Naruto: The dungeon I developed went viral throughout the entire ninja world.

Chapter 32 The Twilight of Ren Xiong

On the Hokage Rock, Naruto didn't want to see the Third Hokage's face for the time being, so he turned and left.

The black figure vanished without a trace, leaving behind only the shattered dignity of the so-called Hokage.

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind was filled with Naruto's words, "Your golden age is about to collapse."

"Lord Hokage..."

The Dark Army captain beside him couldn't help but speak up, already like an ant on a hot pan, even more anxious than the Third Hokage.

"You need to pull yourself together. The situation below... is really out of control."

Hiruzen Sarutobi saw the crowd that had been gathered in the shopping street begin to move along the main road, heading in a clear direction: the Hokage Building.

"not good!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed drastically.

The Hokage Building houses all of Konoha's confidential documents and the Book of Seals, as well as ledgers that cannot be brought to light.

If the enraged crowd were allowed to storm in, the consequences would be unimaginable.

There's a high chance of a riot breaking out, and even he will be in deep trouble then.

"What are you all standing around for? Get back on defense as fast as you can!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi roared.

He didn't even bother to straighten his disheveled divine robes.

His survival instinct and obsession with power unleashed tremendous strength in his aging body.

"Everyone! Return to the Hokage Tower immediately!"

"We absolutely cannot let them break in!"

More than a dozen figures vanished from their spot in an instant.

Hiruzen Sarutobi uses the Body Flicker Technique.

A few seconds later.

His feet were on the rooftop of the Hokage Building, but he was still thinking about something and was a little absent-minded.

She even landed a little unsteadily, staggered, and almost fell.

He leaned on the railing, panting heavily, his heart pounding.

Looking down, the sight before him made his scalp tingle even more.

The building was surrounded, and the square was packed with people.

The gate, symbolizing the highest power in Konoha, is being pushed and pounded by countless hands. After all, it is a gate, not a city wall, and it is clear that it will not be able to hold on if this continues.

Hiruzen Sarutobi gripped the railing tightly, looking down at the狰狞 faces below.

There was no reverence or respect; each of them seemed to want to devour him alive.

He wanted to stabilize the situation.

But he found that his hands were shaking and his legs were trembling; all was lost.

This has gone beyond a simple protest; it is a struggle for survival. When the sky is falling, everyone is fighting for their own interests.

The daimyo's letter, threatening to cut funding by 50%, directly cut off the villagers' escape route.

Ninjas need mission funds to buy ninja tools, while civilians need village funds to repair their houses.

Without money, life becomes unbearable.

"come out!"

"Hiruzen Sarutobi, come out here!"

"Give us an explanation!"

The members of the secret service stood downstairs, their hands on the hilts of their swords, but they dared not draw them.

There were thousands of villagers in front of him.

There were civilians, chunin, and even members of many powerful clans mixed in, so the law could not punish the masses.

What's more, these people weren't holding weapons, but rotten vegetable leaves and rotten eggs, along with banners covered in protest slogans.

They haven't started throwing eggs and vegetable leaves yet, but the secret agents have a bad feeling that these people are likely to act impulsively.

Of course, these banners were also prepared in advance by store manager Roy and sponsored for free, and they came in handy at this time.

Roy is always involved in causing trouble.

On the rooftop, the heavy iron gate was pushed open.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped out.

He wasn't wearing the Hokage hat, and his divine robe was a bit wrinkled, indicating he hadn't had time to change.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on his face, making his age spots particularly glaring.

He looked very tired.

Once a ninja hero who dominated the ninja world, a doctor proficient in all five elemental ninjutsu, he is now just an old politician forced to the brink of despair.

The crowd below fell silent for a moment, but the lingering power remained.

Decades of rule instilled in the villagers an instinctive awe for this face.

But it was only for a moment.

"That's three hundred million taels!"

Someone in the crowd shouted.

"Give the money back!"

This sound broke the silence.

"Yes! Pay me back!"

"Why are orphans' pensions being withheld?"

"If the government really cuts funding, our whole family will starve!"

The questioning erupted again.

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his hand and pressed it down.

He mobilized the chakra within his body, allowing his voice to spread outwards.

"Everyone...please be quiet."

"I know everyone is angry, but please let me say a few words."

"I know that Daimyo's letter has caused great panic among everyone."

Hiruzen Sarutobi walked to the edge of the rooftop.

He had to stabilize the situation, even if it meant using lies and outdated rhetoric.

As long as we can get through today and retain our position as Hokage, there will always be ways to gradually cleanse ourselves of the corruption and salvage the situation.

"About Naruto."

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, his gaze sweeping over the angry faces below.

"I have my reasons."

These two words again: predicament. They really are the perfect excuse.

"Minato Namikaze sacrificed himself to seal the Nine-Tails."

"He has many enemies in the ninja world. Iwagakure, Kumogakure, Kirigakure... Ninjas who lost their loved ones on the battlefield, he thinks of revenge all the time."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice became more impassioned, attempting to evoke a sense of crisis in the villagers.

"If I reveal Naruto's true parentage."

"If other villages find out he is the son of the Fourth Hokage."

"Assassins will continue to infiltrate Konoha."

"At that time, it won't just be Naruto who's in danger, but you all will too."

"War will break out again, and the village will be engulfed in flames."

These words are very inflammatory.

For the villagers who experienced the Third Shinobi World War, the word "war" was their greatest nightmare.

The commotion subsided somewhat, and some people began to hesitate.

"That seems... to make sense."

"Indeed, the Fourth Generation Lord killed many people from other villages."

"If it really leads to war, then it certainly can't be made public."

Hiruzen Sarutobi keenly sensed this shift in emotion.

His opportunity had arrived, and he pressed his advantage, a compassionate expression on his face.

"I hid all of this to protect Naruto."

"Let him grow up as an ordinary person. Although he suffered some injustices, at least his life was not in danger."

"As for those rumors..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed.

"It was to deceive spies from enemy countries."

"Only by making everyone believe that he is a fox spirit will the enemy not associate him with the fourth generation's son."

"This is a disguise."

"It's also a... necessary sacrifice."

The logical loop is weak, though.

However, this argument is very popular when there is an information asymmetry.

After all, nobody wants to fight, and nobody wants to be targeted by assassins from other villages.

"So that's how it is..."

"The Third Generation Lord was also considering the bigger picture."

"It seems we misunderstood the Hokage."

Some villagers who were easily swayed began to waver.

Decades of brainwashing education have not been done in vain.

The idea that the Hokage is always right and always does what the village needs is deeply ingrained.

Hiruzen Sarutobi breathed a sigh of relief; his back was already soaked with cold sweat.

Fortunately, we managed to get away with it.

As long as public opinion stops boiling over, it will be easier to explain to Daming.

As for the three hundred million taels... we'll figure out a way to fill the gap later.

Inside the Illusionary Dojo.

Looking at the somewhat hesitant villagers on the screen, Roy actually admired the old man a little.

"Tsk, this old man's brainwashing skills are truly profound. He thinks he can turn the tables with just a few words?"

Roy revealed a sinister smile.

"Since you want to play a kind elder, I'll add some special effects for you."