In Konoha, they wiped out the Sarutobi clan at the start.

Chapter 95 Payne's Call (Please Subscribe)

Chiya nodded and said seriously, "Back then, your father was so famous that he overpowered the Sannin. His prestige was even comparable to that of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was in his prime at the time."

"He is a strong candidate to succeed the Fourth Hokage. Whether among ninjas or the general public, there is a strong demand for him to succeed the Fourth Hokage. Even the Third Hokage had to be pressured into granting him the Hokage's half-sleeve."

"However, it was precisely because of this outcry that he died."

"You should know that the Hokage position is supposedly chosen by selecting the most capable and virtuous, but in reality, starting with the Second Hokage, an unspoken rule emerged."

"The Second Hokage was the younger brother of the First Hokage. The Third Hokage was the student of the Second Hokage. The Fourth Hokage, who is also your teacher Minato Namikaze, was not the student of the Third Hokage, but his teacher Jiraiya was."

"From the Second Hokage to the Fourth Hokage, they all have one thing in common: they are all from the Hokage lineage."

"From the moment your father was qualified to succeed the Fourth Hokage, his tragedy was already destined."

"That so-called classified mission was just a trigger. Even if he had chosen the mission instead of rescuing his comrades, another accident would still have occurred."

"So many years have passed, haven't you ever had any doubts?"

"A classified mission. It's called a classified mission because it's absolutely confidential."

"But why did it suddenly become so widely known?"

Kakashi neither completely believed nor completely disbelieved Chiya's words, and asked in a deep voice, "Are you saying that the Third Hokage deliberately had it leaked?"

"No, that old bastard wouldn't do such a thing." Chiya shook his head. "This kind of thing is usually done by Danzo. Because Danzo also wants to be Hokage. He's practically obsessed with becoming Hokage. I think you, who used to be in Root, know this better than I do. He even sent you and Tenzo to assassinate the Third Hokage for this purpose."

"That old man Danzo knew he couldn't eliminate your father, his rival, openly, so he'd been waiting for an opportunity in the shadows."

"And so, he finally got his chance. Taking advantage of your father's mission failure, he seized the opportunity and manipulated public opinion. In an instant, everyone knew about it, and he publicized the harm that the mission failure had brought to Konoha."

"In an instant, your father went from being a household hero in Konoha to someone everyone hated. In the end, even the person your father had once saved turned around and accused him."

"The Third Hokage was fully aware of this. Rather than acquiescing, it was more accurate to say that this was the outcome he desired."

"Firstly, he is in his prime and neither can nor wants to step down as Hokage. Even if he is forced to step down, he would never pass the position to someone outside the Hokage lineage."

"Secondly, there's the hereditary Hokage system I mentioned. Even after the Third Shinobi World War, when he was forced to abdicate, he chose to pass the position to your teacher, rather than Orochimaru, who had already sided with Danzo at the time."

"I don't know if you've noticed, but Orochimaru's human experiments on Konoha ninjas and residents all happened after he failed to become the Fourth Hokage."

"The reason your father committed suicide was not so much because of public opinion, but because he felt the darkness of Konoha and the conflict between reality and ideals led him to choose suicide in despair."

As Qianye finished speaking, the room fell into a deathly silence.

After a long silence, Kakashi finally spoke, "Why are you telling me all this? Do you want me to defect from the village like you?"

"Don't misunderstand, I didn't have such thoughts. Besides, let's not even talk about how many years have passed and there's no trace of it anymore. Even if you believe it's true, with your experience, I'm afraid you would never betray Konoha. I just wanted you to see Hiruzen Sarutobi's true colors." Chiya shook her head.

Just then, the rings on Chiya and Yekura's hands emitted a pulling force, and Pain's voice rang in their minds at the same time, "A ninja village called Otogakure has recently been established. Orochimaru is very likely related to the establishment of this village. Who of you has time now? Go and investigate."

Qianye stood up and exchanged a glance with Yecang. Qianye said, "Let me go. We're free anyway."

"Among the Akatsuki, your perception is the best, so I'll trouble you to make the trip." With that, Pain ended the call.

Chiya stood up, put away the chair, and said to Kakashi, "It's quite unfortunate, Kakashi-senpai. It's an old friend reunited. I originally wanted to chat with you a little longer, but it seems that's not possible now. Next time we meet, due to differences in our positions, we may have to draw our swords against each other."

As for today's events, telling the Third Hokage won't do you any good. Of course, it doesn't matter much if you do tell him. Konoha is now devastated by that old man's manipulation, and even the Sarutobi clan, which he cultivated by exploiting Konoha's resources, has been wiped out by me. There's really nothing to be afraid of.

"If I truly wanted to destroy Konoha, it wouldn't be any more difficult than wiping out the Sarutobi and Shimura clans."

After saying that, Chiya walked towards Zabuza and Haku.

Yekura gave Kakashi a deep look, then followed closely behind.

Watching the departing figures of Chiya and the other two, Kakashi inwardly groaned. Did they completely disregard him? It seems this wasn't just a bluff.

"How are you feeling now?" Chiya asked Zabuza.

At this moment, Haku had already pulled the blade from Zabuza's body and immediately stopped the bleeding. Unfortunately, Zabuza's injuries were too severe, and he was already near death.

Bai, standing to the side, was already sobbing uncontrollably.

"I'm alright. I never expected it would be you who saved me." Zabuza coughed up a mouthful of blood, his face pale and his voice weak.

"No, rather than saying I saved you, it's more accurate to say you saved yourself. If you hadn't acted like a man at the crucial moment, I probably wouldn't have intervened," Qianye said frankly.

"I see." Zabuza smiled with relief, then looked at Haku again, his eyes filled with even more guilt. "I'm sorry, Haku. It's too late to say anything now, but in the end, it's so good that you're still alive."

"Lord Zabuza!" Haku gripped Zabuza's hand tightly. At this moment, he too was prepared to die, ready to follow Zabuza once he was dead.

"Chiya... no, Lord Chiya, may I ask you one last thing?" Zabuza, clinging to his last breath, looked at Chiya.

Qianye felt that the two had gone far enough with their emotional outburst, so he took out a Senzu Bean from his system inventory. "If you were asking me to take care of Bai after you die, there's no need for that. Bai sees you as his everything, and if you died, he probably wouldn't want to live on alone. Besides, you won't die. Eat this."

P.S.: Third update. Please vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets!

(End of this chapter)