Fourth Hokage, You're Destined For It!

The Third Hokage gritted his teeth, attempting one final struggle:

"Lord Daimyo, Danzo is, after all, a meritorious official of Konoha who has rendered great service. To throw him into Konoha Prison for the rest of his life... isn't that a bit too harsh?"

The Third Hokage carefully phrased his words, fearing the Daimyo might flare up. "How about we strip Danzo of all his official duties and order him to return home to reflect on his mistakes? I can have Anbu ninjas monitor his every move. What do you think?"

"Oh? Danzo has also rendered great service? Was this merit earned on the battlefield that just concluded?"

The Daimyo shook the folding fan in his hand, shielding half of his face and revealing only a pair of squinting eyes as he chuckled lightly:

"Even Hatake... what was his name again?"

"Hatake Sakumo."

"Oh, right. Even a great hero like Hatake Sakumo could be subjected to criticism within the village. Could it be that the merit Danzo has earned is even greater than that of Hatake Sakumo? Speaking of Hatake Sakumo, I recall the Third Hokage promised last time that he would investigate this matter as soon as possible and find the mastermind behind the rumors, right?"

"So much time has passed; has the mastermind been found yet?"

Hearing this, Ye Ning couldn't hold it in and burst into laughter.

What a coincidence!

Can you guess what?

That mastermind was none other than the very Lord Advisor currently under scrutiny!

Of course, Ye Ning wouldn't say that out loud.

After all, there wasn't a shred of evidence for this matter.

"My son, what are you laughing at?"

Ye Ning barely suppressed the smile on his face and hurriedly waved his hand: "Nothing, nothing. I just suddenly remembered something happy."

That detestable brat!

Danzo gritted his teeth, naturally interpreting Ye Ning's laughter as gloating.

Even though the Third Hokage hadn't stated his decision yet, Danzo knew in his heart that he was finished.

The best-case scenario would be to be stripped of all his duties, disband the Root he had painstakingly cultivated, and return home to 'spend his twilight years in peace.'

The worst-case scenario was being thrown directly into Konoha Prison!

Seeing the Daimyo bring up the matter of Hatake Sakumo again, the Third Hokage forced a smile onto his face. "Lord Daimyo, this matter is still under investigation, and the mastermind has not yet been caught."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Third Hokage, your capabilities are far inferior to those of the Second Hokage."

After this sarcastic remark, the Daimyo brought up Danzo's matter once more:

"Since you say Danzo has also rendered significant service, it would indeed be too harsh to treat a meritorious official so severely. Then let us follow your suggestion: strip him of his duties and let him go home to retire!"

"However, Third Hokage, you must provide a guarantee for Danzo."

"A guarantee...?"

"Since you say he doesn't need to enter Konoha Prison and will be monitored by your Anbu, that proves you are certain Danzo will not engage in any underhanded schemes and will not retaliate against my son, right?"

"...That is indeed the case."

"Then, in that case, you shall stand as guarantor for Danzo. If he engages in any more underhanded schemes in the future, then I believe you, as Hokage, need not continue in your position. Replacing you with someone younger and more capable to lead would be a blessing for Konoha. Don't you agree, Third Hokage?"

Looking back at Danzo, the Third Hokage gritted his teeth and agreed.

Being monitored at home was still better than suffering in Konoha Prison.

Moreover, after this incident, Danzo shouldn't be foolish enough to pull any more stunts.

Once the Daimyo eventually forgot about this matter, Danzo might still have a chance at a comeback.

If he were sent to Konoha Prison, there would truly be no hope left at all.

"Is this your goal? Merely having Danzo lose his position and return home to reflect?"

Tsunade couldn't quite understand.

Ye Ning had gone to such great lengths—framing him, sending letters to the Daimyo overnight to invite him here, and even using genjutsu to force the Root ninjas to change their testimonies. After all that effort, the final punishment was so toothless?

Such a punishment was far too light for Danzo.

As long as Danzo found an opportunity in the future, he would be able to return to his original position.

Ye Ning shrugged, smiling without a word.

He never intended to topple Danzo completely through this incident alone.

In this affair, he, Danzo, and the Third Hokage all knew perfectly well that it was nothing more than a frame-up.

It was just that Danzo and the Third Hokage had suffered because they lacked evidence, leading to a major setback.

It was unrealistic to think he could finish Danzo off with such clumsy tactics.

Even if he were locked in Konoha Prison, did anyone really think Danzo would be out of options?

Too naive.

He was simply waiting.

Waiting for Danzo to make another mistake.

This was the primary reason the Daimyo forced the Third Hokage to vouch for Danzo.

Once Danzo made another move and gave him leverage, he could topple both him and the Third Hokage, forcing them both out of office.

Therefore, the next confrontation would be the most critical of all.

This time, it was merely an appetizer.

What Ye Ning hadn't expected was that he hadn't even communicated with his dear old man about this beforehand.

He hadn't realized they could be so perfectly in sync.

In truth, he held no deep-seated grudge against the Third Hokage or Danzo. At most, he was simply displeased with the things they had done in the original story.

The reason he had resorted to such tactics this time ultimately boiled down to his bet with Tsunade.

He hadn't forgotten his plan to push Tsunade toward the position of Hokage step by step.

Only if Tsunade succeeded as the Fourth Hokage could he live a carefree life in Konoha.

With the Third Hokage and Danzo in power, it would be a miracle if they didn't make his life difficult, let alone let him live happily in Konoha.

Besides, getting rid of the Third Hokage and Danzo sooner was far better than letting them leave behind a massive mess for Tsunade to clean up after she took office.

So, Tsunade, you are destined to be the Fourth Hokage!

"Yo! Little Tsunade, long time no see!"

Having finally shaken off the entanglement of the two elders, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, the Daimyo finally caught up. He was already panting after running just a few steps, which showed just how much years of indulgence had hollowed out his body.

"I told you, don't call me Little Tsunade!"

Tsunade felt a headache coming on.

She was already over twenty! She wasn't a child anymore!

Yet, every time the Daimyo saw her, he insisted on calling her Little Tsunade, and his tone was enough to make anyone's skin crawl.

But since this guy really was her elder, she couldn't find a reason to vent her frustration and could only offer a weak, powerless protest.

"Fine, fine, I know, Little Tsunade."

The Daimyo smiled, completely devoid of the imposing aura he had displayed in the Hokage office just moments ago. "So, how about it, Ning? Did I perform well just now?"

In an ordinary family, it was usually the children seeking praise from their parents.

In the Daimyo's household, however, it was the exact opposite; the Daimyo looked like a child begging for validation.

"Yes, yes, Dad is the coolest."

"What is that! You sound so perfunctory."

"My dad is the coolest, is that better?"

"That's more like it..."