Because the entire Uzumaki Clan had migrated from the Land of Whirlpools to Konoha, Kumogakure had to expend considerably more resources on jinchūriki research.
Thus, they had not only planned the operation to abduct Uzumaki Kushina back then.
They had also deliberately arranged for several people to infiltrate Konoha, hoping to gather valuable intelligence.
This incident had begun when one such spy obtained the information and exposed it.
Although the spy was swiftly traced through the channels used to spread the news and captured by the Anbu, the information had already spread far and wide.
The entirety of Konoha was suddenly gripped by panic.
Most villagers questioned and failed to understand the Hokage's decision. Every street and alley was filled with discussion and speculation.
Especially the families of those volunteers, who had originally believed their relatives had merely gone away on long-term missions.
They had never known that their loved ones had long since died on operating tables. Overcome with grief and fury, they all demanded that Konoha give them a reasonable explanation.
Faced with such immense public outrage, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt pressure unlike anything he had ever experienced. It was as though he had betrayed his teacher's trust.
After much careful consideration, Sarutobi Hiruzen made a difficult decision.
He would bear full responsibility for this incident alone.
Furthermore, Sarutobi Hiruzen promised to properly compensate the families of those volunteers who had lost loved ones.
Once he had cleaned up this mess, he would voluntarily step down as Hokage.
When this announcement was made, everyone in Konoha was shocked by Sarutobi Hiruzen's decision.
Some villagers who had originally failed to understand him or questioned him now had nothing left to say. They even gained a few more degrees of respect for their Hokage.
Though his decision had been flawed, his