From today onward, I'm joining the Hawk Faction too!

As Hiruzen Sarutobi's words rang out, everyone in the valley turned their eyes toward him.

"It's Lord Hiruzen!"

"Hahaha, that's Lord Hiruzen's signature Ninjutsu! That move is an S-Rank secret art. It's been so long since we last saw it!" a middle-aged Konoha Ninja exclaimed, his expression nostalgic and his voice wistful.

"Thank goodness! Lord Hiruzen brought plenty of comrades too. Let's see what those Sand Ninja can do now." A young Konoha Genin breathed a sigh of relief.

In contrast to the Konoha Ninja's excitement, the Sand Ninja looked as though they were mourning their own parents. They all turned toward Chiyo, waiting for the elder's decision. Even outnumbered, once their leader gave the order, they would have to charge fearlessly to their deaths. Such was a shinobi's fate!

At the sound of his voice, Chiyo turned where she stood, looking toward Sunagakure's routed forces. She stared expressionlessly at Hiruzen Sarutobi and said coldly, "Hiruzen Sarutobi, you old monkey. Are you really going to stop me from taking revenge?"

"Heh... Chiyo, have you gone senile?"

"Is this your first day knowing me? You actually dare talk about snuffing out Konoha's young sprouts right in front of me?"

"And how does a mere puppeteer like you dare speak to me that way? Because of those puppets of Monzaemon's in your hands? In terms of strength, even if Shamon came himself, I could twist his head off!"

"As for status, there's no comparison. I'm Konoha's Hokage Advisor and commander-in-chief of its First Shinobi Army! A mere elder from impoverished Sunagakure dares act insolently before me?"

Having said his piece, Hiruzen Sarutobi swept an arrogant, disdainful gaze over the Sand Ninja.

He thought to himself, *Damn it, in this Shinobi World, only Kagami and Danzo get to give me attitude. Anyone else