The situation is as described above.
Inside the Hokage's Office, only a few people were gathered.
Hagoromo stood in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk and reported on the situation encountered during the escort of the Four-Tails Jinchūriki back to Konoha.
Standing in the Hokage's Office, Shikaku and Fugaku exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with shock.
Just as Konoha was at war with the Sand Shinobi and Stone Shinobi, a group of people suddenly appeared to capture Jinchūriki.
This is almost unbelievable.
That's Tailed Beast! What kind of kind person would just capture it like that?
···
Fugaku was taken aback at first, then glanced at Hagoromo, who was standing in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Well, there's a ruthless person like that in my own village.
Several years ago, during the Night of the Nine-Tails, there was also a ruthless individual who resembled a member of the Uchiha.
That's alright then.
"Call--"
Hiruzen Sarutobi a deep breath of smoke, his eyes filled with a solemn expression.
It's normal for the Shinobi World to be restless, but now this group of people has emerged.
Moreover, it seems that they are recruiting S-rank missing-nin from various villages.
Thinking of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes slightly. Missing-nin—
Orochimaru, you didn't join us too, did you?
"Shikaku, arrange for personnel to strengthen the guard on the Four-Tails Jinchūriki," Hiruzen Sarutobi said to Shikaku beside him.
"Yes!" Shikaku nodded and then turned and walked out of the office.
"Fugaku, although very few of your clansmen remain in the Military Police Force."
"However, in the near future, we will need your clan to spare some personnel to strengthen the force. Also, go and talk to Hiashi about it."
"After all, Byakugan are more suitable for patrolling."
Hiruzen Sarutobi continued speaking to Fugaku beside him without stopping.
"Understood, Hiruzen Hokage!" Uchiha Fugaku nodded, bowed to Hagoromo, and then followed Shikaku out.
"When the Shinobi World falls into chaos, all sorts of Gyuki come out."
Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his office chair and said with a helpless expression.
"Master, what's the situation with Jiraiya?" Hagoromo asked without any ceremony, sitting down on the desk next to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"That old Ōnoki is very stubborn, demanding that we hand over the Four-Tails Jinchūriki."
Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled as he finished speaking.
"Jiraiya can hold on for now; Choza has gone to provide support."
Hearing this, Hagoromo nodded. Once Choza was there, Jiraiya's pressure would be greatly reduced.
After all, the Akimichi Clan can be called a battlefield cleanup machine, and they are also in charge of supplies.
At least for the time being, there's no need to worry.
"However, your record is indeed astonishing."
Hiruzen Sarutobi, having said this, looked at Hagoromo and smiled, "We launched a surprise attack on the Sand Shinobi's logistics base and defeated the Four-Tails Jinchūriki."
Hagoromo shook her head helplessly and said, "I wish none of this had ever happened."
It's important to know that in that battle, if Kakashi hadn't led the Konoha Ninjas to hold off the Sand Shinobi's main force at the front, it would have been a huge loss.
They might not even be able to leave yet.
And countless Konoha ninjas died on the battlefield.
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent for a long time before raising his head with a serious expression to look at Hagoromo.
"Hagoromo, no matter what you think—"
"But I must say this: your importance is absolutely no less than anyone else's."
Seeing that Hagoromo was about to speak, Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand.
"It's not that I, as the Hokage, don't care about the lives of those dead ninjas."
"But their deaths can buy you a sliver of hope, and that makes it all worthwhile!"
"In the end, even if Asuma doesn't come back, as long as you do, that's enough."
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a long time after saying this.
Yes, even if his biological son didn't come back, he would still feel it was all worthwhile.
After all, Hagoromo's weight was greater than Asuma's and the Konoha Ninja who died on the front lines.
Nowadays, aside from older generation ninjas Jiraiya...
In Konoha, only Hagoromo truly deserves the title; even Shisui with his Mangekyo Shisui and Uchiha Itachi cannot compare.
"If you had more prestige than before, I would have preferred to be the one going up and you sitting here."
Hagoromo didn't speak, quietly listening to Hiruzen Sarutobi's rambling.
What can he possibly refute now?
He doesn't deserve it?
No, in his position, he has no right to make his own decisions at this moment.
Hiruzen Sarutobi is already placing Konoha on his chessboard for his future.
This was all so that in the future, Hagoromo would allow Konoha to face the other four nations without having to suffer the same fate as him.
"Old man, don't say such extreme things."
"You know, I'm very strong!"
Hagoromo grinned, his youthful energy startling Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was sitting down, before he burst into laughter.
His disciple finally faced his decision head-on.
That's perfect!
His greatest wish was for Konoha to have successors.
Hagoromo looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was laughing so freely, and couldn't help but sigh.
Suddenly, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to have thought of something and looked at Hagoromo, saying:
Actually, I have a task for you.
"What mission?" Hagoromo was taken aback and couldn't help but ask.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression turned serious as he said, "From now on, I expect you to stay in the village."
"After all, now it's not just about the Four-Tails and Eight-Tails, but more importantly, it's about Naruto."
Hagoromo rubbed her temples. "Yes."
The Akatsuki has already begun its operations, Konoha is now a huge temptation.
The Four-Tails, Eight-Tails, and Nine-Tails are all in Konoha.
He is the only one capable of suppressing the Tailed Beasts.
In the shadows, an organization that retrieves Tailed Beasts is lurking, waiting for its chance to strike.
How can I explain to the old man that the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails are safe until the other Tailed Beasts are retrieved?
Where did the intelligence come from?
Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi believed in himself, what difference would it make?
"No, I think it's better for me to go help Jiraiya- senpai."
Hagoromo spoke up, saying that she wouldn't participate.
Right now, the only one who can go to the battlefield is Hiruzen Sarutobi himself.
As for Shisui Uchiha and Itachi?
Forget it, Hagoromo is afraid that if the two of them go out, one of them will have their Sharingan taken away.
At that point, we might have to face off against Obito -on.
Right now is really not a good time.
"Old man, you can rest assured about my seal. Besides, it's better for the village to have you in charge."
"You know, the Stone Shinobi region still has the Five-Tails Jinchuriki."
Seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi was still thinking about what to say, Hagoromo spoke first.
"I can still move," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, clearly annoyed.
"But right now, if you were to be in charge, it would be beneficial for both the village and the Cloud Village, which has been observing from the Kumogakure."
"The advantages outweigh the disadvantages--"
Hagoromo remained noncommittal, after all, once Hiruzen Sarutobi the fray.
It's hard to say whether that treacherous Fourth Raikage might have some ideas.
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent; he knew all too well.