They're promoting the "Konoha threat" theory, and spouting nonsense about the Hidden

Chapter 227 Danzo, you'll regret this! Hiruzen, I am the true Hokage! (8.8K views)

The news that Shimura Danzo had become Hokage unsurprisingly became the most explosive news in the ninja world at the moment, even overshadowing the news of the coup d'étatami, the second son of the daimyo of the Land of Water, just as Hozuki Shingetsu had hoped.

One is the handover of the position of Daimyo, and the other is the handover of the position of leader of the ninja village.

Logically speaking, the position of Daimyo should be more eye-catching, but the reality is the opposite.

There's no way around it; the Land of Water is, after all, an island nation, far from the mainland and located in a remote area. Moreover, in previous years, the Land of Water had a policy of secrecy, so the people on the Ninja World Continent had a certain lack of information about the changes in the Daimyo of the Land of Water.

Although the biopic of the daimyo, Hozuki Shingetsu, made Sui Keita a minor celebrity in the ninja world, that was six or seven years ago.

Those storms have long since passed. Under Hozuki Shingetsu's vigorous control of public opinion, despite the fact that the Land of Water is one of the five great nations of the ninja world, and despite the tragic incident in the Land of Water where all the royal males except for Mizuki Fukushi died in the internal strife, the news of the change of the daimyo position was still overshadowed by the news of the change of the Konoha Hokage position.

After all, that's Konoha!

Backed by the Land of Fire, despite suffering heavy losses during the Second Shinobi World War due to the combined attack of the three great ninja villages, it is still, in a sense, the number one ninja village in the ninja world today.

This change of leadership in the strongest ninja village in the ninja world, especially since it involves the former Hokage's alleged sexual misconduct with the wife of his subordinate—the wife of the infamous "White Fang of Konoha"—who even committed suicide at her husband's funeral to accuse the Third Hokage…

This event, which involves a complex interplay of emotions such as ethics, immorality, and taboos, is far more compelling than the familiar prince coup in the Land of Water.

What's more, the final investigation report also mentioned the long-lost Mangekyou Sharingan. Even more outrageous is that the mastermind behind it was actually related to the legendary Uchiha Madara. The murderer was actually the son of the "Battlefield Rose"!

As soon as this news came out, from the snowfields of the Land of Snow to the oceans of the Land of Water, from the plateaus of the Land of Lightning to the deserts of the Land of Wind, all the people of the ninja world were thoroughly entertained by this huge piece of gossip.

After all, such a complex drama involving multiple twists and turns and the grudges of multiple generations is rare, not to mention in recent years, even if you search back hundreds of years, you might not be able to find one like it.

While coups in the Land of Water are rare, they can happen once every few decades or centuries.

With this comparison, everyone's attention will naturally be focused on Konoha, while ignoring what is happening in the Land of Water.

-

Misty Village, Mizukage Building office.

"You're the legendary 'Walking Witch'?"

Hozuki Shingetsu sat quietly behind his desk, watching the blonde, wavy-haired girl with glasses standing silently in front of him.

Having completed the transaction with Danzo Shimura, he handed over the nearly ruined Mangekyou Sharingan to him.

Therefore, Yakushi Nonou naturally had to keep her promise and was dispatched to Kirigakure.

Although at this time, Yakushi Nonou had already left Root and transformed into the director of the Konoha Orphanage.

However, given Danzo Shimura's nature, unless Nono Yakushi really defectes from Konoha, she will definitely not escape his grasp if he wants to.

In the original work, the orphanage was used as leverage to force Yakushi Nonou to return to her old ways. Now, under the temptation of the Hokage position, threatening the mere Yakushi Nonou is even easier.

This blonde, bespectacled girl, who is incredibly appealing to Hozuki Shingetsu's fantasies in terms of both her status and her figure, is only twenty-four or twenty-five years old, and can be said to be in the prime of a woman's figure and appearance.

Her naturally curly blonde hair fell naturally from her cheeks to her chest, but the ends of her hair did not fall naturally; instead, they were forcefully bounced up.

Her height of less than 1.6 meters, combined with her maternal figure, inevitably evokes a four-character phrase starting with the character for "child".

Coupled with his current slightly bowed posture as a sign of respect, Hozuki Shingetsu couldn't help but adjust his posture accordingly.

"I wouldn't dare boast in front of Lord New Moon... these are just excessive praise from the outside world."

While Hozuki Shingetsu was asking questions, Yakushi Nonou was also secretly observing this "Ninja Fox Demon" who was renowned throughout the ninja world.

Yakushi Nonou refused when she learned that Shimura Danzo had "traded" her to Kirigakure.

However, under Shimura Danzo's unreasonable and insane coercion, using the children of the orphanage as hostages, she had no choice but to accept it.

Fortunately, the children from the orphanage also came to Kirigakure with her this time.

Otherwise, without her care, the orphans' fate in Konoha would probably not be so pleasant.

Becoming a Root ninja like her might already be the best outcome.

"You're too kind, Madam Yakushi... I went to such great lengths to trade you back from the Root leader—no, I should now call him the Fourth Hokage—naturally because I value your usefulness."

Hozuki Shingetsu wore a gentle smile, but his words carried an undeniable air of authority.

"I've heard that Madam Pharmacist is quite knowledgeable in intelligence gathering and espionage, so from today onwards, Madam Pharmacist will be the training instructor for my intelligence department!"

"Don't worry, I'm not like Danzo Shimura. I like to put things out in the open... As long as you do your job well, I promise I won't let you become an enemy of Konoha. And those children you bring back, I promise I will treat them all equally. I will not only cover their living expenses, but also give them the opportunity to enter the Ninja Academy."

Before Yakushi Nonou could even utter a word of refusal, she was swayed by the conditions offered by Hozuki Shingetsu.

There was no way around it; the conditions offered by Hozuki Shingetsu were simply too generous.

It's fine if she doesn't become an enemy of Konoha, since she doesn't know many people in Konoha anyway, and the only orphans she cares about have all come to Kirigakure with her.

Having grown up in Root Village, it's impossible to expect her to have any feelings for Konoha, so this point is dispensable for her.

The key point is the guarantee for those orphans.

Shimura Danzo merely cut off the orphans' basic living expenses, yet he forced her to submit and work for him. Compared to Shimura Danzo, Hozuki Shingetsu's terms were far too generous.

Yakushi Nonou was unaware that Hozuki Shingetsu had the idea of ​​taking Yakushi Kabuto as his senior disciple. All of his actions were merely to gain the trust of his senior disciple in advance.

"...If you can truly guarantee what you said before, then I will forever be loyal to Kirigakure and have nothing to do with Konoha."

After a moment of silence, Yakushi Nonou wisely expressed her opinion.

"However... although I'm a little embarrassed, I still have to say something."

Yakushi Nonou looked at Hozuki Shingetsu, hesitated for a moment, and finally opened her mouth:

"Hmm... I'm not married yet, so I don't think I'm qualified to be called 'Madam'."

Whether it was a misperception or not, when Yakushi Nonou uttered those words, it seemed as if she noticed a flash of disappointment on Hozuki Shingetsu's face.

However, the look of disappointment came and went quickly, so she couldn't tell if she had misread it.

"...It's alright. The title 'Madam' is simply my way of showing respect for Madam's maternal act of opening an orphanage and taking in orphans. It has nothing to do with whether Madam is married or not."

Hozuki Shingetsu adjusted his facial expression, mimicking some short films he had seen in his past life, and tried his best to speak in the manner of a very amiable superior:

"Although I have long heard of Madam's great name in the ninja world, seeing is believing... I will have to see for myself how good Madam's intelligence gathering ability really is."

"Eh? Want to see for yourself? Does the master have some task for me to complete?"

A hint of confusion flashed in Yakushi Nonou's eyes hidden behind her glasses. She had just been told that she would be a teacher. Could it be that the duties of a teacher in Kirigakure were different from what she understood?

Are they instructors focused on practical training?

Hozuki Shingetsu smirked and began to create a scene out of thin air.

"Your task now is to stay in this house and use every means you can think of to force me to reveal the amount of money I allocate to the orphanage each year."

"Alright, let me see just how professional you really are!"

Hozuki Shingetsu stood up, walked out of the office, and looked at Yakushi Nonou.

?

!

Yakushi Nonou was taken aback at first, but after slowly considering Hozuki Shingetsu's words and the current situation, she finally understood what Hozuki Shingetsu's so-called "trial mission" was.

After all, he's in his twenties; even if he hasn't eaten pork, he's seen pigs run.

In an instant, her face flushed red with embarrassment.

Although she had infiltrated other villages as an undercover agent many times, she always relied on her intelligence and skills to steal information.

This was the first time she had ever used a seductive tactic.

However, thinking of the children waiting for her return in that unfamiliar place, this shrine maiden, who was not a lady but was more like one, slowly took off her glasses.

"Don't!"

Hozuki Shingetsu raised her hand, stopping her movement.

"These glasses are important interrogation tools! How can you be so unprofessional!"

Seeing Hozuki Shingetsu's righteous expression, Yakushi Nonou was taken aback and slowly lifted the hair that was hanging down in front of her.

……

"Here we go again?"

On the first floor of the Water Shadow Building, the office workers seemed to have caught some signal. They tacitly put on their earmuffs to block out external disturbances and smoothly entered a working state of exchanging papers.

-

"Brother Dou, where did Pharmacist Mom go out to do? Why hasn't she come back yet?"

In a spacious courtyard in Kirigakure, a group of children who looked no more than three or four years old surrounded a child of the same age, asking questions incessantly.

The child looked to be only four or five years old, with a pair of worn-out glasses on his face. His gray hair, combined with the gentle smile on his lips, made him seem inexplicably reliable.

"The pharmacist went out to buy some things. We've just arrived in a new place, and since we're not familiar with it, the pharmacist certainly isn't either! She probably got lost after buying her things!"

"But don't worry, the pharmacist is a reliable adult; she'll probably come back on her own after a while!"

Although they looked about the same age, the child had clearly grown into a "little adult".

Under his reassuring words and with his gentle smile, the children finally quieted down, huddled together silently, and waited for Yakushi Nonou's return.

However, unlike those children who knew nothing, Kabuto Yakushi, despite his young age, had already experienced many events such as war, the death of his parents, wandering the ninja world, and being taken in by Nono Yakushi.

Catalyzed by these events, coupled with his innate talent, he naturally understood how unfavorable their situation was.

First, he was taken from the Konoha Village orphanage by a group of men in black without any explanation to the Land of Fire, and then he was "escorted" by a group of Kirigakure ninja to Kirigakure.

Despite enjoying good food and drink along the way, and being accompanied by the headmistress, Yakushi Nonou, Kabuto still sensed something was wrong from the worry hidden in Nonou's brows.

This wasn't what Yakushi Nonou described as finding a good place for them; it was more like a transaction.

Although Kabuto could see through these things, he could do nothing but comfort his younger siblings. He could only sit there quietly, just like them, waiting for Nono Yakushi's return.

Sasha!

Kabuto's ears twitched. The footsteps were approaching from afar and sounded exactly like Nono Yakushi's voice.

However, judging from the voices, there should be two people, which made it impossible for Kabuto Yakushi to determine whether it was Nono Yakushi.

Clang!

It wasn't until Yakushi Nonou appeared in front of the courtyard gate and opened it that Yakushi Kabuto confirmed that his headmaster had returned.

"Pharmacist Mom!"

The moment Yakushi Nonou appeared, all the children in the yard stood up, no longer quiet as before, and excitedly surrounded Yakushi Nonou.

"How was it? Were you all good while I was gone? Did you listen to what Brother Dou said?"

Yakushi Nonou looked at the children surrounding her and a gentle smile appeared on her face.

She was carrying two large bags of food, and she certainly looked like she was going shopping.

"Of course I'll be good..."

"But what's with these white spots on your skirt, Pharmacist Mom? And it smells really strange."

A little boy standing next to Yakushi Nonou noticed something unusual about her and asked curiously.

"Huh? Hehe... I guess he accidentally bumped into something while walking on the street..."

Yakushi Nonou's face stiffened, and she subtly tightened her skirt, trying to cover up the white spots that didn't originally belong on the skirt.

However, this move has only created more problems.

"Oh, and Mom, your legs are so red!"

Immediately, another little girl who was clinging to her leg noticed the blind spot and shouted loudly.

Upon hearing this, even Yakushi Nonou, the ace spy, couldn't help but blush.

She gave the man behind her a reproachful look, then made up an excuse to brush it off and changed the subject.

"I tripped and fell just now, and I guess those white spots got there when I fell... Anyway, let's see what I bought for you!"

So, under the deliberate enticement of Yakushi Nonou, the attention of these curious children finally shifted away from her, and they skipped and hopped into the house with the two large bags of food.

However, Kabuto Yakushi was not among these people. His gaze was fixed on the handsome man with long silver hair behind Nono Yakushi, who looked extremely dangerous.

"Nonou, it seems these kids really rely on you!"

Hozuki Shingetsu smiled knowingly as he looked at the scene before him.

After all, the fire within him had long since dissipated, so even if he wanted to get angry, he couldn't.

"Lord Crescent Moon is joking... These children are the reason for my existence now."

Yakushi Nono looked gently at the child not far away, and after a moment she finally noticed Yakushi Kabuto standing quietly to the side.

"Kabuto, come here. Greetings, Lord Hozuki Shingetsu... Lord Shingetsu, this is Kabuto Yakushi, the most sensible of my children. He usually takes care of these children when I'm not around..."

Because Hozuki Shingetsu never succeeded as the Fourth Mizukage of Kirigakure, he was always referred to as "Lord Shingetsu" in Kirigakure, and Yakushi Nonou followed suit.

Upon hearing Yakushi Nonou's call, Kabuto remained silent for a moment before quietly approaching her, meeting Hozuki Shingetsu's gaze.

"I finally met her in person!"

Hozuki Shingetsu couldn't help but sigh inwardly. After spending so much effort, he had finally managed to trick this future commoner genius into his hands from Shimura Danzo.

It could be said that Hozuki Shingetsu made this dumpling because of Yakushi's vinegar.

Although the dumplings were indeed quite white, soft, and fun... no, they were delicious, and his face was all oily and shiny from eating them.

However, Hozuki Shingetsu never forgot his original intention. After finishing the course on first-person interrogation and intelligence gathering with Yakushi Nonou, he followed her here, wanting to witness firsthand this commoner genius who would one day "transform from a snake into a dragon".

"He does seem like a sensible child... He looks like he's about of school age. If you'd like, why don't you go to school with the children from Kirigakure when the Ninja Academy starts?"

A strange look flashed across Hozuki Shingetsu's eyes. He half-squatted down and affectionately patted Yakushi Kabuto's head before offering his suggestion.

"Is that alright? Thank you so much, Lord Crescent Moon."

Upon hearing this, Yakushi Nonou was overjoyed.

Although she knew that ninjas from the ninja academy were all cannon fodder, in this era, what wasn't cannon fodder?

Becoming a ninja at least allows one to control their own destiny to some extent, and gives them a little room to resist when things really happen.

Furthermore, as a Root ninja herself, she had mastered a certain level of advanced ninjutsu. She was confident that under her tutelage, with Kabuto's talent, he could at least become a Chunin.

In this way, she has at least escaped being cannon fodder, and if something unexpected happens to her in the future, Kabuto Yakushi will be able to survive on his own.

She had made this suggestion to the village when she was in Konoha.

However, this suggestion was repeatedly thwarted by Danzo Shimura's underhanded tactics.

Therefore, Yakushi Nonou was genuinely delighted with Hozuki Shingetsu's suggestion.

"As long as these children can grow up well, then my sacrifice just now will not have been in vain."

When Yakushi Nonou recalled her efforts, she actually felt a tiny bit that Hozuki Shingetsu wasn't a bad person.

At least he actually did what he asked of others, and based on that alone, Hozuki Shingetsu's image in Yakushi Nonou's mind surpassed that of Shimura Danzo.

"It seems we'll need to carefully design the specific content of those courses from now on."

As a "walking priestess" renowned throughout the ninja world, despite only having been in close contact with Hozuki Shingetsu for a few hours, she astutely gathered some of Hozuki Shingetsu's habits.

For example, she learned about her favorite clothes, eyes, and postures in a short period of time.

With this intelligence in mind, her next first-person perspective lesson will be more targeted and effective.

"It's just a small favor... Since I promised you, I certainly won't go back on my word."

Hozuki Shingetsu looked at Yakushi Kabuto and gently stroked his gray hair.

"So, little guy, are you thinking of going to ninja school?"

Kabuto looked at the man so close to him, remained silent for a moment, and then revealed his signature gentle smile again.

"Yes, I'm willing."

"Great! Next month is the ninja academy's enrollment period, so you should register then!"

Hozuki Shingetsu stood up, greeted Yakushi Nonou, and then turned and left.

His purpose in coming here was simply to meet with Kabuto Yakushi; he had no intention of immediately taking him on as an apprentice.

Firstly, Kabuto Yakushi had just arrived in Kirigakure and was unfamiliar with the place. Given his naturally sensitive nature, he must have felt extremely uneasy at that moment.

At this point, excessive kindness may be misunderstood, thus affecting subsequent developments.

As time goes by, and he gradually integrates into Kirigakure and becomes familiar with its lifestyle and reward/punishment policies, then it won't be too late to talk about these things.

Secondly, those in positions of power never bestow all their favors at once.

Giving a reward all at once can easily raise a person's psychological expectation threshold to the highest level. If subsequent rewards are insufficient, it can easily backfire.

Although I believe that Kabuto Yakushi is a smart man, people's hearts cannot withstand the test.

It would be more appropriate to take Kabuto as a disciple after he becomes the top student in his class at the Ninja Academy and ranks first in the ladder battle.

That way, at least we can give an explanation to others.

"Well... the matter in Konoha has come to a preliminary conclusion. Hiruzen Sarutobi has stepped down, and given Danzo Shimura's temperament, I don't even need to do anything. I reckon that with his stubborn personality, he'll just step on the landmines on his own..."

"Hmm, it seems Shimura Danzo transferred Kakashi to Root. So, we can find an opportunity to tell Hatake Kakashi the truth. If this kid finds out that the person who harmed his family is his boss, that scene will probably be quite amusing, right?"

"But isn't it a bit too much to just ruthlessly exploit the Hatake family like this...?"

As Hozuki Shingetsu walked, he pondered, and then a sudden thought made him laugh.

"It would be interesting if Kakashi could hold back after learning the truth and then backstab Shimura Danzo at the most crucial moment."

"Kakashi, the 'Son of White Fang,' begs Konoha to its doom... Haha, interesting..."

-

Konoha, Hokage's office.

At this moment, Shimura Danzo, who had just taken the position of Hokage, sat smugly behind the desk that he had previously longed for but could not reach, thinking about how to start his "first three fires as a new broom sweeping clean".

He was naturally unaware that Hozuki Shingetsu, far away in the Land of Water, had already planned his demise.

"Kakashi, you are not only the son of a hero, but also a renowned genius in the village. Rest assured, the village will make thorough plans for your growth!"

Danzo Shimura rested his hands on his chin, looking solemnly at Kakashi kneeling before him, and said in a dignified voice:

"Your strength is now about the same as a Chunin, so it's not suitable for you to go on missions under Minato Namikaze's command like those Genin... Hmm, for your better growth, you'll stay with Root for now!"

"As the training institution for ANBU ninjas, Root will definitely be able to discover your hidden talents... As White Fang's son, you can't be inferior to your father. Complete the village's mission well, and I believe White Fang will be proud of you in the Pure Land."

Upon hearing this, Kakashi's indifferent face remained expressionless. After a curt thank you, he left the Hokage's office and went to report to the Root base.

When Shimura Danzo saw this, he was not angry at all; instead, his face was filled with a satisfied smile.

"Very good, this is the mindset a ninja should have... Family and friends, those are all unnecessary things. These so-called 'bonds' will only dull a ninja's kunai. A ninja only needs to complete the mission."

Danzo Shimura thought so.

boom!

Just then, the door to the Hokage's office suddenly opened, and Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado filed in and entered the room.

Since Danzo Shimura's investigation report shifted the blame to the unknown "son of Madara Uchiha," Hiruzen Sarutobi was naturally cleared of suspicion.

It can be said that Hiruzen Sarutobi's strategy of retreating to advance was indeed brilliant. Although he lost the position of Hokage, he used it as bait and ultimately "proved" his innocence.

Although he is no longer the Hokage, considering Hiruzen Sarutobi's past reputation, Danzo Shimura had no choice but to reluctantly grant him the title of advisor.

Therefore, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Koharu Utatane both hold the same status, participating in discussions of important village matters as advisors.

"Danzo, what do you want with us?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi walked up to the sofa and sat down without any ceremony, then asked the current Hokage a question.

Since breaking free from the constraints of being the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi has become increasingly unrestrained and reckless. His questioning, mimicking the tone of Koharu Utatane and others from the past, gave him a unique sense of pleasure.

"So it's this fun to be a troll without doing any work...?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought this to himself, but his face remained serious.

When Shimura Danzo saw that this old guy was still pointing fingers at him even though he was retired, showing no respect for the Hokage whatsoever, he couldn't help but feel a surge of anger.

However, remembering the purpose of summoning them, he forcibly suppressed his anger and revealed his intentions.

"...I plan to emulate Kirigakure and implement reforms in Konoha!"

That's right, Shimura Danzo's "three fires upon taking office" were to carry out Konoha reforms!

As the "Darkness of the Ninja" who was as famous as Hozuki Shingetsu in the ninja world, Shimura Danzo admired Hozuki Shingetsu's actions as much as he feared him.

As the saying goes, the person who understands you best is not necessarily your lover, but more likely your enemy.

Hozuki Shingetsu's various reforms in Kirigakure were effectively communicated to Konoha through Tsunade, who acted as an open inside agent.

After careful study, Shimura Danzo was amazed by some of the clauses. He could even say that Hozuki Shingetsu's measures were exactly what he had always wanted to do but had never thought of.

It is often said that Danzo Shimura and Hiruzen Sarutobi inherited the "light" and "dark" aspects of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, respectively, but in fact, this is not enough to truly summarize their governing philosophies.

What Shimura Danzo truly inherited was actually Senju Tobirama's concept of "unifying Konoha."

The reason why Tobirama Senju disbanded the Senju clan and integrated them into Konoha was precisely to create a truly unified Konoha ninja village, rather than a "Konoha Ninja Clan Union".

Danzo Shimura, who abandoned the Shimura clan for twenty years, was the one who truly inherited his political ideals.

Over the course of twenty years, the Shimura clan not only failed to gain any benefits from Shimura Danzo, but also nearly fell out of the ranks of top-tier ninja clans due to Danzo's constant demands!

Compared to Shimura Danzo, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who brought the Sarutobi clan to its peak, was a complete reversal of Tobirama Senju's ideals.

That's why Hozuki Shingetsu's reforms, which focused on developing civilian ninjas, were so favored by Shimura Danzo, and why he made it his first major initiative after becoming Hokage.

Of course, these overt reforms have nothing to do with Kirigakure.

What?

You say Konoha copied your reforms? Show me the evidence!

Yours are contribution points, but ours are merit points!

You guys are level nine ninjas, but we're level ten, one level higher than you!

The names are different, how can it be called plagiarism?

"Danzo, you're being ridiculous!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other two were naturally unaware of the intricacies involved, but after reviewing Danzo Shimura's reform plan, they still angrily expressed their opposition.

The power of the ninja clans in Konoha is far greater than that of Kirigakure.

This reform, which significantly benefits ordinary ninjas, naturally provoked discontent among the ninja clans.

Even a powerful force like Hozuki Shingetsu only implemented its reforms step by step after gaining control of Kirigakure through time and various opportune moments.

Danzo Shimura's desire to implement such drastic reforms upon assuming power naturally provoked discontent among the ninja clans.

Coincidentally, the head of the Sarutobi clan, the largest clan in Konoha at the time, was present.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi had considered learning from Kirigakure, he only wanted to learn a portion of it and did not intend to have the ninja clans cut off their own flesh.

However, Shimura Danzo's comprehensive reforms touched upon his bottom line as a member of the ninja clan.

"That's right, Danzo. I know you've just taken office as Hokage and want to achieve something... but you have to take it one step at a time, don't you?"

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado also opposed the proposal, since their families had benefited greatly from their time as advisors and naturally would not approve of it.

"Nonsense? Gradual approach?"

Upon hearing the objections from the three people in front of him, Shimura Danzo could no longer contain his anger.

You all so rudely rejected my very first proposal since I took office. Do you even respect me as the Hokage?

"If we don't do it now, when will we? Do you expect us to wait until your Sarutobi clan has hollowed out Konoha before we do it?"

"Danzo, you're spouting nonsense!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his fist on the table and stood up, glaring angrily at his old teammate.

"I'm making baseless accusations? Ha! Then how do you explain that the current head and deputy head of the Anbu are your son and daughter-in-law? How come there are members of your Sarutobi clan in key departments such as finance, auditing, administration, and intelligence?"

Shimura Danzo looked at his former teammate, whom he had just defeated, and smiled contemptuously: "Don't tell me they got to their positions through merit!"

"you……"

Faced with Shimura Danzo's accusations, Hiruzen Sarutobi was unable to refute them for a moment and could only point at him angrily, speechless.

"And you two, I don't need to go into the details, do I?"

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mito immediately shut up, fearing that Danzo Shimura would really be disrespectful and reveal the details.

Seeing the three speechless people, Shimura Danzo stood up, tapped his cane, and said, word by word:

"Remember, this is not a discussion, this is an order from the Hokage!"

After a short while, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally caught his breath. He suppressed his anger and turned to leave the Hokage's office.

However, just as his hand touched the doorknob, he couldn't suppress his anger any longer. He turned around and calmly said to Shimura Danzo:

"Danzo, you'll regret this!"

Danzo Shimura looked at his old teammate, with whom he had fought his entire life, and a slight smile appeared on his gloomy face:

"Hiruzen, I am the Hokage!"

Long chapter! Today's update is combined with the missed update from Monday.

(End of this chapter)