Konoha: I have a clone in One Piece.

Chapter 114, Ninja World News Report!

"Konoha's White Fang, whose real name is Hatake Sakumo."

"He was an extremely powerful ninja, and also a samurai of unwavering conviction!"

"Completed 256 D-rank missions, 384 C-rank missions, 266 B-rank missions, 123 A-rank missions, and 27 S-rank missions!"

"He overpowered the Legendary Sannin during the Second Shinobi World War, earning him great fame! He became known throughout the shinobi world as the White Fang of Konoha!"

"However, just three days ago, this man with the white teeth quietly committed suicide in his own home!"

"It is understood that he had been troubled by public opinion in Konoha before his suicide."

"According to an anonymous contributor, there are other hidden circumstances surrounding White Fang's suicide. He claimed to have witnessed a high-ranking Konoha official sending someone to monitor White Fang's residence before the incident!"

"And this high-ranking official of Konoha is named Shimura Danzo!"

"Shimura Danzo was the Hokage's assistant in Konoha. Like the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, he was a student of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama!"

"He has an organization under his command called Root, whose members have a long history of atrocities and have committed numerous horrific acts!"

"It is said that this powerful figure, known as the Dark Lord of the Ninja World, eats a child with every meal!"

"As for why Shimura Danzo harbored such deep hostility towards Sakumo Hatake?"

"This brings us to the issue of the Fourth Hokage's succession. Back then..."

"...."

"Also, the ninja who framed White Fang and returned from the mission also committed suicide yesterday!"

"We have ample reason to suspect whether that ninja is a member of Root, or whether he was threatened by a member of Root?"

"……."

"Many questions remain surrounding White Fang's suicide, but the inaction of Konoha's higher-ups is undoubtedly one of the primary reasons!"

—The above is a report from the Ninja World News!

"Let's see what other people have to say about this!"

"Shimura Danzo was definitely not a good person! —Onoki of Tsuchigakure Village"

"White Fang is dead? Hahahaha, has Hiruzen Sarutobi lost his mind? —Third Raikage A"

"I think Konoha has long since declined, and I believe Kirigakure will rise to prominence!" — Fourth Mizukage Yagura.

"Sakumo Hatake is dead? Good riddance! He should have died long ago! —Chiyo, elder of Sunagakure Village."

"Sigh~ We also feel it's a pity that Sakumo left us—Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha."

"The Ninja World News will continue to be updated..."

.

……

"Bang!!!"

Danzo Shimura's face grew increasingly grim, and he slammed the newspaper onto his desk!

His face was filled with anger as he roared at the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was standing beside him:

"Hiruzen! This is a stain! Utter stain!"

"What kind of trash newspaper is this 'Ninja World News'?"

"They know nothing, yet they publish things haphazardly here!"

"Everything I wrote is complete fabrication! Me, eating a child every meal? Ha, ha ha ha ha ha ha..."

Danzo Shimura was so angry he laughed. If he had that kind of appetite, he would have swallowed all the people involved in this Ninja World News report right away!

Immediately afterward, Shimura Danzo gritted his teeth and spoke sharply to the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen:

"Hiruzen, this must be a scheme by other ninja villages!"

"It could even be a grand conspiracy orchestrated by several ninja villages to create chaos within our ranks!"

As he spoke, Shimura Danzo picked up the newspaper, pointed at those who were commenting, his face flushed and veins bulging as he tried to find the mastermind behind it all:

"Look at them, Onoki, Yagura, A, and that Chiyo!"

"These are all enemies who are eyeing us covetously!"

"This matter is definitely related to them! The war a few years ago..."

"Enough!!!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was furious!

The Third Hokage snatched the newspaper from Danzo Shimura's hand, crushed it to shreds, and roared furiously:

"Is the problem with the newspapers now? Huh?"

"Danzo, Danzo, do you even know how many people know about this now?"

"You, me, the villagers of Konoha, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, various nobles, and many other countries and ninja villages in the ninja world!"

"This newspaper costs ten taels a copy, only ten taels!"

"Konoha has now become a laughingstock throughout the entire ninja world!"

"What did I tell you about Sakumo back then? Huh? Did I let you drive him to his death?"

"Do you know how outstanding a ninja Sakumo was? Do you know how heartbroken I was by his death?"

How could you be so stupid!

"Don't you know what kind of personality Sakumo has? Hatake has been in Konoha for so many years, haven't you learned about the beliefs of that clan?"

"Alright, now the person is dead, and the news has spread throughout the ninja world!"

"Danzo, Danzo, how could you have made such a grave mistake!"

"What if the entire Hidden Leaf Village is misunderstood because of this?"

With that, Hiruzen Sarutobi waved weakly at Danzo Shimura, his eyes filled with disappointment as he looked at his old friend:

"From now on, you will no longer be the Hokage's assistant."

"Also, you have to take responsibility for this. I will still keep the roots for you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes instantly sharpened as he looked at Danzo Shimura and said resolutely:

"Konoha's image must not be damaged! It must not suffer such an undeserved calamity!"

"...."

Danzo Shimura stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi with an expression of utter disbelief!

Hiruzen...

You were the one who asked me to do this!

Although it was indeed a bit much, I really didn't expect Sakumo Hatake to choose suicide!

If I have to shoulder this responsibility alone, how am I supposed to continue being Hokage?

Konoha's Unjust Suffering

What nonsense are you talking about?

Danzo Shimura quickly tried to refuse this obvious scapegoating:

"Hiruzen, you can't..."

"You don't even want the Root anymore?! Danzo?!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's aura was fierce and fiery, and a heavy sense of oppression suddenly descended upon the Hokage's office!

"I……"

Danzo Shimura's lips moved, a strange sense of panic rising within him. Ultimately, he said nothing more, gritting his teeth and reluctantly agreeing.

"good!!!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with a stern face.

He thought of the upcoming White Fang funeral and sighed:

"Alright, Danzo, you can go back now."

"Don't overthink it; one should always look forward."

"Just go up and explain it at the funeral in a few days. This matter will pass quickly."

"Bang!!!"

However, Shimura Danzo had no intention of listening any longer. His face was ashen, and without even saying goodbye, he turned and left the office, slamming the door shut as he went!

(End of this chapter)