Speech and Rescue

While the Three-Year Pact was unfolding in the virtual reality game world, something similar was happening in reality.

But the location was not Sunagakure. It was Konoha.

At this moment, countless Konoha residents cheered in excitement, joyfully welcoming the return of the Three Ninja.

The streets and alleys were packed shoulder to shoulder with people.

The Three Ninja, who had once earned such immense renown, had all been forced to leave the village for various reasons.

Now that the kings had returned, the common people eagerly offered food and drink to joyfully welcome the royal army.

Tsunade strode proudly at the front of the group, with Orochimaru and Jiraiya guarding her on either side.

Although Orochimaru was still a Konoha Rogue Ninja and his reputation was utterly foul, not everything could be judged with a single brush.

After the earlier incident of the "Nine-Tails Fox's magnificent transformation, whose true identity was the Fourth Hokage's son," Konoha's residents had all become conspiracy theorists.

Many old accounts had been dug up and discussed one by one, as people tried to determine which higher-up should take the blame.

When the Nine-Tails invaded, why was Namikaze Minato the one who died? He was the Yellow Flash! Forget combat power—at the very least, he should have been able to save his own life, right? Did Konoha's higher-ups just watch him die? Had they harbored malicious intentions all along?

Why had Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang, suddenly committed suicide back then?

Anyone with a functioning brain thought the official explanation for the Uchiha Clan's destruction was suspicious. With the current tide of public opinion, even fewer people believed it.

So when the Three Ninja gathered and Orochimaru, whom no one had expected, appeared among the returning group, aside from a few timid residents and those with deep personal grievances, most people actually lined the streets to welcome them...

After all, Cold Lord Orochimaru's fearsome reputation had been earned on the battlefield, forged from the flesh, blood, and bones of his enemies!

"Everyone's so enthusiastic..."

After several young, beautiful girls presented him with flowers, Jiraiya laughed like a pig.

Orochimaru shot him a glance.

That look was like a bucket of ice water dumped over his head, instantly sobering Jiraiya up.

Quickly putting on the demeanor of an upright gentleman, Jiraiya swept his gaze over the surrounding residents and declared loudly, "We returned this time because we saw Konoha's decay and darkness! We have resolved to sweep away everything rotten, so that every Konoha resident can live happily! Joyfully! Fulfilled! That is our promise!"

Orochimaru merely gave a noncommittal hum.

His personality and reputation made it impossible for him to do such a thing, while having Tsunade step forward would likewise damage her dignity and authority.

As for the other followers who had come this time...

Kaguya Kimimaro, Guren of the Crystal Style, Hozuki Suigetsu—the younger brother of Hozuki Mangetsu of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist—Jugo, the source of the curse mark, Shizune, and even Mitaraishi Anko, who had only just defected to them...

After Orochimaru's "Scientific Conditioning," these people were quite capable and obedient enough. But in an occasion like this, they did not yet have the standing to speak.

Jiraiya, the Sage of the Toads, had a rather good reputation. Though he was somewhat lecherous, he had never done anything truly out of line. In the eyes of many girls, that even gave him a certain unexpected charm. When he spoke, many were willing to trust him.

But it took all kinds, and there were still some stubborn hotheads who stepped forward to question him. "Lord Jiraiya! How will you fulfill your promise? Or do you believe that what you do will necessarily be better than what the Third Hokage and the Elder Council have done?"

"Excellent question!"

Jiraiya's performance exceeded both Orochimaru's and Tsunade's expectations.

He seemed to have become a legendary actor from an ancient stage play. His tone was exaggerated, yet it somehow made everyone's blood boil. "I have no confidence in myself whatsoever! But! I trust my companions!"

As he spoke, he pointed at Tsunade. "The final heir of the Senju Clan, granddaughter of the First Hokage and Second Hokage, Tsunade, a woman blessed with both courage and conviction!"

Then he pointed at Orochimaru with his other hand. "Cold Lord Orochimaru, possessing boundless wisdom and formidable strength!"

Finally, he drew a deep breath. "With them here, I firmly believe Konoha's future will be even brighter! Everyone will have enough food and clothing, living happy and joyful lives, and no longer need fear oppression from other powers."

"Sunagakure, Kumogakure, Iwagakure, Kirigakure! Before us! They are nothing but chickens and dogs, beneath contempt!"

"We are the blazing sun in the sky!"

"We will shine upon all four corners of heaven and earth!"

Amid the silence, an emotion absent for decades brewed among the crowd.

Moments later, deafening cheers resounded throughout Konoha!

"Three Ninja! Three Ninja!"

"Build New Konoha!"

"Down with the Third Hokage and the Elder Council! Support the Three Ninja taking power!"

The villagers roared, venting the wild joy in their hearts.

What did they want?

Peace and dignity!

The situation in the ninja world had long felt like a storm was about to break. Every major ninja village was preparing for war, while Konoha alone played deaf and blind, shutting itself off and pretending nothing would happen, deceiving itself.

Other powers provoked and suppressed them again and again, yet Konoha's response was only to swallow its anger, never daring to retaliate.

At a time like this, nothing could inspire people more than a new leadership team full of resolve!

The Three Ninja were worthy of trust!

Before long, the Three Ninja's group successfully arrived at their destination—a spacious area between the Hokage Office Building and Hokage Rock.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura stood there as if they had been waiting for a long time. A scattered group of ninja stood behind them as well.

However, these ninja varied greatly in strength. There was the Kage-level Might Guy; Elite Jonin such as Asuma and Kurenai Yuhi; and ordinary Jonin and Special Jonin like Shiranui Genma, Gekko Hayate, Ebisu, Morino Ibiki, Namiashi Raidō, and Yamashiro Aoba.

As for Elite Chunin like Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki, they could only be considered there to hold the line.

The many other Genin were present merely to make up the numbers and bolster their momentum.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was gloomy, fury brewing in his eyes.

At last, that fury erupted.

He shouted, "Jiraiya! Tsunade! What are you trying to do? Associating with a Rogue Ninja like Orochimaru—are you planning to betray Konoha?"

At this moment, the bearing of the Ninja Legend from years past finally emerged.

Not giving them a chance to refute him, he glared and said, "I'll give you one last chance! Don't persist in your delusions!"

"Heh... You're still clinging to hope, old man..."

Tsunade chuckled, mocking him disdainfully. "Can you represent Konoha, or do Konoha's residents represent Konoha better? Don't talk to me about the Will of Fire. I'm from the Senju Clan—I understand it better than you do."

"I said it before! If you can't do it, I will! Perhaps you didn't take it seriously? But I meant every word!"

"Konoha, which Grandpa Hashirama and Grandpa Tobirama painstakingly built from nothing, cannot be destroyed in the hands of fallen people like you!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face turned purple with rage.

Fallen?

How had he fallen?

Had there been a single day when he had not conscientiously fulfilled the duties of the Hokage?

He had devoted a lifetime of effort to Konoha with his old bones, only to be spoken of like this in the end!

His anger surged, and he no longer intended to waste words on these young people blinded by desire.

He, the Professor of Ninjutsu, would use his strength to "rescue" these lost lambs!

Third update! Please collect!!! Please recommend!!