Transmigrating as the Third Hokage: Make Konoha Great Again!

His reputation is relatively complicated.

“Everyone has their own style. This is the style of the First Hokage, while I am following the legacy of Tobirama-sensei. This means I am more like Tobirama-sensei…”

Danzo comforted himself with this thought: "It's not impossible for me to surpass Hiruzen in the future, and it's not impossible for me to learn it myself, hmm..."

But for some reason, he suddenly remembered a scene.

—Hiruzen and Orochimaru sparred to test the village's surprise attack response...

He was criticized for arriving late, but he also received some applause after making a pledge.

It must be said that even for Ninja Darkness, that feeling was quite enjoyable...

And at this moment.

Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly pointed to his location.

"Next..."

"Let me introduce you to some Konoha ninjas who have made outstanding contributions to the development of the village!"

Danzo's pupils suddenly contracted!

022 I will not keep this glory to myself.

Following the direction Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed.

All eyes of the Konoha ninja and the general public turned to it.

Was he a ninja who made outstanding contributions to Konoha?

Who will be the first one...?

Danzo felt a chill run down his spine; this was his location!

Combining what Hiruzen Sarutobi said to him before leaving the room…

But Danzo was still very uneasy.

Would Hiruzen really share this glory with himself on such an important occasion?

Frankly speaking, if he were in Danzo's shoes, he felt he couldn't do it...

Isn't this just giving away your prestige to others?

That's way too generous!

But if Hiruzen Sarutobi knew Danzo's thoughts, he would just smile and shake his head.

Prestige does not strictly adhere to a zero-sum game, where it is a matter of one person losing and another gaining, and the total amount is fixed.

His attitude of 'not seeking credit' will amplify Hiruzen Sarutobi's personal prestige...

The purpose of highlighting achievements is to elevate the Hokage's authority once again, rather than to disclaim credit.

Because everyone knows that the Hokage is in charge of all of this.

"With the Hokage's assistance, Shimura Danzo!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi finally uttered his name.

"It played an indelible role in eliminating enemies and maintaining and rectifying internal discipline in Konoha, and in its deep cooperation with the Land of Fire!"

The intense atmosphere suddenly fell silent.

Danzo Shimura's reputation in Konoha was not exactly stellar...

Many well-informed Konoha ninja knew Danzo's style of doing things...

I usually avoid him when I see him.

Danzo maintained his smile with slight embarrassment, unsure of what to say for a moment.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled.

He thought of something funny…

Given the stubbornness and obstinacy characteristic of ninjas, if he hadn't helped Danzo out of this predicament, who knows how long Danzo would have spent agonizingly reflecting on it after returning home...

He might even turn slightly evil! He feels the Konoha ninjas don't understand his sacrifices…

"Well, even if he didn't do anything great, he still put in the effort... Besides, it's not like he didn't do anything at all." Hiruzen Sarutobi thought to himself, not wanting to let Danzo continue to feel awkward.

"Our assistant, who is also the current head of Konoha's Anbu, has been working tirelessly behind enemy lines in a tense environment, gathering intelligence and repelling the enemy day and night..."

"As a result, his style of doing things is usually somewhat rough, and he has also engaged in self-criticism about this..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi cleared his throat and spoke loudly.

And so it was said.

Many ninjas who didn't know Danzo but were whispering amongst themselves as the atmosphere fell silent cast admiring glances at him.

Despite being an assistant, he still frequently performs frontline missions...

Truly admirable!

Danzo possessed a cold and hard temperament honed from years of immersion in the shadows of the Dark Side.

This perfectly confirms Hiruzen Sarutobi's words.

A ninja who has lived in darkness for a long time, inevitably stained with some indelible malice, yet always keeping Konoha in his heart.

In the training ground, quite a few young ninjas cast admiring glances at him.

This kind of talk, half-fallen into darkness yet yearning for the light, sounds a bit like youthful idealism and adolescent angst...

Yet it perfectly aligns with the spirit of the ninja world, stirring the bloodlust and respect deep within the ninjas.

Danzo was taken aback. When did he start criticizing Hiruzen?

The intense gazes directed at him made Danzo feel somewhat lost, and this long-lost dark ninja felt a strong urge to escape.

But after a short while, Danzo immediately grew to like the feeling.

Suddenly, he thought of Hiruzen Sarutobi and what he had said.

“I’ve seen all your contributions… I will bring you to the forefront.”

Danzo took a deep breath and amplified his voice with chakra, but still maintained that cold, deadpan expression, with a slightly unpleasant smile:

"I…"

As soon as he opened his mouth, he was reminded of the speaking style that Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu commonly used now…

You have to start by mentioning Naruto!

"I will follow the Hokage's instructions, fulfill my duties diligently, and continue to fight for Konoha and the village!"

"That's how it is, and I hope you all feel the same way," Danzo said succinctly and forcefully.

Orochimaru, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but snort coldly.

He simply couldn't believe that Danzo, with his limited intellect, would actually initiate self-criticism with his teacher...

It's only because the teacher is kind-hearted and worried about embarrassing him that she saved his face; otherwise, the atmosphere would have been awkward long ago!

On the other hand, Orochimaru was also slightly wary.

Danzo did not launch into a long speech, maintaining his cold and aloof style, even in front of others.

This demonstrates that they have accurately identified their own 'value proposition'.

This change actually makes it somewhat competitive, so it's not completely useless anymore.

If Orochimaru were to adopt Hiruzen Sarutobi's style, he wouldn't even give Danzo a second glance.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled slightly and said loudly, "Let's give Danzo a round of applause!"

Thunderous applause resounded in the training ground.

Danzo's face remained cold and hard, but his eyes pierced through the crowd and fixed intently on Hiruzen Sarutobi.

He knew perfectly well that Hiruzen Sarutobi had just come to his rescue.

It even found excuses for some of his past problems, subverting them in a way that elevated his image...

"I won't be left behind by you..." Danzo thought to himself.

"If you can do it, I can do it too!"

He was referring to the conversation between the two in the forest after they returned from their cooperation with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

Danzo stated frankly that before becoming Hokage, he would be the sharpest sword in Hiruzen Sarutobi's hands...

"Second place, Orochimaru!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "He made great contributions to Konoha's scientific research and revenue generation, and also performed exceptionally well in various missions and wars..."

Orochimaru rose gracefully:

"Serving the village is a virtue I've cultivated since childhood, thanks to the Hokage, who is also my teacher..."

"I will continue to work hard to further protect the village's ninjas using technology."

Orochimaru's appearance didn't require Hiruzen Sarutobi to explain anything to him...

As one of the battlefield leaders of the Second Shinobi World War, Orochimaru is known to most ninjas in the village as a mysterious and powerful figure, and has always been extremely popular.

"Next is the list of groups to be recognized."

"They are Tsunade, Hiruko, Jiraiya, Nara Shikayama, and Akimichi Torifu!"

"They actively participated in the village's income-generating projects, working tirelessly day and night, and selflessly sharing their research findings with the village!"

Those whom Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed out were all key participants in the 'Holy Land Maru' and future research projects.

The five of them stood up together, waved to the cheering crowd, and were all beaming.

Who doesn't want their efforts to be recognized?

Especially in such a lively atmosphere and occasion.

Even Tsunade, who was used to seeing great figures, was deeply moved and gazed at the Hokage Rock in the distance…

Meanwhile, Hiruko's breathing became rapid.