Who Is the Hokage

"Uchiha Fugaku, is it any of your business to interfere in the affairs of the Hokage?"

Shimura Danzō's shadowy left eye stared at Uchiha Fugaku and said coldly.

Danzo understood that it was useless to scold or threaten an enemy who was completely unyielding, so he didn't make a fool of himself.

Danzo, who always shouted that he wanted to wipe out the Uchiha, actually faced the Uchiha in a real battle. He was not as arrogant and brave as he usually claimed. Instead, he kept glancing at Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's gloomy face looked as if it were about to drip water, and he silently formed hand Hand Seals.

Upon seeing the Third Hokage's actions, Uchiha Fugaku and the other Uchiha ninjas activated their Sharingan, causing countless red lights to flash across the area.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The ninjas on both sides drew their long swords or set up their Kunai, their faces full of vigilance.

Many ninjas quickly Hand Seals, their Ninjutsu rapidly taking shape, and with the final seal in hand, they were ready to unleash their Ninjutsu at any moment.

As the Chakra of numerous ninjas was mobilized, the turmoil in the arena intensified, whipping up dust that made people's eyes uncomfortable. However, none of the people in the arena shielded themselves from the dust; they all stared wide-eyed at the opposite side.

The tension was palpable, awaiting only the order.

Uchiha Fugaku's Three-Tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly, transforming into a peculiar pattern as he stared intently at his opponent, ready to activate Susanoo at any moment to launch a counterattack after defending against the Third Hokage's Ninjutsu.

The Uchiha, Ruofeng at the back, arms crossed, watching this scene silently. However, his crimson Sharingan and the bloodshot eyes revealed the turmoil in his heart.

"Summoning Technique!"

A massive ape, nearly two and a half meters tall, appeared in the arena. The giant ape looked around, sighed, and without saying a word, transformed into Adamantine Staff and flew into the Third Hokage's hand.

The Third Hokage holds Adamantine Staff in his right hand and raises his left.

With this movement, most of the Anbu Ninja and Root ninjas slightly bent their knees and bowed their bodies, assuming a fighting stance, waiting for the wave of their hand.

The atmosphere, combined with the smoke and dust in the air, was filled with a chilling and deadly aura.

Many of the Anbu' hands, gripping Ninja Sword and Kunai, trembled slightly. They were not the ruthless genies who had lost their humanity; they were legitimate ninjas of Konoha. Even they, who were ruthless in carrying out missions, couldn't help but tremble and hesitate when faced with the prospect of killing each other with their comrades.

"Stop!"

Just before they were about to take action, a loud voice rang out from the palace.

Uchiha Nara, accompanied by four guards and Namikaze Minato's group, a total of nine people, emerged from the palace.

Naraku didn't overestimate himself. He led his men to turn a corner, avoiding the Anbu team, and detoured back to the Military Police Force.

Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a deep sense of despair. How could he declare Uchiha Nara missing-nin in this situation, and how could he kill him?

Sarutobi Hiruzen his heart and gave a wink to the people behind him. His old classmate of many years, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura Shimura Danzō immediately understood.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura remained calm and composed, not acting as forcefully as the Third Hokage had expected. Instead, they Sarutobi Hiruzen's clothes from behind, signaling him not to act rashly.

Uchiha and the Police Force disobey orders, then they can't do anything to Naraku unless both sides are severely injured. But the situation in the Shinobi World doesn't allow Konoha to do that.

"Third Hokage, I am the Fourth Hokage Jonin Konoha, elected by the Konoha and appointed by the Daimyo's decree. As the Fourth Hokage, I order you to return to Konoha!"

Naraku's face was serious as he pointed at the Third Hokage at the very front.

As Naraku finished speaking, the Anbu Ninja behind the Third Hokage looked at each other, and like the Military Police Force before them, many of them took a few steps back.

The Anbu all have public identities as Konoha Ninja and are directly loyal to the Hokage. The current situation has left many Anbu Ninja bewildered.

"You, you actually used Genjutsu to control the Daimyo! Jane, this is utterly lawless!"

Shimura Danzō felt as if his tail had been stepped on. When he heard Naraku claim to be the Fourth Hokage and refuse to acknowledge it, he clasped his hands together, about to unleash Ninjutsu.

"Danzo! That's not true! It was the Daimyo who personally bestowed the title. There were no Chakra fluctuations at the time; I can testify to that!"

Namikaze Minato was very surprised to hear Danzo's words and looked at Shimura Danzō with a puzzled expression.

Naraku watched Danzo's actions and a smirk appeared on his lips.

Although it's not convenient for him to resort to force, he has the support of the Uchiha and the Police Force, so even if he does, he doesn't need to worry.

When Naraku arrived in the Capital City, he received a message from Fugaku through the messenger cat in the Capital City, informing Naraku he had gathered the elite of the Uchiha and the Police Force and was heading to the Capital City.

Only then did Naraku dare to come to the palace to pay his respects to the Daimyo; otherwise, Naraku would definitely have found a place to hide and consolidate his power before coming out.

Furthermore, Naraku knew Namikaze Minato very well, understanding that Namikaze Minato was a ninja with the Will of Fire, and although he was a member of the Third Hokage's faction, he was not a dark ninja.

On the contrary, Namikaze Minato was a legendary hero who was determined to protect Konoha. He was Konoha Ninja standing in the light and would never stand by and watch the dark things of Konoha Ninja killing each other happen before his eyes.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, Koharu Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura all had grim expressions on their faces.

Daimyo appointing the Fourth Hokage as a daimyo was useless. The Third Hokage ruled Konoha for over thirty years. Many ninjas were not even as old as he had been in Konoha. Many of Konoha's famous ninjas grew up during the Third Hokage's reign.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's refusal to relinquish power meant the agreement was invalid, and he had the confidence to back it up. However, the fact that his fellow Hokage candidates, Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Nara, were entangled together robbed the four of their confidence to cause trouble.

Jonin supported the Daimyo's Uchiha Nara, and then putting Namikaze Minato Naraku, in power—whether Namikaze Minato would accept this move is still a question.

Uchiha Nara looked at the four people with gloomy faces in front of him, knowing that if these problems weren't resolved today, he would have to fight them again when he returned to Konoha. He straightened his expression and said in a deep voice:

"Third Hokage, as the previous Hokage, don't you obey the orders of the Fourth Hokage?"

Or do you believe that the Konoha, nominated by the Jonin and Daimyo by the Daimyo, is not qualified and needs to be personally appointed by you Sarutobi Hiruzen?

Do you think Konoha belongs to your Sarutobi Clan?! I'll say it again! Do you even obey orders?!

Naraku's words caused many ninjas present to ponder deeply. Namikaze Minato also looked at Uchiha Nara with some complicated feelings. Everyone understood the current situation.

Konoha is embroiled in internal strife.

They didn't know how to handle the situation if a conflict broke out: should they assist the Third Konoha, Hokage Position, or should they assist the Fourth Hokage, who was elected by the Konoha Daimyo Jonin was rightfully appointed as the Daimyo, having been in office for less than a day?

Sarutobi Hiruzen remained unfazed by Naraku's pressure. A glint flashed in his eyes. Sarutobi Hiruzen knew perfectly well that if he acknowledged the Fourth Hokage today, he would truly relinquish his position as Hokage upon returning to Konoha.

Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Danzo also understood this, looking at the Third Hokage and awaiting Third Hokage decision.

In crucial moments, it's still the seemingly indecisive Third Hokage that decides everything.