Bearing a crushing burden, a child became a hero (update 2/3)

The restoration of order in Daimyo Prefecture only began after the establishment of Konoha, which is less than 55 years ago.

However, the comfortable inheritance of two generations still allowed the nobles to develop an astonishing variety of etiquette, making astonishing rules about posture, clothing, and syllables.

Perhaps it would be alright in a certain atmosphere, but in this simple courtyard, it seems particularly ridiculous.

Shazo was amused.

He laughed heartily, flicked his fingers to activate Magnet Style, and pulled Asuma Sarutobi up from the ground.

"Asuma Sarutobi, Chunin. I am the Hokage of Konoha. I am only responsible for the entire Konoha, not for the future of the Sarutobi Clan."

"On the contrary, I will dismantle the Sarutobi Clan."

"For Konoha, the Sarutobi Clan, which has expanded to 3,500 Konoha Ninja, has become the biggest cancer."

Asuma Sarutobi was dumbfounded. He knew the Sarutobi Clan had expanded wildly, but he never imagined they would have 3,500 Ninja.

He stared at Shazo in disbelief, seemingly trying to confirm the accuracy of the number.

Shazo Zuo chuckled, "There are 3,500 Ninja with the surname Sarutobi Clan, and that number is likely higher."

"However, the investigating Ninja also discovered something interesting: none of the Sarutobi Clan leaders, including you, were aware that your clan had become this arrogant."

Asuma Sarutobi, trembling with fear, changed from kneeling on one knee to a full dogeza (a traditional Japanese kneeling posture), unable to hide his panic as he explained, "Fifth Hokage -sama, I... I really don't know."

Shazo's voice turned cold. "Asuma Sarutobi, I know this isn't your fault, otherwise I wouldn't have met with you before the operation."

"The root of the problem lies with the Third Hokage, but the leaders of the Sarutobi Clan also bear responsibility. Therefore, the Sarutobi Clan must be dismantled; there is no room for negotiation."

"If you can cooperate willingly, there might be no bloodshed, which would be the best outcome for you and for the Sarutobi Clan."

Asuma Sarutobi gritted his teeth and asked, "Fifth Hokage, if I'm in charge of dismantling the Sarutobi Clan, could you perhaps show leniency to Konohamaru?"

Shazo laughed, "Show leniency?"

"Konohamaru Sarutobi is the grandson of the Third Hokage. I will not treat him differently because of the Third Hokage's mistakes."

"I only treat him differently because he might be used by forces opposed to the Hokage."

"Do you understand?"

Asuma Sarutobi replied firmly, "I understand, Fifth Hokage. I will take charge of dismantling the Sarutobi Clan. I guarantee that the Sarutobi Clan will no longer pose a threat to Konoha."

Shazo nodded in satisfaction, then turned to the Ninja had appeared in the courtyard at some point and ordered, "Shibi, I think Asuma Sarutobi possesses the strength of a Jonin and should be given a Ninja rank commensurate with him."

Asuma Sarutobi was completely bewildered; he hadn't even noticed Shibi Aburame's appearance.

The thought that his posture, such as kneeling in a dogeza pose, might be seen by others made Asuma Sarutobi's face darken, but he dared not say anything.

The Department Head the Ninja Administration Department, Shibi Aburame, looked at Shazo with surprise and delight. "Fifth Hokage, you... you can see me?"

Shazo secretly wiped away a bead of sweat. If it weren't for his senses detecting the Kikaichū, he really wouldn't have noticed Shibi Aburame's presence.

This guy and his son Shino Aburame are the Ninja in the Ninja World who best embody the spirit of Ninja; their presence is so low that they could kill someone without the victim even noticing.

This Talent is completely illogical, almost conceptual.

But Shazo wasn't foolish enough to blurt it out directly. He smiled and replied, "Shibi, you're Elite Jonin of Konoha, one of the 15 Department Head. How could I possibly overlook you?"

"Process Asuma Sarutobi's promotion formalities as soon as possible to facilitate his timely implementation of the Sarutobi Clan resettlement mission."

Shibi Aburame was so happy that tears and snot streamed down her face. Hearing Shazo's order, she wiped the smudges off her face and said loudly, "Please rest assured, Fifth Hokage, I will personally process Sarutobi Asuma's promotion Jonin Asuma Sarutobi."

Shazo then said to Asuma Sarutobi, "Don't worry about Konohamaru's safety. Naruto, Izumi, and Aunt Miko will take good care of him. You can focus on your work."

"Only after settling the entire Sarutobi Clan can you guarantee Konohamaru Sarutobi's safety."

"Is that right?"

Asuma Sarutobi dared not object and bowed deeply once more, saying, "I entrust everything to the Lord Hokage."

Shibi Aburame was now beyond shocked.

Although Shibi Aburame arrived relatively early and had witnessed the previous conversation between the two, he simply couldn't understand why Asuma Sarutobi was so respectful to the Fifth Hokage.

This is absolutely incredible.

Shibi thought that after Asuma Sarutobi returned, he would lead the Sarutobi Clan Konoha cause a huge disturbance, turning Konoha into a chaotic mess.

But it must be said, it's really great that Asuma Sarutobi was able to change his stance like this.

Shibi Aburame's attitude towards Asuma Sarutobi changed instantly. She smiled and left the Shazo family with him, taking him to complete the promotion procedures.

Shibi Aburame and Shazo weren't particularly close, so he was too embarrassed to ask Asuma Sarutobi about the reason for his change. But Uchiha Izumi had no such reservations and asked directly, "Brother, I've always heard that Asuma Sarutobi is incredibly arrogant, and even the Third Hokage couldn't control him. Why does he seem so easy to talk to today?"

Shazo smiled slightly, "Because he's grown up."

Uchiha Izumi: "Huh?"

Shazo explained, "Don't let his age fool you; he's 29 years old, he's a full twelve years older than me."

"But while the Third Hokage was alive, he was a big Bear Child, relying on his father's doting love, didn't have to bear any responsibility and could live as he pleased."

"Now that the Third Hokage is gone, his brother and sister-in-law are gone too, he himself has become the pillar of the Sarutobi Clan and the guardian of Konohamaru Sarutobi."

"Bearing a heavy burden, a child becomes the Superstar."

"Asuma Sarutobi is meek and submissive in front of me, is the Superstar. He didn't shirk his responsibilities and transformed from a willful boy into a man in just one day."

Shazo smiled slightly and said, "That's great. Asuma Sarutobi's maturity has given me a lot of leeway, and many plans can be arranged in advance."

He suddenly exclaimed, "Since becoming Hokage, I've found that my luck has been getting better and better; things in Konoha have been going unexpectedly smoothly."

"It seems that Konoha was previously held back too much by the Third Hokage, which has now created a huge backlash from the people, and the will of the people has changed the fate of the village."

Uchiha Izumi said with a smile, "I've had a similar feeling for the past ten days or so. I really hope this momentum can continue."

Shazo laughed and said, "There's an old saying: When fortune smiles, heaven and earth lend their strength; when fortune turns, even the Superstar are powerless."

"I like good luck, but I won't rely on luck; I only believe in myself."

Uchiha Izumi's eyes lit up, overflowing with admiration and adoration.

She quickly lowered her eyes, feigning impatience, and said, "The noise in the room suddenly stopped. It seems Naruto and Konohamaru are up to something big again. I'll go check it out!"

After saying that, the girl ran into the house with white smoke rising from her head.

Shazo almost burst out laughing.

He then composed himself and refocused his attention on the research of Steel Style Kekkei Tōta.

The next day, Shazo changed his training location to the Hokage's office.

The Hokage's desk was covered with a full set of weapons and equipment, Namiashi Raidō three Special Jōnin and Chunin— Genma Shiranui, Tatami Iwashi Chunin— sat on the sofa.

They are also known as the Flying Thunder God Genma Squad, and they once served as the Hokage Guard Platoon of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

In fact, their strength was not enough to protect the Fourth Hokage. It was because the three of them possessed spatial Talent and learned the Flying Thunder God Formation developed by the Fourth Raikage.

Shazo doesn't have time to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique yet, so he can only rely on the Flying Thunder God Genma Squad for rapid mobility.

At this moment, the Flying Thunder God Flying Thunder God Team is in Kakashi Hatake's hands, ready to summon the Fifth Hokage at any time depending on the situation.

Shazo, who was well aware of Nagato's strength, did not believe that the combination of Kakashi Hatake and Shisui Uchiha could help Jiraiya escape.

If we really encounter danger, it will still be up to Grandpa Shazo to take action.

Nagato is indeed very strong, but is Shazo weak?

In previous battles against the First Hokage and Second Hokage, only the Second Hokage used a portion of his true power when he lost his mind.

Neither the First Hokage nor Shazo were actually fighting seriously, as long as the First Hokage was not unconscious.

The two unleashed their strongest Ninjutsu and Secret Technique, testing each other's attack and defense capabilities like a turn-based game.

It was at best a test.

However, this game-like battle still had a significant impact, serving at least three purposes.

First, he made all the Konoha Ninja present admire the Fifth Hokage immensely, including Orochimaru and his children.

Secondly, it allowed Shazo to directly experience a high-level Wood Release Secret Technique, greatly reducing the difficulty of his subsequent learning.

Third, let Shazo determine his own strength level in the Ninja World.

Therefore, Shazo Zuo is not afraid of Nagato at all. Even if Nagato uses the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, he can hold out until Nagato is worn down.

In particular, when Shazo fought against the First Hokage's Wood Release, he finally mastered the suppression and absorption of Chakra, making the Wood Release Kekkei Tōta Tota the most suitable power for fighting against overwhelming odds.

The more enemies there are, the easier it is for him to absorb Chakra and inflict greater damage on them.

Because he had a strong sense of confidence, Shazo was able to devote himself wholeheartedly to cultivation.

He constantly tried to achieve a secondary Nature Transformation to the Steel Style Kekkei Tōta, adding highly elastic properties to its indestructible, pure hardness.

In this way, he can not only apply the strengthening effects of Steel Style to his bones and skin, but also extend them to his muscles, fascia, and even internal organs.

The combination of inner toughness and outer rigidity is the pinnacle of defensive power.

Shazo persevered without ever slacking off.

It can be said that Shazo can now roam freely in the Ninja World, but his vision extends far beyond the present Ninja World.

He believed his enemies were Obito Uchiha five years in the future, Madara Uchiha who had recovered from death, and even Kaguya Otsutsuki who had broken free from her seal.

And then there's Hagoromo Otsutsuki, the Sage of Six Paths, who might have schemed against everyone and provided crucial cheat codes at the critical moment.

Compared to these powerful enemies who transcend the realm of Ninja and are at least at the Sage of Six Paths level, Shazo's current Kekkei Tōta seems inadequate.

He, the Naruto Shazo, was the backbone of all Shazo; he couldn't even rely on himself.

Therefore, he can only rely on hard work.

In the afternoon, Shazo raised his right hand and held up his index finger.

The finger was stretched straight, then slowly bent, and then slowly straightened again. This single movement made Shazo's nose sweat, as if he were holding up a weight of hundreds of kilograms.

After repeating this several times, the Steel Style Chakra within his body continuously adjusted and underwent qualitative Nature Transformation, causing his fingers to flex and extend at an accelerated speed, gradually reaching the speed of an ordinary person's hand movements.

Shazo was not satisfied. He continued to adjust the nature of his Chakra and train his finger strength, constantly increasing the speed of his finger flexion and extension.

Gradually, his speed reached 5 times per second, and then he could no longer increase it.

Shazo frowned and stopped. After thinking for a while, he activated the Swift Style Kekkei Genkai, but unexpectedly, Swift Style was relatively weak compared to Steel Style, and the speed of improvement was quite limited.

Even with the Left and Right Emperor Engine activated, Shazo's right index finger could only flex and extend 7 times per second.

It's incomparable to the speed of 20 to 30 times per second when simply activating Swift Style.

Shazo tried several more times and finally made some progress.

He chuckled, trying to reassure himself, "Fortunately, this limit is caused by the small horse ' Swift Style ' pulling the big cart ' Steel Style '."

"As long as I continue to grow stronger, one day the little horse will become a big horse, and its speed will return to its ideal, divine state."

Shazo then deactivated Swift Style and continued to hone his right index finger, expanding the full application of Steel Style to his middle finger, thumb, ring finger, little finger, and entire palm.

He planned to first complete a steel hand, then expand it to his entire body, and finally solidify the Steel Style into his body, making it a permanent state.

Just then, Genma Shiranui raised his head. "Fifth Hokage, I sensed that the Flying Thunder God coordinates have been activated. It's the one that Kakashi Hatake had."

Shazo suddenly stood up, reached for the equipment on the desk, put on the Hokage Hat, and said, "Take me there."

"Yes, Fifth Hokage."

Genma Shiranui, Namiashi Raidō, and Tatami Iwashi stood up from the sofa, formed a triangle in the center of the office, and began to Hand Seals in unison.

More than 30 seconds passed Genma Shiranui finally managed to speak, "Lord Hokage, please hurry, the distance is too far, we only have one chance to try."

Without the slightest hesitation, Shazo stepped into the center of the Genma Squad.

Genma Shiranui gave a low shout, "Flying Thunder God Formation, begin!"

He stretched out his arms, joining the palms of Namiashi Raidō and Tatami Iwashi, their Chakra intertwining as they activated the forbidden Konoha technique, the Flying Thunder God Technique.

The next moment, the four of them disappeared from the Hokage's office.