The next day.
It was already noon.
The sun hung high overhead, and the temperature soared.
There were far more shinobi and civilians outside the Hokage Building today than usual.
The Third and the Three Advisors stood at the very front.
Below them stood the four commanders: Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Fugaku Uchiha.
At the very beginning of the Second Shinobi World War, Tsunade had argued forcefully for a revision to the Leaf Village's regulations: every squad had to include a Medical Ninja.
In a sense, Tsunade had contributed to the Leaf Village, and her contribution was no small one.
For that reason, quite a few Medical Ninjas stood behind her now.
It could be said that every Medical Ninja in the Leaf Village was Tsunade's subordinate.
Jiraiya, the representative of civilian-born dead lasts, also had the support of many less powerful shinobi, along with the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans, who had their own reasons for backing him.
Their representatives were the first generation of Ino-Shika-Cho.
Namely, Yamanaka Inoichi, Akimichi Choza, and Nara Shikaku, who, like Ling Tian, had just turned fifteen.
As for Orochimaru, that went without saying. He was the most charismatic shinobi among the Sannin.
Whether in shinobi skills or Management Ability, he outshone the other two in every respect, so many clan-born and Civilian Shinobi scrambled to serve under him.
At present, he also commanded the most shinobi.
As for Fugaku Uchiha, who led a group of clan shinobi, he seemed a little distracted.
He was still thinking about what had happened last night. After Hongsi left, he had called Mikoto over to keep Naiko company, then gone home himself.
Even now, he still couldn't figure it out.
What kind of ninjutsu could bring the dead back to life?
He had tried asking, but the man simply ignored him.
That fellow was standing beside him now, looking down his nose at the Third.
At that moment, the Third set down his pipe. Standing on the raised platform, he said with an air of composure, "We do not like war, but war has now become unavoidable. The Sunagakure Shinobi intend to attack us, so to protect our villagers, we must take to the battlefield and intercept them. Though we love peace, we now have no choice but to go to war!"
When he finished, the shinobi remained utterly silent, while some villagers farther away began making a commotion.
"Lord Third, we'll definitely beat them!"
"That's right! This isn't your fault. The Sunagakure Shinobi are so weak, yet they still want to attack us. How could they possibly win? But where is Lord White Fang? Why haven't we seen him?"
"I heard the Sunagakure Shinobi are attacking us this time because White Fang killed the Sand Shinobi Elder's son and daughter-in-law. They're coming for revenge."
"That's right. It's because of White Fang that our clansmen, fathers, children, and husbands have to go to war today. And what was he doing? Getting dead drunk with that useless shinobi Might Duy last night."
"Is that really true?"
"Of course it is."
"You probably haven't heard yet, but Lord Hokage and the Advisors originally had a way to prevent this war. White Fang abandoned his mission for his comrades, though, so now our village's shinobi have no choice but to go to the battlefield."
"What are you talking about? Lord White Fang has done so much for the village. How can you talk about him like that just because he failed one mission?"
"He was paid for completing his missions. Our village never shortchanged him. Why can't we criticize him for failing? He could have completed the mission and spared us this war, but he abandoned it for his comrades. That's a fact."
"Who told you that? You can't just spread things like that."
"Lord Hokage's eldest son said it. How could it be false? Most people in the village know about it now. If it's false, why was he stripped of his shinobi status? Why doesn't he dare come out and say that isn't what happened?"
"Exactly. If that isn't what happened, why hasn't Lord Hokage spoken up for him? I'm afraid even Lord Hokage is disappointed in him this time."
"And to think we respected him so much. Who knew he would disregard our village's peace?"
"Stop it, all of you. Lord White Fang hasn't had it easy either!"
"Pah! Someone's still defending him? Did he pay you?"
"I..."
Without any warning, before the main force even departed for the battlefield, the denunciation of White Fang began.
Everyone on the raised platform heard it too.
Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado exchanged puzzled looks.
Danzo remained expressionless. As if he had known what would happen, he closed both eyes.
The Third shot Danzo a dark look. Seeing his reaction, he reluctantly looked away.
The moment he did, he saw his three students and Fugaku Uchiha staring at him with complicated expressions.
His face immediately darkened, and he nearly burst into curses.
He hadn't done this!
He hadn't expected Danzo to do this either. Otherwise, he certainly would have stopped him.
After all, what would those Civilian Shinobi with access to a little information, and the shinobi of the various clans, think of him after this?
He was mistaken. In truth, neither the Sannin nor Fugaku had actually thought he was responsible.
They simply found it inconceivable that the Third had done nothing to stop something like this.
Had the Third already become this inept when he was only in his forties?
As for the possibility that the Third hadn't known-sorry, no one would believe that.
No one believed that this Third, who valued power above everything else, would make such a basic mistake.
This was a Hokage who used the Crystal Ball Technique to inspect the village whenever he had nothing else to do!
"Heh... I wonder if I'll meet the same end once my strength approaches Big Brother White Fang's."
Orochimaru wore a contemptuous, sinister smile as he quietly murmured to himself.
"Orochimaru, what are you saying?"
Jiraiya frowned, looking rather displeased.
Even if Teacher really was in the wrong, you couldn't act like this over an outsider!
How was Teacher supposed to maintain his dignity if you acted like this? There were outsiders here too.
That was what Jiraiya thought, and Tsunade felt the same way.
Tsunade spoke up as well. "Orochimaru, we can discuss this later. We're heading to the battlefield now. Do you really want to embarrass the old man at a time like this?"
She was worried-worried that this companion she had grown up with would disregard everything and openly challenge him over this right now.
To her, Orochimaru had been a madman since childhood, a madman who was both brilliant and cruel.
Sure enough, a flicker of inner struggle crossed Orochimaru's face at her words. Only after he composed himself did he say flatly, "I wonder if you'll still have that attitude when it's your turn, or when it happens to someone close to you."
Only then did he close his eyes.
Seeing this, Tsunade and Jiraiya were both startled and frightened. Sure enough, that madman had nearly gone through with it.
And why did Fugaku Uchiha feel a little secretly delighted?
Judging by this, Ling Tian really hadn't lied to him. Orochimaru truly was at odds with the Third!
At that moment, it wasn't just them. Different dramas were unfolding everywhere, but one thing was clear: everyone with any sense was disappointed in this Hokage.
Just as the Third wanted to wrap things up quickly, thinking he could quell this incident once the shinobi had departed for the front lines, someone spoke.
"Lord Hokage..."
Before you continue