Outside the Red Sun Array Barrier.
Akihara Kagura stood outside, watching the two people arguing inside.
"It's quite a fierce argument..."
Kakashi Hatake stood beside Akihara Kagura, feeling the battle and argument between Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo inside, and subconsciously remarked.
"Let them argue."
Akihara Kagura shook his head, indifferent to the intense arguing and fighting inside: "Both of them are old, how long can they keep arguing?"
"..."
Kakashi Hatake also didn't know what to say, more curious about another issue, he frowned and asked: "Kagura... don't you want to become Hokage?"
"Do you think I still have a chance to become Hokage?"
Akihara Kagura's lips curled into a self-deprecating smile as he continued: "The Third Hokage declared in front of everyone that I'm not suitable to become Hokage…"
To be honest.
Akihara Kagura didn't think there was much benefit in becoming Hokage.
If by chance, he became Hokage, not only would he lose a fixed position but also the rare supervisors like the First and Second Hokages who came back to life, what if they were all dismissed?
"Actually, you're the one who should become Hokage."
Kakashi Hatake looked at Akihara Kagura, strongly supporting him for Hokage because only Kakashi Hatake understood that Akihara Kagura was very kind to the weak and his own people.
Once Akihara Kagura became Hokage, he would surely protect those villagers who respect and admire the Hokage, even if they only admire the person sitting in the Hokage's seat.
"No one would recognize me."
Akihara Kagura was very self-aware about this.
"That's because they don't know you!"
Kakashi Hatake felt that Akihara Kagura was not self-aware at all.
But…
Kakashi Hatake couldn't say much more.
Because if Akihara Kagura couldn't become Hokage, then Jiraiya from the Sannin of Konoha becoming Hokage would be the same, as Jiraiya was Akihara Kagura's mentor and surely understood him well, the future certainly would see him pass the Hokage position to Akihara Kagura.
"Old ones fighting on top…"
"Young ones fighting below…"
Kakashi Hatake glanced at the top platform where Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo were fiercely fighting and cursing, then looked at the exam room below where Temari and Aburame Shino's fight seemed a bit like child's play: "Today's Chunin Exams are really lively…"
"..."
Akihara Kagura didn't speak.
Because Akihara Kagura knew, the excitement was only just beginning today.
Fourth Kazekage Rasa on the spectators' platform was thoroughly entertained watching the hustle and bustle, his mood improving the more he watched Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo's battle.
He wasn't the only one.
Even the ninjas from The Hidden Sand Village were enjoying the spectacle.
They didn't even care that Temari lost to Aburame Shino.
Originally, Temari had a chance to win, as her Wind Release was actually quite effective against Aburame Shino's bugs, as long as she was careful not to get hurt by them.
However…
Temari seemed a bit distracted.
Perhaps swayed by the battle on the high platform, or maybe still influenced by her fight with Nara Shikamaru, she didn't react in time and exposed a flaw when using Wind Release Ninjutsu, which Aburame Shino exploited with his insects.
"Aburame Shino wins."
Shiranui Genma declared Aburame Shino's victory, then announced the start of the next match: "Next match, Naruto Uzumaki against Karin."
This would be a battle of the Uzumaki Clan.
Naruto Uzumaki didn't expect to fight Karin, although he was still ambitious, even thinking he could rely on the Nine-tailed Chakra within him for the battle…
However…
In his eager state to fight, Naruto Uzumaki could only manage to utilize the Chakra of one tail, unable to withstand Karin who perfectly countered a Jinchuriki.
Furthermore…
Naruto Uzumaki didn't have a strong desire to fight Karin.
Naruto Uzumaki simply used his special move, summoning hundreds of Shadow Clones to attack Karin, only to have her easily resolve it.
The fight on the high platform continued.
Shimura Danzo swung his Ninja Sword, pressing on step by step!
Sarutobi Hiruzen retreated step by step, instantly forming hand seals, and summoned his Summoned Beast: "Ninpo: Summoning Jutsu!"
A powerful ape appeared on the battlefield, looking at the battle's enemy, momentarily dazed: "Fighting Danzo again? Haven't you two faced off in nearly forty years? Approaching seventy and you've started a Ninja's sparring child's play again?"
This is Sarutobi Hiruzen's summoned beast, the king of the monkey clan, Ape Demon Enma, a powerful ally in Sarutobi Hiruzen's battles, and also his friend!
"Enma!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his palm and spoke in a deep voice, "Danzo is a traitorous ninja in the village, I need your help to kill him!"
"Is that so..."
Ape Demon looked somewhat startled.
However, Ape Demon quickly reacted, leaping into Sarutobi Hiruzen's palm, transforming into a Golden Cudgel, blocking Shimura Danzo's ninja sword, and even shattering the sharp blade!
"Wind Release: Vacuum Blade!"
Shimura Danzo opened his mouth, releasing a Wind Release Ninjutsu, adding a layer of sharp wind blade to the broken sword, and charged again at Sarutobi Hiruzen!
But this time...
Shimura Danzo no longer had the upper hand with his ninja sword!
Sarutobi Hiruzen lifted the Golden Cudgel and directly knocked Shimura Danzo away, leaping high into the air, and swung the cudgel towards Danzo's forehead!
"Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!"
Shimura Danzo spat out a blade-like Wind Release, forcing Sarutobi Hiruzen back from above, and hastily combined hands to perform hand seals for his summoning jutsu again!
"Ninpo: Summoning Jutsu!"
A massive Tapir was summoned by him, and the moment it appeared, it tried to devour Sarutobi Hiruzen with a Wind Release!
Sarutobi Hiruzen forcefully plunged the Golden Cudgel into the ground, holding tightly to it, supporting his body from being consumed by the Tapir's wind release!
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bomb!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately combined his hands in hand seals, spewing a continuous stream of flames!
There was no one in this world more adept at dealing with Shimura Danzo than Sarutobi Hiruzen. They had played together before entering the Ninja Academy, grew up together, became adults together, and grew old together, having countless battles.
However...
Shimura Danzo was always on the losing side.
In order to achieve victory against Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzo would use any card up his sleeve, except the ones he couldn't afford to reveal, including summoning beasts like the Tapir.
This time...
Sarutobi Hiruzen won again.
The flames followed the direction of the Tapir's absorption and swallowed, even catching the Tapir's body on fire with the aid of the wind, causing the heavily damaged summoned beast to vanish into smoke!
Gasping for breath, Sarutobi Hiruzen withdrew the Golden Cudgel.
Even though he knew he would ultimately win against Shimura Danzo, Sarutobi Hiruzen's age was taking its toll, making the battle exhausting.
"Danzo, you've lost..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen walked towards Shimura Danzo, holding the Golden Cudgel.
"..."
Shimura Danzo looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, breathing heavily; the battle was taxing for him as well. His body was already old, and without the transplantation of Hashirama Cells, enduring a single battle was indeed challenging.
But still...
Shimura Danzo had one last trump card.
Shimura Danzo fixated on the approaching Sarutobi Hiruzen, uncertain if he should use his final move, feeling an impulse to go down together with him!
But Shimura Danzo remembered their plan, looking through the Red Sun Array Barrier towards Akihara Kagura, hoping that Kagura would think of a way to save him!
"..."
Akihara Kagura quietly gestured with his hand.
"..."
Shimura Danzo's pupils slightly contracted.
That bastard!
He actually meant for him to save himself!
Yet Shimura Danzo understood that the gesture indeed offered a way to save himself!
"For Konoha, I must kill you!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen raised the Golden Cudgel, ready to strike down and end the life of his nearly seventy-year-old friend, Shimura Danzo!
"Monkey!"
Shimura Danzo clasped his hands together, swiftly forming a hand seal, which was the Seal of Reconciliation used by Konoha Ninjas after training duels!
All Konoha Ninjas learned this hand seal when they entered the Ninja Academy, using the Seal of Reconciliation at the end of a bout to signify that the hatred in battle would dissolve.
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the familiar Seal of Reconciliation, memories flooding back of growing up together with Shimura Danzo, and his actions slowly came to a halt.