Konoha: Becoming a God Starting with Aburame

Chapter 164 Danzo Makes Final Preparations

The Hokage's office.

After the news of Hiruzen Sarutobi's retirement spread, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado rushed to find him.

"Hiruzen, if you feel too tired, you can take a break. There's no need to retire so soon."

Koharu Utatane looked at Hiruzen's aged face, and her initial sense of blame immediately dissipated. She sighed.

"This village still needs you to keep it going, Hiruzen. Retiring so hastily might cause some unrest. You need to be careful."

Mitokado also expressed his concern.

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a puff of smoke and smiled.

"Xiaochun, Yan, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to keep up these days. If that's the case, why not find someone more suitable?"

"The villagers also need a new leader, a young and energetic leader who can bring them new hope."

"But isn't this too fast? You know, only we old folks can keep the village safe in critical moments. Should we slow down a bit?"

Mitokado Homura offered a suggestion, feeling that Hiruzen was too hasty.

Given the current situation, Hiruzen's rule is deeply entrenched, and no one can say anything wrong with it. Wouldn't it be better if it just continued like this?

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled but didn't say anything. Konoha was indeed very powerful now, and his rule was unshakeable.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that under his leadership, Konoha could only develop in a restrained manner, unable to compete with the reckless madness of other villages.

"Yan, Konoha has become so strong under our leadership, which is already a testament to Tobirama-sensei's expectations. Let's leave the rest to the newcomers."

"The new era has no vessel capable of carrying the remnants of the old era!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke meaningfully, his tone gentle yet undeniably assertive.

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi once again displayed the demeanor of a ninja hero.

"Well... okay."

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were somewhat helpless; they didn't know why Hiruzen was in such a hurry.

Such haste, without giving the old interest factions a chance to adjust their interests, is not in the overall interest of Konoha.

Danzo watched indifferently from the side. He knew that Hiruzen would never change his mind, so he remained silent.

Hiruzen Sarutobi has reached the absolute peak, and there is no need for these guys anymore.

What's even more infuriating is that Hiruzen Sarutobi actually wanted to drag them all into retirement. Only Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado hadn't thought of this yet, so they didn't feel any sense of crisis.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo exchanged a glance, neither of them uttering a sound. They both vaguely foresaw the final outcome.

"Let's end it like this..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with difficulty but determination.

Upon hearing this, Danzo left the Hokage's office without any expression.

"Hiruzen, Danzo is just a little down. You know, Danzo has always been against the Hokage..."

Seeing Danzo's arrogant attitude, Koharu Utatane offered an explanation.

"I know, Xiaochun."

Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted Koharu Utatane, speaking softly.

The people who truly don't know are you.

The news of the election for the Fourth Hokage sparked heated discussions in Konoha, with people praising the achievements of the Third Hokage while eagerly anticipating the rise of a new Hokage.

A new Hokage represents new opportunities, which means a new distribution of benefits. A group of people will be promoted because of the new Hokage, and some families will also be able to rise to prominence.

It was a carnival, and the entire Hidden Leaf Village was filled with joy.

Danzo walked alone on the street, looking out of place amidst the lively atmosphere around him.

Danzo looked longingly at the village, wondering if he would ever have the chance to stroll through Konoha like he did now again.

"I think Lord Orochimaru deserves the most credit; he's definitely the Fourth Hokage! Without Lord Orochimaru's leadership, I wouldn't have won the war so quickly!"

"No, Lord Minato is known as the Yellow Flash. Enemies tremble at the sight of him, and Lord Minato played a crucial role in the final battle between Konoha and Kumogakure!"

"And then there's Lord Shiitsu. The importance of the Guyver Armor goes without saying, right? If Lord Shiitsu doesn't become Hokage, I'll be the first to object!"

"Jiraiya-sama and Tsunade-sama are also very likely candidates. Jiraiya-sama's contributions are undeniable, and Tsunade-sama is even more deserving!"

Upon hearing this, Danzo was moved and used his transformation technique to join the discussion.

"I think Lord Danzo's contribution was also significant. Without Lord Danzo's dedication, Konoha would not have been able to win!"

The villagers were having a heated discussion when a comment came from the side.

That one sentence immediately cooled down the heated atmosphere.

The villagers of Konoha stared blankly at the person who had spoken.

"Who is Danzo? What did he do?"

The man who had spoken fell silent. He longed to boast about his achievements and let these ignorant fools know his greatness.

But he couldn't bring himself to say it; most of his credit was for doing dirty things for Konoha and Hiruzen Sarutobi.

If this gets out, it won't be a merit, but a crime.

Danzo, disguised as a villager, remained silent, which aroused the suspicion of others.

"Who are you? I've never seen you before."

An older villager stepped forward, looked at Danzo disguised as a villager, and said in a meaningful tone:

"I know becoming Hokage is everyone's dream, but please don't resort to underhanded methods! If you want to become Hokage, do it honestly and fairly. Doing things secretly is utterly shameful!"

"You don't deserve to be Hokage at all! You don't even deserve to participate in the Hokage election!"

Danzo couldn't hold back any longer. What did he mean by not even being worthy of participating in the Hokage election?

Danzo was devastated that he couldn't become Hokage, and now he's not even allowed to participate in the Hokage election.

Back then, because of a momentary lapse of judgment, when it was time to cover the retreat, I hesitated for a second in front of Tobirama-sensei, and as a result, that shameless guy Hiruzen Sarutobi beat me to it.

Danzo felt like slapping himself every time he thought about it; it wasn't that he lacked the courage to cover the retreat!

If it weren't for Hiruzen Sarutobi, he would have offered to stay behind to cover the retreat after he hesitated.

If it weren't for Hiruzen Sarutobi!

But it was all over. Danzo could only helplessly watch as the Leaf Village he had longed for fell into the hands of Hiruzen Sarutobi, who could then mold and manipulate it at his mercy!

You should know that Danzo's lover was from Konoha!

But now the villagers of Konoha actually think he is not worthy of participating in the Hokage election!

He wasn't even given a chance to be a lapdog!

Disappointed by the villagers of Konoha, Danzo returned to Root in despair.

Let's skip this street!

"Immediately repair and maintain the Titan armor; I need it to be in peak condition at all times!"

"We need to generate public opinion now to prepare for the next steps."

"Tell Uehara to obtain information on Celestial Youkai at all costs, preferably information on those capable of independently becoming Celestial Youkai!"

Under Danzo's orders, the Root members acted in an orderly manner.

"Hiruzen, it's time to end it all!"

(End of this chapter)