Hiruzen Sarutobi

Before anyone could even prepare themselves, Nawaki had instantly completed the ninjutsu. Although it was only the most basic of techniques, it was far more shocking than an S-rank jutsu!

The crowd was completely caught off guard, standing frozen in place as they stared, dumbfounded, at the vine twisting and dancing in the air like a serpent.

"Wood Release!" These two words occupied everyone's minds.

Wood Release held profound significance for Konoha! It represented the spirit and glory of the village! The very environment of Konoha had been created by the First Hokage using Wood Release! Ever since the First passed away, Konoha had yearned for the return of Wood Release to once again serve as the village's protective umbrella, yet Nawaki's father had not inherited the Wood Release bloodline. They had assumed Wood Release had become a lost art, never expecting it to reappear within the Senju Clan over a decade later! The First Hokage had only been gone for a little over ten years, and his deeds had not yet faded from the world's memory. Now that Nawaki had awakened Wood Release, it easily stirred memories of the God of Shinobi; he would inherit all the glory of the First and become the most legitimate successor of Konoha!

After a brief silence, Nawaki received a system notification; the crowd had once again provided him with several thousand points of Wish Power. The way everyone looked at him was incredibly intense, as if they were gazing at a rare treasure, and the look in Orochimaru's eyes was filled with greed.

With a "poof," a tall figure appeared amidst the smoke; the newcomer was none other than the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

After seeing Nawaki perform Wood Release using the Telescope Technique, he had used the Body Flicker Technique to arrive directly inside the hall.

Once Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared, he first bowed to Mito: "Lady Mito, because this matter is of great importance, I have intruded. I hope you will forgive me."

At this time, Hiruzen Sarutobi was only thirty years old, looking high-spirited and imposing—truly worthy of the title "Professor."

Mito waved her hand and said: "It is no matter. I did not expect that Nawaki would inherit Hashirama's bloodline either. You must have come for this reason, Third?"

"Indeed! Wood Release holds significant meaning for the village! However, the current situation in the ninja world is tense, and all nations are recuperating. Our Land of Fire is at the center of the continent, surrounded by enemies, and the village's strength has yet to recover. Nawaki is still young; if the matter of his Wood Release is exposed and becomes known to other nations, not only will Nawaki face assassination and mortal danger, but it could very well trigger a war and lead to our encirclement by other nations. If they use the threat of war to force the village to sacrifice Nawaki and the Senju Clan, it would be a disaster! Therefore, the fact that Nawaki has awakened Wood Release can only be known to a few. Unless absolutely necessary, he must never use Wood Release in front of others! At the same time, I will do everything in my power to protect Nawaki's safety; he is the future of our village!" The look Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Nawaki was filled with expectation.

Nawaki nodded with a serious expression: "Don't worry! Old Man Third! I will definitely not expose Wood Release in front of outsiders!"

Seeing Nawaki's earnest promise, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with satisfaction. After a year of observation, he believed he understood Nawaki very well.

This child was not only precocious and possessed extraordinary talent, but he also had great perseverance (Nawaki was addicted to training), and most importantly, he had inherited the Will of Fire and the determination to protect the village and maintain peace (that was just talk). Therefore, he would certainly keep his promise; Hiruzen firmly believed this. (After all, his life was on the line, how could he not?)

However... was there something off about what was just said? What exactly had he overlooked? The Third pondered silently.

At this moment, Jiraiya's laughter drew his attention: "Jiraiya! What is so funny! We are currently discussing a major matter concerning the survival of the village!"

Upon hearing this, Jiraiya couldn't help but burst into loud laughter: "Hahaha! Teacher, you really do look old! Just now, the brat Nawaki called you 'old man,' and you accepted it so naturally!"

"It didn't feel out of place at all!" Tsunade also laughed.

"Teacher, you should really shave off that beard! It really doesn't suit you!" Orochimaru suggested "kindly."

Even Mito teased: "As the Hokage, you must pay attention to your image, Hiruzen."

Under the teasing of the crowd, the Third finally realized what was wrong: "They actually called me 'Old Man Third'? Am I that old? You brat?"

But when faced with the Third's question, Nawaki looked at him with innocent eyes and a silly grin, nodding: "Old man, you look so much older than my grandmother!"

Hearing this, the Third's head was covered in black lines, his mouth twitching; he felt like his whole world was falling apart.

"Hahaha! Old man!"

"So old!..."

"Shave the beard!"

The crowd burst into laughter, even the composed Mito was no exception.

The tense atmosphere from just a moment ago vanished due to Nawaki's joke, and the hall was once again filled with laughter.

"Cough, cough! That's enough! I still have serious business to discuss!" Hiruzen said with a stern face: "The matter of Wood Release is too significant. I will convene a high-level meeting to discuss this. Lady Mito, what do you think?"

Mito replied with a serious expression: "The situation in the village is dire, and it has only been a few years since things settled down. Is it appropriate to tell them now?"

Hiruzen answered: "Although our philosophies differ, I believe everyone has the village's best interests at heart and no one would commit treason by leaking Nawaki's secret. If an accident were to happen, I guarantee I will do my utmost to protect Nawaki's safety! Even if it means starting a war, I will not hesitate! And I will never let a traitor to the village go unpunished!" Hiruzen had only just taken over as Hokage a few years ago and had not yet experienced the brutal Second and Third Great Ninja Wars, the betrayal of his disciples, or the death of the Fourth. Thus, his character was still very firm and lacked the weakness of his later years. He would never compromise due to threats from enemy nations, otherwise, his position as Hokage would be hard to maintain. Moreover, he had succeeded in defeating Danzo by relying on the support of Mito and the Senju Clan, so he could not possibly be ungrateful.

"But why must we inform the high-level officials now? It wouldn't be too late to announce it after Nawaki has grown up, would it?" Jiraiya asked the question on everyone's mind on their behalf.

The Third also wanted to take this opportunity to teach his disciple some political maneuvering, so he patiently explained: "Ever since the First and Second Hokage passed away, the high-level officials of the village have lost the protection and suppression of absolute power, leading to wavering hearts and many disagreements and conflicts. My authority as the Third Hokage is far less than that of the First and Second. If everyone knows that Wood Release has reappeared, it will rekindle hope and awe, and I can take this opportunity to reorganize the people and unite all the strength in the village!"

Jiraiya curled his lips: "Being Hokage is really troublesome! No wonder you're aging so fast!"

Hiruzen was furious: "Shut up, you brat!"

Nawaki interjected: "That's not all, is it? The Third can also take this opportunity to test whether there are truly traitors among the high-level officials in the village. I think the Anbu will be busy for a while."