Which Kage of the Four Great Nations' Hidden Villages Dared Call Me, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Weak?

Hokage Building.

In the Hokage's Office.

In the large office, Hagoromo was sitting in the seat specially prepared for her at the desk.

That's right, he was sitting in front of the Hokage's desk, and directly opposite him was the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi on his pipe, looking at Hagoromo in front of him.

I couldn't help but recall the first time I saw Hagoromo, her youthful and innocent appearance, though she still looks the same now.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi remembered that Hagoromo had been submitting job applications for a teaching position for the past two years.

In just a few months, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt that Hagoromo had changed a lot.

Amidst the swirling smoke, the Third Hokage finally spoke.

"Hagoromo..."

"Yes, Lord Hiruzen."

Hagoromo Yi responded calmly, knowing this would happen before he even made a move.

However, in just a few months, it wasn't just Hiruzen Sarutobi who felt he had changed a lot.

Hagoromo herself felt that she should change her approach; she couldn't continue like this any longer.

After all, his behavior in every aspect was far too abnormal.

Keep in mind that in the past few months, he had only carried out fewer than four Anbu missions per month.

However, to be honest, the level of completion and the overall performance in the task were quite exaggerated.

It's so exaggerated that it's even more surprising than Uchiha Itachi becoming Anbu captain within six months in the original story.

And this was said by Kakashi to his face.

"Can you tell me what the Hokage is?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled a puff of smoke, his eyes calmly scrutinizing the Hagoromo before him.

In that hour-long conversation not long ago, Hagoromo explained it directly to him.

This opportunity can be used to summon the head of the Uchiha Clan and thereby win back the Uchiha Clan.

After all, sacrificing Danzo brought about a completely new Uchiha Clan.

It's important to know that Uchiha isn't the only Shisui with the Mangekyo now.

This deal is profitable.

But none of this swayed Hiruzen Sarutobi. What truly convinced him to agree to Hiruzen Sarutobi 'Hagoromo idea was...

He vaguely saw it when Hagoromo made that conclusion.

The shadow of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

It's not about ability, but rather the vision and strategic thinking that shines through in one's speech.

That man who sees a hundred steps ahead with every step he takes.

There was a time when, before Minato Namikaze became Hokage, he had a similar conversation with the Hiruzen.

But sometimes it's just that funny.

He, a man nearing the end of his life, has somehow become Hokage again.

But the spirited Fourth is no longer here.

"The Hokage?"

Hagoromo was also taken aback upon hearing this.

What kind of question is this?

However, considering the Hiruzen's consistent style and everything he did during the Fourth Hiruzen Fourth Shinobi World War in the original work, Hagoromo understood a bit.

This is similar to the question Sasuke asked the First Hokage during the Fourth Shinobi World War.

What is a village? What is a ninja?

Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to use this question to find out Hagoromo's answer so he could make a judgment about him.

"The Hokage is a..."

"A guide who transforms the most vulnerable aspect of humanity—courage—into armor."

"To achieve the prosperity that supports the new leaves."

"When faced with situations requiring me to humble myself, it's not a sign of weakness, but rather a reflection of the weight that comes with the position."

Some people only see the immense power wielded in this position, but they don't realize that this hand is always open, like an umbrella protecting the life that thrives beneath it.

(That's right, I'm Danzo you, Danzo!)

After speaking, Hagoromo stopped abruptly, while Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent from the moment he heard the response.

In Hagoromo's reply, Hiruzen Sarutobi recalled the Second Hokage's dying words that he would succeed the Hiruzen.

At that time, his classmates and fellow students were the only people he could rely on.

Therefore, Konoha established Council of Elders starting with him, the Hiruzen.

Danzo gradually established Root with his tacit approval, dividing up the power of the Anbu.

The Mito Utatane Clan, whose members were Second disciples, gradually grew in size.

The Senju Clan.

The leader of the Senju Clan at the time, in terms of status, Mito Uzumaki, whom I would call the Great Master's Wife. She ordered the Senju Clan to be integrated into Konoha.

The profits that were divided among the Senju Clan were distributed among various ninja clans, large and small.

This allowed smaller clans like Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka to gather together and become the direct descendants of the Hokage lineage.

Everything was done so that Konoha could be reborn amidst the turmoil.

Danzo often said he was weak, but the problem is...

Which of the Kage from the various ninja villages of the Four Great Nations dares to say that Hiruzen Sarutobi is weak?

Hiruzen Sarutobi dared to overturn all of Konoha's apparent strength, forcing him to surrender first.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at Hagoromo, who was sitting upright after giving his opinion.

A kind smile involuntarily appeared on his face.

He found himself growing increasingly fond of Hagoromo, this young man.

It's just that he didn't seem to notice this child before.

No, it should be said that this child did not demonstrate any noteworthy abilities.

And now, the child has shown it, and I have seen it myself.

Hagoromo made Hiruzen Sarutobi feel a little uncomfortable, and he unconsciously touched his nose.

That gaze... it feels like it's directed at a junior.

No, it seems none of Hiruzen Sarutobi's successors have ever been looked at like that.

The only time was when the Third Hokage looked at Naruto and showed that emotion.

"Hagoromo, if you were the Hokage..."

How would you handle this situation?

As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up and beckoned Hagoromo to come with him to the large window in the Hokage's Office that faced the entire Konoha.

Hagoromo, however, was somewhat reluctant to answer, because Hiruzen Sarutobi was the Hiruzen.

They will definitely have a clearer understanding of how to handle the situation and twist the Konoha into a ball.

"Uh, Lord Hiruzen..."

Just as Hagoromo Yi was pondering how to refuse...

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head, interrupting, "This is a test task; you must answer it."

Assessment tasks?

Seeing that she couldn't refuse, Hagoromo could only helplessly say, "Hiruzen Hokage."

"Actually, you have already provided a very good solution."

Just like when the Third Kazekage of the Land of Wind disappeared.

One side is pulled in, the other is confronted.

The side that dares to overturn the table will be beaten until they surrender.

Then, they turned around and promised benefits to the faction that had formed a clique, and also made them give up what they already had in exchange.

The benefits they offer are directly extracted from the opposing side, while they also take a share of what they consider dispensable from the benefits we receive in exchange.

But for them, that's all they need.

"Ha ha!"

Upon hearing Hagoromo's answer, which still used the same method he used to deal with the Land of Wind, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Because he was indeed planning to do it again, only this time he intended to use it on some of Konoha's clans.