Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke slowly, his words seemingly expressing genuine concern for Konoha.
Yet upon hearing them, Ning Feng clearly sensed that while Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared to want him to become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, he actually wanted to use the Nine-Tails' power to get rid of him.
After all, it was extremely difficult for a Jinchūriki to control a Tailed Beast's power. One careless mistake could cause it to turn against them.
The Nine-Tails, the most powerful of all the Tailed Beasts, was especially difficult to control.
Kushina Uzumaki served as a Jinchūriki because she possessed the Uzumaki Clan's sealing power, but Ning Feng had no Sealing Jutsu that powerful.
Moreover, even if Ning Feng successfully became the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, he would owe Hiruzen Sarutobi a favor.
For Hiruzen Sarutobi, it was simply a way to benefit either way!
Besides, after this Night of the Nine-Tails, Minato Namikaze would inevitably come to him and ask him to become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Then again, Minato Namikaze was Konoha's Fourth Hokage, the one who had the final say throughout the village. Since when was it Hiruzen Sarutobi's place to speak!?
Hiruzen was, in fact, also vying for his own authority within Konoha.
"I never imagined you were so kind, Elder Hiruzen, wanting me to become the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
"But shouldn't we ask Minato-sensei about this first? After all, he's Konoha's Hokage."
Ning Feng spoke slowly, clearly rejecting Hiruzen Sarutobi while once again emphasizing Minato's position and status.
Ning Feng did not dare get close to an old fox like Hiruzen. One day, he might end up being manipulated to death.
In the original story, Hiruzen Sarutobi had clearly known that the Uchiha Clan would be wiped out, yet he still allowed Danzo and the others to act.
That alone left Ning Feng