Hiruzen Sarutobi's Fury

Acting Hokage?

Hearing that, everyone present froze again.

Shibi Aburame said calmly, "Shikaku, was this your true goal?"

Shikaku Nara smiled faintly and said calmly, "While Senior Torifu serves as Acting Hokage, we will send people to find Tsunade or Jiraiya and bring them back to become the true Fifth Hokage."

"Agreed!"

After a brief moment of thought, Shibi Aburame decisively agreed.

Shikaku Nara was not surprised. Smiling, he said, "A pleasure working with you!"

"A pleasure working with you!"

It was absolutely impossible for Torifu Akimichi to become Hokage in one step, given Ino-Shika-Cho's foundation and his age.

Unless Torifu Akimichi were twenty years younger!

So, he would first become Acting Hokage. That would make it easier for Konohagakure's other ninja clans to accept him.

As for Tsunade and Jiraiya, whether they would return to serve as Hokage, and when they would return, was their own business.

Before they came back, Torifu Akimichi would temporarily manage Konohagakure.

During that time, Shikaku Nara would have many things he could do.

At the very least, his influence would be at the future Fifth Hokage's side.

That was his true goal.

The Aburame Clan and the Inuzuka Clan did not actually want much. Without relying on the Fifth Hokage, Shikaku Nara could help them accomplish it with his current status.

"What did you say?"

The Third Hokage stared at Uchiha Kazuna in astonishment. "You accepted a mission and are leaving the village?"

Damn, I'll give this expression a ninety-nine out of a hundred!

It's so convincing that I'm starting to doubt Itachi.

No wonder you managed to fool Itachi so thoroughly.

You got Danzo to work for you for decades.

You even...

Kazuna grumbled inwardly.

I'm still too young. Sometimes, I can't make my expressions that vivid. My role-playing comes off a little exaggerated.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, now there's someone worth learning from!

He perfectly embodied what hypocrisy was.

What shamelessness was!

I'm still too serious.

"Although I am the Uchiha Vice Clan Leader, although I am the captain of the Konoha Military Police Force, I am still a Konoha Ninja. I cannot forget the missions I should undertake. Contributing to Konohagakure is what every Konoha Ninja should do. No one is an exception."

Kazuna began his magical chant.

How was that?

How was that!?

Didn't it sound even better than a song?

"Therefore, Hokage-sama, I will definitely complete this mission earnestly and not disgrace Konohagakure."

Looking at Kazuna's solemn, earnest face, then at the D-rank mission he had accepted, Hiruzen Sarutobi really wanted to ask, "Will that even cover your travel expenses?"

Even though they were already openly competing, wasn't this a bit too much?

After a moment of silence, he still said, "Kazuna, having a ninja like you is Konohagakure's blessing. I am proud of you."

Damn, you can even keep acting through a scene like this. You really are incredible!

I'm so embarrassed I could dig out a three-bedroom apartment with my toes.

Fine, let's see who cracks first!

Kazuna snapped to attention and let out a howl. "Serve the villagers!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi gritted his teeth, resolutely refusing to admit defeat. He seemed about to say something else.

Bang!

A ninja smashed straight through the door and rushed inside.

"What is it?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's brows instantly furrowed.

For an Anbu member to be this anxious, had the Uchiha rebelled?

He discreetly glanced at Kazuna. Chakra was already flowing through his body, ready to unleash a powerful ninjutsu at any moment.

Yet Kazuna also looked stunned and wary. "What happened? With Hokage-sama here, could it be that Danzo died... cough, cough, or that another ninja village has attacked Konohagakure?"

Damn it!

I get what you mean. You dream about Danzo and me dying.

The Third Hokage expressionlessly looked at the Anbu member. "What happened?"

The Anbu member approached the Hokage, leaned down, and whispered a few words in his ear.

In an instant, the Third Hokage's body trembled.

Kazuna was left utterly baffled.

What's going on?

Hokage-sama looks really angry!

Did something unpleasant happen?

Hurry up and tell me, so I can be happy too.

"Cough, cough!" The Hokage coughed twice, then looked at Kazuna. "Kazuna, you have matters to attend to. Go take care of them first."

Kazuna immediately said, "It's fine, I'm not in a hurry. Hokage-sama, please handle your business first. I'll wait for you."

Get lost!

The Hokage took another deep breath and gazed coldly at Kazuna. "Go quickly and return quickly, Kazuna. An outstanding Konoha Ninja like you must be careful outside. The area beyond the village is unsafe right now."

"Fine!"

Kazuna looked reluctantly at the Anbu member, staring at him until he began shivering.

The Hokage frowned, but said nothing.

What this Anbu member had reported could not be concealed anyway. Kazuna would learn of it sooner or later, as long as he did not learn of it in front of him.

He could not afford that embarrassment!

Besides, if Kazuna found out, it would stir up more trouble.

Damn it, why had he not left the village earlier?

"Danzo!"

Only after Kazuna had completely left did the Third Hokage squeeze out those two words through clenched teeth.

There was no need to think about it. Danzo must have done something again.

Otherwise, the Hyuga Clan, Ino-Shika-Cho, the Aburame Clan, and the Inuzuka Clan would not have reacted so strongly.

What exactly had that damned bastard done?

"Go! Bring Danzo to me immediately!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a thunderous roar.

The Anbu member shuddered in fright and hurriedly used the Body Flicker Technique to leave.

At that moment, Danzo had already received replies from Ino-Shika-Cho, as well as the Inuzuka Clan and the Aburame Clan.

The letters firmly rejected his demand for personnel and bore the signatures of five clans.

The threat was obvious!

Danzo furiously tore the letters to pieces on the spot.

His eyes were vicious as he snarled, "Damn it, these selfish fools are unworthy of being ninja. They have none of a ninja's spirit of sacrifice. If Konohagakure relies on them, it will surely be destroyed."

He raised his head and looked at the ninja before him.

At that moment, quite a few ninja had gathered around Danzo, a full forty of them.

Unfortunately, only three were Jonin. The rest were Chunin.

This was all the strength Root currently possessed.

"Too few!" Danzo was extremely agitated.

In the past, Hiruzen Sarutobi had always restricted Root's development. After several years of secret operations, he had only managed to gather nearly twenty Jonin. He had been preparing to launch a long-planned operation, only to run into Kazuna and have his forces wiped out completely.

"Uchiha Kazuna!"

Danzo ground his teeth, wishing he could bite Kazuna to death alive.

Now that Ino-Shika-Cho and the Aburame Clan had refused him as well, his plan to replenish his personnel had encountered another obstacle. He could not help growing anxious.

Whoosh!

An Anbu member appeared before him.

"Danzo-sama, Hokage-sama is waiting for you in the office!"

"Hiruzen is looking for me?" Danzo's heart stirred.

Perfect. Since Ino-Shika-Cho had refused him, he would find a way to get some personnel from Hiruzen Sarutobi instead!

Danzo immediately tapped his cane as he headed to the Hokage's office.

"What exactly did you do?"

The moment Danzo approached the office, a roar hit him head-on, startling him so badly he nearly threw away his cane.

"Hiruzen, what are you doing?" Danzo's expression darkened with anger.

"What am I doing? I should be asking what you did!" The Third Hokage pointed at Danzo and roared, "Tell me, what did you do to the Hyuga and Ino-Shika-Cho to provoke such fierce resistance from them?"

"What could I have done?" Danzo said coldly. "I merely asked them for some people. Didn't I show you the list?"

"Only that?" The Third Hokage looked suspicious.

"What else could it have been?" Danzo replied coldly. "Hiruzen, if you ask me, we should use thunderous measures to suppress these disobedient ninja clans and make them understand the consequences of resistance."