Only I can make Konoha Village great again.

Cheers and applause instantly resounded throughout the square.

Everyone was immersed in immense joy, and their eyes were filled with admiration as they looked at Hiashi Hyuga.

Hiashi Hyuga knew he wasn't the main character, but rather benefited from Orochimaru's influence.

But he still stood steadily on the stage, smiling with relief, waving to the villagers and ninjas of Konoha on behalf of Lord Orochimaru.

Because he knew all too well that the news that Orochimaru was about to attack Kumogakure would be the heaviest blow to the Third Hokage's group.

The Hyuga clan has been completely freed from their predicament.

Hokage Building, Hokage's Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi heard Orochimaru's news through the Anbu and froze.

He didn't even notice his pipe slipping from his hand and falling onto his trousers.

Shock and disbelief gripped Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind, and a deep sense of shame surged within him, making him unable to even look his three old classmates in the eye.

Everything he had done over the past three days had become a huge joke.

It felt as if someone had slapped him hundreds of times, leaving his ears ringing and his head spinning.

He sacrificed the dignity of the Hyuga clan, ignored the truth, and was willing to endure the doubts of the villagers and ninjas in order to compromise with Kumogakure because he feared Kumogakure's strength and worried that if they continued the war, Konoha would pay an unbearable price.

But Orochimaru proved with his actions that the Hidden Cloud Village was not that strong at all.

A mere four thousand Konoha ninjas actually fought their way from the Land of Fire to the Land of Lightning in just a few days.

With the entire village of Kumogakure mobilized and the Fourth Raikage relentlessly pursuing them, the enemy forces were closing in on Kumogakure step by step, seemingly poised to breach the village in one fell swoop.

Orochimaru didn't even need to actually massacre the village. He only needed to prove that he was capable of conquering Kumogakure, and the Fourth Raikage would have no choice but to sign an unconditional surrender treaty!

Hiruzen Sarutobi wished he could disappear into a crack in the ground, while Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane were also blushing with shame.

Even the shameless Danzo Shimura had a very ugly face, so gloomy it could drip water.

Konoha's F4 never imagined that the combination of Orochimaru and Yamanaka Hatsukyu would be so powerful.

The Third Hokage and his ilk never imagined that one day Konoha would have the chance to conquer Kumogakure.

Whether it's suppressing the Hyuga or quickly negotiating peace, the premise is that the Hidden Cloud Village is stronger, and the Hidden Leaf Village's resistance will inevitably fail and suffer greater losses.

Now, all the plans have failed completely because of fundamental errors.

The one who suffered the most was Danzo. The Hyuga clan revealed the truth and seized evidence of Root's lies, completely exposing Danzo and Root.

The roots cannot be exposed to light, because if they are exposed to light, they will become enemies of Konoha Village due to the darkness they generate.

"..."

Danzo roared through gritted teeth, his eyes filled with resentment: "Who, who gave Orochimaru the audacity to directly invade the Land of Lightning and attack Kumogakure?"

"How could he ruin my plans?"

"Danzo, shut up!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his head and looked at Danzo, his voice filled with exhaustion: "Stop talking. We've failed. Talking more will only make us look more pathetic."

Danzo Shimura flew into a rage: "You think I'll just shut up because you tell me to?"

"It was you who was determined to suppress the Hyuga clan, it was you who wanted to consolidate your power and restore your rule, but all of this has been meaningless!!"

"Orochimaru used four thousand ninjas to prove that Kumogakure is not strong at all. Our compromises and our attempts to appease them have all become a joke!"

"Hiruzen, the Hyuga clan's affairs, the villagers' and ninjas' anger, and the crisis of trust in Konoha—all of these are your fault!"

"You don't actually think that just because you've restored the Hokage title, you can still have absolute authority, do you?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face turned ashen, and he said sternly, "Danzo, how dare you talk nonsense to me? What do you mean it's all my fault?"

"What do you mean I, as the Third Hokage, can't have absolute authority?"

"Are you trying to pull some trick and frame me?"

"The villagers and ninjas are now extremely agitated. Orochimaru has breached Kumogakure, and Konoha cannot afford any more internal strife!"

"If you dare to act recklessly, I, as the Hokage, will have no choice but to order the disbandment of Root and severely punish you, the culprit!"

This was the first time Hiruzen Sarutobi had reprimanded Danzo so severely, and it was also the first time he had stated the specific method of punishment, which immediately intimidated Danzo Shimura.

Danzo was completely stunned.

His arrogance was largely due to his friendship with Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Third Hokage's indecisiveness.

But Danzo also knew very well that Hiruzen Sarutobi was ruthless at heart, and once he made up his mind, he would never change it, even if it meant giving up his own life.

Furthermore, Root is legally just a department of the Dark Bureau, so once Hiruzen Sarutobi orders its disbandment, Root has no choice but to disband as well.

After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi was the Third Hokage, the supreme ruler of Konoha, and possessed absolute power over the village.

Danzo Shimura was essentially a parasitic ruler; his ambition and power were borrowed from Hiru Sarutobi, not owned by him.

So no matter how much he struggled, he was destined to be completely controlled by Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Danzo's eyes were filled with anger and resentment as he stared intently at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

After a long silence, he gritted his teeth and said, word by word, "Good! What a fine Third Hokage!"

"Hiruzen Sarutobi! I'll remember what you said today!"

"We'll see!"

After saying that, he turned to leave the office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly spoke up: "Danzo, have you forgotten...?"

"Did I tell you before that you can't leave the Hokage's office?"

"If you dare to leave in front of me, you'd better leave Konoha Village immediately."

Danzo stopped abruptly, his angry expression suddenly turning into one of grievance as he glared at Hiruzen Sarutobi with his one eye: "Hiruzen, do you really want to go this far?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up the pipe, lit it, and took a deep drag: "This isn't going too far; it's upholding my authority as Hokage."

"Danzo, the situation is too dire now; you've become the one threatening my authority."

Danzo roared, "No! This isn't fair!"

"How could you suddenly change your mind?"

No matter what he said, Danzo refused to lift his feet or make any pushing motion with his hands.

In the end, Danzo did not force his way out, but instead obediently returned to his seat and sat down silently.

After Danzo shut up, the Hokage's office fell silent once again.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk and closed his eyes wearily.

Subduing Shimura Danzo did not make him feel proud, nor did it eliminate the slightest bit of his embarrassment.

He knew that Orochimaru's actions had too much influence and were a serious blow to his prestige.

Even the credibility of the Third Hokage's group suffered an unprecedented blow, plummeting to an unprecedented level.

He even felt a little breathless.

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado both had solemn expressions and remained silent.