Poor Shimura Danzō

Makoto Ito walked along, thinking about the series of things the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had done...

Hiruzen Sarutobi in his younger days could truly be called a heroic shinobi! But Hiruzen Sarutobi in his old age had undeniably become rather muddleheaded...

He indulged his close friend Danzo's every misdeed, pursued a weak foreign policy, caused Hizashi Hyuga's death, and failed to stop the rumors that drove Hatake Sakumo to suicide. His own disciple Orochimaru defected from Konoha, Tsunade, one of the Three Sannin, wandered everywhere, and Jiraiya left for distant lands as well...

Most importantly, there was Naruto Uzumaki, the Fourth Hokage's orphaned son, yet Hiruzen Sarutobi never took proper care of him!

On one hand, he claimed that keeping the Fourth Hokage's identity as Naruto's father secret was to protect the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's safety. On the other hand, Naruto's identity as the Nine-Tails Fox became known to everyone!

It had to be said, the hearts of those who played politics were filthy...

As Makoto Ito walked, he glanced at Hokage Rock above him.

A question could not help but arise in his mind!

Makoto Ito: Second Hokage, it seemed that the Third Hokage wasn't your only disciple back then, was he? Why did you hand the position of Hokage to him? Was it simply because he stepped forward during the crisis and wanted to stay behind to cover everyone's retreat? Why not give it to Shimura Danzō?

Tobirama Senju: Kid, you know quite a lot, don't you?! You even know about something like that? You're making me more and more curious! Just how much do you know?

As far as I know, you're just an orphan, aren't you? And your strength is quite ordinary. How did you come into contact with these matters? Who told you?

Makoto Ito: Don't worry about that. Anyway, I know many things about you all! Things you know, and even things you don't know—I know them all! I even know about the attack the Fourth Hokage mentioned before, and that man who called himself Madara Uchiha! Right, Madara?

Madara Uchiha: ?????? Chat all you want, but why drag me into it? I already said it—the man was absolutely not me! I have acted openly and honorably all my life. I wouldn't stoop to hiding my face!

Hashirama Senju: Madara's right! The man who attacked the Fourth Hokage didn't even dare show his face, so he definitely wasn't Madara! Besides, Madara had already died by then! I killed him with my own hands!

Madara Uchiha: Hashirama, shut up! If you don't know how to talk, then don't talk! No one will think you're mute just because you keep quiet!

Hashirama Senju: Oh...

At this moment, even Madara Uchiha was somewhat puzzled. Could this brat named Makoto Ito truly know so many secrets?

Could he really know about my plans?

If he didn't, why did he specifically mention my name just now?

Was he warning me?

Or had he merely said it casually, without any other intention?

Makoto Ito's words had left even Madara Uchiha unable to see through him!

After all, he possessed a Chat Group that could be called heaven-defying, seemed to know many people's hidden secrets, and, most importantly, might even have a chance to resurrect everyone in the group. To Madara Uchiha, Makoto Ito was simply far too mysterious!

Makoto Ito: All right, all right, stop dwelling on this. Since you can now see the outside world through my eyes, you can discover things for yourselves in the future! What fun would it be if I told you everything?

Where were we just now? Right, Second Hokage, why did you pass the position of Hokage to Hiruzen Sarutobi?

Tobirama Senju: What you said just now, about him staying behind to cover the retreat, was indeed part of the reason! To become Hokage, one must be someone who takes responsibility! Being Hokage does not merely mean glory! It also means bearing the rise and fall of all Konoha! Only those who can step forward at the critical moment, burn themselves, and illuminate the village are qualified to become Hokage!

Hashirama Senju: My brother is right! Exactly right!!! That's what a Hokage should do!

Minato Namikaze: A thumbs-up for the Second Hokage! That's exactly what I did!

Madara Uchiha: Tch, what a bunch of idiots!

Makoto Ito: Then, Second Hokage, I have another question! If Danzo had been the one to ask to stay behind and cover the retreat that day, would you have passed the position of Hokage to him?

Upon hearing Makoto Ito's words, Tobirama Senju considered it very carefully...

Even everyone else was wondering how the Second Hokage would answer this question.

Would he have passed the position of Hokage to Danzo or not?

Tobirama Senju: No! After all, if he stayed behind to cover the retreat, he would die...

"Pfft—hahahahahahaha..." Makoto Ito could not hold back his laughter upon hearing that...

It had to be said, Danzo really was miserable! In other words, whether he stayed behind to cover the retreat or not, the position of Hokage was destined to be beyond his reach, wasn't it?

In other words, if he covered the retreat, the position of Hokage would go to Hiruzen Sarutobi. If he did not cover the retreat, the position of Hokage would still go to Hiruzen Sarutobi!

By comparison, it was better not to cover the retreat. After all, if he did, he might die there!

Makoto Ito: Hahahahaha... Second Hokage, did you know? Danzo has regretted this for all these years. He always thought that if he had been the one to ask to stay behind and cover the retreat back then, you might have handed him the position of Third Hokage!

He always believed that his hesitation back then was what caused him to miss out on the position of Third Hokage! He even regretted it for his entire life!

But if he learned that even if he had stayed behind to cover the retreat back then, you still would not have passed him the position of Third Hokage, how do you think he would feel? Hahahahahahahahaha...

Tobirama Senju: ...Danzo's personality was not particularly suited to being Hokage! In fact, even before that incident, I had already considered who should succeed as the next Hokage! Hiruzen and Danzo were both good candidates, but comparatively speaking, Hiruzen was far more outstanding than Danzo!

Just as I said, the Hokage bears the rise and fall of an entire village! I would feel more at ease placing that position in Hiruzen's hands!

Hashirama Senju: Well! Tobirama, it looks like your choice was still pretty good after all!

Tobirama Senju: Yes, the monkey did do quite well!

Minato Namikaze: The Third Hokage truly was excellent!

Makoto Ito heard their words, smiled, shook his head, and said nothing...

Go ahead and praise the Third Hokage now! Once you learn that the Senju Clan has only Tsunade left, that Naruto Uzumaki often went hungry and had to endure the villagers' insults every day, and that even when he had food, it was expired, I wonder what you'll think then?