The idea of a Hokage dissolving in water

Shazo suddenly burst into laughter. "I understand, so that's how it is."

"To this day, Hiruzen Sarutobi still hasn't broken free from the mindset of Hokage up over 30 years."

"He thought that because he'd been Hokage for so long, he wouldn't be punished."

He assumed that the prosperity and growth of the Sarutobi Clan was a matter of course, and that the Sarutobi Clan should naturally not have to spit out the fat they had swallowed.

Shazo's face darkened. "He's dreaming!"

Shazo's anger emanated, along with his imposing aura, grand and majestic, as deep and boundless as the sea.

Uchiha Izumi, Kakashi Hatake, Shisui Uchiha, Tenten, and the others felt a sinking feeling in their hearts, as if a Gods was standing beside them.

An instinctive fear made them break out in a cold sweat; their eyes were fixed on the ground, and they didn't even know what to do with their hands.

Kakashi Hatake and Shisui Uchiha glances, suddenly understanding why the First Hokage was called the God of Shinobi.

If someone as powerful as Lord Shazo can have a Gods influence from mere emotional changes, then what about the legendary First Hokage, who was even more powerful?

Shazo was quite self-controlled; he quickly regained his composure, composed himself, and smiled again.

But his smile was anything but warm; instead, it was chilling. "Since the Third Hokage lacks self-awareness and is still trying to protect the interests that the Sarutobi Clan has greedily seized at this point, I should be more direct in telling him something."

"The era of the Third Hokage has passed, and the scum of the old era should also be swept away by the wind."

Kakashi Hatake licked his lips and said with difficulty, "Lord Shazo, Hiruzen Sarutobi has been the Hokage for 30 years after all; he deserves some respect—"

Shazo snorted coldly, "I've already given him face; it's just that he won't compromise."

"Not only are they interfering in the selection of the Fifth Hokage and even subsequent Acting Hokage, but they also want to protect the bloated interests of the Sarutobi Clan. Hmph."

"Hiruzen Sarutobi is too greedy."

Although Shazo is still a Chunin and has not yet ascended to the Hokage throne, he has already completely won over many people.

In the eyes of his close Ninja who were watching the drama unfold with Shazo, he was already the Fifth Hokage.

Moreover, he was a young, powerful, wise, resourceful, far-sighted, and almost perfect Fifth Hokage who valued the interests of Konoha.

Now that Shazo has made his decision, no one will object anymore.

Kakashi Hatake stopped trying to persuade him and instead asked, "Lord Shazo Zuo, what do you need me to do?"

Shazo ordered, "After watching the show, go and gather intelligence on the Sarutobi Clan —all the intelligence. I need to decide on a course of action against Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Sarutobi Clan based on this information."

He sensed Kakashi's doubt and reassured him, "Don't worry, I won't drag Hiruzen Sarutobi into a public trial. Although I really want to nail him to the pillar of shame, I know—I can't do that."

"We're afraid to act rashly, lest we incur the consequences."

"No matter what, he is the Third Hokage. If his reputation is too bad, it will implicate all the Acting Hokage, and the entire Konoha will suffer as a result."

Therefore, the Third Hokage's old age and frailty, and his accidental dissolution in water while taking a walk at home, is a barely acceptable ending.

Once Hiruzen Sarutobi is dead, Shazo will publicly express his dislike for the Sarutobi Clan.

He wouldn't need to do anything else; the Konoha Ninja would naturally step in and strip the Sarutobi Clan of their privileges, businesses, and wealth.

With reduced benefits and privileges, those opportunists who have been exploiting the Sarutobi Clan Sarutobi Clan inevitably break away, taking with them a large amount of wealth and manpower.

Thus, the vulnerable parts of the Sarutobi Clan would be exposed.

At that time, with just a gentle poke from Shazo, the Sarutobi Clan will quickly decline and disappear.

Shazo is not a cruel and tyrannical killer. He will not kill Sarutobi Clan's people. He will even carefully nurture Talent children like Konohamaru Sarutobi.

However, the Sarutobi Clan, this interest group, must disappear, just like the Senju Clan, becoming a seemingly existent yet seemingly nonexistent part of Konoha's foundation.

The Third Hokage and Jiraiya's visit to Naruto Uzumaki ultimately turned into a humiliating scene for Hiruzen Sarutobi.

After Naruto Uzumaki left, an even more intense argument broke out between the master and his student.

Both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya were extremely self-centered and stubborn, so naturally they parted on bad terms.

Just as Jiraiya jump out of the window, Hiruzen Sarutobi called out to him, "Don't forget to bring Tsunade back and make her the Fifth Hokage."

Jiraiya stared in disbelief. "Teacher Sarutobi, you're going to compete with Shazo?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi said seriously, "Of course I will fight, but I'm not fighting for myself and for Shazo, but for Konoha and for Shazo."

Jiraiya took a few breaths before asking, "Master, how do you know you're doing this for the good of Konoha?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi snorted coldly, "I have made a lot of mistakes over the past 30 years, but I have also done a lot. Your understanding of Konoha is far superior to yours."

"I am absolutely certain that it is not a good thing for Konoha, nor is it a good thing for him, that 17-year-old Shazo became the Fifth Hokage."

"He's too young. I see ambition in his eyes—an ambition that won't be bound by Konoha."

"With such ambition, and without an old guy like me to restrain him, Shazo will definitely cause a huge mess after becoming Hokage."

"Tell Tsunade that her mission is to suppress Shazo for ten years. He'll only be 27 years old in ten years, making him a suitable candidate for the Sixth Hokage."

Jiraiya was persuaded and said in a muffled voice, "I understand, I will bring Tsunade back."

After saying that, he jumped out of the window and left.

The show was over, and the Ninja had been watching the drama unfold relaxed, all turning their attention to Shazo.

Uchiha Izumi asked, "Brother, is what the Third Hokage said true?"

Shazo laughed, "Izumi, you actually still have any faith in Hiruzen Sarutobi? You're the Clan Leader of the Uchiha clan!"

Naruto Uzumaki shook his head and said, "Izumi-neechan, how can you still trust Hiruzen Sarutobi? He never keeps any of his promises."

Shazo patted Naruto's head and said, "Naruto is right. With politicians like this, never listen to what they say, but look at what they have done in the past."

He promised Orochimaru he would become Hokage, but in the end, Orochimaru was beaten into missing-nin.

He promised to take good care of Naruto Uzumaki, but Naruto's childhood turned out to be incredibly miserable.

"He promised to protect Konoha, but in 30 years he never went to the battlefield, unless the battlefield was within Konoha."

"Perhaps Hiruzen Sarutobi was sincere when he made the promise, but he would soon have to break it due to various unavoidable reasons."

"Interestingly, the Third Hokage also made many promises that he never broke, but those were all made to the enemy, and all of them were betrayed by the enemy."

"In short, any promise from Hiruzen Sarutobi that spans more than a year can be considered worthless, let alone ten years."