"Akimichi Chouza, Akimichi Dodong..."
"Nara Shikaku, Nara Suzaku..."
"Yamanaka Inoichi, Yamanaka Santetsu..."
"Aburame Shibi, Aburame Mutsumi..."
"Inuzuka Tsume, Gekkou Samukaze, Sarutobi Koken, Kurama Kurokumo..."
Aomi sat at the head of the meeting room table, smiling as he read aloud the names of the new members joining the Root division.
After the last head meeting, the clan leaders provided Aomi with a lengthy list, allowing him to choose freely.
The Konoha Ninja Clan members Aomi mentioned were all carefully selected candidates.
Aside from the Hyuga Clan feigning ignorance, Sarutobi Hiruzen also sent several veteran Jonin, cheerfully congratulating the formation of the new Root division, showing no signs of dissatisfaction.
This move deeply resonated with the Ninja Clans.
The growing power of the new Root division raised concerns about Sarutobi Hiruzen's stance...
After all, the previous Root Leader was kept firmly in check by him, even though Shimura Danzo sought geniuses within the village, it was apparent to any observer that Sarutobi Hiruzen was well aware, and Root was merely an extension of the Hokage's will rather than uncontrollable expansion.
Yet, in recent high-level meetings,
Sarutobi Hiruzen showed strong resolve, facing pressures from all sides, ignoring the skepticism from conservative Jonin, and sternly reprimanding Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, forbidding any doubts about Tsunade's role as Hokage Assistant and Aomi as Root Leader.
He even adeptly wielded the "Will of Fire" as a tool, declaring that anyone defying his orders as Hokage was disrupting the leadership and would be treated as a traitor to the village!
Meanwhile, Sarutobi Hiruzen gave immense support to Root.
From financial, Ninjutsu resources to village protocol, he used his Hokage authority to remove obstacles, demonstrating decisiveness that left many awestruck.
The Konoha Ninja Clans and Jonin were stunned.
Since when did Sarutobi Hiruzen, the conservative Hokage, become so willing to relinquish power?
It seemed less like relinquishing power and more like finding an opportunity and excuse to transfer authority to Aomi and Root entirely, as if fearing his power as Hokage was too complete.
No, the Hokage's power isn't a hot potato, when did you start not wanting it, old man?
Weren't you previously an expert in balancing power?
With Shimura Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura, and your other students, you divided power clearly yet ambiguously, mastering the art of balance like a grandmaster. How did it suddenly reverse now...
But with Sarutobi Hiruzen's level of support now, what is there left to say?
For a moment, even Sarutobi Hiruzen's reputation was changing within Konoha; criticism of his indecisiveness and hesitation vanished, and everyone began to view the Third Hokage with fresh eyes.
Yet no one knew how happy Sarutobi Hiruzen was inside...
Sarutobi Hiruzen always felt immense psychological pressure regarding the Ninja World Wars.
As Konoha's Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen had ability, but not to an extraordinary degree, merely "average" among geniuses.
Among ordinary people, he was a rare genius, but compared to the previous Hokage, Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama, he wasn't in the same dimension.
In contrast, the Third Raikage of Hidden Cloud and Onoki of Hidden Rock were formidable opponents, either possessing an impregnable Lightning Release Armor or the physique to combat Tailed Beasts, or mastering the terrifying Kekkeitota, Dust Release capable of disintegrating anything.
Deep down, Sarutobi Hiruzen admitted his chances against the Third Raikage or Onoki were frighteningly low.
His best use of Five Elements Jutsu, even with Combined Ninjutsu techniques, struggled to break the Third Raikage's defenses, and on the contrary, the Third Raikage's power and speed made the Dead Demon Consuming Seal a risky choice.
Onoki was even more troublesome, as Dust Release made it impossible for Sarutobi Hiruzen to engage in a Jutsu clash, and his flight ability from Earth Release provided a frustrating range advantage.
Even the Third Kazekage of Hidden Sand had the Magnet Release Kekkeigenkai that augmented certain terrains.
Hanzo's past dominance was incomparable, regarded as an enhanced version of Hatake Sakumo with a poisonous fog for crowd control, countering any Ninja with a weak body.
About the Third Mizukage, although not much is voiced, Hidden Mist's Kekkeigenkai is plentiful...
Especially with Hidden Cloud possessing the elusive Six Paths Treasure Tools and mastering the Perfect Jinchuriki technique, adding to Hidden Rock's twenty-year build-up of overwhelming numbers, rumors say the Four-tails and Five-tails Jinchuriki began mastering Tailed Beast Powers.
In the dead of night, Sarutobi Hiruzen would repeatedly calculate the war capabilities of various villages, losing sleep until dawn.
During the first Ninja World War, Konoha was backed by Senju Tobirama and Uzumaki Mito, prompting other Hidden Villages to attack Konoha first and only fracturing once the push failed.
Now, he's Konoha's sole defender, raising whether Konoha could withstand the initial united assault from other Hidden Villages?
Clearly, they couldn't. Under such overwhelming pressure, Sarutobi Hiruzen failed to exhibit the flair of a Ninja Hero.
But now, Sarutobi Hiruzen's confidence returned...
Although lacking as the Third Hokage, his teacher was formidable!