Every ninja on the battlefield stood on high alert, their faces grave.
Their Forehead Protectors showed that they were Rock Ninja.
The old man surrounded by them seemed unconcerned. His solemn gaze remained fixed on the short old man outside the encirclement.
"Ōnoki, whatever the reason, the Rock Ninja have already disrupted peace in the Ninja World... Are you still unwilling to stop?"
The old man spoke slowly, his expression grave.
At his words, a trace of disdain flashed in the sharp, hawk-like eyes of the short old man outside the encirclement. He replied in a low voice.
"Sarutobi, as Hokage, you make such self-righteous claims. Do you still believe in your heart that Konoha is the only choice for preserving peace in the Ninja World?"
"This is no longer the era when the First was in power. The balance of the Ninja World has changed beyond recognition. You should look ahead!"
Sarutobi showed no anger at Ōnoki's mocking words. If anything, the worry between his brows deepened, and he replied gravely.
"So you're determined to persist in your folly..."
Ōnoki's gaze sharpened. He spoke in a low voice.
"Persist in my folly!?"
"Sarutobi, isn't Konoha the one that's grown too arrogant? The Ninja World needs change. Konoha, once so powerful, has become an obstacle to its progress. It's time for Konoha to be wiped out, right here and now!"
Hearing the hostility toward Konoha in Ōnoki's words, Sarutobi knew there was no way he could stop Ōnoki from leading the Rock Ninja in an attack on Konoha today.
At that thought, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he spoke in a low voice.
"Then let me settle this with you here, as the Third Hokage. No matter what, I won't let you continue running amok on Konoha's land!"
At Sarutobi's