"Konoha is merging with Xuanyin! We won't have to give the Uchiha seventy percent of our mission pay anymore!"
"Wonderful! We'll be able to enjoy the good life they have in the Land of Hot Water too."
"Once Konoha merges, will our children be able to attend school in Xuanyin too? I heard anyone who gets in has a fifty percent chance of becoming a shinobi."
"Woohoo! Things are looking up for Konoha! We even get to merge with Xuanyin!"
Contrary to Hiruzen's expectations, despite his fierce opposition, the heads of several minor and medium shinobi clans still gathered together and whispered among themselves.
The hand Shikaku had extended to invite Xuandou to leave instantly became a handshake as he praised Naruto's cleverness and strength.
Even the usually aloof Hyuga Hiashi could not help beaming with delight.
The heads of the Aburame Clan and the Inuzuka Clan made no attempt to hide it at all, striking up conversations with Orochimaru, whom Xuandou had brought along, and professing their loyalty at every turn.
The place was full of traitors.
Only Asuma remained behind him.
This scene.
He would never have dared imagine it when he was still the Third Hokage.
Back then, he had Homura, Koharu, and Danzo behind him, and everyone in Konoha had rallied tightly behind the four of them.
At that thought, Hiruzen could not help speaking out in anger:
"The Uchiha are shinobi driven by their emotions. Aren't you afraid they'll suddenly go mad one day?"
"And slaughter the entire Shinobi World?"
"How could the innately evil Uchiha possibly empathize with other shinobi?"
The lively scene fell silent for a few seconds, then grew noisy again.
Most people ignored Hiruzen's voice and gathered around Xuandou and Naruto. For a moment, the scene was almost eerily harmonious.