The Third Generation's Choice

"Lord Hokage, how do you intend to handle this matter?"

Just as the Third Hokage fell into silence, Shiranui Genma, standing behind him, suddenly spoke up.

"Pass down the order: have all Jonin currently in the Hidden Leaf Village assemble!"

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

If handled poorly, it might even result in the Hidden Leaf Village losing another peerless genius!

That was, assuming the three Anbu Chunin had not been lying.

The Third Hokage even dared to believe that Yun Xi's talent could rival that of the legendary White Fang of the Leaf—Hatake Sakumo.

Perhaps even surpass it...

"Yes!"

Upon receiving the Third Hokage's command, Shiranui Genma immediately sprang into action.

Namiashi Raido, standing on the other side, also departed alongside Shiranui Genma.

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

The Third Hokage returned to the Hokage Building, preparing to head to the Root Division once all the Jonin had arrived.

Under Shiranui Genma's notification, about ten minutes later, all the Jonin of the Hidden Leaf had arrived at the Hokage Office.

Excluding those away on missions, there were over thirty people present.

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

It could be said that the core combat strength of the Hidden Leaf had fully assembled.

"Eh? Where is that guy Kakashi?"

Once everyone had gathered, Guy looked around and failed to spot Kakashi.

He took the initiative to ask Sarutobi Asuma, who was standing beside him.

"I don't know either. That guy is always late; he should be here in a while."

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

Furthermore, given Kakashi's habitual tardiness, Sarutobi Asuma subconsciously assumed that was the reason for his absence.

"Do you guys know what's going on?"

Seeing that Sarutobi Asuma was also in the dark, Guy turned to ask Kurenai and the others.

But they were equally unaware of why the Third Hokage had gathered them all at the Hokage Building at this hour.

"Could it be that a war is starting again?"

Seeing the majority of the Hidden Leaf's Jonin present, Guy muttered to himself.

"That seems unlikely. Sunagakure has already signed an alliance with us, and there hasn't been any movement from Kirigakure for a long time. A war is impossible in the short term."

Nara Shikaku, acting as the Hokage's personal strategist, offered his own perspective upon hearing Guy's words.

"Kakashi is currently at Konoha Hospital..."

Seeing that everyone had arrived, the Third Hokage recounted the events of Kakashi's attempt to intercept Yun Xi.

"How is that possible?" Upon hearing the sequence of events, Guy's face turned grave.

As Kakashi's best colleague and friend, Guy naturally understood the true extent of Kakashi's strength.

He could not believe that Kakashi had been defeated by a six-year-old child!

And defeated without even the ability to fight back!

"How could this be?"

"Exactly, Kakashi's strength is not weak at all!"

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

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

Although Kakashi was known in the original history as the "Copy Ninja" who could fight anyone to a draw, his true strength was by no means weak!

At the very least, he was firmly in the top tier among the Hidden Leaf's Jonin.

Moreover, he possessed the Uchiha Clan's bloodline limit—the Three-Tomoe Sharingan!

"The incident has already occurred. My only purpose in summoning you all is to have you head to the Root Division, bring Yun Xi back, and we shall discuss the rest later!"

Facing the sea of Jonin, the Third Hokage stated the purpose of their assembly directly.

"Yes! We guarantee the mission will be completed."

Guy, who had been silent for a long time, was the first to speak, and he was the first to rush out.

He wanted to see exactly how this boy named Yun Xi had managed to defeat Kakashi!

As the other Jonin saw Guy depart, they also left the Hokage Building one after another.

As for the Third Hokage, his face showed a hint of conflict.

Although Yun Xi's actions could already be classified as those of a rogue ninja.

For the sake of Konoha's future, the Third Hokage still hoped that Yun Xi would not escalate the matter any further.

After all, he could not bear to personally destroy such a genius.

Although the wars among the Five Great Nations had temporarily subsided for now.

Beneath the seemingly calm surface, turbulent waves still churned.

Konoha was in desperate need of high-level combat power.

And the emergence of Yun Xi could perfectly compensate for Konoha's lack of high-level strength.

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

Although Yun Xi's strength had somewhat exceeded the Third Hokage's expectations.

The Third Hokage was certain that Yun Xi was not a bad person at heart.

He simply wanted to protect the safety of his companions.

After this matter is settled, I must have a talk with Danzo...

Clearly, the Third Hokage also felt that Danzo's unauthorized actions this time were simply too excessive.

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

He was well aware of the things Danzo did in the shadows.

But as long as he did not go too far, the Third Hokage could not be bothered to manage the messes Danzo made.

Yet this time, Danzo had actually intended to bring an orphan of the Uzumaki clan back to the Root Division.

And he had used forceful methods to do so.

If it had been an ordinary civilian child, the Third Hokage would have handled it by pretending not to see.

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

For the sake of the village's stability, the Third Hokage could accept certain costs.

But upon hearing that Yun Xi's current strength was enough to defeat Kakashi, the Third Hokage could no longer sit idly by. On one hand, he was shocked by Yun Xi's strength.

On the other hand, it was because Danzo had nearly destroyed a top-tier genius!

A top-tier combat asset for Konoha!

Gazing at the Hokage statues in the distance, the Third Hokage fell into deep thought.

He did not know if this choice was correct, but he still wanted to try.

From the first time he met Yun Xi, the Third Hokage had been able to sense an aura of darkness within him.

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

That was why the Third Hokage had let Yun Xi look after Naruto, but Danzo's unauthorized actions had directly touched Yun Xi's reverse scale.

The Third Hokage was not sure if the dark power within Yun Xi would be unleashed.

I wonder if my choice this time is right or wrong...

For a moment, a trace of confusion arose within the Third Hokage's heart.

It was a feeling he had not experienced in many years.

And just as the Third Hokage was struggling with his decision, Yun Xi had already brought Karin to the front of the Root Division.

Looking at the building that resembled a rat's nest before him, a sinister smile appeared on Yun Xi's face.