Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 436 The Consultants' Eloquent Talk

Hashirama Senju's signature booming voice, brimming with barely suppressed excitement, burst in.

"Has fighting broken out on the front lines? Is it? Is it?"

Hashirama strode in, his immense life force, almost tangible, making the air in the entire office feel vibrant.

Following closely behind was Tobirama Senju, still dressed in a meticulous blue research coat, his short, silver-white hair perfectly styled.

As soon as he entered, he habitually glanced around the office layout before turning his displeased gaze to his elder brother.

"Big brother, shut up!"

"How many times have I told you to knock before entering? And this is the Hokage's office!"

He spoke, his words concise and precise.

Upon hearing this, Hashirama instantly deflated like a punctured balloon. His previously high spirits plummeted, and he walked dejectedly to the sofa, where he slumped into it and began pacing in circles in the corner.

"Tobirama, you're always like this... Everyone else can contribute to the village, but you always leave me out..."

The last one to enter was Uchiha Madara.

He changed into a dark purple casual outfit, his waist-length hair was simply tied back, his arms were crossed over his chest, and his steps were steady.

He didn't speak, but simply glanced around the room with his deep Rinnegan before finally sitting down on the sofa in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was already used to this.

He put down the bamboo skewer in his hand and sighed helplessly.

The delightful afternoon tea time has come to an end.

"Lord Hashirama, you've made a mistake."

Hiruzen Sarutobi patiently explained, "It's not that Kumogakure is restless; it's that they're almost wiped out and have written to us asking for help."

Hashirama paused for a moment, then slapped his thigh and laughed even louder.

"Hahaha! That's great! This shows that our peace ideals have taken root in people's hearts! Hiruzen, well done! So, do you need my help? I've been spending so much time on the farm lately, I feel like my bones are rusting!"

As he spoke, he clenched his fist, making a cracking sound.

"sit down."

Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could speak, Tobirama had already grabbed his eager older brother and forcibly pressed him down onto another sofa.

A member of the secret service responsible for guarding the area appeared silently, carrying a tray with three cups of freshly brewed hot tea.

This member of the Dark Guard was an elite promoted from the Root, with a mental fortitude far exceeding that of ordinary people. Yet, at this moment, his hand holding the tray was trembling almost imperceptibly.

omg...

These three figures, who only exist in textbooks and legends, the creator and destroyer of the ninja world, are now gathered in the Third Hokage's office like a few old neighbors visiting each other.

He felt as if he wasn't serving tea, but rather passing on the sparks to three active volcanoes that could erupt at any moment.

Every step we take feels like walking on the edge of history.

He carefully placed the teacups on the tea table in front of the three people, then bowed and prepared to leave.

"Do not be nervous."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke gently.

"...Yes, Lord Hokage!"

The members of the secret service were flattered and respectfully retreated to the corner of the wall, standing ramrod straight and even breathing more softly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke up at the opportune moment, smiling as he shared the briefing from the front lines with them.

"Watergate has already led the new generation of children to the front lines, and this is their first report."

Upon hearing this, Hashirama, who was still drawing circles, immediately put those difficult theories to the back of his mind, leaned over, and his face was full of anticipation.

When he heard that Minato had intervened in the name of the Konoha Peacekeeping Force and reached a peace agreement with the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki of Kumogakure, he slammed his hand on the sofa armrest again.

"Good! This is the true Will of Fire! Power is not for conquest, but for protecting peace and creating order!!"

"That golden-haired kid named Minato did a great job!"

"I knew it! As long as you're sincere, we can all become friends!"

"Brother, you're jumping to conclusions too soon."

Tobirama picked up his teacup, gently skimming off the foam with the lid, and calmly analyzed, "This isn't a matter of sincerity, it's a matter of strength. The reason Kumogakure is willing to cooperate is because their backbone has been broken in Uzushiogakure, and we have demonstrated strength sufficient to crush the three-village coalition. This isn't about making friends; it's a coercive 'persuasion' based on an imbalance of power."

He looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and showed a hint of approval.

Tobirama Senju picked up the report and began to read it carefully.

"From receiving the order to arriving at the front lines, it took forty-seven hours and thirty-seven minutes. In a completely unfamiliar environment, the camp's defenses and three layers of sensory barriers were completed within six hours. Within twelve hours, firsthand battlefield information was obtained, and formal diplomatic channels were established with the target force, Kumogakure..."

Tobirama analyzed each point meticulously, his words carrying the critical edge of scrutinizing a product's performance.

"...Hmm, the efficiency is acceptable. Minato Namikaze has deepened his understanding of the Flying Thunder God Technique and is now able to apply the technique's coordinates to the strategic level."

He put down the report and looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"And this talk of a peacekeeping force is quite interesting. Under the guise of maintaining order, it exercises the power to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. Compared to my establishment of the secret service back then, which operated only in the shadows, your move is far more domineering and sophisticated."

To receive such high praise from this master of forbidden techniques and a fanatic of systems, it's clear that Minato's performance this time was truly impeccable. Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and nodded.

Madara Uchiha, who had been silent all along, let out a soft, ambiguous hum.

He slowly opened his eyes, and the patterns on the ceiling were reflected in those calm, still eyes.

"The opponents are Iwagakure and Sunagakure..."

He seemed to be talking to himself, or perhaps asking a question.

"Yes, Mr. Ban."

Hiruzen Sarutobi responded, "The commander of Iwagakure is the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, and the commander of Sunagakure is the Third Kazekage, Retsumon."

Upon hearing those two names, a clear emotional fluctuation appeared on Ban's face for the first time.

It was an expression that mixed contempt, disdain, and even a hint of boredom.

"Ohnoki?"

He repeated the name, as if recalling something.

"Hmph, I vaguely remember him. Wasn't he that brat who used to follow Wu around like a shadow, barely even proficient in Dust Release, wobbling precariously in the air?"

His words carried a timeless, condescending scrutiny.

"Decades have passed, can't Iwagakure find a more interesting Tsuchikage?"

"puff--"

In the corner, the shadowy figures, who were trying to minimize their presence, almost burst out laughing when they heard this comment.

He quickly covered his mouth tightly, his face turning bright red.

The Second Tsuchikage, Mu, was a legendary figure.

Madara Uchiha actually used terms like "follower" and "brat" to describe the current Tsuchikage, Onoki.

What's worse, they also made a precise critique of her height.

If Onoki himself heard this, he would probably be so angry that he would use Dust Release to flatten this place on the spot!

Hashirama, listening from the side, scratched his head awkwardly and chuckled, "...Madara, although Onoki is a bit short, his will is as firm as a rock..."

"And that Kazekage..."

Madara seemed to be trying hard to remember, "What was his name again... Retsumon?"

The disdain in his voice grew even stronger.

"Oh."

"Sunagakure and Iwagakure are really going backwards as they get older."

Hashirama listened to his old friend's sharp tongue, but instead of being moved, he happily moved closer.

"Well, Madara, don't say that..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi refocused his attention on the three "advisors" in front of him.

Hashirama was still trying to persuade Madara with love and peace.

After making that sweeping statement, Ban fell silent again, picked up his teacup, and sipped it slowly, as if he hadn't said those words.

Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped over his stomach, listening quietly.

He suddenly felt that this scene might be the most incredible miracle he had created since he traveled through time.

God of the Ninja World, Master of Forbidden Techniques, Pinnacle of the Uchiha Clan.

These three individuals, who stirred up countless bloody battles in the original history, are now sitting in their offices, drinking tea and making various "sharp comments" because of a local war that they consider "insignificant."

This feeling was absurd, yet incredibly reassuring.