Chapter 26 : Third Hokage!!

The Third Hokage observed as the Anbu acted swiftly without harm. Meanwhile, the images and sounds on the screen piqued his curiosity.

Echoing Tobirama's decision from Konoha's 27th year, he commanded, "The four of you, guard the door. No one enters without my order."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

The Anbu, too, were intrigued by the light curtain. Yet, they dared not defy the Third Hokage's absolute authority.

As they departed the room, the Third Hokage overheard Hayashi Sora referring to himself as "Little Kakashi."

Numerous question marks suddenly filled his mind.

"This logic seems off," he mused. "Kakashi is my student's student's student. How can he, Third Hokage, be referred to as Little Kakashi ? This light curtain is truly nonsensical."

Nevertheless, the Third Hokage remained focused on the screen before him.

["From the first manga volume 'Naruto Uzumaki,' he is known as the strongest Hokage and known as Ninja God from the month of Orochimaru."]

["A ninjutsu expert, referred to as 'Professor of Ninjutsu' in the 'Chapter 2 Konohamaru.'"]

["But his rank continues to decline with each update of manga."]

["Additionally, there are controversies with his Impure World Reincarnation not being in his youth, yet Sandaime remains a prominent figure in the ninja world, even in his old age."]

In the office by the door, everyone's expressions turned complex upon reading these lines.

Especially Danzo, who burst into laughter.

"Hahaha, this is hilarious. The strongest Hokage and Ninja God according to his disciple? You're only fooling yourself, hahahaha."

"Shame on you, Hiruzen."

Danzo's laughter irked Sarutobi Hiruzen slightly.

"Didn't you see? What Hayashi Sora was talking about was the Manga Volume 1 Naruto Uzumaki and the Chapter 2 Konohamaru. It's obvious that he was patching up the later settings. These words were definitely not said by me."

"Really? I don't believe it."

"Believe it or not."

Everyone in Tobirama's office already knows that "Naruto" is just a work in that world.

Since it is a work of art, there will naturally be oversights, omissions, and inconsiderations.

It is a normal thing to release some setting sets to fill in the previous gaps.

Therefore, when faced with the two setting books, "Naruto Uzumaki" and "Chapter 2 Konohamaru", people in Tobirama's office did not react much.

Except for Danzo who was laughing wildly.

However, the Third Hokage in the Third Hokage's office was a little uncertain after seeing these two setting books.

"Fortunately, the First Hokage and Tobirama-sensei are no longer with us, and Minato also sacrificed himself to seal the Nine-Tails. So in reality, I am the strongest Hokage, and there is nothing wrong with that."

"But why do some of my life experiences appear in those two books?"

The Third Hokage really wanted to know the answer to this question, but the video on the screen would not stop because of his thinking.

[Before "Naruto" entered the final stage, it would not be a problem for Hiruzen to be the strongest among a group of sword-wielding ninja thugs.]

[At that time, all the Anbu members under his command would brag that the Hokage was really awesome.]

[So whether in the mangas or official books, the third generation was positioned as the strongest Hokage in the early days.]

"What, I'm actually a character in a manga book?"

When the Third Hokage saw the manga book on the screen and the picture of his character in the official book, his mentality instantly exploded.

He couldn't fathom why he was a character in a manga, capable of independent thought and with his own ideas. 

Thankfully, his age and vast experience helped him regain composure after a brief moment of unease.

However, his expression turned incredibly grim.

[Before Hashirama and Tobirama became invincible, their legendary battle as Hokage showcased the might of the Third Hokage.]

[As a seasoned Hokage, Hiruzen initially aimed to embody Konoha's kind and benevolent elder. However, due to the protagonist's early 'ordinary guy' character archetype and later transformation into a princely figure, combined with the complexities of the Uchiha incident, his original image became contradictory.]

[Plot is the author's creation, while the audience's exploration led to Hiruzen being reinterpreted and given a new personality.]

[Being the longest-serving Hokage with extensive experience, Hiruzen's earlier life, including his conflict with Orochimaru, takes center stage.]

[Key characters: Hiruzen, Orochimaru.]

Inside the Third Hokage's office, his face already bore a displeased expression. Seeing himself and Orochimaru locked in combat on the rooftop, with the First and Second Hokage before them, his expression grew even darker—nearly as bleak as when his eldest son had died.

"If what this light screen says is true, then Konoha will face an attack from Orochimaru tomorrow."

"And I'll have to confront the First and Second Hokage, along with the traitor Orochimaru, all at once."

The mere thought made the Third Hokage's heart tremble involuntarily.

The current generation of Konoha ninjas didn't fully grasp the power of the First and Second Hokage. Did they?

"The only solace is that Orochimaru brought back the First and Second Hokage using the Impure World Reincarnation."

"In this state, their strength will be significantly diminished."

"If Jiraiya and I team up, we might stand a chance against the First and Second Hokage."

As for his character, he would never acknowledge it.

He, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage of Konoha, is definitely not a manga character.

He is a living person.

Compared to the Third Hokage who was still struggling with his identity, Tobirama had a look of sudden enlightenment when he read these words.

He had been thinking after finishing watching the last review video.

Why hasn't Hiruzen stepped down even though he's so old?

After watching the video, he realized that Hiruzen actually served as Hokage for two terms.

In other words, before he took office for the second time, Konoha had a Fourth Hokage.

Perhaps it was because Yondaime died young and Konoha didn't have any outstanding figures at the time, so Hiruzen continued to serve as Hokage.

Tobirama pondered deeply. He didn't blame Hiruzen for deciding to become Hokage again. After all, he didn't know the situation at that time, whether it was during wartime or peacetime.

Anyway, Tobirama felt that Hiruzen must have had his reasons for returning as Hokage.

But Danzo is different.

He had always coveted the position of Hokage.

Hiruzen was the first to say that he would cover the rear, so he had to accept that.

But now that he's gone, isn't it too much for Danzo to assume the position of Hokage for a second time?

And as for me?

Where do I stand, Danzo Shimura?

Could it be that I was also a traitor at that time?

Hiruzen sensed Danzo's resentment, which made him shake his head and smile bitterly.

The relationship was finally easing, but now it seems like all the efforts were in vain.

[When Hiruzen was a young ninja, Tobirama was in charge of the class. He was in the same class as Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, and debuted as the center position.]

[The fact that two boys and one girl were in the same class foreshadows Hiruzen's future reforms, which will be discussed later.]

[After becoming a leading Jonin, Hiruzen brought Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade.]

Seeing this, Senju Tobirama suddenly remembered that Orochimaru was actually a talented person.

He had been so busy lately that he had forgotten about this person.

To avoid any confusion, he whispered to Sarutobi Hiruzen, "Is this Orochimaru really the student you accepted together with Tsunade and Jiraiya last year?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed and replied, "It should be him."

"Well, alright. After you're done watching the video, take me to meet him."

Oh no, could it be that Mr. Tobirama wants to eliminate Orochimaru beforehand?

****

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