The more Ning Feng spoke, the more he found himself able to understand **Uchiha Sasuke**.
Especially the Sasuke who, after the Fourth Great Ninja War, spoke with the **four Hokage resurrected by Orochimaru's Edo Tensei**.
At that time, when Sasuke declared that he wanted to become Hokage, it wasn't simply about seizing the position.
What he truly wanted was to **overturn the rotten system of Konoha and rebuild a new one** under his own will.
A Konoha without darkness.
A Konoha without endless internal conflict.
Compared to that, Naruto's approach was simply a more peaceful path.
The truly corrupt part of Hiruzen Sarutobi was this:
For Konoha's interests, he could abandon **family, emotions, and bonds**.
Yet at the same time, he would demand that others **trust their comrades**, claiming that comrades were a ninja's greatest strength.
Take **Uchiha Itachi** as an example.
Hiruzen clearly knew that Itachi had to abandon his own emotions and slaughter his clan to stop the Uchiha rebellion.
Yet he still demanded that other ninja **uphold loyalty and the Will of Fire**.
In short—
As long as something benefited Hiruzen, he could always find the **perfect excuse and justification**.
That was the thing Ning Feng disliked most about him.
Of course, Hiruzen was still human.
It was normal for someone to have such contradictions.
But to sacrifice **Ning Feng** because of it?
That was something Ning Feng would **never accept**.
Sure enough—
After Ning Feng finished speaking, Hiruzen simply stood there, staring blankly at him.
For a long time, he couldn't say a single word.
"L-Lord Hiruzen…"
At that moment, a sharp sound suddenly came from the distance.
It was **Kakashi**, arriving to report as part of the ANBU.
Unfortunately for Hiruzen, Kakashi had just happened to hear Ning Feng's words.
Clang!
The **White Fang sword** strapped to Kakashi's back slipped from its sheath and fell to the ground.
His eyes instantly turned red.
Ever since childhood, Kakashi had grown up under the towering shadow of his father, **Hatake Sakumo—the White Fang of Konoha**.
When he learned that the villagers had condemned his father, he had been heartbroken.
When Sakumo eventually chose death, Kakashi had been furious.
For years, he believed that his father had been **a disgrace to Konoha**.
But now—
After hearing Ning Feng's words—
Kakashi suddenly realized something.
He had been **hating the wrong people all along**.
"Ka… Kakashi, you…"
Hiruzen was shocked again.
He hadn't expected Kakashi to appear at such a crucial moment—and hear everything.
"Kakashi, don't listen to Uchiha Feng's nonsense!"
"He doesn't understand the **Will of Fire**, nor the importance of Konoha's interests!"
Hiruzen hurriedly tried to explain.
It wasn't that Kakashi himself held overwhelming influence in the village.
But deep down, Hiruzen knew—
He was **guilty** about what had happened to Sakumo.
"Heh…"
"So your Will of Fire means telling the great **Hatake Sakumo** that ninja are tools."
"That tools must not have emotions.
"That even if their comrades are in danger, they must ignore them for the sake of Konoha's interests."
Ning Feng spoke calmly.
"And then—"
"When you need ninja to sacrifice their lives willingly for Konoha…"
"You tell them to trust their comrades."
"You tell them that comrades are the source of all strength."
"For Konoha's sake."
This time, Ning Feng's words were even more direct.
Kakashi's eyes widened even further.
Even the members of the **Ino–Shika–Chō clans**, who had followed Hiruzen for years, were stunned.
They had always been inspired by Hiruzen's charisma and believed in sacrificing everything for Konoha.
But today, Ning Feng's words made them feel as if they had been **deceived**.
Especially Kakashi.
His mind fell into complete confusion.
For years, he believed his father had been a disgrace.
But now he realized—
His father wasn't a coward.
He was a **true hero**.
A ninja who helps his comrades when they are in danger—
That is what a real ninja should be.
That is the **true power of bonds**.
"Lord Hiruzen. Lord Minato."
Suddenly, Kakashi stepped forward and spoke loudly.
"Today, I resign from my position as **ANBU squad captain**."
"From this day forward, I will follow **Lord Uchiha Feng** and serve as the personal guard of the **Third Amekage**."
He then turned to Ning Feng.
"I wonder… would the Third Amekage be willing to take me in?"
Even Ning Feng hadn't expected that his speech would bring such an unexpected result.
Without hesitation, he nodded firmly.
Minato, standing nearby, looked deeply at Ning Feng.
After taking a deep breath, it seemed as though he had made a decision.
He walked toward Hiruzen and spoke slowly.
"Lord Hiruzen…"
"Back then, you ignored the opposition and chose me—a civilian—over your own student **Orochimaru** to become the Fourth Hokage."
"I have always been grateful for your trust."
"And I have worked hard to spread the **Will of Fire**, hoping to bring peace and happiness to everyone in Konoha."
"But now…"
Minato paused.
"I've realized something."
"No matter how hard I try…"
"Konoha still has places where **darkness exists**."
"Places where the light cannot reach."
"The village my student Uchiha Feng leads—the **Hidden Rain Village**—might be the place where darkness can truly disappear."
"So, Lord Hiruzen…"
"Please inform the Daimyō."
"From this day forward, Minato will also serve as **Uchiha Feng's guard** and accompany him to the Hidden Rain Village."
The moment Minato finished speaking—
Everyone was stunned.
Especially Ning Feng and Kakashi.
They had never expected that Minato would actually **give up the position of Hokage**.
Countless people coveted that title.
Yet today—
Minato was willing to abandon it for Ning Feng.
"If Lord Minato has already said so…"
"Then perhaps we ANBU ninja should also follow Lord Feng."
"We could rebuild the **Rain ANBU** in the Hidden Rain Village.
Suddenly, several ANBU members spoke up.
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