Hayato Ren reached out and gently flicked Yuhi Kurenai's forehead.
"There aren't that many 'what ifs,' and if you're ever in danger, I'll definitely come to your side immediately. Have you forgotten I know the Flying Thunder God? I'll descend like a god in an instant."
Hayato Ren's answer didn't completely ease Yuhi Kurenai's nervousness, as she continued persistently.
"What if Konan and I are both in danger at the same time?"
After a moment of silence, Hayato Ren sighed helplessly and continued.
"I'll save both of you. Don't you know what precious Space Ninjutsu is? It would be more than enough even if we add Rin to the equation."
"Then what if Konan and I both fall into the water, and you can only save one of us? Who would you choose?"
Looking at Yuhi Kurenai's anxious little face, Hayato Ren couldn't help but sigh. How did this girl manage to bring up such a question?
"Then you'd be out of luck because I can't swim, but Konan can. If I jump in too, Konan would definitely choose to save me."
Hearing this answer, Yuhi Kurenai was momentarily stunned before she tried to speak again.
But at that moment, Hayato Ren placed a finger on her lips, making a "shh" gesture.
"Alright, no more questions. Otherwise, I'll make you copy the Ninja Code ten thousand times as punishment."
At these words, Yuhi Kurenai immediately lost all interest in continuing to tease Hayato Ren.
She pouted and responded impatiently.
"Hah, you're just using your position to persecute me deliberately. I won't accept that."
After enjoying a lunch personally cooked by Hayato Ren, Yuhi Kurenai left.
....
Half a year later.
"What's going on? Calling us both here so early in the morning. If you don't have a good reason, don't expect to keep this shabby office of yours."
Tsunade raised her fair fist, glancing sideways at Sarutobi Hiruzen as she threatened him.
It wasn't without reason that she had this attitude. She had just spent a wonderful night with Hayato Ren.
When she woke up this morning in high spirits, planning to get some morning exercise.
The door was knocked on by an Anbu.
After being interrupted, the two could only quickly tidy themselves up before coming here.
Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen's face immediately showed an awkward smile.
However, before he could respond.
A cold voice spoke up.
"Hiruzen, is this how you educate your student? Without any sense of respect and hierarchy. If you can't even manage your own student properly, how can you manage the Leaf? I think you should step down sooner and let someone capable become Hokage."
If Tsunade's words had made Sarutobi Hiruzen feel awkward, Danzo's words made him deeply frown.
After all, Tsunade had maintained this attitude for over a decade, and he had long grown accustomed to it.
But Danzo's words, spoken in front of everyone, significantly undermined his dignity as Hokage.
At that moment, Hayato Ren suddenly reached up to scratch his ear, making a surprised expression.
"Huh? Isn't this the conference room? Why do I hear a dog barking? Looks like we'll need to call the dog catcher after the meeting."
The previously tense atmosphere instantly became cheerful after Hayato Ren's remark.
Tsunade immediately burst into laughter, giving Hayato Ren a thumbs up while laughing.
"Truly my man, your words always hit the mark."
Besides Tsunade, there was another person in the conference room laughing heartily.
He was the leader of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Fugaku.
Others might have held back their laughter out of consideration for Danzo's status.
But Uchiha Fugaku had no such reservations.
After all, the relationship between Danzo and the Uchiha Clan couldn't be described as friendly - they were more like mortal enemies.
Especially since Hayato Ren could be considered half a son-in-law of the Uchiha Clan, so Uchiha Fugaku naturally fully supported Hayato Ren.
Danzo's face instantly turned icy cold as he pointed at Hayato Ren and said:
"Hayato Ren, what do you mean by that?"
Hayato Ren didn't even glance at him, instead continuing:
"Honey, listen - the dog's barking again."
At these words, even Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but show a slight smile.
Just as Danzo was about to explode, Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly interrupted:
"Alright, I've gathered everyone here for important business. Please take your seats."
With Sarutobi Hiruzen stepping in, it meant the show was over.
So everyone returned to their respective seats.
Sitting down, Hayato Ren looked around and noticed that all the influential figures of the Leaf were present at this meeting.
The Uchiha Clan, Hyuga Clan, and Ino-Shika-Cho Clan had all sent their leaders.
Besides these clan leaders, all the Leaf higher-ups were present too - Sarutobi Hiruzen, Danzo, Orochimaru, and two advisors.
Hayato Ren even spotted a white-haired man with dead fish eyes.
Noticing Hayato Ren's gaze, White Fang couldn't help but grin.
After everyone was seated, Sarutobi Hiruzen cleared his throat and began:
"According to intelligence, the Third Wind Shadow of the Sand Ninja has gone missing."
The room immediately erupted into noisy discussion upon hearing this.
The radical faction believed this was a heaven-sent opportunity to attack the Sand Ninja while they were leaderless and seize their resources.
The conservative faction, however, thought the radicals' view was too conservative. They believed they should deploy all forces to directly annex the Sand Hidden Village.
After a while, Sarutobi Hiruzen raised both hands, and the room gradually quieted down.
"Besides the Sand Hidden Village, the Hidden Stone Village and Hidden Cloud Village have already engaged in local conflicts. Additionally, we've discovered numerous spies from the Hidden Mist Village within the Land of Fire."
Hearing this, the atmosphere in the room instantly became tense.
With four of the five great ninja villages showing abnormalities, the Leaf - occupying the most fertile land - couldn't possibly remain unaffected.
All signs pointed to one thing: the Third Ninja World War was coming.
At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly glanced at Danzo.
Danzo nodded and stood up, looking toward Uchiha Fugaku.
"I believe the enemies from the Hidden Mist Village should be handled by the Uchiha Clan."
Upon hearing this, Hayato Ren immediately grinned.
Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen were truly cunning old foxes—they actually handed the Hidden Mist Village over to the Uchiha.
It was well known that the ninjas of the Hidden Mist Village mostly specialized in Water Release and were skilled in the Hidden Mist Technique.
Ordinary Sharingan couldn't see through that mist, let alone the fact that the Uchiha were adept at Fire Release.
Based on elemental affinities, the Hyuga Clan should have been the main force in battles against the Hidden Mist Village.
Because in the face of the Byakugan, the so-called Hidden Mist Technique was hardly an issue at all.