Konoha did not know that Iwagakure had also begun to invade the Land of Fire.
At this time, Konoha was still worried about Kumogakure.
Konoha's Hokage was severely wounded and away, and the expeditionary forces suffered heavy casualties, with only a few scattered Ninja escaping.
Fortunately, Hiruzen Sarutobi had sobered up. He was filled with regret, not only because of Konoha's defeat, but also because of the sacrifice of the Sarutobi Clan.
That was the advantage he, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had painstakingly gained for the Sarutobi Clan over countless days and nights, only to have it destroyed in a single day.
At that time, many Sarutobi Clan Ninja rushed forward, one after another, to block the Raikage, simply to buy him a moment more time to escape.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart was bleeding then. If his bones hadn't been shattered, he would have definitely used the Dead Demon Consuming Seal to trade his life for the Raikage's.
Upon waking, Hiruzen Sarutobi first inquired about Tsunade's condition. After Tsunade stated that she still suffered from hemophobia and could at most serve as logistical support.
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought of Yuuki. Knowing Tsunade's strength, he knew that even without hemophobia, Tsunade would not be able to stop Kumogakure!
That was the Fourth Raikage combined with two Jinchuriki!
Hiruzen Sarutobi had no other thoughts at this moment, as Konoha was in crisis. He recalled the powerful aura Yuuki inadvertently revealed in his everyday life.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had to admit that, in the current situation, only Yuuki could save the situation.
Uchiha Ninja were so troublesome as enemies and opponents, but as comrades, they were truly reassuring!
Hiruzen Sarutobi now put aside his petty thoughts and no longer cared about how incompetent he, the Hokage, would appear in comparison, or how much prestige and support Yuuki would gain after defeating Kumogakure.
If Kumogakure could not be defeated quickly, as time passed, Iwagakure and Sunagakure would certainly not miss such a good opportunity, and Konoha would then be in grave danger.
Having already lost his disciples, lost his wife, and with his only son leaving him due to differing ideals.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, this sixty-year-old man, was left with only the position of Hokage, and only Konoha, which he had spent his entire life protecting!
Konoha must not be destroyed, no matter the cost!!!
Having made up his mind, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not hesitate. He immediately contacted Utatane Koharu and told her.
Go to the west, um, the western Military Police Force and invite Chief Yuuki!
When Anbu arrived at his office, Yuuki, knowing his Hokage's personality, knew that Hiruzen Sarutobi had once again softened for Konoha.
Just like countless times before!
Yuuki did not refuse. After all, he had long considered Konoha his own and would not hold back.
However, even if he acted, he still needed to secure the benefits he was entitled to.
Yuuki took the documents signed by the Second Hokage and the Third Hokage to the Hokage Building.
Whether one called it taking advantage of the situation or exploiting a crisis, Yuuki finally reclaimed the power that rightfully belonged to the Military Police Force.
Yuuki did not make exorbitant demands, only setting one condition. Recalling the scene at the time, Yuuki felt incredibly pleased.
Inside the Hokage Office.
Upon Yuuki's arrival, Utatane Koharu wasted no words and directly conveyed Hiruzen Sarutobi's message.
"Chief Yuuki, Konoha needs you now. Is the Uchiha Clan willing to fight for Konoha?"
"Of course, the Uchiha Clan is always ready. As inheritors of the will of fire, we are always prepared to sacrifice our lives to protect Konoha!"
Yuuki replied with impassioned words.
"In that case, Chief Yuuki, Konoha will urgently dispatch a unit, with you as its commander. Depart tonight!"
Yuuki nodded upon hearing this and said, "Alright, but I have one condition?"
Utatane Koharu, having Hiruzen Sarutobi's instructions, was naturally very cooperative.
"Please state it!"
Yuuki's face was beaming with a bright smile as he slowly said.
"No matter how many troops Konoha prepares, I will be the commander, but this war against Kumogakure needs to be conducted in the name of the Military Police Force!"
Clearly, Yuuki wanted to reclaim the power of the Military Police Force to participate in and initiate wars from the Village back into the hands of the Military Police Force.
As for Yuuki becoming Hokage, he would also face the problem of the Military Police Force having too much power.
Yuuki planned to fully develop the Military Police Force into Konoha's Military Commission. When he became Hokage, he would simply concurrently serve as the Head of the Military Police Force, as there was a standard answer to copy.
Utatane Koharu was clearly stunned by Yuuki's statement. She had never imagined that Yuuki's condition would be so peculiar!
Evidently at a loss for how to handle the situation, Utatane Koharu hesitated for a long time before finally managing to stammer out.
"This… this… isn't… according to the rules."
Yuuki smiled and handed over the prepared document. To prevent Utatane Koharu from misunderstanding, Yuuki thoughtfully highlighted the key points.
"No, Advisor Koharu, this is very much according to the rules!"
Utatane Koharu first picked up the thick document drafted by Senju Tobirama. Seeing the highlighted key points, she understood what 'according to the rules' meant.
Then she picked up the statement signed by Hiruzen Sarutobi and finally understood what 'very much according to the rules' meant.
Utatane Koharu couldn't understand why Hiruzen would sign such a thing, and the date was not long ago.
Speechless, Utatane Koharu naturally did not agree, stating that she was only an Advisor and everything still had to be decided by the Hokage.
Yuuki smiled, indicating his understanding, then suggested that Advisor Koharu could consult the Hokage, and then patiently waited.
After Hiruzen Sarutobi received the ball kicked back by Utatane Koharu, his head completely swelled.
He knew that once he agreed, at least as long as Uchiha Tomoki was alive, the Hokage would no longer be the sole authority in Konoha.
Even if Jiraiya had a change of heart and agreed to become the Fifth Hokage, he would probably be helpless against the Military Police Force.
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought of how Konoha, which he had protected his entire life, would become impure in his hands, and how the Uchiha Clan would be completely bound to Konoha. Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to refuse.
But images of the Land of Fire's refugees, the brutally killed Konoha Ninja, and his clansmen sacrificing themselves, flashed through Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind.
He recalled Kumogakure's locust-like scavenging, finally focusing on a figure shimmering with blue lightning.
Compared to being plundered by Kumogakure, Hiruzen Sarutobi ultimately chose to let power fall into other hands.
Hiruzen Sarutobi saw very clearly that Uchiha Tomoki did not possess the will of fire; his eyes concealed a complete coldness, like a god looking down on all living beings.
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi discovered Yuuki's weakness: at the very least, he valued his reputation greatly and would not act against Konoha before his true nature was fully exposed.
So, Hiruzen Sarutobi ultimately chose to compromise.
If Yuuki knew Hiruzen Sarutobi's inner thoughts, he would definitely exclaim, "It seems there are capable people in the Ninja World!"
Don't be fooled by Yuuki's usual smiles; he isn't truly happy. His smile is just a protective camouflage he wears.
That's right, although Yuuki had lived here for over a decade, he always maintained a God's-eye view. All the grudges and affections in the Ninja World were merely things drawn by the old scoundrel Kishimoto in his eyes.
Whether it was Uchiha Madara, the Six Paths Sage, or Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, no matter how powerful they were, Yuuki only found them pathetic.
They didn't even know they were just characters on a page.
Hiruzen Sarutobi saw the deep-seated coldness in Yuuki's eyes, which is why he was absolutely unwilling to hand over the position of Hokage to Yuuki.
But that was before Hiruzen Sarutobi saw Yuuki's gaze when he looked at Hikaru, at Takuma and Mina, at Natsuri, and at Shisui.
Now, the Uchiha Clan, united around Yuuki, who saw Yuuki as their hope, their faith, those Ninja, Yuuki would also respond to them, treating them as flesh-and-blood people.
Before conquering Konoha, including Kakashi and Might Guy, in Yuuki's eyes, they were merely targets to be conquered.
Those who are not related to me, those who are not sincere with me, why should I treat them as people? They are just NPCs in Ninja World OL!!!
This was the deadlock between Yuuki and Hiruzen Sarutobi!
Unless Yuuki became Hokage, and before Konoha showed genuine sincerity to Yuuki, there would always be indifference hidden in Yuuki's eyes!
And as long as the indifference in Yuuki's eyes did not disappear, Hiruzen Sarutobi would never hand over the position of Hokage to Yuuki!
Yuuki did not wait long before he got what he wanted, leaving the Hokage Building with a beaming smile.
He was to depart that night, but Yuuki was not in a hurry. He simply had Mitsuba inform some clan members to prepare.
Yuuki went home for dinner. That's right, in Yuuki's heart, eating with his family was the important thing; everything else was just a game.
It was still a simple yet warm dinner scene. After Yuuki announced that he would be departing again that night.
Mina kept putting food into Yuuki's bowl, while Takuma didn't react much, but his habit of only eating rice without picking up other dishes still gave him away.
Natsuri, on the other hand, had her worries completely displayed on her face, and her eyes were a little red.
Looking at Natsuri, who was not much different from an ordinary child, Yuuki couldn't help but recall the scene he had witnessed that day.
After his initial shock, Yuuki had a faint expectation, hoping for someone like himself, but Natsuri's performance left him a little disappointed.
It seemed he had thought too much. Natsuri might be special, but she could never be as outrageous as himself.
Ah, it really is a single-player game!
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