In front of the Memorial Stone, with all the ninjas attending the funeral watching, Shimura Danzō publicly began accusing Hiruzen Sarutobi. He repeatedly insisted that Hiruzen take responsibility for the losses Konoha had suffered during the Third Shinobi World War.
While everyone was still immersed in grief, Shimura Danzō began his performance.
" Hiruzen, you caused Konoha to suffer tremendous losses. You must take responsibility!"
"And you're not young anymore. You don't have the energy you once did. It's time for you to step down!"
Shimura Danzō saw the shock in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes. Though secretly delighted, he wore a pained expression, with a hint of indignation, as he spoke in a ringing voice.
At that, people began whispering and murmuring among themselves. Some had lost family members or friends in the war. Shimura Danzō's words seemed to give them an outlet for their grief, and now their anger poured out.
The Third Hokage still commanded respect. Many people were dissatisfied with him, but kept those thoughts buried. Others, however, made no effort to hide their feelings—like the members of the Shimura Clan.
"Lord Danzō is right! It's because of you, Lord Hokage, that my younger brother, who was only eleven, died on the battlefield!"
"Your incompetence forced the village's children to go to war!"
Someone had already stepped forward to speak out. The inflammatory remarks resonated with many, and before long, more people joined the denunciation. Public pressure crashed down on the Third Hokage. Everyone attending the funeral was a Konoha ninja—or, to put it another way, part of Konoha's backbone.
But with Danzō's men fanning the flames, public opinion was being swept along.
"Danzō's methods are pretty good, but this alone isn't enough." Uzumaki Kuming glanced back at the people denouncing the Third Hokage. Of all those attending