The Third Hokage and Swain were from the same generation, but the Third looked very old. After all, the strongest Hokage with the five kinds of powers had not avoided being hurt by age.
"Oh, little monkey, you're getting old."
"Senior Swain is still so young."
When Naruto saw the Third Hokage coming, he seemed to have found someone to rely on, and his tears flowed even more. "Grandpa Third Hokage, is my dad really..."
Before he could finish speaking, the Third Hokage made a hand sign and used a trick to put Naruto to sleep. Along with him, the villagers on the whole street fell asleep too.
"Why aren't you protecting the hero's child?" Swain was naturally unaffected, and even ate a very spicy ball of food.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed with guilt, "I'm doing this to protect Naruto."
Swain chuckled and laughed out loud. "So the whole village knows Naruto is the fox spirit? Do you think the other four ninja villages are stupid? Konoha's peace was won by our own strength, and you're protecting it like this?!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was silent. Being old and already introverted, he had become even more stubborn. This was a strong contrast to Danzo's character, who would do anything to get what he wanted.
And that's why tragedies like the White Fang and Naruto happened.
Swain continued, "I don't want to get involved in Konoha's affairs. This is the agreement I made with the Second Hokage in exchange for a whole book of forbidden spells. I can also somewhat control and let go of the Uchiha Clan, but I hope you and the rat hiding underground understand that your strength will decrease with age, but mine won't. I will only grow stronger!
If something like Shisui's situation happens again, then let's change the underground organization and the Hokage."
Sarutobi Hiruzen first clenched his fist, but released it after only a few seconds. No one knew Swain's strength better than he did. Mirror, Danzo, and the three of them practicing against him alone had never won, and it was always a tie.
It was like a cat playing with a mouse.
However, Swain himself knew very well why. His health bar was just too big... His extreme attack power was only so-so. Although he could handle anything with ease, he would be at a disadvantage in a real fight against someone at the level above Kage.
Like the Night of the Nine Tails, did you think he didn't want to help? Six Pain were hard to fight, and who knows why the ninja world's energy had all turned into Chakra.
So, over the years, Swain had been trying to understand natural energy.
But the problem was, it was both a blessing and a curse. The demon hand that gave Swain eternal life and power was rejected by all the holy places.
Even the naturally sinister Ryuuchi Cave kept its distance.
After placing Kakashi, Uchiha Shisui returned to the ball food stand and bowed to the Third Hokage, "Lord Third Hokage."
The fierce battle of wills between the two of them suddenly collapsed. Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled kindly, "It's Shisui. You look more and more like your father."
"Yes, I will inherit my father's last wish and protect Konoha."
Shisui's firm gaze made the two old men really recall Uchiha Kagami from those years. He was just as outstanding and loved Konoha just as much.
Suddenly, Uchiha Swain sighed deeply, "How did Mirror die?"
That one sentence seemed to age the young face by a dozen years. The look on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face also became unnatural, and his eyes revealed that he was avoiding something.
It was clear that he knew about these things back then. Yes, as the Hokage with the longest time in power, how could he not know?
Perhaps it was the feeling of old friendship, or perhaps it was a moment of backing down. He had once regretted it, but in the end, wasn't the outcome still sacrificing others?
Even for this Konoha hero in front of him, Danzo had said more than once that he wanted to surround and kill him, cutting off the evil Uchiha clan, but perhaps he was afraid of the still lingering legend.
"One last time, next time, the higher-ups of Konoha, I believe the Hyuga and Uchiha clans would be happy to split your authority equally. You're not the only ones in the Hokage line who have elite ninja."
These words were not only for the Third Hokage, but also for Danzo, who was hidden in the shadows.
Swain then dropped a huge bomb, "Choose one, Naruto or the Nine Tails."
"Nine Tails!"
"Naruto!"
Shimura Danzo's abrupt voice spoke at the same time as Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Then, Shimura Danzo's terrifying face, with bandages wrapped around half of it, revealed a meaningful expression as he advised, "Hiruzen! The Nine Tails is Konoha's weapon and cannot be lost!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was unexpectedly firm, and the tobacco pipe in his hand fell to the ground with a bang. His imposing manner was like that of the ninja hero who once dominated the ninja world. At that moment, Danzo seemed to see his partner, who was always a little bit brighter than him.
"He is the child of a hero! Konoha owes him enough already!"
"Hiruzen!"
"Danzo! Don't forget, I am the Hokage!"