Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 160 The Determination of Konoha Seniors

The air in the conference room relaxed slightly for a moment as a result.

But everyone knows that the threat is not limited to one place.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's finger continued to move across the map.

It left the Land of Wind, which symbolizes the desert, and finally settled in the northwest, in the territory of the Land of Earth, which is covered by rocks and mountains.

Unlike the flat western border, the border there is jagged and the terrain is extremely complex.

Mountains, canyons, and wastelands.

Hidden Rock Village.

That village, as resilient as granite, renowned for its Earth Release ninjutsu.

That village, which was completely outmaneuvered by Uchiha Kagami and Nara Shikaku's Illusionary Eye Wall intelligence tactics during the Second Shinobi World War, still harbors a deep resentment to this day.

The Third Tsuchikage Ohnoki.

Would that short, stubborn old man, as unyielding as a rock in a latrine, let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip by?

Everyone present had the same answer in their minds.

Impossible.

If Sunagakure is a venomous scorpion lurking beneath the sand, then Iwagakure is a giant bear dwelling in the mountains.

They may be slow to act, but once they unleash their claws, it will be earth-shattering.

The meeting room fell silent again.

All eyes followed the Hokage's long, slender finger as it landed on the rugged land, as if one could smell the scent of rocks and gunpowder within it.

Just as everyone was deep in thought, weighing who could take on the toughest challenge,

A calm yet exceptionally clear voice rang out in the conference room.

"So..."

"I will go to the Land of Earth."

Swah——

All eyes instantly turned to the source of the sound.

Mitokaku inflammation.

The one who uttered these words was none other than the advisor elder, Mitokado Homura, who was known for his prudent and conservative approach.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi's domineering presence is like thunder reigning supreme, then Homura Mitokado's current calm is like molten lava being squeezed out from the deepest crevice of an ancient rock layer.

He slowly stood up from his seat.

The movements were slow, even somewhat stiff, as if they hadn't stretched their muscles and bones like this in a long time.

But when he stood up straight, his not-so-tall body was so imposing that all the young ninjas felt a sense of pressure.

This man, who always sits in the meeting room, meticulously scrutinizing every budget and plan, and insisting on rules in everything, has now volunteered to go to the most dangerous border front.

Koharu opened her mouth, her eyes filled with shock, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she chose to remain silent.

"inflammation?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was also surprised, and he looked at his old friend with whom he had worked for many years.

This companion, who always emphasized rules and prudence, was like the ballast of the village.

Mitokado Homura met Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze, and a smile that was almost carefree appeared on his usually rational face.

That smile smoothed out the wrinkles around his eyes, making him look twenty years younger.

"Lord Hokage."

"I'm not so old that I can only drink tea in the conference room."

He gently moved his shoulders, and his joints made a soft but clear cracking sound, a sound that belonged to a soldier, a long-lost revival.

"Back when we were fighting on the battlefield, we didn't rely on words and documents."

"It's time for this body to get some exercise."

He spoke casually and nonchalantly.

Yet it weighs as much as a thousand pounds.

In the conference room, Tsunade, Hiashi Hyuga, Tekka Uchiha... all the younger generation of ninjas subconsciously stood up straight, their faces filled with solemn respect.

This is Konoha's senior!

This is the Hokage's advisor!

They might argue and quarrel on ordinary days, and even get red in the face over the development of the village, but when war comes, they will not hesitate to put themselves on the front line!

The flame of the Will of Fire has never been extinguished in their hearts.

Now, the wind has come.

The flames will be reignited, burning away all the invading enemies.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked intently at his old friend.

He saw an unwavering will in those eyes, which were no longer cloudy but instead burned with determination.

Memories from the past flooded my mind.

In the team led by the teacher, Yan was always the most silent one.

He was not talkative, but he always built the strongest defense for everyone at the most critical moments.

He is the most reliable shield in the team.

Those memories buried by time and peace now overlap with the figures before us.

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly rose from his seat and walked slowly to Homura Mitokado.

He didn't speak.

He simply reached out and patted his old friend on the shoulder heavily.

boom.

A muffled thud.

All the words in the world can be summed up in one word.

"good!"

One word represents the highest trust and the most weighty entrustment.

Mitokado Yan laughed, a hearty laugh.

"Then, I'll take over the northwest defense line."