"...This is currently the Seventh Shinobi War. Of the seven wars so far, apart from those between the other Shinobi Villages, Konoha has basically won every battle involving members of the Reshape Organization. That's important..."
Naruto was still explaining when Hiruzen suddenly drew a deep breath and asked, "...So this is just a drill."
Caught off guard by the interruption, Naruto blinked. "Huh? What drill...?"
"Now I finally understand."
As though everything had clicked into place, Hiruzen let out a long sigh, his voice growing weary with age. "You wanted a war. That gave me quite a fright at first, but after thinking it over, I understand.
"This Shinobi War is a simulation of war, isn't it?"
"Something like that, but..."
Hiruzen waved a hand, cutting off Naruto's explanation with an air of having seen through everything. "I didn't understand at first. After all, you really startled me when you said you wanted a war.
"But I've been through enough to finally grasp the logic behind it. I understand how hard this has been for you."
Hiruzen clasped his hands behind his back and looked up at the sky, as though searching for the cracks that had just shattered. "We never imagined that the God of Ōtsutsuki was actually so close to us. I haven't dared forget Himawari's warning for even a moment. The God of Ōtsutsuki is our true enemy."
"No one in the Shinobi World has said it aloud, but in their hearts, everyone has entrusted the burden of that inevitable battle to you and the Nine-Tails."
"And it isn't just you. We're all preparing to face that inevitable war!"
"When you appeared before Lord Hashirama and Madara and defeated Ōtsutsuki Isshiki before the eyes of the entire Shinobi World, you became the pillar holding up its sky.