Hiruzen Sarutobi's Doubt! (Seeking Collection!! Seeking Further Reading!!)

Fortunately, Uchiha Chen reacted with lightning speed, stabilizing his stance in an instant so as not to fall in front of the people from Hot Spring Village.

This feeling... sigh, my chakra is nearly empty again.

What a pity...

Watching the backs of the Sunagakure Village ninjas as they retreated into the distance, Uchiha Chen could only sigh and mutter to himself.

Although he had improved his chakra refinement method and his total chakra reserves had increased significantly, the advanced versions of his Wind and Fire Style ninjutsu consumed a massive amount of chakra even as their destructive power soared.

However, being able to slay three or four hundred Sunagakure ninjas single-handedly was proof enough of his strength, especially considering that three of them were elite jonin.

"We won?!"

"Am I seeing things? Brother Chen, did he actually win?"

"Hahahaha, this is amazing! Is Brother Chen the God of Shinobi himself?"

The survivors from Hot Spring Village rushed toward Uchiha Chen in excitement, even the elderly Izumitani Yoju moving with surprising agility.

Just as the group prepared to hoist Uchiha Chen up in celebration, he refused; now was not the time for victory parades.

Uchiha Chen remembered that according to the original story, a famous battle would take place during the latter stages of the Third Shinobi World War: the Battle of Mount Kikyo!

Mount Kikyo was a high mountain on the outskirts of Leaf Village. Why call it a "defense" battle?

Because the enemy had pushed all the way to Leaf Village's doorstep—how could it be anything else?

The fact that they could reach the gates of Leaf Village showed just how much manpower Sunagakure Village had committed to the war. The ninjas Uchiha Chen had just repelled would undoubtedly return with an even larger force.

If the ninjas of Hot Spring Village remained here, they would certainly be in danger.

After hearing Uchiha Chen's analysis of the pros and cons, Izumitani Yoju, as the village head, decided to follow his advice and relocate temporarily until the war subsided.

Though they were reluctant to leave, everyone knew what had to be done when their lives were on the line.

After a simple packing of their belongings, nearly a thousand villagers and ninjas from Hot Spring Village left their homes behind, traveling wearily as they departed the area.

As for Uchiha Chen, he chose to stay behind to keep a close watch on the movements of the incoming Sunagakure army.

Leaf Village, At the walls of Mount Kikyo, Leaf ninjas patrolled with solemn expressions.

Aoba Yamashiro and Raido Namiashi stood atop the wall, equally grave, peering into the distance from time to time.

Both Aoba Yamashiro and Raido Namiashi were elite special jonin of Leaf Village, possessing formidable strength.

Raido Namiashi was accustomed to wielding a black-bladed katana and often operated in tandem with Aoba Yamashiro; when combined with Aoba's crows, their coordination was known as "the strike no one can escape."

"Aoba, do you think Sunagakure is really going to send a massive army to attack Leaf Village?"

"This is information sent back by Lord Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin. It must be true. Otherwise, the Third Hokage wouldn't have personally ordered the construction of this defensive wall or had us patrolling day and night."

Aoba Yamashiro looked into the distance, his eyes filled with worry.

Although they had received the intelligence in advance and made corresponding defensive preparations, the number of ninjas remaining in the village was far too low. If they faced a large-scale force of Sunagakure ninjas, he feared...

Just as Aoba Yamashiro fell into deep thought, Raido Namiashi suddenly pointed at the rustling shadows ahead and shouted with a grim expression, "Aoba, look there! So many people—could it be a Sunagakure ninja battalion?"

"This... nearly a thousand people. It really might be a vanguard unit from Sunagakure. Pass the order down: enter a state of high alert!"

Aoba Yamashiro frowned, and after issuing the command, he stared fixedly at the shadows ahead.

As the figures drew closer, Aoba and the others finally saw who they were.

"These are... Hot Spring Village headbands? What are people from Hot Spring Village doing here?"

Raido Namiashi looked confused.

"Let's see what happens first, but don't let your guard down. Maintain the alert status."

Aoba Yamashiro adjusted his small sunglasses and said coolly.

"Everyone from Hot Spring Village, please halt."

Watching the group from Hot Spring Village draw near, Aoba Yamashiro quickly called out to stop them.

"People of Leaf Village, I am Izumitani Yoju, the head of Hot Spring Village. Burdened by the war, I have no choice but to bring my villagers to seek an audience with the Third Hokage and ask for a place to take refuge!"

Izumitani Yoju hurried forward to explain his intentions.

Leaf Village, Hokage Office, Tsunade slammed her palm onto the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk, gritting her teeth as she squeezed out a few words, "Old man, when exactly are Uchiha Chen and Jiraiya going to finish their mission and come back?"

She never expected that she would only be away from Uchiha Chen's side for a single day, and yet—

"Tsunade, with Jiraiya there, that child will be fine."

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, cast a faint glance at Tsunade, feeling helpless in his heart. Why were his students, one after another, so lacking in respect for their teacher? They didn't even call him "Teacher."

Forget it, forget it. It's been so many years; I'm used to it by now...

Just as Tsunade was about to say something more, a series of urgent knocks sounded at the door.

"Lord Third Hokage, Izumitani Yoju, the village chief of Hot Spring Village in the Land of Rivers, requests an audience."

"Hot Spring Village?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Tsunade frowned simultaneously, both looking puzzled.

"Then let us see him."

Hiruzen Sarutobi held his pipe, pondered for a moment, and then slowly exhaled a wisp of smoke before speaking.

A few minutes later, led by Aoba Yamashiro, Izumitani Yoju arrived at the Hokage Office.

"Izumitani Yoju, chief of Hot Spring Village, pays his respects to Lord Third Hokage."

The moment he saw Hiruzen Sarutobi, Izumitani Yoju's face lit up with joy. He hurried forward and bowed slightly in greeting.

"You are too formal, Lord Izumitani. May I ask what brings you to Konoha with so many people?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi got straight to the point, asking directly about the purpose of his visit.

When the topic of his intent came up, Izumitani Yoju let out a deep sigh. He then began to speak slowly, recounting how Hot Spring Village had nearly been wiped out by Sunagakure Village ninjas and how they had been saved by Uchiha Chen.

"What did you just say? Who saved you?"

As soon as Izumitani Yoju finished speaking, Tsunade, who had been standing to the side, asked eagerly.

"The one who saved our Hot Spring Village ninjas from fire and water was none other than your Konoha ninja, Uchiha Chen! It was precisely because of his suggestion that we came to Konoha to seek refuge!"

Whenever Izumitani Yoju mentioned Uchiha Chen, the smile on his face never faded.

However, if Uchiha Chen had been there, he definitely would have rolled his eyes at Izumitani Yoju. He had only suggested that they find a place to hide; he hadn't mentioned Konoha at all!

"You just said that Uchiha Chen... single-handedly repelled a Sunagakure Village ninja force of hundreds?"

At this moment, even Hiruzen Sarutobi, standing to the side, wore a look of utter shock.