Shimura Danzō's Memories

"We demand justice! Let the Third Hokage come out and explain whether what is written in this newspaper is true!"

"I always felt something was wrong with the death of White Fang. As a top-tier combat asset of Konoha, he never suffered a single defeat until his final failure. I cannot understand why rumors flew everywhere just because he failed once."

"Is that child, Naruto, really the son of the Fourth Hokage? If so, why did the Third Hokage let everyone believe he was a demon fox? Isn't that chilling for the descendants of heroes?"

"3,000 ryo a month? My son's school fees alone cost more than 10,000 ryo! What is this pittance supposed to cover?"

"Just a moment ago, I went to the old site of the Senju Clan and observed the trees at the entrance. I discovered the outline of human arms on the trunks!"

"Third Hokage, could it be that the civilianized Senju Clan was truly used for human experimentation? The Senju Clan were the greatest contributors to the founding of Konoha. They had already abandoned the name Senju to become civilians; why did the Third Hokage have to exterminate them?"

One sharp question after another erupted, the voices deafening. Standing before the floor-to-ceiling window of the Hokage Building, Sarutobi Hiruzen's hand holding his pipe trembled slightly. He knew these matters would come to light sooner or later, and he had thought he was prepared to face it all.

But when these issues were exposed all at once, the impact, the massive shock, and the public sentiment surging like a tidal wave left him gasping for air.

Even Sarutobi Hiruzen, as the Third Hokage, began to doubt whether he had truly been wrong. Once such a thought took root, he would gradually sink into despair.

"Re-report! Lord Hokage! The Anbu guards at the entrance can barely hold them back. The villagers are using their bodies to ram the gates. If we don't take measures, I fear, I fear...!" The reporting Anbu guard's voice trembled, his head drenched in sweat.

He seemed not to have expected that the civilian ninjas, who usually lacked any presence, could possess such power and momentum when united.

In truth, the main issue was that the Anbu ninjas dared not use force to suppress the unarmed villagers. If they did so today, the major ninja clans would immediately intervene.

Whether in terms of wealth or the number of ninjas, those clans far exceeded the Hokage Building. At that point, it would no longer be a civil disturbance, but a trial of the Hokage by Konoha.

Just as Louis XVI was sent to the guillotine for his tyranny.

Therefore, the Anbu had no choice but to seek instructions from the Third Hokage.

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep drag of his pipe: "Open the gates. There is no escaping this matter."

Of course, he could choose to escape and flee Konoha, which would allow him to linger on for a while longer.

But as the legitimate successor to the Hokage, his position was personally appointed by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. His pride and his dignity would not allow him to run.

Even if he had done wrong, even if his people were to judge him, he would not flee. This was the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

He took a deep breath and looked toward the entrance with a firm gaze. The moment his decision was made, it was relayed to the Root base by a Root ninja.

Shimura Danzō wore a complex expression. He sighed, not expecting Hiruzen to choose such a way to end everything.

He was inferior to him, yet Sarutobi Hiruzen's choice made Shimura Danzō's already restless heart beat even faster.

His eyes lit up; he had already begun plotting an armed Coup d'état for after Sarutobi Hiruzen stepped down!

He certainly couldn't rely on himself alone, so he would rely on the Uchiha! Thinking of this, Shimura Danzō beckoned for Yamanaka Fu to approach.

Yamanaka Fu walked toward Shimura Danzō immediately: "Lord Danzō."

Shimura Danzō leaned in to whisper in his ear. Yamanaka Fu's expression remained unchanged. Once Shimura Danzō finished speaking, Yamanaka Fu acknowledged the order and left the base.

Shimura Danzō looked up at the ceiling of the Root base, a smile at the corners of his eyes: "The roots hidden beneath Konoha are finally going to break through the soil, grow into a new great tree, and enjoy the nourishment of the sun, aren't they?"

Yet he never considered that his relationship with the Uchiha had rotted to the core! Not to mention that he had recently tried to gouge out the eyes of Uchiha Shisui, or that he had constantly referred to them as the "naturally evil Uchiha brats."

Given the temperament of the Uchiha Clan, they would never agree to cooperate with him. Fugaku was like that, let alone Uchiha Izuna!

However, Shimura Danzō could not think of these things at the moment. All he could think about was becoming the Fifth Hokage of Konoha. He looked at the Hokage Haori hanging in the Root base that matched his size, his eyes burning with fervor.

Thus, Shimura Danzō stood up. His eyes were initially dazed as he slowly walked toward the Hokage Haori.

Then came determination. Walking up to the Hokage Haori, he reached out with his unoperated hand and touched the brim of the hat, his eyes filled with obsession.

His fingertips gently rubbed the brim, his arm trembling slightly. His mind was filled with images of himself wearing the Hokage Haori, waving his arms to call out, and receiving the adulation of the masses.

But then he thought of his teacher, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

He remembered the scene during the First Shinobi World War when Kinkaku and Ginkaku rebelled and they were being hunted by the ninjas of Kumogakure.

"Now, we are facing a crisis. Who among you is willing to stay behind and hold off the enemy? Only then can everyone else evacuate safely!" Tobirama Senju looked at the six disciples present!

Shimura Danzō's pupils constricted. He wanted to stay, but the words stuck in his throat. He was cowardly; he feared death.

Although he was a hot-blooded youth, he knew clearly that if he took that step, he would surely die. He hesitated.

However, a figure stepped past him and took that step. It was Hiruzen, his good friend Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Teacher, let me stay. Konoha cannot do without you." Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze was firm, his tone resolute, his face full of smiles.

Shimura Danzō was stunned. He looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with admiration, feeling a sense of relief, but soon began to despise his own petty behavior.

A smile appeared on Tobirama Senju's stern face. He patted Sarutobi Hiruzen on the shoulder: "Monkey, from now on, you are the Third Hokage."

Once said, all six were shocked. Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head: "Teacher, you..."

Tobirama Senju stopped him from saying more and spoke earnestly: "Konoha does not yet need you young people to sacrifice yourselves. Leave the rearguard work to me."

Then he looked at the others: "After returning to the village, you must assist Hiruzen in managing it. If you lack manpower, Hiruzen may freely mobilize the ninjas of the Senju Clan."

"The future of Konoha depends on you all." Tobirama Senju turned around, looking back at Shimura Danzō with disappointment in his eyes.