"Konoha must bear full responsibility for the potential world-ending crisis in the future!"
"If Konoha chooses to shield him, we will regard it as an open provocation against the shinobi world—and will not rule out taking necessary action!"
Every line was steeped in threat and distrust.
The name Naruto Uzumaki had already transformed—from Konoha's Demon Fox into the Calamity of the Shinobi World.
Even several daimyō who normally paid little attention to shinobi affairs had begun to panic. After all, the apocalyptic scenes shown in the projection—and the declaration of destroying the shinobi world—had struck directly at the foundations of their rule.
Sarutobi Hiruzen rubbed his temples wearily. The wrinkles on his face seemed to have deepened overnight.
As Hokage, no one understood better than him what handing Naruto over would mean.
It would not only be surrendering to external pressure—it would also mean voluntarily giving up the village's most important strategic asset.
Until a proper solution for the Nine-Tails was found, Naruto could not be allowed to come to harm.
Mito Koharu and Mitokado Homura whispered among themselves for a long time, proposing measures such as strict surveillance, restricted freedom, and formal assurances to other nations.
But in the end, even they had to admit—
None of it would calm the fear and fury outside.
The level of power shown in the projection was simply too high—so high that no one could believe in any promise of "control" or "oversight."
And Danzō Shimura, the ROOT leader who usually jumped out at critical moments with hardline proposals, was conspicuously absent—almost as if he had vanished from the world.
Hiruzen knew better.
Danzō was undoubtedly hiding in some dark corner, calculating how to turn this crisis to his advantage.
Internal strife and external pressure weighed on him like heavy shackles, making it difficult to breathe.
After a long silence, Hiruzen took a deep breath.
He slammed the harshly worded ultimatum from Kumogakure onto the desk, his eyes flashing with resolve.
"Send the order," he said firmly.
"Summon all jōnin currently in the village. Emergency meeting."
"Yes!"
An ANBU vanished instantly.
The office fell silent once more.
Hiruzen slowly rose and walked to the window, gazing out at Konoha bathed in the glow of the setting sun—peaceful, prosperous.
The streets bustled with life.
Ninja hurried past.
Smoke rose gently from evening hearths.
This peace—this prosperity—
Was something he had protected his entire life, through countless sacrifices and impossible choices.
His eyes hardened, carrying an almost stubborn determination.
"No matter what…" he murmured softly, his voice low but unyielding.
"Konoha's peace was bought with blood and lives. I will not allow anyone—or anything—to destroy it."
"Naruto is a shinobi of Konoha.
He is Minato and Kushina's child.
As long as I sit in this chair, I will never hand him over."
At that moment, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, made his choice.
He trusted his own judgment.
Unless Naruto had endured unimaginable suffering, he would never become someone who wished to destroy the world.
Hiruzen believed that even if Naruto learned the truth of his birth one day, he would never blame the village.
That—
Was bond.
Konoha — Jōnin Assembly Hall
The atmosphere was heavy… yet strangely awkward.
Nearly all jōnin currently in the village had arrived. They sat in small groups, speaking in low voices.
But no matter who they were—
Every gaze, openly or discreetly, drifted toward the same place.
A man in a green jumpsuit, with a bowl haircut, sitting bolt upright with perfect posture.
Might Guy.
Who among Konoha's jōnin didn't know him?
The village's Noble Beast.
A taijutsu specialist.
A man overflowing with enthusiasm—often to an excessive, almost ridiculous degree.
In the past, many had looked down on him.
In a shinobi world dominated by ninjutsu, genjutsu, and kekkei genkai, pure taijutsu had long been subconsciously labeled as "non-mainstream."
A ninja who doesn't use ninjutsu—what kind of ninja is that?
But the projection had shattered that belief completely.
That blood-red steam that burned life itself.
That strike which forced the invincible World-Destroyer into a corner—
Even achieving something akin to slaying a god.
And you're telling them that was taijutsu?
That was really the Might Guy they knew?
Feeling the many complicated gazes directed at him, even Guy's thick-skinned nerves couldn't quite handle it.
For once, he looked embarrassed.
Hands on his knees, sitting perfectly straight, he didn't quite know where to put his eyes.
Then—
A lazy yet sincere voice spoke beside him.
"Well done, Guy."
At some point, Hatake Kakashi had appeared next to him. His one visible eye curved into a crescent moon. His tone remained casual, but the affirmation was unmistakable.
"You lived your ninja way."
That sentence seemed to break an invisible barrier.
"Hahahaha!"
Guy instantly perked up, all embarrassment vanishing.
He laughed loudly, scratching his head hard—his usual fiery spirit fully restored.
"Actually… right now, I can only open up to the Seventh Gate: Gate of Shock!
As for the Eighth Gate: Gate of Death—I still can't control that power yet!"
As he spoke, Guy clenched his fist, eyes blazing with determination.
"But I'll work hard!
Within five years, I'll fully master the Eighth Gate!
I'll burn the flames of youth to their absolute limit!"
This declaration—so full of vigor—did not draw the usual sighs or awkward chuckles.
Instead—
From veteran powerhouses like Hyūga Hiashi, to mid-generation leaders like Sarutobi Asuma, and even jōnin who barely knew Guy—
All of them looked at him with genuine respect.
"Go for it, Guy!"
"We believe in you!"
"Konoha's Azure Beast—looks like we'll be relying on you from now on!"
Sincere words of encouragement rang out.
What they respected was not just the apocalyptic strength shown in the future—
But Guy's willingness to burn his own life without hesitation, to protect his comrades and his village.
That pure ninja way deserved respect from every shinobi present.
Feeling the genuine support of his peers, even the iron-willed Might Guy felt his eyes grow warm.
Moved, he could only bow repeatedly.
"Thank you! Thank you, everyone!
This—this is youth!"
Just then—
"The Hokage has arrived!"
With the ANBU's announcement, the doors of the hall swung open.
Sarutobi Hiruzen entered, clad in the Hokage robes, his hat casting a shadow over his solemn face. Mito Koharu and Mitokado Homura followed close behind.
In an instant—
All conversation ceased.
The Jōnin Assembly Hall fell silent enough that a pin drop could be heard.
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Sagamaster789