After Sarutobi Kotaro spoke, Uzumaki Kuming, who had just arrived at headquarters, immediately found himself facing a crisis of confidence.
Everyone knew that if Kuming couldn't handle this situation, his authority would take a serious hit. After that, whether anyone would follow his orders would be another question entirely. There was a fundamental difference between a commander who'd been stripped of his power and one who truly held authority.
"Kid, let's see if you really have what it takes. Faced with a situation like this, what are you going to do?" Fukuyama lowered his brows slightly, folded his arms, and watched Kuming. The older ninja nearby watched him with concern, eager to see how he would respond.
Everyone's attention was fixed on Kuming and Sarutobi Kotaro. Even Kotaro, simple-minded as he was, had realized how inappropriate his words had been. What he'd said was tantamount to openly challenging Kuming's authority.
Even if he hadn't actually meant to target Kuming, everyone now saw Sarutobi Kotaro as the first to defy him.
Even Kuming frowned as he looked at Sarutobi Kotaro.
"Kotaro, should I take what you said to mean that you doubt my abilities?"
"I didn't expect you to be the first to speak up."
Kuming spoke quietly, considering how to deal with Kotaro. If he punished him too lightly, he wouldn't establish his authority. If he punished him too harshly, he'd have a hard time explaining it to the Third Hokage.
As Kuming weighed his options, Hatake Sakumo quickly stepped in to smooth things over, smiling as he spoke.
"Kuming, how could Kotaro possibly doubt your abilities?"
"You're the Thunderclap of Konoha, the man who invaded Sunagakure single-handedly and forced them to agree to a ceasefire. Who would doubt your strength?"
"He didn't mean it. The pressure's probably been getting