From Naruto onwards, I've become a dreamer.

Chapter 149 Starting Today, I'll Be the Hokage
Konoha Hospital, Intensive Care Unit.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was covered in tubes, and the monitoring equipment next to him was beeping.

His eyes were tightly closed, his brows were furrowed, his pale face was devoid of color, his lips were cracked and purple, and he occasionally uttered some meaningless murmurs.

Koharu and Yan Mito stood by the hospital bed, looking at their former closest comrade-in-arms with complicated expressions.

Although they had fought openly and covertly for power, and even had fierce arguments, their relationship had once reached a freezing point.

However, it is undeniable that both sides' motivation for fighting was to make Konoha stronger.

Looking at the dying Hiruzen Sarutobi on the hospital bed, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane had mixed feelings and didn't know what to say. They just felt that the burden on their shoulders had become inexplicably heavy.

Why did it turn out like this?

Mitokado Homura sighed heavily, his face gloomy: "Hiruzen only fainted, how could he suddenly become so weak?"

"Who knows? The examination results show that Hiruzen's condition is very bad."

Koharu Tsurugi gritted her teeth, a hint of resentment on her face: "She's only fifty years old, but she seems to have aged prematurely, and she's also infected with some kind of virus."

"A virus?" Mitokado Homura rubbed his tightly furrowed brows, feeling even more bewildered. He asked with a look of astonishment, "Hiruzen is the Hokage. Could there be a traitor within the village?"

"We cannot rule out this possibility at this time."

Koharu Utatane's eyes flashed with cruelty as she coldly snorted, "Don't let me find out who caused Hiruzen to become like this, otherwise..."

At that moment, the door to the ward was pushed open.

Shimura Danzo, dressed in a black robe and leaning on a cane, slowly walked in.

"Danzo?" Koharu Utatane's face twitched as she looked at the person who walked in. She felt a little nauseous and frowned, saying, "Why aren't you in charge of the overall situation? What are you doing here?"

"Don't be so nervous, I just came to see how Hiruzen is doing."

Danzo lifted his hood, revealing his exquisite face, and his gaze fell on Hiruzen on the hospital bed.

"What you should be doing right now isn't coming to see Hiruzen." Koharu Utatane felt even more disgusted when she saw that face. She snorted coldly and turned her head away, cursing, "Danzo, since Hiruzen has appointed you as the acting Hokage, I must remind you not to abuse your power. Yan and I will be watching you!"

"Danzo, you need to understand your responsibilities."

Mitokado Homura added, "The Hokage is not a tool to satisfy personal desires; you must put the village first!"

The two advisors were well aware of Danzo's ambitions.

This guy is ruthless and vicious. If Konoha weren't currently vulnerable and Orochimaru wasn't clearly unreliable, even if they openly disobeyed orders, they would never have allowed Danzo to come up.

All I can say is that it's all too coincidental.

"I know."

Danzo spoke calmly, his expression unchanged.

She knew perfectly well that if any one of Minato Namikaze, Jiraiya, or Tsunade were still alive, she would never have had such a good opportunity.

However, things didn't go as planned. By sheer chance, she finally made it to this point.

Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi on the hospital bed, Danzo curled his alluring red lips into a smile, his eyes glistening with tears, and said meaningfully, "Don't worry, Hiruzen, I will make sure nothing happens to Konoha before you wake up. After all, this is the village our teacher left behind!"

Having said that, she put her hood back on and prepared to formally accept this 'gift'.

"Wait... Danzo!"

Just then, Koharu Utatane, who was behind him, suddenly spoke up and called out to Danzo, who was about to leave.

"Is there anything else, Advisor?"

Danzo remained still, turning his head slightly as he asked.

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado exchanged a glance. Under the latter's affirmative gaze, she took a deep breath and said solemnly, "During the medical examination, Hiruzen is suspected of being poisoned. This matter must not be publicized. We suspect there is a 'spy' within Konoha. You must investigate thoroughly!"

This matter needs to be investigated thoroughly.

This choice was crucial, and after much deliberation, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado decided to entrust the task to Danzo. Firstly, Danzo, as head of Root, was familiar with these underhanded dealings and would be well-versed in the investigation. Secondly, the identity of the 'mole' was currently unclear, and they suspected many, with Danzo's identity being the most suitable. As Hiruzen's comrade-in-arms for decades, he was incapable of plotting against the Hokage.
Therefore, considering these two factors, the task of investigating internal matters could only be assigned to Danzo.

"Poisoned?"

Danzo was silent for a moment, then said calmly, "Alright, I understand. I will investigate this matter secretly."

"Danzo!"

Looking at his former comrade, Mitokado Homura said earnestly, "Don't let Hiruzen or our teacher down. Konoha is in your hands now!"

"Ah."

Danzo gave a brief reply and then left the ward.

In the corridor, dozens of ANBU were on high alert, responsible for protecting the safety of the seriously ill Hokage.

"Take good care of Hiruzen and don't let anyone get close to him."

Danzo gave the order, paused for half a second, and then said, "After Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu leave, they are not allowed to come back, understand?"

Although the Anbu did not understand its meaning, it was an order issued by the acting Hokage, which was equivalent to the Hokage's order.

After hesitating for a moment, Linjiao could only take the lead in agreeing: "Yes, Lord Danzo!"

Danzo didn't walk very fast; each step was steady. His cane tapped on the ground, making a crisp clattering sound, and his figure gradually disappeared.

The Hokage Building, office.

Danzo, who pushed open the door, did not rush in. Instead, he stood at the doorway, gazing intently inside.

That table, that chair, and the mountain of documents, the framed photos of the Hokage from past generations hanging on the wall, and the vast Konoha Village outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

She gazed greedily at every corner, as if trying to imprint this scene deeply in her mind, remaining silent for a long time.

Then, she slowly walked over, circled half a circle around the table, traced her fingers on the surface, and finally stopped in front of the chair. With a strong expression on her face, she slowly helped herself to the chair and sat down.

The wooden chair wasn't particularly soft, but it gave Danzo a feeling of unprecedented comfort.

At this moment, the thoughts and ambitions that had been piling up deep within my heart seemed to spring up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

"Lord Danzo."

Just then, Ryoma Aburame walked in and suddenly interrupted her thoughts.

"It's Ryoma."

Danzo stretched out in the chair, striking a dignified pose, and said calmly, "You've come at the right time. There's something I need you to do."

"Please give your orders, Lord Danzo."

As always, Ryoma Aburame spoke concisely.

But it was precisely this indifferent attitude that made Danzo appreciate him even more: "Go and keep an eye on Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado. Report to me everything that happens."

Aburame Ryoma's eyes flickered slightly: "Understood, Lord Danzo. I will keep a close eye on the two advisors."

"Go."

Danzo waved his hand and said, "I want to be alone. Don't let anyone else in."

"Yes, Lord Danzo."

Aburame Ryoma left, closing the door behind him.

In the empty Hokage's office, only Danzo remained. She slowly got up and walked to the wall where framed photos of the Hokage of all time hung.

His gaze swept over the others, finally settling on Hiruzen Sarutobi's photo frame. After staring at it for a long time, a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips: "Hiruzen, Hiruzen, please don't blame me. You can only blame yourself for not being able to resist the temptation. I didn't originally plan to make a move so soon."

After speaking, she turned her gaze to the framed portrait of the Second Hokage and murmured, "Teacher, I will show you who is more suitable to become Hokage, me or Hiruzen!"

(End of this chapter)