Hiruzen Sarutobi used the Body Flicker Technique to return to the second-floor office of the Hokage Building.
He ordered the Anbu, "All of you, leave!" Then he turned to Yugao, who was still confronting Tsunade.
"Yugao, you should leave too. Get the arrangements for the Chunin Ninja Exams in order as soon as possible."
After everyone had left, Hiruzen walked over to Shao Nan and said calmly,
"Impressive. Not only do you look like Lord Hashirama, but you've also got the essence of Chakra Enhanced Strength down pat.
This old man hasn't gotten any exercise in a long time. How about a spar?"
Tsunade couldn't stand it anymore. You're the Third, for crying out loud, and you want to spar with someone who's never even been to school? Have you no shame?
"That punch of his wouldn't even faze you! Old man, you're taking this too far!"
Shao Nan walked over to Tsunade, put an arm around her waist, and said to Hiruzen,
"Old man, you pick the time and place. I'm ready whenever you are!"
As soon as he finished speaking,
Tsunade pinched Shao Nan hard on the waist.
"Why are you sparring with that old man? He may be old, but he's still strong! In the Ninja World, they call him the Professor of Shinobi!"
Hiruzen's face brightened when he heard Tsunade praise him.
"Just a friendly match, nothing more. I know my limits!"
"Tsunade, this is a contest between men!
"Besides, I want to see if he's really as strong as the rumors say.
"Come on, old man. Lead the way."
Hiruzen walked over to Shao Nan and said to Tsunade, "He sure is arrogant! Ninja Academy Training Ground 38!"
Then he used the Body Flicker Technique to whisk Shao Nan away.
"Shizune, let's go too!"
Ninja Academy!
In an open area on the edge of the athletic field, many students and teachers were playing around.
In one corner, two teachers and six students sat together.
They were Team 10, led by Asuma Sarutobi, with Ino Yamanaka, Choji Akimichi, and Shikamaru Nara;
and Team 8, led by Kurenai Yuhi, with Hinata Hyuga, Shino Aburame, and Kiba Inuzuka.
Asuma suddenly spoke up.
"Hey, Kurenai, is your team ready for the Chunin Ninja Exams?"
"Asuma, I have complete confidence in my students!"
A lively voice piped up.
"Teacher Asuma, Choji wants barbecue. Your treat!"
Asuma laughed. "Ino, you're the one who wants to eat, aren't you?"
Choji said, "Ino may be using me as an excuse, but Teacher Asuma, I really am craving barbecue!"
Meanwhile, Shikamaru, Shino, and Kiba were playing Dou Dizhu together.
Just then, Hinata lowered her head and spoke in a very soft voice.
"Teacher Kurenai, the Third has come to the academy!"
Kurenai didn't seem to hear her. She smiled at Hinata and said,
"Hinata, don't be so nervous! I didn't quite catch what you said."
Hinata pointed in a certain direction. "The Hokage is here!"
Kurenai followed her gaze and saw Hiruzen and Shao Nan approaching the training ground at a leisurely pace.
Three little kids followed behind them. They were none other than the Konohamaru Trio!
Kurenai looked farther back, startled. "Is that Lady Tsunade?"
Asuma stood up too. "I just heard someone say Senior Tsunade had returned. I didn't expect it to be true!"
Following behind Hiruzen, Shao Nan suddenly spoke.
"Old man, I admire you!"
"Oh? What do you admire about me?" Hiruzen asked curiously.
"During the First's and Second Hokage's time in office, whenever an enemy dared to invade Konoha, they responded with force.
"But you're different. Even when enemies attack Konoha, you just give in and sign some kind of treaty, all in exchange for your so-called peace!"
Hiruzen stopped and stared at Shao Nan.
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
"I'm saying you're not fit to be Hokage! Just think about what you've done during your time in office!"
Tsunade strode forward and pulled Shao Nan back. "What are you trying to do?"
"Tsunade, let him speak!" Hiruzen said, suddenly turning stern.
Shao Nan thought for a moment, then spoke plainly. "The other shinobi villages feared the First's strength, so they didn't dare attack Konoha.
"As for the Second Hokage, Kumogakure once launched a surprise attack on Konoha, but the Second Hokage drove them off.
"That shows that if anyone dared to bully Konoha, they wouldn't get away with it.
"Now let's look at you. Kumogakure provoked Konoha and coveted the Byakugan, yet you made the Hyuga Clan sacrifice one of their own in exchange for your so-called peace.
"After the Third Shinobi World War, Iwagakure started a war with Konoha, and the Fourth Hokage eventually drove them off.
"And what did you do? So many people in the village died, yet you still signed that so-called peace agreement with Iwagakure!
"I won't even bring up the older stuff. Let's talk about something more recent: how many people in Konoha did Orochimaru, who was your contemporary, get killed!
"You had the chance to capture him, but you let him escape!
"And then there was the Uchiha Clan Downfall!"
"Enough!" Hiruzen snapped.
Then he continued, "If you were in my place, what would you have done?"
"If it were me, I'd have used overwhelming force to intimidate them, just like the First and Second Hokage!"
"Have you never considered that continuing the fighting might cost even more lives?"
Hiruzen's words angered Shao Nan.
Sure, he had come from another world, but Hiruzen was the one who kept preaching that so-called peace from behind the scenes.
He mouthed off about passing down the Will of Fire! It was all talk.
When Orochimaru attacked Konoha, Hiruzen fought him. That was one way of atoning for his mistakes!
"There's no way it would cost more lives. If it were me, I'd use my own strength to make the other great nations and villages submit to me!"
"Hmph, arrogant! Then let me teach you that there's always someone stronger!"
After speaking, Hiruzen stood at the edge of the training ground, rapidly formed Hand Seals, and pressed his hands against the ground.
"Earth Style: Earth Rising Platform Technique."
The vast training ground rose from the earth in the shape of a rectangular prism, forming a huge arena.
Once the arena was complete, Hiruzen leaped straight up onto it.
"Come on up, young man!"
"If this is what you've decided to do, then go for it. All I can do is support you!"
Tsunade smiled at Shao Nan, then gently tapped his cheek.
Asuma and Kurenai looked on, astonished!
Asuma: Someone had beaten him to a man's ultimate dream?
Kurenai: Lady Tsunade looked so happy when she smiled.
"Tsunade, I'll have your back! You can be Hokage of Konoha!
"I'll go conquer the world and restore the Senju Clan to glory! How does that sound?"
"Shao Nan, I'm not interested in being Hokage!"
After saying this, Tsunade gave Shao Nan a shove, urging him to get up there!
Then she shouted at Hiruzen on the platform.
"Old man, remember: this is only a friendly match! If he gets hurt, you'll answer to me!"
Before you continue