Land of Fire.
At the border of the Land of Fire.
This time, Uchiha Yato headed to the scene in person without the slightest hesitation, as though the whole world had been waiting for his arrival.
In his own bold words, he was personally leading the expedition this time, ready to show off his might.
Yet unexpectedly, Uchiha Yato's seemingly rash decision did not draw any obstruction from Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood quietly, involuntarily recalling the words Uchiha Yato had spoken when he first expressed his desire to go to the battlefield.
"I'm the proper Hokage of Konoha now, after all!"
"The Kage of the other villages have long since charged across battlefields and made their names. Am I supposed to be the only one who can't?!"
Uchiha Yato's indignant expression at the time remained deeply etched in Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind even now.
Those words had struck the heart of Hiruzen Sarutobi, once hailed as the Professor, like a heavy hammer.
He could not help but wonder to himself: if Uchiha Yato had not stepped forward at this moment to shoulder the responsibility of the Fourth Hokage—
If he and those old men were still the ones in charge, would he still possess such fearless courage?
Faced with that question, Hiruzen Sarutobi silently chose not to answer. Yet that silence itself had already given the answer.
Therefore, when Uchiha Yato once again asked to take the field and kill the enemy, Hiruzen Sarutobi surprisingly did not stop him this time.
He knew full well that Uchiha Yato's strength could not be underestimated. More than that, he had faith in Konoha, believing that with such a brave and fearless leader at its helm, Konoha's future was bound to be bright.
However, at that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi fixed Uchiha Yato with