Hokage's Speech! Winning Hearts Becomes Authority!

A few days later.

Konoha's First Martial Arts Arena.

This largest Training Ground in Konoha was previously only opened for large-scale or joint Chunin Ninja Exams.

Rather than Training Ground, the structure here is more like a stadium or performance center.

The audience seating can accommodate tens of thousands of people, allowing Konoha to invite Nobles and ninja allies from various countries to participate.

This was an idea that Senju Tobirama once had.

The "Joint Chunin Ninja Exams" were used to observe the strength of the participating Hidden Village and demonstrate the power of Konoha, in order to gather intelligence and suppress the war to a certain extent.

They can also earn some extra money from tourism and ticket sales, which can be considered a supplement to their finances.

Overall, it's a good approach that benefits more than it harms.

However, because of this, none of the candidates who participated in the previous Joint Chunin Ninja Exams were proper Genin.

It's common for a village to have at Chunin -level overall strength; some Hidden Village even Special Jonin.

In this situation, it doesn't matter who becomes Chunin; what matters is intimidating the opponent with force.

But today at Konoha First Training Ground.

There were no ninjas or Nobles from other villages, only passionate Konoha Ninja and villagers.

Those who participated were genuine Ninja Academy students; even Namikaze Minato was a true Chunin.

He applied for Jonin after mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique, and the application is still in progress; no official documents have been issued yet.

"Oh my gosh! What a thrilling sight!" Might Duy, gazing at the enthusiastic Konoha Ninja, wiped away his tears. "This is youth!"

Everyone wore a genuine smile and shouted encouragement for the children.

The village hadn't had such a joyful and lively atmosphere since the Second Shinobi World War.

Or rather, Konoha only had a similar atmosphere when Senju Hashirama was alive.

On the high platform.

Danzo a tight face to maintain his cold and tough image in front of the public.

But in reality, he quietly asked without changing his expression, "Hiruzen, why are the ninjas so eager—"

"It's just a friendly sparring match between kids! What's so interesting about that!"

Even the Darkness of the Shinobi was stunned by the atmosphere before him.

This is hardly Advanced Class for the Ninja Academy students!

It was practically a victory celebration held after a complete victory in a major war!

"Logically speaking, there really isn't much to see--"

"But do you think the village's benefits for ninjas are just for the elderly?" Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled and replied, "Come cheering on the kids is only one aspect; the main reason is to celebrate the establishment of the Ninja Security System. This is their own celebration."

Shimura Danzō nodded thoughtfully.

Ninjas are repressed.

Having been treated as tools for centuries, they suddenly felt a genuine sense of institutional protection.

This feeling, like basking in the sun, makes everyone's heart itch with desire.

So much so that I felt an urgent need to do something for the village, otherwise I always felt unworthy.

The students of the Ninja Academy happened to become this outlet.

Providing a safety net of subsidies and Pension for elderly people living alone, and offering public welfare assistance to those who have been cruelly victimized in the village.

In addition, the Nobles showed great enthusiasm for Konoha.

Many who used to seek out samurai or wandering ninjas for cheaper missions now try to find Konoha Ninja to do, hoping to become known in the village.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was quite satisfied with this, indicating that his Daimyo brother, the daimyo, had done a decent job.

It has already proven some of its value.

The "Sage Pill" was successfully introduced among the Nobles.

A combination of factors.

This finally allowed most of the exhausted ninjas to rest a bit, no longer so worried about the invisible scythe behind them, lest it kill them and their families.

Only when an individual's basic needs for survival and safety are guaranteed by the system will they have the capacity to do other things.

"Danzo, remember, security and village vitality are positively correlated."

"And institutional safeguards will also foster a sense of community."

"That's why so many ninjas willingly share their secret techniques and unique skills with the students of the Ninja Academy without expecting anything in return, even if they are not related by blood."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile, "Well, can you see the Will of Fire burning?"

Danzo nodded subconsciously.

What he was really thinking was, if he were to one Hiruzen Sarutobi, the current Hiruzen only needed to raise his arm and shout—

No, it's not that complicated.

Perhaps even the slightest hint of dissatisfaction towards him would provoke countless ninjas to tear him apart.

Even if he's the Hokage's assistant!

And as for dealing with enemies, that goes without saying.

"This is even more astonishing than my methods of controlling the Root ninjas!"

"No need for Cursed Seal, no need for control or brainwashing, it stems from a spontaneous belief—" Danzo slowly clenched his fists, thinking to himself, "Even if Teacher Tobirama were to be resurrected, Hiruzen's current prestige would probably not be much less than his!"

So this is how you play the Will of Fire?

"Get ready for your expression and speech, Danzo." Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly uttered these words.

Hiruzen Danzo aback. What was Hiruzen trying to do?

All I saw was...

Chakra Hiruzen Sarutobi and instantly appeared in the center of the Training Ground. He amplified his voice with chakra and greeted the ninjas present, "Have you all been waiting long?"

The appearance of the Hokage instantly ignited the atmosphere at the scene!

The parents stood on tiptoe, waving towels in their hands, while the children from the Ninja Academy jumped up and screamed.

Even the Jonin who had been watching the spectacle with their arms crossed lowered their arms and bowed with their eyes, their enthusiasm barely concealed.

The cheers surged in waves, crashing against the walls of the Training Ground, causing the ground to tremble slightly.

In other circumstances, Hiruzen Sarutobi's appearance certainly wouldn't have caused such a sensation.

But people's emotions are influenced by the atmosphere.

One person's cheers can inspire those around them, creating a chain reaction. As the atmosphere heats up, the emotions of the group surge, and previously restrained behavior becomes bold and enthusiastic.

The appearance of Hiruzen Sarutobi brought the emotions of the entire Training Ground to a fever pitch!

The Lord Hokage smiled inwardly.

They chose to appear at the most exciting moment in the Training Ground.

The purpose was to "precisely anchor the public support brought by the protection system onto himself, deeply bind his personal prestige to the Ninja Security System, and thus Persona Hokage persona that was approachable to the people."

Compared to emphasizing one's achievements in formal settings, this approach appears more natural and less contrived.

"Everyone, I see the fire in your hearts—" Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed to his own eyes with both hands, then to the audience seats in the Training Ground, and slowly turned around.

The Konoha Ninja held their breath slightly.

Everyone felt that the Hokage was looking at them, greeting them!

"This Advanced Class program for the Ninja Academy students has received so much support and enthusiastic participation—"

"It's because in Konoha today, every ninja is more closely connected through the Will of Fire— "

"Even without blood ties, every Konoha Ninja is family, someone you can entrust your back to!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said calmly and powerfully.

"I promise everyone that the things the village does for you will not be limited to just one or two things—"

"Supplementing medical care, further improving existing welfare benefits, and refining Ninja Tool for the Ninja Academy students and ninjas--"

"Progressing steadily according to plan!"

"But please remember, this is not the achievement of the Hokage; it is the blood and sweat of every Konoha resident that has made these real changes possible!"

"In the days to come, I ask that you all continue to lend me your strength--"

"Let us join hands and shape the village into the form that Lord Hashirama envisioned, so that the seeds of the Will of Fire may blossom and bear fruit on the land of Konoha, everlasting!"

The thunderous cheers from the crowd gave Hiruzen Sarutobi the most enthusiastic response.

The Chakra of many ninjas surged and boiled.

I wish I could blast a few Great Fireball Technique into the sky right now and send this joyful excitement soaring into the clouds!

Danzo looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi in the center of the stage with a sigh.

This scene is so moving that it's almost intoxicating.

I wonder if he will receive the same level of adoration as Hiruzen Sarutobi when he becomes Hokage.

Then, Danzo a self-deprecating laugh.

He believed that becoming Hokage was not a problem for him.

But something like Hiruzen's would probably be unrealistic.

His reputation is relatively complicated.

"Everyone has their own style. This is the style of the First Hokage, while I am following the legacy of Teacher Tobirama. This means I am more like Teacher Tobirama— "

Danzo comforted himself with this thought, "It's not impossible for me to surpass Hiruzen in the future, and it's not impossible for me to learn it myself, hmm--"

But for some reason, he suddenly remembered a scene.

Hiruzen sparred with Orochimaru to test the village's surprise attack response.

He was criticized for arriving late, but he also received some applause after making Military Pledge.

It must be said that even for Darkness of the Shinobi, that feeling was quite enjoyable.

And at this moment.

Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly pointed to his location.

"Next--"

"Let me introduce you to some Konoha Ninja have made outstanding contributions to the development of the village!"

Danzo's Danzo suddenly contracted!