Naruto slowly turned around and swallowed hard because the pressure from the group of people in front of him was overwhelming.
In the middle of this group was Tanzo Shimura, a high - level member of Konoha and the controller of the Root organization.
Tanzo Shimura's right eye was wrapped in a bandage, and his left eye was squinted into a thin slit. One couldn't see his eyes or sense his aura. His body was wrapped in a large amount of bandages, yet there was no trace of killing intent. He looked gentle and refined.
Tanzo Shimura didn't say a word, just stared at Naruto all the time.
"Fifth Hokage, please save me!" Naruto suddenly burst out crying and threw himself forward, hugging Tanzo Shimura's thigh.
"Fifth Hokage?" Tanzo Shimura asked in confusion, "What's going on?"
Naruto put on a cute act and said, "Orochimaru has kidnapped the Third Hokage. Now the Third Hokage is trapped in the barrier."
At this time, the members of Root nodded slightly, indicating to Tanzo Shimura that what Naruto said was true.
Naruto then continued, "Before the barrier was opened, the Third Hokage sent word that if anything happened to him, the next Hokage would be Lord Tanzo."
Tanzo Shimura was deeply shocked. He just couldn't believe that the old guy would make such an arrangement.
Tanzo Shimura had long coveted the position of Hokage. A long time ago, the position of Hokage was right before him, almost within his grasp.
At that time, Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, took Tanzo Shimura and Hiruzen Sarutobi on a mission. As a result, they encountered an accident. To save everyone, one person needed to stay behind to hold off the enemy.
Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, asked, "The one who stays behind will most likely die. Who among you is willing to stay?"
At that time, the young Tanzo Shimura immediately thought: Self - sacrifice is a ninja's duty. I've already decided to die on the battlefield!
Tanzo Shimura glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi beside him and thought mockingly in his heart: Hiruzen Sarutobi, you've always been my competitor, but do you have the same determination as me? Today, let you see my realm as a ninja!
Having made up his mind, just as Tanzo Shimura was about to speak, suddenly a surge of fear welled up. He was actually scared.
What am I doing? Speak up quickly! I want to protect everyone. I want to stay behind. Why can't I say it... What's wrong with me?
Tanzo Shimura's heart was struggling desperately.
"I'll stay to hold off the enemy!" At this time, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke.
Tanzo Shimura was greatly shocked and at the same time, he let out a sigh of relief.
Then Tanzo Shimura realized that he always thought he was an excellent ninja, but unexpectedly, he was a coward.
Hiruzen Sarutobi saw Tanzo Shimura trembling and comforted him a few words.
Tanzo Shimura angrily said, "I've long planned to take on the rearguard mission. Why did you snatch my mission!"
"I see," said Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage. "I hereby appoint Hiruzen Sarutobi as the Third Hokage."
"What!" Tanzo Shimura was completely stunned. Due to his hesitation, he missed the position of Hokage.
Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, thought to himself: Only those who are willing to sacrifice their lives immediately to protect everyone can become the Hokage, just like the decision I'm about to make.
Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, said, "I'll take on the mission of covering the retreat! I'll hold off the enemy. You are all the new generation of Konoha. I must protect you and ensure your safe return to the village."
This incident became a lifelong regret for Tanzo Shimura.
Helplessly, he watched as Hiruzen Sarutobi became the Third Hokage, bathed in the sunlight and beloved by the entire village.
As for himself, he became the Root of Konoha, spending his entire life in the dark and doing some under-the-table work for Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Tanzo Shimura snapped out of his memories and quickly glanced at his subordinates.
A member of the Root whispered, "We haven't received any intelligence on this. We don't know if it's true or not."
"Of course it's true! How could it be false?" Naruto quickly said. "Think about Konoha now. If the Third Hokage is gone, who else is qualified to become the Fifth Hokage? Even my teacher, Kakashi, isn't qualified, right?"
Naruto's words held some truth. In terms of seniority, strength, and status, it was his turn to become the Hokage.
"Right, Fifth Hokage!" Naruto said with a grin, thinking to himself: Humph, first butter up Tanzo, and then he won't be able to sit this out...
Being addressed as Hokage by Naruto, with the prefix of Fifth Hokage, Tanzo Shimura secretly felt pleased.
"Fifth Hokage, that monster is from Sunagakure. It's a guy named Gaara who transformed into it." Naruto pointed at Shukaku and said, "Hokage-sama, I really can't beat him."
After waiting for so many years, he was finally addressed as Hokage by a child from the village.
"Naruto, step back," Tanzo Shimura stepped forward and said. "The next battle isn't for genin to participate in."
"Wow—" Naruto said excitedly with anticipation on his face, "Hokage-sama, take down that monster!"
All the members of the Root rushed out, surrounded the One-Tailed Shukaku, and continuously threw shurikens and explosive tags, launching a combined attack on Shukaku.
Naruto sat down and took out some chips to eat. He had stolen these chips from Choji.
Naruto observed the battle situation. The members of the Root were quite strong. They were all excellent ninjas who had undergone long-term training.
Naruto thought to himself: If I could make use of the Root organization, that would be great... What a pity now...
Shukaku was enraged by the siege of so many Root members and unleashed various powerful Wind Release techniques, turning the area within a few hundred meters into ruins.
Seeing some members of the Root die under Shukaku's Wind Release, Naruto shook his head helplessly. But there was nothing he could do. To get rid of Tanzo, he had to remove the Root first.
At this time, Tanzo Shimura had a solemn expression. Although he looked calm on the surface, his fists hidden in his sleeves were tightly clenched.
Since the stronghold of the Root organization was attacked by the One-Tailed Shukaku, other ninjas from Konoha came to support.
When the Konoha reinforcements arrived, they were blocked by the Root members.
"We're Konoha Anbu. We noticed that Lord Tanzo's residence was under attack and came to offer support."
"No need.
A Root member said, "Lord Tanzo is upholding the Will of Fire and defending Konoha to the death. You should go and evacuate the civilians."
"This..."
The Root member angrily shouted, "What are you standing there for? Do you know the rules established by Konoha Village?
"When the village is invaded by foreign enemies, the first stage is to organize forces to resist. If the resistance fails, the second stage is to evacuate the civilians. After all the civilians have taken shelter, the final stage is to organize all forces to counter - attack the invaders."
"Yes!" The Konoha Anbu ninjas left.
After the Konoha Anbu ninjas left, this Root member transformed back into Naruto's appearance.
Naruto said, "Cut off the possibility of other people from Konoha coming to support Tanzo and turn this place into an independent battlefield."
After saying that, Naruto was surrounded by white smoke and disappeared into thin air. It seemed that this was just one of Naruto's Shadow Clones.
Earlier, when Naruto was on top of Gamabunta, he had created more than a dozen Shadow Clones, and this was their purpose.
He had these Shadow Clones lurk on the periphery and then transform into the appearance of Root members to reject the reinforcement troops from Konoha from entering.
Thus, Tanzo Shimura was left in an isolated and helpless situation.
Naruto could create a restricted zone without using a barrier jutsu.
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