"L-Lord Third Hokage, it's good that you're all right."
"You're here. It seems Konoha is safe now."
Standing at the edge of the unrecognizable Chunin Exam arena, the Third Hokage looked at the clan heads and members of the major families who had arrived one after another behind him, sighing inwardly.
Of course, he knew why these people had only appeared now. He also knew exactly what the barely concealed disappointment in their eyes meant when they saw him.
However, the Third Hokage was not angry, nor did he have any particularly strong thoughts about it.
Having weathered so many storms, how could he fail to see through their intentions? The Third Hokage knew that he no longer had the qualifications or leverage to contend with these great clans.
Through this incident, he also understood that if he did not make a suitable choice soon, he would likely be unable to avoid what was coming.
With that thought, the Third Hokage sighed inwardly. He already knew what he had to do, but for now, he should deal with this childish farce that had seemed like a disaster for Konoha.
"Yes, Lord Third Hokage."
The heads of these great clans were not fools. Seeing the Third Hokage like this, each of them began calculating in silence.
Before long, Hiashi Hyuga stepped forward and respectfully bowed to the Third Hokage. "Lord Third Hokage, what is the situation here? What exactly... happened?"
"It was Noah's ninjutsu." The Third Hokage clearly knew what they were thinking, so he did not hide it. "That giant you saw earlier was created by Noah."
"A ninjutsu created by Noah?" The members of the great clans found it difficult to believe.
They had all heard of Noah, largely because of the incident involving Zabuza.
But in the eyes