Stimulation!

Tenka walked up to the three of them!

He looked at Sasuke's unwilling expression, his voice icy and utterly merciless!

"Before coming here, I briefly looked into the three of you!"

"I know you want to kill him for revenge!"

"But with your current level, I can tell you this!"

"You have no hope in this lifetime. Just wait obediently for him to die of illness!"

Sasuke clenched his fists until they turned white, his nails digging into his flesh as blood ran all over his hands.

"Please teach me!"

He did not argue. He knew the man before him was qualified to say such things!

He could not miss this opportunity. If he did, he might truly have no hope of revenge for the rest of his life!

"Very good!"

"I like that look in your eyes!"

"I can teach you, but..."

"You must be prepared to die at any time!"

"I'm not afraid. It's only death. I've always been ready!"

Sasuke did not avoid Tenka's gaze. His eyes were filled with determination!

As long as he could have his revenge, he was willing to give anything!

Tenka turned his gaze toward Sakura. His expression was utterly indifferent, making Sakura shiver inwardly!

"You're the most useless of the three! You don't even have the courage to fight!"

"You don't have any goals of your own. You don't even know what you want to do!"

"Marry him?"

"But have you ever considered this? Even if he wanted to continue the Uchiha Clan bloodline!"

"Would he marry a weakling like you, someone who is nothing at all?"

"Someone like you should just give up being a ninja. You're not suited for this!"

"With you around, you'll only hold the two of them back. If you want to get them killed... I don't care!"

"When I lead students, unless you encounter an enemy beyond your own strength!"

"Otherwise, I won't step in. Whether you live or die depends entirely on your own abilities!"

Sakura's face went pale, and her body trembled nonstop. She had only wanted to follow Sasuke, but she had never thought about any of this!

Was she only a burden? Would she get them killed? Maybe... maybe she should give up!

Sakura struggled fiercely inside, wavering as the thought of giving up on becoming a ninja took root in her heart!

Tenka did not care what she thought. He turned his gaze toward Naruto, who had been wanting to speak but hesitating all along!

"You feel sorry for her?"

"What right do you have to feel sorry for her?"

"You can't even take care of yourself. What do you have to pity someone else with? How laughable!"

"Your dream of becoming Hokage?"

"You can't become Hokage just by shouting nonsense about it every day. Though I couldn't care less!"

"You want to gain other people's recognition, don't you?"

"You don't need to become Hokage for that. You just need to be strong enough!"

"Look at me. Does anyone in Konoha or the Shinobi World dare to offend me?"

"Besides, someone once said that becoming Hokage is not what makes people recognize you!"

"Rather, you must first gain recognition from others before you can become Hokage!"

"Though I think that's very naïve!"

"After all, some people are destined from birth to never become Hokage!"

"Like him. Do you know why?"

"Only because his surname is Uchiha!"

"Doesn't that sound ridiculous?"

"So you think your efforts can change everything?"

"Are you going to say that once you become Hokage, you'll change all of this?"

"Would that be useful?"

"If he's already dead before you become Hokage, what use would it be for you to change anything afterward?"

"I said she was the most useless, but you're the most naïve!"

"The three of you, honestly, the only one who satisfies me even a little is this kid full of hatred!"

"At least he has always known what he wants, whether it's right or wrong!"

"He can stop at nothing to achieve his goals, but you're far too sanctimonious!"

"And you?"

"You only know that you like him. Do you know what he wants to do? Even if you did, could your strength help him?"

"When I was nine, I could already protect my family. I fought the Third Hokage without hesitation and cut down an elder with my sword!"

"What about you?"

"You're already twelve, yet you still need others to watch over your safety!"

"That's enough for today. Go back and think carefully. Tell me your decisions tomorrow!"

"If only one of you decides to come, then I'll only take one. Those who have made up their minds, gather in front of the Hokage Building at eight tomorrow morning!"

"Dismissed!"

After saying that, Tenka turned and left, completely ignoring the three who remained standing there in a daze!

Kakashi glanced at the three of them and hurried after Tenka!

"Is it really okay to do it like this?"

"Shouldn't we test their teamwork?"

"Teamwork?"

"What use is it?"

"Do you think numbers would matter against me?"

"Besides, even if they don't have it, would you send them back to the Academy for retraining?"

"You wouldn't, and the old Third Hokage wouldn't either!"

"So why waste that time?"

"If you need to go back and report, then go. Don't follow me!"

After saying that, Tenka ignored Kakashi and headed alone toward the Hyuga Clan!

Watching his back, Kakashi suddenly realized that this man was not as terrifying as the rumors claimed!

As long as you did nothing to disgust him, he was actually quite good to his students!

This was probably the most he had ever spoken at once, wasn't it?

Shaking his head, Kakashi stopped thinking about it and sped toward the Hokage Building!

Hokage's Office!

"That was everything Hyuga Tenka said!"

"Including the message he asked me to pass on to you!"

"Tap... tap..."

The Third Hokage smoked his pipe and did not rush to speak after hearing Kakashi's report.

"What do you think of him, as far as those three children are concerned?"

"He cares about them quite a bit!"

"With his personality, he shouldn't be someone who says so much. Everything today was probably meant to provoke those three!"

Kakashi answered matter-of-factly. It was his genuine and objective assessment!

"Mm!"

"He just doesn't respect the elderly!"

Clearly, the Third Hokage still had some complaints about Tenka's utterly impolite words.

"Then let him lead them!"

"I won't arrange any additional personnel on my side!"

"With his strength, nothing should go wrong!"

The Third Hokage made his decision easily, but the three little ones were having a hard time, especially Sakura!

She did not know what she should do.

Give up?

But... she was unwilling to accept that!

Could she really become a ninja?

"Sniff..."

As Sakura thought about it, she began to sob!

At that moment, she felt utterly helpless!

"Oh?"

"Forehead girl, you look so ugly when you cry!"

"Ino-pig, did you come to mock me too?"

"I heard about what happened in your class!"

"I think your teacher was right. You're not suited to be a ninja!"

"You should quit while you can!"

"Then Sasuke will be mine alone, and you won't be worthy of competing with me!"

"In your dreams!"

"How could I possibly give him to you?"

"Hehe..."

"Can you really manage in your current state?"

"Besides, I think your teacher was right about something!"

"As long as someone is strong enough, no one really dares to provoke him!"

"For Sasuke's sake, don't you even have the resolve to risk your life and become stronger?"

"Then how can you claim to like him?"

"I do!"

"Even if it costs me my life, I'll become stronger!"

Seeing Sakura's furious expression as she declared her determination!

Ino smiled. This was the Sakura she knew!