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

Chapter 161 Acting Hokage? Deer Antlers: 1. I must have opened my eyes wrong!

Then, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to the other side of the conference table, his gaze lingering on two equally distinguished ninjas.

"The sunset is so red."

A handsome man with a refined demeanor stood up from his seat.

With short black hair and calm, serene eyes, he was none other than the master of illusion, the patriarch of the Sunset Clan.

His daughter, Kurenai Yuhi, was still young, which added a touch of fatherly tenderness to the mysterious aura of an illusionist that he possessed.

"Saddle Horse and Cloud Sea".

Another middle-aged man with a slightly aloof demeanor also stood up.

He was the head of the Kurama clan, another ancient family in Konoha.

"The Yuhi and Kurama clans, select your most outstanding genjutsu ninjas to accompany Elder Yan and immediately proceed to the northwest defense line!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's finger traced heavily across the rugged mountainous terrain on the map.

Yuhi Shinku and Kurama Unkai exchanged a glance, both seeing excitement in each other's eyes.

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

The two responded in unison.

Looking at the two powerful allies beside him, Mitokado Yan revealed a satisfied smile on his aged face.

With the support of these two powerful families, he was confident that he could build the Northwest defense line into an impenetrable wall.

This is the end.

On the western front, the flag trees are so lush they resemble sharp blades hanging high.

On the northwest front, Mitomon Yan is stationed like a rock.

Both the Sand Village and the Rock Village, two potential threats, have been dealt with clearly.

On the western front, the sword of Hatake Sakumo serves as a deterrent.

The northwest line is guarded by the will of Mitokado Homura.

The two most unstable factors, Sunagakure and Iwagakure, were arranged clearly and simply by the Third Hokage on the sand table in the conference room in the most concise and unquestionable way.

The tense atmosphere finally showed signs of easing.

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

But everyone knows that the most important part is yet to come.

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

It crossed the vast territory of the Land of Fire, traversed the turbulent sea, and finally landed on that isolated island nation.

The Land of Whirlpools.

The closest ally of Konoha, and the hometown of the First Hokage's wife.

It is also the epicenter of this storm.

All eyes in the meeting room turned back to that finger.

Both armies have been deployed.

The western front, the northwestern front, and the Land of Lightning itself, which is about to be turned upside down by Orochimaru.

So, who will go to the Land of Whirlpools, the main battlefield?

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly withdrew his finger and walked back to his seat from in front of the map.

He sat down again and straightened the Hokage's robes, which symbolized supreme power.

His gaze swept across the entire room, calmly scanning each face.

Finally, the momentous decision, which everyone had anticipated, was announced.

"I will personally lead the main force to aid the Kingdom of Whirlpools."

As the Hokage, he had no reason to remain in the background during such a crucial battle.

No one at the meeting was surprised.

Faced with the combined forces of the two great ninja villages of Kumogakure and Kirigakure, and looking at the entire Hidden Leaf Village, only the Hokage, who single-handedly forced back the Third Raikage, was most qualified to personally oversee the situation.

Tsunade clenched her fists, her chest heaving.

This is the kind of teacher she admires, who always shoulders the heaviest burdens.

Uchiha Tetsuhi straightened his back, his eyes sharp, as if he could already see himself following the Hokage, burning the flames of the Uchiha on the enemy's battlefield.

Only a Hokage like this is worthy of the Konoha ninjas entrusting their lives to win this war to defend their honor.

"While I was away, all the daily affairs of the village..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, and everyone in the conference room instinctively held their breath.

This is a crucial question.

With the Hokage personally leading the campaign, who will take care of the vast Hidden Leaf Village?

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze slowly moved across the conference room.

Finally, his gaze fell on the person who had been leaning back in the chair, half of his body almost shrouded in shadow.

"...The Jonin class leader, Nara Shikazumi, will handle this."

The meeting room was completely silent.

Immediately afterwards, Hiruzen Sarutobi dropped another bombshell.

"Grant him... the authority to act as Hokage!"

Time seemed to stand still at that moment.

The entire conference room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

All eyes turned to that lazy figure.

ha? !

Nara Shikaku himself seemed to have been struck by a bolt of lightning, completely shattered from head to toe.

His usually lazy eyes were now wide open, bigger than copper bells.

Its mouth opened little by little, wide enough to fit a whole egg inside.

I?

A proxy for Naruto?

I must be opening my eyes wrong!

Nara Shika suddenly closed his eyes, then opened them wide again.

The scene before me remained unchanged.

Sitting in the main seat, the Hokage's deep gaze was fixed on him, with a hint of a smile in his eyes.

It's as if it's saying: I believe in you.

Deer Antlers felt his brain momentarily shut down, then start working at an accelerated speed a hundred times faster.

wrong!

That's not right!

Things shouldn't have unfolded this way!

According to the normal script, shouldn't I, Nara Shikanobu, be following the main force to the Land of Whirlpools, staying by the Hokage's side?

While enjoying poetry and distant places, they occasionally offer a few brilliant strategies, stretch their muscles on the battlefield, and then shout that the Hokage is wise and mighty?

Stay in the village to deal with the mountain of official documents?

Isn't that just... a case of trouble opening the door for trouble, trouble coming to your door?!

"puff……"

A suppressed laugh rang out.

It is autumn to gather wind.

His massive body trembled violently, his fat face contorted in pain, and he desperately tried to cover his mouth with his hands, but the uncontrollable laughter still leaked out from between his fingers.

Nara Shikaku suddenly turned his head and glared at him fiercely.

Akimichi Torifu immediately calmed down a bit, but his trembling shoulders betrayed his inner ecstasy.

On the other side, a slight smile crept onto the usually expressionless face of Hatake Sakumo.

He even pretended to pick up his teacup and take a sip to hide his smile.

"Pfft—"

"Ha ha ha ha--"

Seeing the utterly bewildered expression on Nara Shikano's face, Tsunade laughed without any restraint.

"Hokage-sama!"

Nara Shikama suddenly jumped up from his seat, his face full of surprise.

"Me? Acting Hokage? This..."