The Third Hokage's Decision

"Lord Hokage, what do you think we should do about this?"

Just as the Third Hokage fell silent, Shiranui Genma, standing behind him, suddenly spoke.

"Send word. Have every Jonin in Konoha assemble!"

Interrupted by Shiranui Genma, the Third Hokage realized that this was no longer just a matter between him and Danzo.

If they handled it poorly, Konoha might lose another peerless genius!

That was, if the three Anbu Chunin had been telling the truth.

The Third Hokage could even say that Yun Xi's talent rivaled that of Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo, in his prime.

It might even surpass it...

"Yes, sir!"

After receiving the Third Hokage's order, Shiranui Genma immediately sprang into action.

Namiashi Raidō, standing off to the side, also set out with him.

In the end, only the two elite Chunin, Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane, remained at Konoha Hospital to watch over Kakashi.

The Third Hokage returned to the Hokage Building, ready to head to Root Division with all the Konoha Jonin once they had assembled!

At Shiranui Genma's summons, about ten minutes later,

all the Konoha Jonin had gathered in the Hokage Office.

Excluding those away on missions, there were around thirty of them.

Among them were veteran Jonin such as Guy, Kurenai, Sarutobi Asuma, Akimichi Choza, Nara Shikaku, and Yamanaka Inoichi.

In other words, Konoha's core fighting force had all arrived!

"Huh? Where's Kakashi?"

Once everyone had gathered, Guy looked around but couldn't spot Kakashi.

He turned to Sarutobi Asuma beside him and asked.

"I don't know, either. That guy's always late. He'll probably show up in a bit."

Sarutobi Asuma had no idea why his father, the Third Hokage, had summoned him.

And since Kakashi was always late, Asuma instinctively assumed he hadn't arrived yet.

"Do any of you know what's going on?"

When Sarutobi Asuma couldn't tell him anything, Guy turned to ask Kurenai and the others.

But they had no idea why the Third Hokage had summoned them all to the Hokage Building.

"Are we going to war again?"

Seeing that most of Konoha's Jonin had arrived, Guy murmured to himself.

"That seems unlikely. Sunagakure has signed an alliance with us, and we haven't heard anything from Kirigakure in a long time. There won't be a war anytime soon."

Nara Shikaku, the Hokage's trusted strategist, offered his opinion after hearing Guy's question.

"Kakashi is at Konoha Hospital..."

When nearly everyone had arrived, the Third Hokage explained how Kakashi had gone to intercept Yun Xi...

"How is that possible?" Guy's expression grew grave after hearing the whole story.

As Kakashi's closest colleague and friend, Guy knew Kakashi's true strength better than anyone.

He couldn't believe Kakashi had lost to a six-year-old child!

And been utterly powerless to fight back!

"How could this be?"

"Yeah, Kakashi's no weakling!"

"How could a brat who hasn't even become a Genin defeat Kakashi?"

After hearing the Third Hokage's account, every Konoha Jonin present was shocked.

Though Kakashi was called "Kakashi Hatake, fifty-fifty" in the original Naruto story, his actual strength was by no means weak!

Among Konoha's Jonin, he was undoubtedly one of the best.

And he even possessed the Uchiha Clan's Kekkei Genkai—the Three-Tomoe Sharingan!

"This has already happened. I called you all here for one reason: go to Root Division and bring Yun Xi back. We'll discuss the rest afterward!"

Facing the crowd of Jonin, the Third Hokage stated the purpose of the assembly without delay.

"Yes, sir! We'll get it done!"

Guy, who had been silent for a long time, was the first to speak. He then charged out ahead of everyone else.

He wanted to see for himself how the boy named Yun Xi had defeated Kakashi!

The other Jonin followed soon after, leaving the Hokage Building one after another.

As for the Third Hokage, his expression was troubled.

Though Yun Xi's actions could already be considered those of a rogue ninja,

for Konoha's sake, the Third Hokage still hoped Yun Xi wouldn't make matters worse.

After all, the Third Hokage couldn't bear to destroy such a gifted child with his own hands...

For now, the fighting among the Five Great Nations had temporarily subsided.

But beneath the calm surface, the waters were still churning.

Konoha desperately needed high-level fighters...

And Yun Xi's arrival could make up for Konoha's lack of powerful combatants.

The Third Hokage estimated that within ten years, Yun Xi would possess true Kage Level strength!

Though Yun Xi's abilities had taken the Third Hokage by surprise,

the Third Hokage was certain that Yun Xi wasn't a bad person at heart.

He simply wanted to protect his companions...

"Once this is over, I'll have to talk to Danzo..."

The Third Hokage clearly felt that Danzo's unauthorized actions this time had gone too far.

All along, the Third Hokage had turned a blind eye to Danzo's actions.

He also knew what Danzo was doing in secret.

But as long as Danzo didn't go too far, the Third Hokage couldn't be bothered to interfere with his shady dealings.

But this time, Danzo had intended to take the Uzumaki Clan's orphan back to Root Division.

And he had even resorted to force...

If it had been an ordinary child from a civilian family, the Third Hokage would have pretended not to see it.

After all, where there was light, there was darkness.

For the sake of stability in the village, the Third Hokage could accept certain sacrifices.

But after hearing that Yun Xi had become strong enough to defeat Kakashi,

the Third Hokage could no longer stand by and do nothing. Part of him was shocked by Yun Xi's strength.

But another part of him knew that Danzo had nearly destroyed a top-tier genius!

A top-tier fighter for Konoha!

Gazing at the Hokage Monument in the distance, the Third Hokage sank into thought.

He didn't know whether this choice was the right one, but he still wanted to give it a try...

Ever since the first time he met Yun Xi, the Third Hokage had sensed a dark aura about him.

But Yun Xi's talkative, levelheaded, and sunny personality had reminded the Third Hokage of the Fourth Hokage...

That was why the Third Hokage had asked Yun Xi to look after Naruto. But Danzo's unauthorized actions had directly struck Yun Xi's Outrage.

The Third Hokage couldn't be sure whether the darkness within Yun Xi would be unleashed.

"I wonder whether I've made the right choice this time..."

For a moment, the Third Hokage felt a trace of uncertainty...

He hadn't experienced that feeling in countless years.

While the Third Hokage wrestled with his doubts, Yun Xi had brought Karin to Root Division.

Looking at the building before him, which resembled a giant rat's nest, Yun Xi's face curled into a sly grin...