Inside the tent, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood before the sand table with a smile on his face.
"The position of Hokage isn't so easy to hold."
He reached out and adjusted a marker on the sand table, his voice carrying a trace of smugness.
"Those people may have abandoned me today to side with you, but tomorrow, they can just as easily cast you aside for some other benefit. Politics isn't something you can play however you like. There are still rules to follow."
Hiruzen Sarutobi snorted coldly and continued, "Hanzō is a demigod recognized throughout the Ninja World. With Iwagakure and Sunagakure attacking from both sides, what are you going to use to win this war?"
"Strength."
The voice from outside the tent carried undisguised mockery.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's words caught in his throat. His pupils constricted as he abruptly turned toward the entrance.
The next moment, there was a bang as a black shape was thrown in from outside.
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned and raised his hand, intending to knock the thing away, but when he saw what the black shape was, his entire body froze.
It was a human head.
"Shinnosuke!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi cried out in shock.
The tent flap was lifted, and Naruto entered with a smile.
"Well, the Third Hokage still recognizes him?"
He glanced at the head on the ground, his tone as casual as if he were discussing something utterly insignificant.
"This guy secretly colluded with Hanzō of Amegakure, betrayed his own people, and launched an attack on Konoha. Since he was caught, isn't executing him perfectly normal?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi held Shinnosuke's head in both hands, his face turning deathly pale in an instant. He looked up and roared at Naruto.
"Utter nonsense! Shinnosuke would never betray Konoha!"
Naruto could not help laughing at his hysterical