where am I?"
A childish voice rang out.
[Within the Divine Might Space.]
Naruto blinked.
[Look down.]
[Then there was an adorable little girl with rolled-up eyes, hugging her legs and curiously looking around.]
[Clearly curious about everything within the Kamui dimension.]
However, she raised her cute little face and met Naruto's gaze.
[He shrank back weakly.]
"Naruto... Naruto-nii-san~"
"Don't you dare take my sister away!"