Ever since part of Kurama's seal had been released.
It had been able to sense what was happening outside through Naruto's body.
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi being so cautious.
Kurama could not help but mock him. "Your Konoha's Third Hokage was just there to make up the numbers."
"Back when I was being controlled, the Fourth Hokage had only just arrived and was already able to make up his mind to use the Reaper Death Seal."
"But this old man could only watch as the Fourth Hokage sacrificed himself."
Kurama's voice reached Hiashi's and Hiruzen's ears.
The two instantly turned their gazes toward Naruto, then were shocked out of their wits.
Hiruzen said in disbelief, "You... little Naruto? Was that the Nine-Tails speaking just now?"
Naruto had not opened his mouth, yet a voice came from within his body.
Kurama said, "Old man, just be more forceful. I happen to want to trade a few moves with Gyuki."
Although only half of it remained.
Kurama's temper had not mellowed in the slightest.
Hearing this, Hiruzen asked skeptically, "Why should I believe you would help Konoha?"
Kurama snorted. "Once I have made a decision, I have never changed it."
"Of course, the most important thing is that Naruto Uzumaki promised to give me back my freedom."
"As the condition for my assistance to Konoha, you must do everything in your power to help Naruto Uzumaki find a way to survive after being separated from a tailed beast."
So that was it.
Kurama still harbored hostility toward humans.
It had offered to help Konoha for a reason.
After hearing this, Hiruzen felt his scalp go numb.
Without the Nine-Tails' deterrence, would Konoha's influence not decline even further?
But judging by Kurama's condition, Naruto's seal seemed to have already loosened.
If Hiruzen refused to cooperate with the Nine-Tails.
Then could the Nine-Tails not reincarnate through Naruto's body at any time?
If that happened, not only would he have failed the Fourth Hokage and his wife.
He would also place Konoha in danger.
And the problem with Kumogakure could not be resolved.
Hiruzen considered many things.
In the end, he changed his tune. "Perhaps we can make this matter public and put the pressure on Kumogakure."
After saying that.
Hiruzen looked at Naruto again. "Of course, if Kumogakure chooses to start a war, I hope you will not go back on your word."
Kurama replied disdainfully, "I am not a despicable, cunning human!"
Naruto also cut in, "Yeah, Kurama keeps his word. He definitely would not lie."
"Besides, when Kurama attacked Konoha back then, it was being controlled, wasn't it?"
"So Kurama could not be blamed for what happened then."
Kurama had spoken up for Naruto, so naturally Naruto would speak up for Kurama as well.
Hiruzen rubbed his brow, suddenly feeling that matters had become even more complicated.
"Then this is the only way..."
Hiruzen spoke wearily.
After the three people in the room had reached a decision.
Hiruzen ordered the ANBU to summon Inoichi Yamanaka, the head of the Yamanaka Clan.
After learning what had happened, Inoichi gritted his teeth in anger.
Although the Hyuga Clan, like the Uchiha Clan, was the sort to look down on others.
Neither the Hyuga Clan nor the Uchiha Clan had a particularly good reputation within Konoha.
But they were still shinobi clans of Konoha.
They were comrades, after all!
Now that outsiders had bullied them like this, Inoichi assured Hiashi and Hiruzen, "Don't worry. I will copy his memories. Kumogakure will not be able to deny responsibility then."
Meanwhile.
The people from Kumogakure had not received any news from their companions for a long time.
That told them something must have gone wrong.
But they had a second plan.
The Kumogakure envoy did not go looking for Hiruzen.
Instead, he went to the Hyuga Compound.
First, he would provide cover for his companions.
So that they could leave the Hyuga Clan.
Then he would bite back, claiming that the Hyuga Clan had murdered their shinobi...
They had used this same trick a few years ago.
At the time, Konoha had only recently lost the Fourth Hokage.
Hiruzen had returned to power.
And Hiruzen was an old man.
He was cautious by nature.
So back then, Hiruzen had not dared to hold the Kumogakure envoy accountable.
Instead, they had forced the younger brother of the Hyuga Clan head to his death.
This matter had already spread throughout Kumogakure.
In their eyes, Hiruzen was a coward, no longer the Shinobi Hero he had once been.
But this time.
They were destined for disappointment...
The Kumogakure envoy led his people toward the Hyuga Clan with great fanfare.
Before they could even enter, Hyuga patrol shinobi spotted them and stopped them.
The Kumogakure envoy's expression darkened as he warned him, "If you do not want to become the sinner who starts a war, get out of the way!"
"Heh." The Hyuga clansman showed no fear. Instead, he said to the Kumogakure envoy, "Please come in. Our clan head has been waiting for you for quite some time."
The Kumogakure envoy froze at those words, and a bad feeling rose in his heart.
But since things had been said this far.
The envoy could only bring his subordinates into the Hyuga Compound.
The moment he entered, the envoy saw an old man standing in the center of the courtyard.
His back was to the gate, but the Hokage robes on his body already proved his identity.
The envoy was instantly shocked.
But he quickly calmed down.
So what if Hiruzen knew the truth?
Would he not still choose to swallow the humiliation?
With Konoha in its current state, did Hiruzen really dare to stand firm?
But the envoy never expected.
Before he could even accuse them, Hiruzen began questioning him.
Hiruzen's voice was old and stern. "Friend from Kumogakure, why did you abduct the eldest daughter of one of our village's shinobi clans?"
Although what Hiruzen said was true.
Was he not being far too bold?
What was wrong with Hiruzen?
Hadn't they said he was a cowardly old man?
What was going on?
The envoy's expression stiffened. "Nonsense! It is clearly your Konoha's Hyuga Clan that bears prejudice against Kumogakure!"
"To avenge Hizashi Hyuga, they deliberately lured our people into the Forest of Death and cruelly killed them."
"Afterward, they fabricated a lie that we had attempted to abduct their eldest daughter, then turned around and falsely accused us!"
"Hiruzen Sarutobi! As the Hokage, should you not do something about this?"
The more the envoy spoke, the more agitated he became.
As though his words were true.
But after saying all that.
Not only did the envoy fail to see Hiruzen's expression soften, it grew increasingly livid.
The envoy's heart skipped a beat as he sensed trouble.
Why had Hiruzen changed his approach today?
Hiruzen's expression was incomparably grim as he said to the envoy, "I am informing you now that the Kumogakure envoy group attempted to abduct the eldest daughter of the Hyuga Clan. The evidence is conclusive."
"Do not even think of denying it! I will have you return and inform the Raikage that he must give me an explanation."
"Otherwise..."
By the end.
The killing intent around Hiruzen had nearly solidified into substance. "Konoha welcomes the Raikage to start a war at any time!"
The envoy was only a jonin.
Facing an old Kage-level powerhouse like Hiruzen, his face turned ashen from fright.
That terrifying killing intent...
Hiruzen was not joking!
The envoy swallowed and stared at the small old man before him.
Only then did he remember.
Hiruzen Sarutobi...
He was the man who had led Konoha through two shinobi wars.
And in each war, Konoha had nearly faced attacks from three, or even four, great shinobi villages at once!
He was the Hokage known as the Shinobi Hero.
Before you continue