"Lord Naruto is over there!"
As time passed, countless ninjas and civilians gathered behind Naruto.
Those ignorant, servile villagers and ninjas could only stand on the other side.
The moment countless Konoha ninjas and civilians stood behind Naruto—
Sarutobi Hiruzen's mind crashed.
When?
Was it... those countless ninjas who had suddenly appeared?!
Every ninja standing behind Naruto had successfully passed the examinations through his hands...
"There's one more key figure."
Kurenai Yuhi suddenly said, "old man, weren't you paving the way for him?"
"First the Twelve Ninja, then the Lead Jonin of Ino-Shika-Cho."
"You made me, a Genjutsu ninja who had just been promoted to Special Jonin and was far weaker than a Jonin, the Lead Jonin of the Hyūga, Inuzuka, and Aburame. Wasn't that because you were confident Asuma could defeat me?"
Anko walked up and kicked Asuma.
"Stop pretending. You woke up ages ago. How long are you planning to keep this act up?"
Under the gazes of countless people, Asuma could only slowly sit up.
He looked at what Konoha had become and gave a bitter smile. "Father... Lord Hokage wouldn't do something like that... There must be some misunderstanding."
"Besides, Lord Hokage has devoted himself wholeheartedly to Konoha all these years. Isn't that the Will of Fire?"
At those words, the anger in countless ninjas' hearts surged.
The Will of Fire?
What a fine example of devoting himself wholeheartedly!
"As for paving the way for me... no, he wouldn't. Lord Hokage understands me. I won't be the Fifth Hokage."
Asuma wanted to say more, but Anko kicked him again.
Asuma looked at Kurenai Yuhi. "Kurenai, believe me. I never had such thoughts."
"You... you may all have been deceived!"
At last, Sarutobi Hiruzen thought of a solution.
"Things have come to this... Are you planning to