Naruto: I Became Sakura and Accidentally Got a Nuke

The Third's eyes narrowed sharply. He stomped hard on the ground, forcibly changing his forward momentum, then leapt several times to put distance between himself and Sakura.

[Fire Release: Blazing Bullet]

Still unsure of what ability Sakura had just used, The Third decided it best to probe cautiously for now.

Red-hot flames roared outward. Once hailed as the Professor of Ninjutsu, The Third was a master of all five nature transformations. A simple Fireball Technique in his hands carried greatly increased power.

"Energy!"

Sakura murmured with a whisper, extending her hand. The roaring flames instantly transformed into pure energy, which she grasped in her palm. Then she thrust her hand forward—the purple energy mixed with blue chakra surged toward The Third like thunder.

[Shadow Clone Jutsu!] [Water Release: Water Wall!] [Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!]

The Third's eyes constricted again. From the thunder-like shockwave, he sensed danger immediately. Without hesitation, he quickly created a shadow clone while his main body deployed a water wall. His clone formed hand seals and unleashed an earth flow wall. The earthen barrier and flowing water curtain rose simultaneously, blocking The Third's front.

The purple lightning advanced irresistibly, smashing straight through both the earth flow wall and water wall before piercing through The Third's body.

"Phew, Lord Third, don't hide anymore—I can see you."

Unmoved by the sight of The Third being pierced, Sakura instead looked slightly exasperated towards a corner of the training grounds.

"Hahaha! That attack was amazing just now!"

The Third walked out from the corner, cigarette in mouth, smiling.

"That was just a lucky shot—you know I can't take down your earth clone normally!"

Sakura sat cross-legged down helplessly. Direct confrontation wasn't her strength. Most crucially, her body couldn't sustain prolonged usage of Infinity Stones' power. Otherwise, few people in this world could actually defeat her; after all, world-destroying power was no joke.

"You're already doing amazing! Honestly, I never thought someone could be this strong at just four years old!"

A sharp glimmer passed briefly through The Third's eyes. "With you all as Konoha's future, I can rest assured now—even in the afterlife, I'll have the face to meet my teacher and others again!"

"It seems Lord Third has made up his mind!" Sakura picked up the firm resolve in The Third's tone.

"These old bones still have a few good years left in them—plenty of time for you kids to grow up!"

The Third took a puff from his pipe, radiating killing intent throughout his body. "Before that happens, I absolutely won't allow anyone to threaten Konoha's peace. Though Konoha isn't at its peak right now, we still possess enough might to fight Kumogakure if needed—I guarantee it!"

"This is the true Ninja King Hokage everyone remembers!" Sakura couldn't help but exclaim. Although The Third Hokage often appeared compromising in the original narrative, when necessary, he would show immense firmness. It was simply that in the original storylines, he was too easily swayed—often convinced by Danzo's arguments.

Chapter Sixteen: Opposition from the Elders [Part 2]

As for Sakura's matter, the Third had issued a strict order to keep silent. Those who accompanied him that day were all direct ANBU bodyguards of the Hokage—completely loyal. Therefore, aside from the Third himself and the ANBU who witnessed everything, no one else in Konoha knew anything about Sakura.

After personally witnessing Sakura's unique abilities, which differed from those of regular ninja, the Third reached his decision regarding Cloud Village's continued pressure. The very next day, he summoned the Elder Council and the heads of Konoha's major clans for a discussion.

"As far as the matter with Cloud Village is concerned, this is my final decision. Let's vote to determine whether we go to war or make peace!"

The Third subtly expressed his determination to take a firm stance, immediately leaving everyone stunned and exchanging bewildered looks. Hadn't the Third always pushed for peace through give-and-take before? So why the sudden change of heart?

Still, after their initial surprise, the more radical faction led by Danzo was especially excited. They had always wanted to respond forcefully, but the Third had consistently hesitated and refused. Now, seeing the Third finally preparing to take a hard line himself, this came as a welcome twist.

Most of the clan heads also agreed with the Third's decision, particularly Fugaku Uchiha and Hiashi Hyuga. As for Hiashi, no explanation was needed—Cloud Village had attempted to kidnap none other than his most cherished daughter. If not for lacking the strength, he would've already marched over and wiped out Cloud Village himself. As for Fugaku Uchiha, the Uchiha Clan had always been proud by nature and looked down on the Hokage's soft diplomacy. Seeing the Third finally taking a strong stance filled them with genuine excitement.

Of course, there were opponents. These opponents were none other than Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, the two members of the Elder Council. As students of the Second Hokage and teammates of both Sarutobi and Danzo, they neither inherited the Second's political cunning the way the Third did, nor embraced his darker methods as Danzo had. Instead, they had become indecisive fence-sitters whose only real purpose seemed to be occasionally causing trouble for the Hokage.

"Sarutobi, we cannot agree with your approach!" Homura Mitokado spoke first. "Konoha can't afford a war now—this path will drag our village into ruin!"

"That's right," Koharu Utatane quickly added. "Once we fight Cloud Village, the other hidden villages will surely gang up on us. Right now, Konoha simply doesn't have the strength to take on four at once!"

The real reason they opposed it wasn't that Konoha lacked power, but that this war offered them absolutely no benefits. In past wars, other ninja villages were always the aggressors, leaving Konoha no choice but to defend themselves. And after winning, they could claim generous reparations—so no one really objected. But now, if Konoha were to start a war themselves, there would be no gain at all. Worse yet, if Konoha came under a multi-sided attack, defeat would be certain. They stood to gain little from this war, yet still had to send their clan's ninja into battle—it simply didn't add up.

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