Kurama: Hiruzen is Just a Placeholder Hokage

A portion of Kurama's seal had been broken.

He could now sense things in the outside world from within Naruto.

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's cautious demeanor, Kurama couldn't help but mock him. "Your Konoha's Third Hokage is just for show."

"When I was controlled, the Fourth Hokage decided to use the Reaper Death Seal shortly after arriving."

"But this old guy just watched the Fourth sacrifice."

Kurama's voice reached Hiashi and Hiruzen.

The two immediately looked towards Naruto, their faces turning pale in shock.

Hiruzen Sarutobi exclaimed, "You... Little Naruto? Was that the Nine-Tails speaking just now?"

Naruto didn't speak, but the voice came from within him.

Kurama: "Old man, just be as tough as you want. I've been wanting to spar with Gyūki for a while now."

Even though only half of him remained.

Kurama's temper hadn't mellowed at all.

Hiruzen Sarutobi questioned, "Why should I believe you'll help Konoha?"

Kurama: "Hmph! What I've decided to do has never changed."

"Of course, the main reason is that Naruto Uzumaki promised to grant me freedom."

"As a condition for my assistance to Konoha, you must do everything you can to help Naruto Uzumaki find a way to separate from the Tailed Beast and still survive."

So that's how it is.

Kurama still harbored ill will towards humans.

His offer to help Konoha was not without ulterior motives.

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this.

If the Nine-Tails' deterrent was gone, wouldn't Konoha's influence decline again?

But judging by Kurama's current state, Naruto's seal seemed to be loosening.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't cooperate with Kurama.

Wouldn't Kurama be able to reincarnate through Naruto's body at any time?

In that case, he would not only be failing the Fourth Hokage and his wife but also putting Konoha in danger.

And the problem with Kumogakure couldn't be resolved.

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought deeply.

He finally changed his tune, "Perhaps this matter can be made public, putting pressure on Kumogakure."

After speaking.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Naruto again. "Of course, if Kumogakure decides to wage war, I hope you won't go back on your word then."

Kurama responded dismissively, "I'm not a despicable and cunning human!"

Naruto chimed in, "Yeah, Kurama always keeps his word and definitely won't lie."

"Besides, Kurama was controlled when he invaded Konoha, wasn't he?"

"So Kurama wasn't to blame back then."

Since Kurama spoke up for Naruto, Naruto naturally wouldn't hesitate to speak up for Kurama.

Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his temples, feeling that things had become complicated again.

"Then that's the only way..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said wearily.

After the three in the room made their decision.

Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered the Anbu to summon the head of the Yamanaka Clan, Inoichi Yamanaka.

Upon understanding the situation, Inoichi Yamanaka was furious.

Although the Hyuga Clan, like the Uchiha Clan, looked down on others.

The reputation of both the Hyuga and Uchiha Clans within Konoha wasn't great.

But they were still Konoha ninja clans.

They were colleagues, after all!

Now that they were being bullied by an outsider, Inoichi Yamanaka assured Hiashi and Hiruzen, "Don't worry, I'll copy his memories. Kumogakure will have no excuse then."

Meanwhile.

The people from Kumogakure had not received any messages from their companions for a long time.

This way, they would know something had gone wrong.

However, they had a backup plan.

The envoy from Kumogakure didn't go to Hiruzen Sarutobi, but instead went to the Hyuga compound.

First, it was to cover for their companions.

To have him leave the Hyuga Clan.

Then, to turn around and accuse them, claiming the Hyuga Clan had murdered their ninja...

They had used this tactic once before, a few years ago.

You can't find it by searching the book title, you can try searching for the author, maybe they just changed their name!

Konoha had recently lost its Fourth Hokage not long before.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took over the administration.

And Hiruzen Sarutobi was an old man.

He was cautious.

So at the time, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't have the courage to blame the Kumogakure envoy.

Instead, they forced the younger brother of the Hyuga Clan leader to his death.

This matter had already spread throughout Kumogakure.

In their eyes, Hiruzen Sarutobi was a coward, no longer the ninja hero of yesteryear.

But this time.

They were destined to be disappointed...

The Kumogakure envoy, along with his own people, headed towards the Hyuga Clan with great momentum.

Before they even entered, they were spotted and stopped by patrolling Hyuga ninja.

The Kumogakure envoy's expression was grim, and he warned them, "If you don't want to be the sinner who starts a war, then get lost!"

"Heh." The Hyuga clansmen showed no fear. Instead, they said to the Kumogakure envoy, "Please, our clan leader has been waiting for a long time."

The Kumogakure envoy's expression froze upon hearing this, and a sense of foreboding arose in his heart.

But things had reached this point.

The envoy could only lead his subordinates to the Hyuga compound.

As soon as he entered, the envoy saw an old man standing in the center of the courtyard.

His back was to the door, but the Hokage robe he wore already proved his identity.

The envoy's heart immediately pounded in shock.

But he quickly calmed down.

Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi knew the truth, so what?

Wouldn't he still choose to swallow his pride and suffer in silence?

In the current Konoha, did he, Hiruzen Sarutobi, dare to be assertive?

But the envoy never expected.

Before he could even start his accusations, Hiruzen Sarutobi began to question him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was old and stern: "Friends from Kumogakure, why did you kidnap the young lady of our village's ninja clan?"

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi was stating the facts, he was too bold.

What was wrong with Hiruzen Sarutobi?

Wasn't he rumored to be a cowardly old man?

What was going on?

The envoy's expression stiffened: "Nonsense! It was clearly your Konoha Hyuga Clan that was prejudiced against us Kumogakure!"

"To avenge Hizashi Hyuga, they deliberately lured our people into the Forest of Death and then cruelly murdered them."

"Afterward, they fabricated the lie that we were attempting to kidnap the young lady to turn the tables!"

"Hiruzen Sarutobi! As Hokage, shouldn't you manage this?"

The envoy became more and more agitated as he spoke.

As if his words were true.

But after these words were spoken, the envoy did not see Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression soften. Instead, it became increasingly grim.

The envoy's heart sank, and he knew something was wrong.

Why had Hiruzen Sarutobi changed his approach today?

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was incredibly grim as he spoke to the envoy, "I am now informing you that the Kumogakure envoy group attempted to kidnap the Hyuga Clan's young lady. The evidence for this is conclusive."

"Do not even think about denying it! I want you to go back and inform the Raikage, and have the Raikage give me an explanation."

"Otherwise..."

As he reached the end of his sentence, Hiruzen Sarutobi's killing intent was almost palpable: "Konohagakure welcomes the Raikage to start a war at any time!"

The envoy was merely a Jonin.

Facing an old Kage-level ninja like Hiruzen Sarutobi, he turned ashen with fear.

That terrifying killing intent...

Hiruzen Sarutobi was not joking!

The envoy swallowed, gazing at the old man before him.

It was only then that he remembered.

Hiruzen Sarutobi...

He was the one who led Konohagakure through two Great Ninja Wars.

And in each Great Ninja War, he faced attacks from three, or even four, major ninja villages almost simultaneously!

He was the Hokage known as the "Ninja Hero."

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