Chapter 74

Chapter 74

Chapter 74: Sun Slash! Why Don’t You Dare Argue?

Inside the Hokage’s office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen’s gaze was somber, but when Uzumaki Mito referenced the First Hokage’s trust in the Uchiha, he simply smiled and nodded, saying,

"Of course, Lady Mito’s words are reasonable."

This smooth and evasive response left Uzumaki Mito weary, her expression filled with fatigue. Looking at the familiar figure before her, her gaze turned unfocused.

The young “Little Monkey” of the past had now been the Hokage for twenty years and was no longer the familiar person she once knew. Not everyone, after all, could match the strength and magnanimity of the First Hokage. His passive response only left her, and the Senju, feeling as though they were being roasted on an open flame.

Forcing a gentle smile, Uzumaki Mito nodded and said,

“With you watching over Konoha, I feel reassured. The battlefield at the front lines is intense, and the weight of being Hokage is heavy.”

Standing by was the head of the Uchiha clan, who, with a flush of excitement, shouted,

"Rest assured, Lady Mito! The elite of the Uchiha clan are ready at any moment to accompany Commander Tsunade into battle!"

This broke the tense atmosphere and drew laughter from Tsunade, who quickly looked down, embarrassed. Uzumaki Mito gave her a fond, if mockingly chiding, look. The Uchiha were clearly signaling to others that they were allies with the Senju, and they would follow the *commander* as equals, not subordinates.

"Oh, you’re so grown up now," Uzumaki Mito muttered in mock reproach, though she was actually proud of her granddaughter.

Turning to Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others, Uzumaki Mito said with a smile,

"These old bones of mine are getting weaker by the day, and even my Yin Seal is fading. The Nine-Tails' chakra is simply too powerful."

Her gaze drifted to Danzo, and with a sigh, she continued,

"Little Monkey, you know the darkness in the hearts of those from Root. I can hold on for a few more years, but that choice is too risky. With the world’s current state, as Hokage, the burden on your shoulders is immense, with so many casualties—especially Nawaki’s…"

Her words trailed off, leaving the room in stunned silence. With a weary sigh, she shook her head,

"I’m too old now, and Kushina has proven her love for the village through her recent tests. I’ll use what strength I have left to seal part of the Nine-Tails' power."

"In case anything happens, Hiruzen, I trust that you can handle the remaining power of the Nine-Tails."

As she spoke, she looked steadily at Hiruzen, the current leader of Konoha. Hiruzen clenched his fist, then slowly relaxed, nodding stiffly,

"Lady Mito, your thoughts are thorough. After all, those from Root do carry too much darkness, but I trust the Will of Fire will drive away that darkness."

Uzumaki Mito nodded,

"Yes, I too trust in the Will of Fire passed down from Hashirama, Third Hokage!"

This final remark left Hiruzen at a loss for words, unable to deny the inheritance of the Will of Fire from the First Hokage. By calling him “Third Hokage” rather than “Little Monkey,” she made it clear that she intended to protect the Senju clan’s remaining strength.

“Grandma.”

“Let’s go. I’m old; the chair’s too hard for me to sit in for long.”

With Tsunade and the Uchiha clan leader supporting her, Uzumaki Mito gave Hiruzen and the others a polite farewell before leaving the office. As she left, a loud bang of a fist hitting a desk sounded.

“Hiruzen! You’re the Third Hokage! The Nine-Tails should be Konoha’s ultimate weapon! Why didn’t you argue with Lady Mito face to face?”

As soon as she was gone, Danzo erupted, slamming the desk and glaring at Hiruzen with a look of frustration. Hiruzen, already fuming, snapped,

“Danzo! Look at what you’ve done! Look at how your Root has turned people! If not for that, we wouldn’t be so passive.”

“And what about Nawaki’s death? If it truly was an accident, make Lady Mito believe it! Stop letting the Senju use it against us!”

Hiruzen’s sharp rebuke left Danzo speechless, and Homura could only shake his head with a sigh, attempting to mediate.

“Danzo, say less. Hiruzen has already done his best.”

Both Homura and Koharu sided with Hiruzen, frustrated at the lack of an adequate jinchūriki.

Looking at his old friends bicker, Hiruzen rubbed his forehead and sighed.

“Nawaki’s fate is unclear, and the Senju are too weak. Lady Mito’s wish to preserve the jinchūriki makes sense.”

With a new resolve, Hiruzen gazed out the window, watching the figures disappear into

the village streets, his eyes filled with determination.

---