The viewpoint returned to Konoha.
In the spacious office, an old man with a pipe in his mouth sat upon the throne that symbolized his power, his deep gaze fixed on the scene beyond the window.
Just then, the office door suddenly opened.
An elderly man with half his body wrapped in bandages and a particularly sinister expression entered.
"Hiruzen, I still believe that jointly holding the Chunin Exams with Sunagakure is a foolish decision."
The newcomer was Danzo.
The moment he entered, he voiced his opposition to Hiruzen's decision.
Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly exhaled a ring of smoke, then slowly turned around and looked at Danzo with a profound gaze.
"Danzo, you need to understand that Konoha's top-tier combat strength is now but a fraction of what it once was."
"The Fourth Hokage died in battle, the Three Sannin scattered, and the Uchiha were destroyed. That is precisely why we need to display our strength."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was calm yet resolute.
"We must show our allies, as well as potential enemies, that Konoha's foundations remain unshaken and that the seedlings of the new generation are flourishing. As long as I, Sarutobi Hiruzen, still live, I can protect these seedlings beneath the shade of the trees."
"Hmph, naive. I think you've simply gone senile."
Danzo scoffed coldly.
Leaning on his cane, he took a step forward.
"Display our strength? You see it as deterrence, but to the rats lurking in the gutters, it is an opportunity to carve up Konoha.
Sunagakure has always coveted our land, yet you still want to hold it together with them. Aren't you just handing them—"
"That is exactly why." Hiruzen cut Danzo off, his tone firm.
"That is exactly why we must preserve this fragile alliance!"
"Shutting ourselves away will only isolate Konoha further.
We