Even the Hokage has arrived?
The atmosphere in the classroom shifted once again. At the podium, Yamazaki Ryuji had already stepped aside to allow room for Sarutobi Hiruzen.
And so, the two men—one young, one old—finally locked eyes.
Yukika studied the old fox carefully, narrowing his eyes.
At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen was in the prime of his life. Since the death of the Second Hokage, he had dedicated himself to elevating the village to new heights.
To put it in a classic phrase: he had the ambition, but not the ability.
The First Hokage established Konoha, while the Second Hokage solidified its order and dominance over the ninja world. The efforts of the first two Hokages had turned Konoha into the undisputed number one ninja village.
But after Sarutobi took over as the Third Hokage, he had transformed this once mighty village into something closer to bronze—like a shadow of its former glory.
This wasn't just criticism.
The facts were right in front of them.
In fact, during the later Chunin Exams, Orochimaru's plan to destroy Konoha almost led to the village's complete destruction!
The *strongest* ninja village, huh?
No matter how cunning Orochimaru was, if there hadn't been so many cracks in Konoha's defense, he wouldn't have gotten that far.
The weakening of Konoha was a result of the constant efforts of its leadership.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, along with his old friend Danzo, and the two Hokage advisors who were inept but loved to give orders, formed what could only be described as the "strongest" team.
Here's a simple example.
Let's take the Second Great Ninja War.
Did Konoha really need to get involved?
Look at what Konoha gained from the Second Great Ninja War.
The Legendary White Fang became a hero, only to be manipulated into committing suicide by a small, simple mission.
The Senju clan was completely wiped out in the war, and even their last surviving member, Senju Rope Tree, was killed in an explosion that ripped his insides apart.
In the end, Konoha only claimed a symbolic victory.
Yes, symbolic.
The three Sannin joined forces with Konoha's elite, yet they couldn't even take down the Hidden Rain Village. Instead, they only gained the respect of Hanzo of the Salamander. The war left Konoha with no substantial gains.
The weakened state after the Second War directly contributed to the audacity of the other Great Ninja Villages to unite and attack Konoha during the Third Great Ninja War.
That battle nearly crippled Konoha.
If it weren't for the efforts of a certain "sunshine" character, Konoha would have been doomed for sure.
So...
What exactly did *you* do?
Suddenly, Yukika crossed his arms, his gaze turning devious as he studied Sarutobi.
No matter what, standing before him now was the so-called "Doctor of Ninjustu," the man known as the *Ninjutsu Master*.
The young Sarutobi still exuded a commanding presence.
Of course, his aura was more about warmth and kindness, giving him a gentle, grandfatherly image.
It was a carefully crafted facade.
Yukika continued to study Sarutobi, and Sarutobi did the same to him.
Yukika shook his head gently. He didn't feel any anger or discomfort from Sarutobi when he declared his role as the head of the Senju clan.
Childish.
Impatient.
That was to be expected.
Sarutobi was the Hokage, and he had his own level of patience. He didn't have any intention of clashing with Yukika.
When Sarutobi had first risen to power, everyone had underestimated him.
But now?
His position as Hokage was unshakable, and under his leadership, news of victories from the Rain Country battlefield often reached Konoha.
The legendary White Fang's achievements had conveniently become attributed to Sarutobi's wise guidance.
He was the Hokage.
The Senju clan? They were nothing more than a distant memory.