The One Who Breaks the Deadlock Often Cannot See Themselves

If things truly developed in the worst possible direction, Hiruzen Sarutobi was undoubtedly unfit to remain Hokage.

But at this time, the Great Shinobi War had yet to end.

Replacing the Hokage was a major matter and would inevitably affect the village.

If it caused a Change of Circumstances on the battlefield—if the other Ninja Villages saw that Konoha had changed commanders in the middle of battle and decided to continue the war—

Then she would become a sinner of the village.

But if Hiruzen Sarutobi remained in office after committing such a heinous act, it would also shake the troops' morale.

After all, the soldiers were risking their lives on the front lines, only to return home and find their children gone. Who could bear that?

If those people were not punished, it might even provoke a rebellion.

Caught in such a dilemma, Mito Uzumaki hesitated.

Then Mito Uzumaki shook her head with a bitter laugh.

She had already hesitated many times today.

It made her wonder whether some matters truly had no perfect solution.

Hoshiryu Uchiha knew the outcome of this war. The Five Great Nations could be said to have all suffered devastating losses.

It was why more than a decade passed after this war before the Second Shinobi World War began.

And it had not been started by the Five Great Nations, but by Hanzo the Salamander of Amegakure issuing the challenge.

That showed that all five nations were actually at the end of their strength.

They simply did not want to bear the reparations for defeat, so they continued the war in hopes of determining a victor.

For the war to end now, all they lacked was an opportunity to make peace.

And as Hashirama Senju's wife, Mito Uzumaki, who could forcibly draw upon the Nine-Tails' power—

She had both the ability and prestige to become that opportunity.

As long as she could exercise the authority of a Kage and convene a Five Kage Summit, this war could end immediately.

So the person Mito Uzumaki had been hoping would break the deadlock was actually herself.

Seeing Mito Uzumaki deep in thought, Hoshiryu Uchiha tugged at her sleeve.

When Mito Uzumaki came back to herself and looked at him, he said:

"Grandma Mito, why can't you become Hokage?"

Those words struck her like a blow to the head, and Mito Uzumaki instantly understood the key to the matter.

That was right. Why could she not become Hokage?

Back then, she had not competed for the position of Third Hokage for one reason: to avoid suspicion.

Otherwise, if the First, Second, and Third Hokage were all Senju, it would sound terrible. People would think Konoha had become the Senju Clan's private property.

The second reason was to respect Tobirama Senju's final wish.

The third was that Mito Uzumaki herself had not wanted to become Hokage. She had never had such aspirations.

But things were different now. Whether for the village's stability—

Or to end the war as quickly as possible, she was an excellent candidate.

Even if Mito Uzumaki herself did not wish to be Hokage, this responsibility would make her change her mind.

At that thought, Mito Uzumaki smiled again and rubbed Hoshiryu Uchiha's head.

"Hoshiryu is right. But we have not reached that point yet. Let's give the Third Hokage a little trust. Perhaps he can choose the right path?"

Hoshiryu Uchiha did not believe that at all.

Just consider the evil deeds Danzo would commit in the future: spreading rumors to frame the White Fang, secretly conducting human experiments, abducting the Orphanage Children, joining forces with Obito and Itachi to annihilate the Uchiha Clan, and even assassinating the Hokage.

Even after all that, Hiruzen Sarutobi could forgive him and allow his Root to grow stronger time and again.

In the end, it grew too powerful to control. Even after Danzo died, his Root could still stir up trouble.

Therefore, Hoshiryu Uchiha believed that Hiruzen Sarutobi would inevitably take the road of no return this time.

Mito Uzumaki looked at Hoshiryu Uchiha's unconvinced expression and said irritably:

"Enough. The arrangements are mostly in place now. Is the witness you mentioned safe?"

Hoshiryu Uchiha slapped his forehead, silently criticizing himself for being careless.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not know who this witness was, but Danzo had personally sought her out. How could he not know?

He hurriedly raised his head and checked the sky.

They had acted quickly. Ninja Academy should not have let out yet, so Nonō was safe for the moment.

But given Danzo's nature, he would definitely make his move on the way home after school.

So, just like Uchiha Ang earlier, Hoshiryu Uchiha was already far away by the time his farewell could be heard.

Mito Uzumaki laughed at the sight, but then she left as well.

She needed to prepare for the worst and take precautions before it happened.

Hoshiryu Uchiha hurried to the Ninja Academy. Classes were still in session.

The moment he reached the classroom door, he heard Tsukiji roaring.

"Skipping school on your second day? When he comes next time, making him run a hundred laps won't! Be! Enough!"

Hoshiryu Uchiha smiled bitterly, but still stood at the door and knocked.

"Whoosh!"

The door flew open, and Tsukiji's already vicious face looked even more terrifying when he saw Hoshiryu Uchiha.

He gave a low laugh and said in a gloomy tone:

"Hoshiryu Uchiha, you've got some nerve, kid. You dared to skip school on your second day?!"

Hoshiryu Uchiha did not care about Tsukiji's threatening tone. He was not important right now.

He looked into the classroom and saw Nonō sitting inside listlessly.

That made Hoshiryu Uchiha breathe a sigh of relief. Danzo might not dare attack the Ninja Academy—

But what if he went mad and really did it?

These teachers could not stop Root's assassins.

"Chunin Tsukiji, Nonō and I need to see Lady Mito on urgent business. Please let us pass."

Hoshiryu Uchiha's formal tone made Tsukiji's expression change instantly.

As a ninja who had been on the battlefield, he understood.

Unless Hoshiryu Uchiha was joking, something truly important must have happened.

He immediately stepped aside and asked in a low voice:

"Do you need me to escort you?"

Hoshiryu Uchiha shook his head, beckoned to Nonō and Tsunade, then turned back to Tsukiji.

"With your strength, you would not be able to help. Something major is happening today, so give them the day off."

"Arrange for teachers to take all the students home. Every single student must be accompanied by a teacher. Do you understand?"

Tsukiji straightened his chest and answered loudly:

"Yes! I guarantee the mission will be completed!"

Tsunade also brought Nonō over to Hoshiryu Uchiha.

"You're in danger right now. I'm taking both of you with me. Don't resist."

As he spoke, he picked Tsunade up in one arm and motioned for Nonō to climb onto his back.

Tsunade let out a startled cry when he picked her up, but quickly calmed down.

Nonō hesitated somewhat, but seeing Hoshiryu Uchiha's manner and recalling what had happened to her—

She understood that Hoshiryu Uchiha had not been exaggerating. She was truly in danger now.

Nonō did not hesitate for long before climbing onto Hoshiryu Uchiha's back with a flushed face.

Hoshiryu Uchiha, however, felt nothing.

They were just two little brats. There was nothing to feel, and they were uncomfortably bony besides.

Once they were ready, he quietly told them to hold on tight, then leaped away.

After they left, Tsukiji began arranging for the teachers to escort the students home in an orderly manner.