The air in the council room, already tense, thickened even more as Shimura Danzo stepped forward.
He raised his hand and pointed straight at Satoru, voice low and gravelly, but laced with authority:
"Hiruzen! I want this one under my command!"
All eyes turned to Satoru.
He stood motionless—arms crossed, gaze as still as a silent lake.But every shinobi in the room could feel it—an invisible pressure radiating from the young man.
Danzo wasn't finished.
"I want him… and his brother.""Eren Hoshino."
The moment that name left his lips, a flicker of approval flashed through the eyes of several elders.
"He holds an immense reservoir of life force.I believe… with proper research, we can revive Wood Release through him."
The words dropped like thunder.
Wood Release.
The legendary kekkei genkai.The power of the God of Shinobi—Senju Hashirama.
Hiruzen's eyes slowly closed.His hand clenched the stem of his pipe without realizing it.
Schemes in the Shadows
In this room—Only the Third Hokage truly wanted to welcome Eren into the Leaf with sincerity.
The rest merely wanted to control him.
"If Eren ever reaches the First Hokage's level…Will we be able to control him?"
That was the unspoken fear held by most of the council.
"We must prepare. Just in case."
They didn't want Eren to roam free,But they didn't dare kill him… not yet.
What none of them knew—Was that Eren had already awakened Wood Release.
If Danzo found out...He would stop at nothing.He would sacrifice everything to seize Eren for himself.
A Clash of Gaze and Will
Satoru's face darkened.
A wave of killing intent rippled from his body,Thick and heavy, like a beast awakening in the depths.
"You damn old bastard…"
His hands clenched into fists, the bones cracking softly.
On the other side—Danzo responded in kind.
A heavy aura exploded from him, pressing down on the entire room.
In chakra alone, Danzo held the advantage.Satoru's current strength was only about half his.
But—
There was something different about Satoru.
He stood tall—1.85 meters, snow-white hair wild and free, like a white wolf beneath a moonless sky.
His bare upper body, lean and toned, held no excess muscle—Just the refined, hardened form of a swordsman who had survived hundreds of battles.
He may have been weaker—But there was no fear in his eyes.
His gaze screamed—
"So what if you're stronger? If you've got the guts—COME AT ME."
The Hokage Intervenes
Silence.
No one dared move.
Only the clash of two invisible forces filled the room,twisting the very air between the two.
Then—
Hiruzen exhaled a long breath of smoke.
"Danzo. That's enough."
He loosened his grip on the pipe—And let his own aura wash over the room.
In an instant, it crushed the tension between the two men.
"You've said too much already.""Satoru, stand down. Danzo is still your superior."
His voice was calm—But unshakably commanding.
Satoru clicked his tongue, withdrawing his aura.But his eyes remained icy, locked onto Danzo.
"Touch Eren again… and I won't show mercy."
Hiruzen sighed.
This time, his voice softened, warm and sincere:
"Satoru… as long as I live, I will never allow you to be treated unjustly."
Satoru paused.
He could feel the truth in those words.
His gaze lowered slightly, and he gave a respectful bow.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
Urgent News from the Frontlines
Just then—
A shinobi burst into the council chamber.
Thud!
He dropped to one knee, voice urgent:
"Lord Hokage!"
"Urgent news from the frontlines!"
Everyone turned sharply.
"The Stone Village and a pirate fleet have launched a surprise attack on our forces!"
"Orochimaru-sama has issued a direct emergency call for reinforcements!"
The room froze.
But what stunned them most was what came next—
"The Demon Legion is on the move as well!"
"Orochimaru-sama specifically requests Satoru-sama and Lady Tsunade to assist at once!"
Marching to the Front
Satoru's brow furrowed.
"Demon Legion…?"
He had heard the name before.
A ruthless organization that leaves no survivors on the battlefield.
"Orochimaru-sama states that Satoru-sama's chakra-eroding jutsuand observation haki are critical to countering the pirate battalion."
No one dared speak.
This wasn't just a skirmish between villages anymore.
A third faction had entered the war.
Hiruzen closed his eyes, briefly pondering.
Then he opened them—Sharp as a drawn blade.
"Mobilize the forces immediately.""Satoru, prepare to deploy with Tsunade."
Satoru gave a slight nod.His eyes gleamed with anticipation.
"This battle…will be fun."
🔥 END OF CHAPTER 109 🔥