Transmigrating as the Third Hokage: Make Konoha Great Again!

Upon hearing this, the Konoha ninjas all showed expressions of sudden realization.

Oh, I see…

No wonder the Hokage wasn't in a hurry to retaliate against Kumogakure...

He was there so he could be the first to charge into battle!

"Lord Hokage, you were ill a few days ago, with a persistent high fever..." Nara Shikayama, the current head of the Nara clan, asked after exchanging a secret glance with Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Yes, some dangerous forbidden techniques were used, but it's all in the past now."

Hiruzen Sarutobi bent his arm and patted his bulging biceps: "Everyone needs to get used to my new look, otherwise it'll be troublesome if you follow the wrong person when you charge into battle with me."

He also mentally labeled Nara Kayama as a 'smart person'.

I cracked a little joke, which slightly eased the tense atmosphere.

Overemphasizing his own sacrifices is actually detrimental to establishing his image as someone who endured hardship and bided his time.

The Chunin and Genin all looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with reverence.

The image of a Hokage who practices deadly forbidden techniques for the sake of the village, who can also suppress his anger, and who endures criticism for the sake of everyone slowly emerges.

Kakashi glared at Asuma, his eyes full of displeasure, and whispered, "Hey, what are you always talking about at the Ninja Academy?"

Asma's face flushed red, and she wished she could slap herself a few times right there and then.

Rebellious by nature, he often said things like the Hokage was just a grumpy old man.

"Secondly, there are the institutional problems revealed by the Kushina incident."

"Over the past few months, I have also conducted in-depth research on the village's system, such as the unclear roles of the police department and the ANBU, and the promotion path for Jonin."

"I will push this matter forward and implement it vigorously. Everyone should be prepared, but the general principle is—to put capable ninjas who are good for the village in the right positions!"

Danzo Shimura caught a glimpse of his two old teammates out of the corner of his eye, a slight smug look appearing on his face: "Hmph, Hiruzen still trusts me, he informed me beforehand..."

At that moment, Shimura Danzo subconsciously ignored it.

These past few days at Root, he's been pondering whether Hiruzen Sarutobi is trying to seize his power or genuinely wants him to compete for the Hokage position...

The Jonin, however, were immediately intrigued.

Of the more than 10,000 ninjas and about 100 Jonin, only four are actually involved in village affairs decision-making.

Two advisors, one assistant, and one Hokage.

Although there are departments such as administration, medical care, torture, interrogation, education, and analysis, some of these departments are actually staffed by special high-ranking ninjas due to their specialized nature.

There is supposedly a "Jonin Squad", but in reality, it has no real power.

The Jonin couldn't help but feel excited.

What will the Third Hokage do?

Mitokado Yan and Utatane Koharu looked at each other in bewilderment.

Institutional reform?

Why didn't you tell them...?

But in this setting, amidst the fiery atmosphere created by Hiruzen Sarutobi, the two of them tacitly kept quiet.

Speaking at this time will earn you the wrath of the Jonin!

Hiruzen Sarutobi slightly raised his hand.

The slight murmur of discussion immediately ceased.

"Next, we will summarize this emergency test."

"Overall, things are good! Our ninjas are still disciplined and quick-witted..."

"But there are also problems."

"What's going on with the roots? Where's your timeliness?!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi emphasized his words, turning his gaze to Danzo Shimura:

"I'm not holding Root accountable for Kushina's matter because Root has made achievements in the past, and I can't expect the intelligence department to know all the enemy's movements."

Shimura Danzo felt a chill run down his spine. Was he going to be used as a scapegoat?

"I am responsible for this!" He also had a bitter pill to swallow and dared not speak out.

The Root ninjas are special.

Because in the past, Danzo Shimura's training of the Root was brainwashing-style, completely a model for cultivating private soldiers.

The Root unit obtained the intelligence and adopted a strategy of reporting to him first before taking action.

Instead of simultaneously identifying, handling, and reporting problems, as is the case with the covert operations.

"You definitely do!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi scoffed, "Danzo, while there are objective reasons why you're busy with the Root reorganization, that's no excuse for slacking off..."

The ninjas kept their eyes down and their noses closed, their minds focused on the world around them.

This is a power struggle at the highest levels of Konoha, and it's not something they can interfere with at will.

But Danzo Shimura was a little confused.

Hey, what's wrong with the monkey today?

Was he actually praising himself?

They said that Root had indeed achieved results and also sent a message to the ninjas.

— Dissolving the root organization was not a punishment, but a result that had been agreed upon by the higher-ups long ago.

Danzo Shimura has also been worried about this these past few days.

After all, having lost Root, it's easy for people to think he's lost the Hokage's trust.

Even if one officially enters the line of succession to the Hokage, wouldn't that mean falling far behind others?

"Please punish me, Hokage!" Having figured this out, Shimura Danzo, unusually, didn't say anything like "you'll regret this," and simply took responsibility.

Koharu and Mitomon exchanged a glance, their expressions both complex.

How come Danzo was so easily manipulated by Hiruzen?

"Let's atone for our crimes for now. After the Root is dissolved, as the vice-head of the Anbu and also the Hokage's assistant, you need to achieve results that will satisfy everyone."

"When the village is in danger, the first one to rush in is me, the Hokage, and the second should be you, his assistant!"

“If a similar problem occurs a second time, I will punish the perpetrator severely! You must make a firm commitment to rectify this.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi said this.

A look of delight appeared in Shimura Danzo's eyes. He hadn't been transferred out of the Anbu? He was still working in familiar territory...

Moreover, isn't this pledge a chance for me to show off?

Hiruzen, you really did give me a chance. You kept your word!

Since that's the case...

Danzo Shimura was filled with turmoil and stepped forward: "If this happens again, cut off my head!"

"Alright!" Hiruzen Sarutobi was also a little stunned, but he quickly composed himself:

"This is the kind of support we in Konoha should have!"

Now that he had the opportunity to show his face, was Shimura Danzo so bold in speaking out?

A round of applause, though not very enthusiastic, broke out in the room.

But to Danzo Shimura, the applause was incredibly loud…

Perhaps it's because no one has ever applauded for him?

"Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka... Aburame, Kosuke, Sakumo." Hiruzen Sarutobi named several ninja clans and ninjas, offering praise.

They walked up to Hyuga Hizashi.

"Hizashi, is the Hyuga clan holding a closed-door meeting today?" The Third Hokage, not one to hold a grudge, remembered this late-arriving Konoha clan.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was still relatively kind towards this branch family ninja.

He couldn't decide anything.

Hyuga Hizashi lowered his head.

Even before he arrived late, the scrutinizing gazes from everyone made his face burn with embarrassment.

But he really had no choice...

The situation is similar to that of Danzo Heishimura. If we report it to the main family and analyze it further, we'll waste time...

The Hyuga clan is essentially a 'village within a village'.

There are caged birds, which are like an impenetrable block of iron, impossible to penetrate.

After all, they were a powerful clan with a history of over a thousand years. The continuation of the family line was certainly more important to those in power than the interests of the village.

The value of rolling one's eyes in uniting the people is indeed extremely high, and one has the capital to do so.

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered to himself that if he were the main member of the Hyuga clan, he would probably have similar thoughts.

But the problem is, he's the Hokage!

A ruler cannot tolerate such a situation under his jurisdiction.

"No..." Hyuga Hizashi's voice was barely audible: "Third Hokage, today was an accident..."

He couldn't say it was the main family's decision, so he could only offer some vague explanations.

Hyuga Hizashi was terrified that Sarutobi Hiruzen would continue to press him for answers.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't, instead giving the Hyuga a way out: "As a noble clan with a thousand-year-old tradition, I respect the Hyuga's tradition."

“Being constantly given the cold shoulder in the village will definitely have some impact.”

The ninjas nodded subconsciously.

Who doesn't have some personal privacy? Especially for ninjas, intelligence is the most important resource.