Remember to Knock! (Please Follow!)

After Sarutobi Hiruzen finished dealing with the aftermath, A figure with long hair, wearing a red and white fan-patterned robe, appeared.

"Lord Third..."

Uchiha Fugaku looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with a complex expression, then cast a look of disgust at Danzo's corpse.

He, too, found it difficult to fathom this Third Hokage, who had always been known for his peaceful approach to matters.

Just the day before, Sarutobi Hiruzen had sought him out, asking him to lead the Uchiha clan to set up a perimeter around the Hokage Building.

He had also informed him of the plan regarding Danzo's assassination attempt.

Uchiha Fugaku still clearly remembered the meaningful look Sarutobi Hiruzen gave him, warning him that if Danzo managed to escape, he must intercept him with his full strength, or else he would have to bear the consequences himself.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had placed heavy emphasis on the words "full strength," as if hinting at something to Uchiha Fugaku.

This had sent a chill down the Uchiha clan leader's spine, making him feel as though the Third Hokage had seen through his hidden secrets.

Fortunately, Sarutobi Hiruzen had just displayed astonishing power, killing Danzo on the spot within a few moves, leaving no need for Uchiha Fugaku to intervene.

Otherwise, Uchiha Fugaku truly wouldn't have known whether he should have exposed his Mangekyo Sharingan.

"Fugaku."

Seeing Fugaku arrive, Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded.

"Although your arrangements didn't end up being necessary,"

"It doesn't matter; the promise I made yesterday still stands!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen had never truly relied on Uchiha Fugaku, nor did he believe that an old dog like Danzo could escape his grasp.

But for the sake of caution, Sarutobi Hiruzen had still enlisted the top combat power in Konoha currently second only to himself.

Uchiha Fugaku, who had awakened the Mangekyo.

"Is that true, Lord Third!?"

Uchiha Fugaku hadn't expected much, but hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen say this, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had promised yesterday that if he could intercept and kill Danzo, He would allow the Uchiha to break free from the constraints of the Military Police Force, participate freely in missions, and even enter the upper echelons of the Anbu.

For the Uchiha, who were suffering from severe internal and external conflicts, this was undoubtedly a great boon.

"The Hokage does not go back on his word."

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled faintly.

This was his plan for the Uchiha all along; knowing the plot, he naturally wouldn't let such a powerful asset go to waste.

The appearance of three consecutive generations of Mangekyo users could also resolve the current shortage of successors in Konoha.

"The Konoha of the future will be very different."

Sarutobi Hiruzen patted Uchiha Fugaku on the shoulder, appearing kind and intimate.

"As the leader of the Uchiha, you must be prepared."

Uchiha Fugaku felt somewhat unaccustomed to Sarutobi Hiruzen's demeanor.

Although the Third had always been kind in the past, he had never been this close to a member of the Uchiha clan.

In truth, Sarutobi Hiruzen neither approved of nor liked Uchiha Fugaku.

In his view, Uchiha Fugaku's weakness and lack of firm stance were flaws for a clan leader.

But from Sarutobi Hiruzen's perspective, there was no one more suitable to be the leader than Uchiha Fugaku.

As long as Sarutobi Hiruzen offered small favors, Uchiha Fugaku would serve him loyally and without hesitation.

Not long after, the news that Danzo had failed to assassinate the Third Hokage and had been killed on the spot spread throughout Konoha.

Suddenly, various clans and the upper echelons of Konoha sensed something unusual in the air.

What Danzo represented was, to a certain extent, the Third's former approach to handling affairs.

As long as his bottom line wasn't crossed, the Third would always maintain an attitude of tolerance.

But this time, Danzo's death clearly showed a change in Sarutobi Hiruzen's attitude—he had become like the Ninja Hero of the past, or perhaps even more ruthless.

He had even left Danzo's body at the village gate to be whipped; this was something the old Third would never have done.

This made many clan leaders and high-ranking officials feel uneasy, yet they all tacitly remained silent, waiting for the first bird to stick its head out.

"Sarutobi!"

"Why didn't you inform us about the matter with Danzo beforehand?!"

The first bird had arrived, right there in the Hokage Office.

As soon as Sarutobi Hiruzen entered the office, he was met with questioning.

Mitokado Homura's voice echoed through the room, his tone so righteous that one might think he was the Hokage himself.

"Shouldn't we have discussed and decided on the matter of Danzo first?!"

Mitokado Homura questioned Sarutobi Hiruzen accusingly.

"And then what?!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, a surge of anger rising in his heart; the good mood he had felt after finishing off that old dog Danzo was instantly extinguished.

It was as if his Hokage Office had become a place where any species could intrude at will.

"So you want me to wait until Danzo kills me!"

"And then have you sit in this seat and question me the same way?!!"

"Why didn't I consult with you old turtles about his attempt to assassinate the Hokage and usurp the throne?!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked indignant, his entire body boiling with a tangible aura of power. Cracks spread across the floor tiles, and his pressure was so intense it nearly blew the roof off the Hokage Office.

At this moment, the Hokage Office had not yet been repaired, still bearing the scars from Danzo's intrusion just moments ago.

In an instant, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu felt a chill rise within them. Looking at the manic, murderous expression on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face, they suddenly realized that just a moment ago, Sarutobi Hiruzen had beaten their fellow elder to death, blow by blow.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu suddenly felt that this old friend and colleague, whom they had worked alongside for so many years, had suddenly become incredibly like a stranger.

"That..."

"That still doesn't justify displaying Danzo's corpse in public for the villagers to see."

Mitokado Homura's voice was much quieter, but he was still arguing.

It was true that what Danzo did was rotten and shameful, but they couldn't just leave the upper echelons of Konoha with absolutely no dignity left.

"What is the crime of assassinating the Hokage?!"

"And what is the crime of privately researching First Hokage Cells and transplanting the Sharingan of fellow villagers?!"

"Can these crimes not be made public?!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was as cold as ice.

"Or are you saying that you were also involved in these crimes?!"

"Trying to cover them up?!"

Mitokado Homura went completely silent. It wasn't because Sarutobi Hiruzen had the moral high ground, but because Sarutobi Hiruzen's attitude was resolute and laced with killing intent.

He didn't look like the steady, seasoned Third Hokage; he looked more like the impulsive and irritable Raikage.

Mitokado Homura had also been on the battlefield and knew clearly that if he kept talking, the next person hung at the village entrance would likely be him.

For a moment, the atmosphere turned cold. Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were as quiet as mice.

Feeling the tangible pressure radiating from Sarutobi Hiruzen, the two of them were certain that this body could undoubtedly unleash the full power of the Third Hokage in his prime.

Compared to Danzo, their own bodies, which were even older and weaker, wouldn't last two strikes against the Adamantine Staff.

"Get out..."

Seeing the two of them back down, Sarutobi Hiruzen had no desire to look at these two old turtles any longer and waved his hand to dismiss them directly.

"Remember..."

"From now on, knock before entering the Hokage Office!"