The Third Generation Finally Rises

"Enough, stop arguing. Increase the relief efforts and tally the casualties. I am going to see Biwako now; if Fei Shi hadn't saved her at that critical moment, I might never have seen my wife again."

Hiruzen Sarutobi moved to leave, but was blocked by the elders, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.

"Hiruzen, the matter of this child can be settled later. But the Nine-Tails has been sealed—who is the jinchuriki? As fellow high-ranking officials of Konoha, we have the right to know."

"Hmph! We will discuss this later! Move aside."

Hiruzen did not want to elaborate, but the two elders remained stubborn, showing no intention of yielding.

Hiruzen's expression darkened.

BOOM!

A powerful aura erupted from his body.

Fei Shi couldn't help but feel a jolt of surprise. This old guy is actually quite strong. Even though he's past his prime, I don't think I'm his match.

"Remember, you three elders: until the Fourth dies and a new generation rises, I am the Hokage!"

Danzo and the other two elders turned pale, remaining silent. They lacked the strength to stop Hiruzen from reclaiming the Hokage seat, and compared to them, Hiruzen was far more capable. Furthermore, in such extraordinary times, the Daimyo Palace would certainly want Hiruzen to take charge of the situation.

If they continued to be so tactless, they would be the ones to suffer for it.

After leaving the Hokage office, Hiruzen walked slowly toward his home. Watching the ninjas clearing the ruins and seeing the miserable state of Konoha, a wave of sorrow washed over him.

Once upon a time, Konoha was the greatest ninja village in the Ninja World, bolstered by the presence of the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, and the fastest ninja in history, Tobirama Senju.

Unfortunately, war broke out just a few years after the First Hokage's death. As time passed, other villages adopted Konoha's systems, and their strength grew rapidly.

Meanwhile, Konoha faced one-against-many scenarios in several Great Ninja Wars, causing its strength to steadily decline. The title of "the village of the Ninja World" had become a hollow name.

"Don't be so pessimistic, old man. Everything will get better. If the new generation grows up, they will be enough to hold up Konoha."

Seeing the trace of sorrow in the Third's eyes, Fei Shi couldn't help but offer comfort.

Hiruzen was stunned, then burst into a hearty laugh.

"I never expected to be comforted by a child. To be honest, you really helped me vent my frustration today. Danzo... that comrade of mine is truly a headache. I've turned a blind eye to some things, but he never leaves a trail for his more excessive actions, so I can't find evidence. Sigh, he has changed."

Fei Shi had no interest in hearing about Danzo; he didn't care how good he might have been in the past. He only knew how annoying and disgusting this man was from watching the show.

Hiruzen was a controversial figure, and many of his actions were incomprehensible. But Fei Shi knew that if a powerful enemy attacked Konoha and required a sacrifice to repel them, Hiruzen would defend the village with his life.

Danzo, however, would only hide underground, plotting to become Hokage. He lacked true strength yet constantly stirred up trouble, ultimately making Konoha taste true pain.

Konoha, Sarutobi Clan compound.

The newborn Naruto lay sleeping in the arms of Hiruzen's wife, Biwako Sarutobi.

"How is it? The child isn't being fussy, is he?" Hiruzen asked, looking at Naruto in his swaddling clothes.

"Mm, he's fine. I fed him some milk. It's just that this child was born... and then..."

"It's alright, it's alright. This kid Fei Shi said he has a way to resurrect Minato and his wife; it's just a bit difficult. Am I right, kid?"

Fei Shi, busy eating the ramen Biwako had made for them, replied, "Nuh-uh, nuh-uh."

Hiruzen rubbed his forehead. "You should finish eating before you talk."

"Oh, right. Stay here for now. You can move out once your place is built."

"Also, about Naruto... the Daimyo Palace will likely have me resume the position of Hokage. I don't know if I'll have the time to look after him later. You and Biwako, please help me take care of him; don't let him grow up lacking love."

Fei Shi understood the hidden meaning: while keeping Naruto company, he should keep a close eye on the Nine-Tails situation. After all, he knew Minato's painstaking efforts; if nothing went wrong, Naruto was destined to be the future of Konoha. That was just what Hiruzen thought, but Fei Shi knew how strong Naruto's perseverance was. From the "demon fox" everyone hated to the hero who saved the world, he had said as a child, "To never go back on my word, that is my ninja way." He wanted everyone to acknowledge him and eventually become Hokage, and he achieved it all.

If it were Fei Shi, and he found out he was the son of the Fourth Hokage only to be reviled by Konoha since childhood, he would have turned around and joined forces with Pain to destroy the village, handing over Minato's seal to him.

Naruto's temperament was not something Fei Shi possessed, nor did he want to.

An eye for an eye—that was his nature.

If someone provoked him, he would bite a piece of flesh off them even if it killed him.

Getting off track.

He was more than happy to accept Hiruzen's hint. One thing a transmigrator to the Naruto world absolutely had to do was kill Danzo.

Based on Danzo's previous behavior, he wanted to recruit Fei Shi. But that was impossible. Even if Fei Shi didn't refuse, Danzo couldn't make a move on him due to the face of the Third and Tsunade.

The Third had just expressed his high regard for Fei Shi to the other three elders. Plus, with Tsunade backing him, and Jiraiya—who would eventually return to the village—surely siding with her, Danzo likely wouldn't move against him so soon. However... Fei Shi wanted to stir up trouble.

The three elders would eventually guess the identity of the jinchuriki, and given their character, they would certainly choose to ignore Naruto's status as the Hokage's son. Fei Shi wasn't sure about the other two, but Danzo definitely would.

He wanted to ruin Danzo's plans, leave him with no way out, and watch him die in despair. He had no other motive; he just didn't like the guy.