A Smoky, Stinking Konoha, Nara Shikaku Discovers Something's Wrong!

The other shinobi clans were much the same.

Their thoughts were similar to those of Ino-Shika-Cho. Though they were highly displeased with Sarutobi Hiruzen, they had no favorable impression of the Uchiha either.

Therefore, they all remained silent regarding the clash between the two sides.

Danzo, on the other hand, had gained benefits, and his actions this time were quite swift. The moment he returned, he began making moves.

Danzo himself was an old hand at manipulating public opinion!

Thus, the instant he acted, countless messy pieces of gossip immediately diluted the Konoha Higher-ups' scandals.

[Shocking news: Why were dogs barking so often in the middle of the night at the Inuzuka clan?]

[Astounding: The story Ino-Shika-Cho had no choice but to tell.]

[Scared to death: The Hyuga clan...]

[...]

Countless secrets concerning the shinobi clans and higher-ups flooded all of Konoha, instantly drawing the Konoha Villagers' attention.

In merely three to five days, the Uchiha's public opinion offensive had basically been completely neutralized.

Of course, amid all those chaotic rumors, there naturally had to be some slander aimed at Sarutobi Hiruzen.

For example, that he loved using Telescope Jutsu to peek into bathhouses, or that as Hokage, he had never once gone to the front lines.

Other than that, there was praise for himself!

Nonsense about how he, the Darkness of the Shinobi World, had sacrificed so much for Konoha.

And yet, the various Konoha shinobi clans merely curled their lips, inwardly thinking that the Uchiha were nothing special either.

They had actually been so easily dealt with by the Konoha Higher-ups. Thinking of this, they naturally grew even more wary of the Konoha Higher-ups, while continuing to treat the Uchiha as they always had.

No contact, no drawing close, complete disregard!

That was only natural!

Perhaps they had once thought that after Uchiha Jin ascended to the position, the Uchiha's situation might improve somewhat. But now, it seemed they could not place too many hopes on that. The Uchiha were absolutely no match for the Konoha Higher-ups.

Of course, Sarutobi Hiruzen being slandered, and Danzo praising himself?

Heh, it was best to just ignore it!

Only Ino-Shika-Cho!

More precisely, Nara Shikaku!

As someone who had truly interacted with Uchiha Jin, he understood better than anyone how difficult Uchiha Jin was to deal with. Therefore, he did not think Uchiha Jin would be defeated so easily.

He even vaguely felt all along that he might have overlooked something!

Danzo, however, was full of disdain.

The mere Uchiha wanted to contend with him? The facts had proven that they were nothing but clowns!

Sarutobi Hiruzen breathed a sigh of relief.

As expected of his black glove—Danzo had actually settled it!

Uchiha Compound.

Several elders came to find Uchiha Jin again, their faces all carrying a measure of concern.

Fugaku had come as well!

Clearly, after truly learning Sarutobi Hiruzen's real face, he had completely become willing to follow Uchiha Jin's orders.

"Jin, the situation is bad!"

"We need to think of something. The village side is too cunning—who would have thought they could break out of their predicament this way!"

"..."

Everyone present discussed it heatedly.

In response, Uchiha Jin's expression remained unchanged.

Without any hesitation, he directly said, "Release another rumor. Say that there was something wrong with Sarutobi Hiruzen's Hokage Position."

"They were members of Senju Tobirama's Shadow Guard, yet when Jingwan encountered danger outside, they abandoned the Hokage. Who knows whether Senju Tobirama really made him Hokage back then?"

"Perhaps, heh!"

"Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others deliberately joined forces with Kumogakure back then to set up Senju Tobirama's death, then forged Senju Tobirama's orders to ascend to the Hokage Position."

"After all, what was the Shadow Guard for? Weren't they there to take blades for the Hokage?"

Hearing Uchiha Jin's words, everyone felt their scalps tingle.

Good lord!

Now that he mentioned it, it actually made fucking sense!

Fugaku could not help but ask, "Jin, is that true?"

"Of course it's false!" Uchiha Jin rolled his eyes. "Who was Senju Tobirama?"

"He was a genuine Old Silver Coin. If Senju Tobirama hadn't been willing, could trash like Sarutobi Hiruzen really have set him up?"

The crowd nodded at that.

Indeed!

Even though they harbored many grievances against Senju Tobirama, they had to admit that his cunning and ruthlessness were formidable. Sarutobi Hiruzen truly could not have been Senju Tobirama's match.

Immediately afterward.

Uchiha Tadashi left at once and went to spread the Rumor.

Then.

The entirety of Konoha was instantly thrown into an uproar.

There was no helping it!

If this Rumor was true, then Sarutobi Hiruzen's ascension to the position had no legitimacy whatsoever!

Almost instantly.

All the rumors Danzo had fabricated, along with the ones Uchiha Jin had spread before, nearly vanished without a trace. Everyone began discussing the legitimacy of Sarutobi Hiruzen's ascension to the position.

A day later.

Hokage Office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen smashed his desk and roared at everyone.

"Slander! This is slander!"

"How could I possibly have joined forces with Kumogakure to deliberately set up my teacher's death?"

"Uchiha, those bastards!"

"How dare they?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice was somewhat hoarse, and he had reached the brink of fury.

As for that.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were grinding their teeth in hatred as well.

However.

They had no solutions and could only turn to look at Danzo beside them.

Danzo waved a hand. "Don't panic. Watch me work."

Immediately afterward.

He had Root step up their efforts again, and Scandal News about various powerful figures began circulating throughout the village.

Kakashi liked reading Comic Books, Jiraiya of the Sannin loved Peeping, Tsunade loved Gambling, and so on.

On top of that, they slipped in a Hidden Agenda!

They secretly began spreading rumors that the Sannin, as Sarutobi Hiruzen's disciples, had practically been led astray by Sarutobi Hiruzen.

A day later.

The Uchiha began their counterattack.

They began releasing new rumors: the Jonin Council had long existed in name only!

When the village was founded, Uchiha Madara had been promised the position of Hokage. Yet after the Uchiha and Senju joined forces, Senju Hashirama ascended to the position instead. The Hokage Position was then privately passed down to Senju Tobirama, and when Sarutobi Hiruzen ascended to the position, the Jonin Council was still never consulted—Senju Tobirama had simply appointed him directly.

Konoha's Hokage authority had already been completely monopolized by the Hokage Faction!

Danzo's side was not willing to be outdone either, and began attacking the Uchiha for all the damage they had caused Konoha.

For a time.

The whole of Konoha was a chaotic mess, with all kinds of rumors flying everywhere. Things had completely spiraled out of control.

The clash between the Uchiha and Danzo had turned Konoha into a smoky, foul mess. Yet everyone had overlooked one thing: what had caused this matter to erupt in the first place?

At the Nara clan's Tea Room.

Akimichi Choza still wore a calm expression. Even in the Tea Room, he had not forgotten to eat. Yamanaka Inoichi, on the other hand, could not help but speak up.

"Shikaku, what is it?"

"You called us here so urgently. Did something major happen?"

And, in response.

Hearing this, Akimichi Choza couldn't help but put down the snacks in his hand, his gaze turning grave as he looked at Nara Shikaku.

Nara Shikaku nodded with a bitter smile.

"Yeah, something big happened!"

"I'd felt something was off before. I kept feeling like I'd overlooked something."

"Now I finally understand—it was the Uchiha's objective!"

"The Konoha Higher-ups were played. Uchiha Jin launched a public opinion war, but he wasn't actually trying to take down the Konoha Higher-ups. He was merely diverting attention."

"Did you notice?"

"We all overlooked the Konoha Military Police Force. That was where the conflict began."

"It started because the Konoha Military Police Force wasn't doing its job, which was why the Konoha Higher-ups began fighting the Uchiha. But now, it seemed no one cared about the Konoha Military Police Force anymore."

"So what was the Konoha Military Police Force doing now?"