The sound gradually disappeared.
The entire conference room also fell into an eerie silence, and everyone showed expressions of astonishment.
Hiruzen Sarutobi!
The ninjas in attendance were, if not intimately familiar with this person, at least somewhat acquainted with him. At most, he was a bit stronger than a Special Jonin, but he hadn't reached the level of a Jonin.
Awakening the Magnet Release was indeed surprising, but the subsequent results were what truly shocked them.
Sixty-plus people!
To be precise, sixty-four people!
Including thirteen Jonin, and even Nazi, the Cloud Village elite Jonin who had a certain reputation in the ninja world.
In the silence.
Gulp—
Someone couldn't help but swallow, breaking the quiet.
"Impossible!" Koharu Utatane was the first to shout, "I know Hiruzen. He is indeed a hardworking and diligent child, but he can't possibly possess such strength."
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at her and said slowly, "This is a war urgent report sent by Jiraiya."
The implication was that there was no possibility of fabrication, and Jiraiya was not someone who would make groundless statements.
Koharu Utatane's words choked in her throat.
Immediately, the people in the conference room who had reacted took a breath of cold air.
Shock!
Unbelievable!
Unimaginable!
"...Hiruzen Sarutobi, is he Lord Hokage's nephew?"
Someone suddenly said, looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was equally shocked.
Everyone present should know him better than Hiruzen Sarutobi and have more say.
Moreover, Magnet Release!
A ninja of the Sarutobi clan awakened Magnet Release!
What this represented was self-evident.
"That's right, but I'm usually busy with official duties. Not to mention my nephew, even that brat Asuma, I neglect to care for. I'm ashamed to be an elder."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes flickered, and he used a sentence to dismiss everyone's possible doubts and inquiries about him.
But his heart was far from as calm as it appeared on the surface.
Unexpected!
Utterly unexpected!
In his mind, the ordinary and unremarkable appearance of Hiruzen Sarutobi flashed.
Was he really not paying attention to Hiruzen Sarutobi?
Not entirely.
He just didn't show too much care on the surface. After all, as Hokage, he had to be fair in his actions to avoid being gossiped about behind his back. Even his eldest son's current achievements were all earned by his own strength.
But he had actually been secretly paying attention to Hiruzen Sarutobi, Asuma Sarutobi, and others, just not revealing it.
Indeed, as others said, Hiruzen Sarutobi's impression of Hiruzen Sarutobi was also based on the words hardworking and diligent.
He never expected that he would not only awaken the Magnet Release but also unleash such terrifying combat power.
Minato Namikaze's feat of facing the Third Raikage's son and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki alone would surely make him famous in the ninja world.
But Hiruzen Sarutobi's feat of fighting hundreds of Cloud ninjas alone and killing most of them would also make him famous in the ninja world.
How old is Minato Namikaze now?
Around twenty-one years old.
How old is Hiruzen Sarutobi?
Around nineteen years old.
The two were not much different in age, but they had already gained a considerable reputation in the ninja world.
Such ninjas already had the qualifications to become a new face of Konoha.
"Hiruzen, I think we should call Hiruzen back to ask about the cause and effect of the matter," Koharu Utatane said again.
But this time, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not object.
But before he could speak, someone said first, "Lord Hokage, that's not appropriate. Hiruzen has just made a meritorious contribution on the front line and deterred the Cloud ninjas. His departure will be detrimental to the war situation."
Indeed.
He alone had deterred the Cloud ninjas.
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, pondered slightly, "A round trip won't take long. He was also injured, so he can just come back to recuperate."
Immediately, he summoned an Anbu member and instructed, "Tell Jiraiya to have Hiruzen Sarutobi return to the village, and at the same time, he can also transport the wounded and the bodies of the fallen comrades back. Hiruzen Sarutobi is independent of the escort team and returns as soon as possible!"
"Yes!"
No one spoke anymore.
But in fact, they all understood in their hearts that Hiruzen Sarutobi was also curious about this Hiruzen Sarutobi who had suddenly burst out with strength.
But whether it was more curiosity or suspicion and scrutiny was unknown.
What was certain was that as long as Hiruzen Sarutobi returned and successfully walked out of the Hokage's office, it would mean that he would usher in Konoha's full support.
Konoha's twin stars seemed to be rising, and if all went well, they might be able to officially take over the position of the Sannin as the face of Konoha.
——————
PS: emmm.... I saw some book friends talking about identity grafting. In fact, the puppet using "Obsession of Flint" not only changes the face but also the whole body. I mentioned this when the puppet disciple used it for the first time. Maybe I didn't say it clearly. My problem. It can also be said that I am hindsight, um, it is my problem.
