The noble Fujiwara Clan mansion in North Central Town, Land of Fire.
As the head of the family, Fujiwara Ushiji had lost his usual composure, cowering under the table, covering his mouth tightly, forcing himself not to make a sound.
"You audacious ninja! This is the territory of the noble Fujiwara Clan! How dare you!"
In the courtyard, a simply dressed middle-aged samurai, holding a knife in both hands, watched helplessly as his two subordinates were strangled to death by the man before him.
"So what if they're nobles? I'd kill even a daimyo if there's money to be made." After dealing with the two small karami in his hands, Kakuzu shrugged his shoulders, finally having time to look at the middle-aged man in front of him.
"You are..." Kakuzu narrowed his eyes, seemingly recognizing the person before him.
"That's rare indeed. Didn't you say you couldn't recognize worthless heads? Do you really think a samurai would appear in Bounty Office?"
After casually killing two rogue ninjas hired by the Fujiwara Clan, Pakura appeared beside the man.
"Of course, but this is no ordinary samurai. Imaagawa Nobushige, more than a decade ago, took the head of a man worth 15 million ryo before I could. I've been waiting for the right moment to collect my debt."
"Kakuzu said in a sinister tone."
"What do you mean?" Imaagawa Nobushige asked seriously, not understanding the meaning behind Kakuzu's words.
Kakuzu did not answer the other party's question; his figure vanished instantly, and then reappeared in front of Imaagawa Nobushige.
That's a super fast Body Flicker Technique.
Without hesitation, Imaagawa Nobushige slashed out with his sword.
The next day, Konoha.
Looking out the window at his own Kage Rock being carved at full speed, Sakumo's tense lips finally relaxed, and a hint of relief appeared in his eyes.
Rasa's attempt to establish his authority in Sunagakure failed, but it inadvertently brought Sakumo immense prestige.
The Daimyo's Mansion issued a statement expressing its appreciation for Sakumo and increasing Konoha's military budget for this year.
The Kumogakure's actions are all within control, and the children can say goodbye to the brutal battlefield.
Looking out the window at the revitalized streets of Konoha, Sakumo could only utter the profound statement. "What a vibrant scene, where everything flourishes."
"Fourth Generation- sama!"
Minato suddenly appeared in the office in Body Flicker Technique.
Having served Hokage for some time, Sakumo had grown accustomed to his subordinates' habit of not liking to knock on doors.
Hiruzen Sarutobi: Yes, yes, that's right.
"What's wrong, Minato?" Seeing Minato's serious expression, Sakumo smiled and gestured for him not to panic.
He was very satisfied with the Anbu leader that Hiruzen Sarutobi had recommended to him, and the two got along very well during their free time.
It has to be said that this blond-haired man is very suitable to be Hokage.
"Fourth Generation, the envoy from the Daimyo's Mansion has arrived."
"I know, you're here to discuss increasing military spending, right? I've already assigned the Advisor Koharu to handle the reception."
Sakumo reached for the documents related to this matter.
"No, they've come to hold us accountable for the annihilation of the Fujiwara Clan." Minato's words made Sakumo's outstretched hand pause halfway.
"Ah?"
Half an hour later, after finishing his discussion with the envoy from the Daimyo's Mansion Sakumo returned to his office with a serious expression.
"How is it, Fourth Generation Hokage?" Minato with some concern, after all, the messenger who came to question him looked incredibly fierce.
"It's alright." Sakumo waved his hand, closed his eyes, and rubbed his temples.
After a long pause, he finally spoke, "Minato, could you please go to the archives and check the investigations into the deaths of nobles personally commissioned by the Daimyo's Mansion over the years?"
"Yes." Minato, who possessed the Flying Thunder God Technique, acted quickly and delivered the documents that Sakumo needed that very evening.
After spending the entire night reading through its contents, Sakumo quickly discovered the suspicious points.
These requests were undoubtedly handled personally by the Third Hokage, given that the Hokage's signature was on them.
Hiruzen Sarutobi still comes to the Hokage Building to work every day, but he handles matters as an advisor.
Therefore, Sakumo quickly found Hiruzen in the room that belonged to him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's complexion did not change due to the poisoning he suffered on the battlefield. On the contrary, since stepping down Hokage and being free from many worries, his complexion was even rosier than before.
"Is there something you need, Sakumo?" Hiruzen, who was focused on practicing calligraphy at his desk, wasn't too surprised to see that it was Sakumo who had come.
That was precisely the purpose of his staying on as an advisor—to help Sakumo quickly familiarize himself with the affairs of the Hokage.
"Lord Third, please take a look at these documents."
Sakumo handed over what he had collected, his eyes fixed on Sakumo Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression.
"This is..." Upon seeing the contents, Hiruzen Sarutobi's brow twitched, and he had already guessed the purpose of Sakumo's visit today.
Especially after he saw that only one baby from the Fujiwara Clan had survived, he gripped the brush in his hand even tighter.
Although he got the answer he wanted from the other party's expression, Sakumo wisely didn't speak and just stood there waiting for Hiruzen's instructions.
"Where there is light, there is darkness; the world cannot function properly without either."
Hiruzen's expression was somewhat sorrowful. "Even the Hokage has things he can't know, Sakumo, these are things I haven't told you."
The answer is obvious.
"But why is this? As ninjas, isn't our duty to protect the villagers, our comrades, and the daimyo?" Sakumo couldn't understand. The Hatake Clan's traditions made him unable to comprehend what was happening before his eyes.
"You're wrong, Sakumo. We've always protected only one goal," Hiruzen retorted. "That's Sakumo Konoha, the village beneath our feet. That's the spirit passed down since the First Hokage."
"Whether they are friends, brothers, or even my own flesh and blood, I will not let anyone who opposes the village go unpunished."
"These are words spoken by the First Hokage Lord."
Hiruzen Sarutobi a serious expression, trying to dispel the unease caused by the document he had just seen.
"Leave this to me, Sakumo. If your heart isn't as strong as the Second Hokage's, then you'll need someone who can share everything with you and help you."
After saying this, Hiruzen away his calligraphy, picked up the documents that Sakumo had brought, and walked straight out of the room, leaving Sakumo alone to reflect on the conversation.
At this time, the Root are in a dormant state.
With the Fourth Hokage taking office, Danzo's position naturally became that of an advisor.
Apart from continuing some necessary intelligence gathering work, Danzo's daily tasks consisted only of training Asuma and Yamato.
However, due to Yamato's special status, Danzo usually only intervened to guide his training when no outsiders were present.