The Third Hokage's Fury

The Third Hokage suddenly flew into a rage, terrifying everyone present. Even Danzo was taken aback.

Konoha hadn't suffered much damage. He had assumed the Third Hokage wouldn't care about something like this. After all, he'd let far worse things slide in the past.

He hadn't expected the Third Hokage to get so angry, and he even looked ready to throw a punch.

"Lord Third Hokage, you can give me any excuse you like for what happened with the Root shinobi. I'm not trying to use this to attack you."

Danzo thought the Third Hokage had gotten angry because he'd brought up Root, so he quickly explained what he meant.

"Danzo, I'm asking why you weren't there when Sunagakure and Otogakure invaded Konoha. Don't try to change the subject and talk about Root. I don't want to hear it!"

The Third Hokage's face darkened as he stared straight at Danzo.

Danzo's mouth twitched. For a moment, he couldn't figure out what the Third Hokage was up to. Why was he so determined to pursue this matter?

The other Konoha elders said nothing. It was the first time they'd seen Hiruzen Sarutobi fly into such a rage since he'd become Hokage.

Every one of them was afraid of getting caught in the crossfire. Anyone who'd risen to their position had something to hide.

For now, all they could do was sit quietly and wait for the matter to pass.

"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue? Or do you not respect me as the Third Hokage of Konoha and refuse to answer my question?"

When Danzo remained silent, the Third Hokage pressed him again.

"No, you're the highest authority in Konoha. How could I not respect you?"

After being berated again and again, Danzo was growing angry too, but with so many people watching, he forced himself to keep it buried.

"Then tell me, why didn't you act during this incident?"

"Don't tell me you were out on another mission and weren't in the village."

"I'm telling you, my subordinates saw you in the village at the time!"

At that, Danzo's mind raced as he searched for a perfect excuse to get himself out of trouble.

By now, he understood that if he couldn't come up with a reason, he might be in for a very rough time.

"If you don't want to answer, I'll answer for you." The Third Hokage's gaze turned cold.

"Were you thinking I was old and useless, and that Orochimaru would surely kill me? Then, once I was dead, you could become Konoha's Fifth Hokage!"

"No, no... How could that be? I, Danzo, would never think such a thing!"

With his shame laid bare, Danzo grew flustered.

He hadn't expected the Third Hokage to say such things in front of all the senior Konoha officials.

"Danzo, I've always known what you were thinking. I just didn't want to hold it against you."

"It's not that I want to cling to the position of Hokage forever. I'd like to enjoy some family life in my later years, too."

"I'd like to hand the Hokage's position over to you. The problem is, you're not suited for it!"

"I'm sure you know that perfectly well. The Second Hokage put you to the test back when he was still alive!"

The Third Hokage's words struck Danzo like a blade, again and again.

Especially the reminder that the Second Hokage had already tested him. It nearly broke him.

The Second Hokage's choice of successor had always been a sore spot for Danzo. Even now, he still dreamed about it.

Danzo often hated himself, hated how weak and cowardly he'd been back then.

If he'd been more resolute and decisive, things wouldn't have turned out this way.

The Third Hokage slowly walked over to Danzo and addressed everyone in the room.

"Today, in the name of the Third Hokage, I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, declare that Danzo may never hold the position of Hokage in Konoha."

"Afterward, I'll issue a written notice to the entire village."

The Third Hokage spoke with unusual calm, but to Danzo, his words landed like a thunderclap, making his head ring.

Sitting in his chair, Danzo looked utterly dejected. The Third Hokage's decision had cut off his future completely.

The moment the notice went out, it would mean that no matter how hard he tried, he could never become Hokage of Konoha.

But the matter wasn't over. The Third Hokage continued:

"I also declare that, effective immediately, you are removed as leader of Root and demoted to an ordinary Jonin."

"From now on, you may not take part in or interfere with decisions made by Konoha's leadership in any way!"

The room erupted in an uproar. Everyone looked utterly incredulous.

They couldn't believe their ears. They couldn't believe the Third Hokage would make such a decision!

Nara Shikaku and Mitokado Homura's expressions changed drastically. They understood the serious consequences of the Third Hokage's actions.

Root had many powerful shinobi. This could very well lead to a coup!

Danzo held enormous power. Although he'd always been a thorn in their side, one they wanted to remove—

That didn't mean they could get rid of him with a few words!

Danzo's influence ran too deep throughout Konoha. They could only achieve their goal by gradually weakening him. If they came down too hard, he was bound to strike back.

"Lord Third Hokage, you absolutely mustn't do this! Shimura Danzo has made tremendous contributions to Konoha. You can't strip him of his position over such a minor matter!"

Mitokado Homura, a senior Konoha adviser, hurriedly spoke up.

Utatane Koharu, Nara Shikaku, the Land of Fire's representative, and everyone else present also tried to dissuade him, hoping the Third Hokage would reconsider.

Their faces were full of worry. They all understood just how serious the consequences could be.

After hearing the Third Hokage's decision, Danzo laughed instead of getting angry. He leaned back in his chair and stared at the Third Hokage without flinching.

The order barring him from ever becoming Hokage was already more than he could accept.

If the Third Hokage stripped him of his position as well, even Danzo didn't know what he might do.

"Lord Third Hokage, Shimura Danzo has worked tirelessly for Konoha's peace all these years. You really shouldn't punish him so harshly!"

"Besides, he's led Root for so long. Even if you remove him from the position, you won't find anyone else suited to take his place!"

The Konoha officials kept trying to dissuade him.

"A minor matter? You all think it's a minor matter to refuse to help when Konoha is attacked by enemies, just to serve your own interests?"

The Third Hokage swept his gaze across the room and declared without hesitation, "I've made up my mind. Effective immediately, Shimura Danzo is removed as leader of Root!"

The others were terrified, their faces paling.

"Fine, fine, fine! Very well, Hiruzen Sarutobi! You've done a splendid job!"

Danzo slowly rose to his feet, shot the Third Hokage a cold look, and said, "How much have I done for you all these years? If that's how you feel, I won't be Root's leader anymore!"

"That's right. I'm worried you won't be able to handle being Hokage from now on!"

His naked threat echoed through the Hokage's Office.

Danzo smashed the table in front of him with one blow, then strode toward the door.

"Danzo, you've done a great deal for Konoha over the years, and you've helped ease my burden."

"But you've also led me to make many terrible decisions!"

"If you dare do anything that harms Konoha, I'll kill you with my own hands!"

"Hmph!" Danzo snorted and walked out of the Hokage's Office without another word.

Just then, a youthful voice rang out inside the office.

"Now that you're here, why are you in such a hurry to leave? Wait a moment. I have something to ask you."

A figure leaped down from the roof and landed by the window. It was Ye Fan!