The young Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't hesitate to step onto the battlefield when Konoha was in critical danger, daring to take the initiative to cover the retreat. At sixty-nine years old, Hiruzen Sarutobi also wasn't afraid of death during the Konoha Crush. Not to mention him now, with his spirit still intact.
It can be said that Hiruzen Sarutobi's skills as Hokage were lacking, he had too much personal bias, he was indecisive, and he was weak externally but strong internally. In his later years, he even single-handedly led Konoha into its most衰败 period in history.
But this doesn't negate the fact that his strength was outstanding among ordinary ninjas, nor does it negate that he genuinely loved Konoha. When he believed it was worth it, he was truly willing to risk his life for Konoha, especially in matters that genuinely threatened Konoha's survival.
Orochimaru and Jiraiya both couldn't defeat Shimizu, so at this time, he, the strongest Hokage in Konoha at the current stage, had to step up!
"If you go to the western battlefield, what if the Third Kazekage and Hanzo launch a joint attack from the northwest?"
Koharu Utatane still shook her head.
She and Danzo alone couldn't possibly stop these two powerhouses.
The Third Hokage didn't answer immediately but glanced at the Anbu ninja codenamed "Kinoe."
"Kinoe, you may leave."
"Yes, Third Hokage!"
Realizing that the following words were not for him to hear, Kinoe quickly withdrew from the Hokage's office.
"Hiruzen, are you thinking...?"
Koharu Utatane suddenly realized something.
"We haven't been fair enough to Torifu all these years."
The Third Hokage sighed.
Akimichi Torifu was also a disciple of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, and his strength was considerable, even above Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
However, among the Second Hokage's disciples, besides Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had already become Hokage, and Kagami Uchiha, who had already died, only Akimichi Torifu hadn't become a high-level advisor in Konoha.
This was certainly because this chubby member of the Akimichi clan was pure in nature and not too interested in power, but it was also due to the secret exclusion of the other elders and advisors.
Konoha was only so big, and the power that the Third Hokage could allocate to them to secure his position was limited. No one wanted another person to share the cake.
"It's because he himself didn't want to compete. It's not like we didn't let him take that position."
Danzo snorted.
He couldn't wait for one less person to sit in a high-level position and compete with him for power. Wouldn't that reduce his chances of becoming Hokage?
"But the share that should have been his ultimately didn't reach his hands."
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head.
"After we go out, we'll first go to the Akimichi clan's compound and say a few soft words to Torifu. For the sake of the village and the clan, he will agree to come out of retirement. Adding Choza, Shikaku, and Inoichi, once a war breaks out in the northwest direction, Danzo will lead them to resist. Koharu, you must also go."
Danzo, plus Akimichi Torifu, Koharu Utatane, and the older generation of Ino-Shika-Cho.
Six old men and women over fifty, but not completely退化 from their peak.
Even if this lineup would have difficulty defeating Hanzo and the Third Kazekage, they should at least be able to stabilize the situation and hold the defense.
"What about the Kirigakure side?"
Koharu Utatane asked again.
"Let Minato go. The young people have reached the time when they can shoulder great responsibilities."
"Isn't it too young? Although he is Jiraiya's disciple, but..."
Koharu Utatane hesitated.
The Third Hokage silently placed his pipe back on the table.
"The candidate to sit in the village... there is one. As for replenishing troops... it is the early stages of the war, and it is really not suitable to mobilize the Ninja Academy. Mobilizing them would affect the confidence of our allies. For the current plan, we can only mobilize the Uchiha."
"Hiruzen..."
Danzo took a step forward, wanting to say something.
"Danzo, there's no need to say anything. You just said that the Uchiha are also part of Konoha. Now that the village is facing a crisis, it is precisely the time to mobilize the Uchiha."
The Third Hokage shook his head at Danzo.
The strength of the Uchiha was very strong. Even though they had been restrained by the Konoha Military Police Force for many years, the number of jonin and elites was still the highest among all ninja clans in Konoha, and even in the entire ninja world.
These beasts who go crazy on the battlefield were often more useful than several people.
Moreover, as the number one clan that shook the ninja world, the entire ninja world knew the reputation of the Uchiha.
Even if their reputation within the village wasn't good, no one would deny the strength of the Uchiha.
If a large number of Uchiha were mobilized, it would boost the morale of both the ninjas within the village and the allies outside the village.
...
...
On this day, the various high-level officials of Konoha were particularly busy.
First, they collectively visited their old classmate Akimichi Torifu and invited him out of retirement. Then, they split into three groups. Koharu Utatane went to mobilize troops and logistics, and Danzo "greeted" the major ninja clans one by one, requesting a large number of elite ninja teams.
The Third Hokage took two sealed scrolls and came to a mansion located in the center of Konoha.
Here was a seal personally engraved by Mito Uzumaki.
Here, the Nine-Tails jinchuriki's suppression of the Nine-Tails chakra was the strongest.
"Minato, you're really here."
Looking at the young man and woman who opened the door together to greet him, the Third Hokage couldn't help but feel a little relieved.
"Ah, now that the war has begun, I estimate that I may not have so much time later, so I wanted to spend more time with Kushina."
Minato Namikaze smiled gently, holding the fair hand of the red-haired girl beside him.
Kushina gripped Minato's fingers tightly.
She knew that the Third Hokage had come, and her boyfriend was probably going to the battlefield.
"Third Hokage, is there anything you need from me?"
"It's not just to find you."
The Third Hokage glanced at Kushina, walked into the mansion, took off the scroll he was carrying, and handed it to Minato.
"Third Hokage, this is..."
“The Thunder God Sword left by Teacher Tobirama, as well as the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags technique and his calligraphy notes on swordsmanship.”
Minato Namikaze was taken aback.
“Jiraiya and Orochimaru have already been defeated.”
Minato Namikaze was stunned again.
“I thought it was a rumor spread by spies…”
The Third Hokage sighed softly and said:
“It was spread by spies, but it's not a rumor, because the village hasn't officially announced it yet. Only after tonight, when the village has made all the preparations and can minimize the panic as much as possible, will it be announced.”
“Was Teacher Jiraiya injured?”
“Yes, quite seriously, but not life-threatening.”
The Third Hokage replied.
（No errors, first published at 一首发一内一看！）
At this moment, Minato Namikaze's face was filled with concern for Jiraiya.
The Third Hokage stroked his beard, which had not yet turned white, and pointed to the scroll handed to Minato Namikaze.
“This is precisely why I am entrusting you with the relics left by the Second Hokage. You have mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique and already possess the ability to face the top powerhouses in the ninja world, but there is still a flaw that you need to address.”
“Attack, a powerful attack that can be launched quickly in conjunction with the Flying Thunder God.”
Minato Namikaze quickly followed up.
“Yes, indeed, your Wind Release is already excellent, but after all, it still requires hand seals. As for ninjutsu that can be cast instantly without seals and possesses high power, the village doesn't have any. Although I believe you have the talent to develop such a ninjutsu, the village is currently in a time of crisis, and there isn't that much time.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke as he was led by Minato Namikaze into the house and sat down on a chair in the living room.
“Leaf-Style Swordsmanship, I haven't delved into it much before, Third Hokage, I'm worried…”
“But at least it's faster than developing a ninjutsu from scratch, isn't it? Although the ninjutsu you develop yourself might be more suitable for you, as a user of the Flying Thunder God Technique like the Second Hokage, the compatibility between his swordsmanship and you will definitely not be low. With the Thunder God Sword, you can improve your strength to the greatest extent as quickly as possible.
In addition, I will assign Kakashi to you as a subordinate.”
“Kakashi… is he the orphaned child of Senior Sakumo?”
“That's right, the village's most recent swordsmanship master was Sakumo. Kakashi has the essence of the Hata-Style Swordsmanship left by Sakumo, which will be very useful to you. I will also arrange for Kosuke to be your other subordinate. He also received guidance from the Second Hokage and is one of the few experts in the village who has mastered the essence of Leaf-Style Swordsmanship. He can give you the most guidance in swordsmanship.”
Minato Namikaze lowered his head.
“I'm sorry, Third Hokage, it's my dream to give everything to fight for the village, but Kakashi… aren't we being a little… unscrupulous by doing this?”
“Minato, this matter is up to you to decide.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Minato Namikaze and said.
“However, Kakashi's current situation isn't good. Because of Sakumo's incident, he has become somewhat too extreme. In every mission, he has had considerable conflicts with his teammates. I hope you can guide him.”
“I understand, Third Hokage!”
Minato Namikaze nodded to the Third Hokage.
The latter nodded slightly.
Since Minato Namikaze has a strong sense of principle and respect for his comrades in the village, that's fine.
He believes that his personal charm can influence Kakashi.
After all, the latter is only an eight or nine-year-old child, and his mind is still very simple. When the time comes, he can coax him with a few words, set up a scheme, and use some tricks, and he should be able to make this child willingly offer the essence of Sakumo's swordsmanship and be grateful to him.
After discussing Minato Namikaze's matter, the Third Hokage turned his gaze to Kushina.
“Third Hokage, why are you looking at me?”
Kushina felt a little flustered and quietly moved a small step closer to her blond boyfriend.
“Kushina, there is a piece of news that I must tell you.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi paused and said:
“The Fourth Mizukage of Kirigakure has become a Jinchuriki like you, but the difference is that he can perfectly control the power of the Tailed Beast and is extremely strong. The reason I'm giving Minato these things is to have Minato assist Elder En in resisting the Fourth Mizukage.
So, I want to know, to what extent have you mastered the power of the Nine-Tails?”
Minato Namikaze frowned slightly.
“Third Hokage, Kushina, she… is she also going to step onto the battlefield like the Jinchuriki of other villages?”
“If the village reaches a point where it must use the power of the Nine-Tails, then it is destined to happen. Otherwise, I'm afraid the village will suffer extremely heavy blows.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi said to Minato Namikaze.
“Third Hokage, I… I can't completely suppress the power of the Nine-Tails like Grandma Mito yet.”
Kushina lowered her head.
Just then, she felt her palm become a little warm.
Minato Namikaze tightly grasped Kushina's hand.
“Third Hokage, I swear, I will risk everything to reverse the situation of the war and prevent that kind of thing from happening.
This is for the village, and it's also for Kushina.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled slightly and patted Minato Namikaze on the shoulder and said:
“Minato, I believe you can do it, but as the Hokage, I must make all the preparations. This is also taking responsibility for the village and for Kushina.”
Kushina looked at Minato, then looked at the Third Hokage, and said:
“Third Hokage, if the seal is stable enough, I can remain conscious in the Five-Tails state. The Six-Tails state has a risk of losing control, and my consciousness will be greatly interfered with by the Nine-Tails. If it's the Seven-Tails, then it's a state close to berserk.
(The picture is from Minato's biography, Kushina goes berserk in the Seven-Tails state after leaving the barrier)
But the key is that the Nine-Tails' power is too strong. Even the Four Symbols Seal cannot completely suppress it. Once I leave the sealing barrier left by Grandma Mito, the Nine-Tails' chakra will run wild.”
“In other words, the key is that the power of the seal is not strong enough? Is it possible to apply a stronger seal?”
The Third Hokage asked.
“The Uzumaki clan does have a stronger sealing technique, but it's a very difficult forbidden technique that requires the caster's life as the price. It's generally used to perish together with enemies who are too powerful.”
“Then is there no other way?”
The Third Hokage asked again.
“Yes, but it's not perfect. If we want to change the seal, the Tailed Beast is likely to suddenly run wild during the intermediate hollow period, so Grandma Mito left a solution.”
Kushina hurriedly found a yellowed book from the corner of the room.
