Urging Them to Choose a Successor

"Patrolling outside the village is the responsibility of the Anbu, Hiruzen. I just want the Uchiha to stay in the village and manage its security and environment. What happens outside the village is none of their business. Don't tolerate them anymore."

Danzo looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen's nonchalant demeanor and felt a surge of annoyance. Uchiha Nara such a great threat to the Hokage, yet his old classmate was still so carefree.

After listening to Danzo's story, Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff of his pipe, pondered for a moment, and said softly:

"Yes, you're right. I will instruct the Administrative Department to reject all applications from the Military Police Force to leave the village for missions and to issue permits for leaving the village."

"Now you can rest assured."

Influenced by the attitudes and words of some of his old classmates, Sarutobi Hiruzen that he did indeed need to tighten his grip on the Uchiha.

"Hiruzen, Iwagakure's demand is only two billion ryo. Such a small amount of money can bring peace, why do you refuse?"

If all else fails, I'll just pay for it myself; I'll bear the blame!

After discussing the Security Department, they moved on to the peace talks between Iwagakure and the guards.

Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Danzo. The reason he refused was because of Danzo's misdeeds. Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a pang of regret after being ordered to renegotiate, which led to renewed hostilities on the border.

"Danzo can bear the infamy, why can't I? Oh well."

As Sarutobi Hiruzen listened to Danzo's words, he sighed inwardly at Danzo's sense of responsibility.

"Very well, Danzo, you will go to Iwagakure as a representative to conclude a peace treaty. I will have Utatane Koharu provide you with funds. The peace between Konoha and Iwagakure depends on you."

Inspired by Danzo's words of responsibility, Sarutobi Hiruzen decided to conclude the treaty according to the previous negotiations.

"Don't worry, Hiruzen, I will not fail in my mission."

Danzo did not hesitate to accept the mission issued by the Third Hokage: after dealing with Iwagakure, he should quickly reclaim his power and eliminate the Uchiha.

Konoha

Military Police Force Headquarters

The morning sunlight streamed into the office; in the autumn and winter season, such fine weather was sure to lift one's spirits.

As Uchiha Nara listened to Uchiha Fugaku's mission report, his expression turned rather grim.

"The thief was taken away by the Anbu? It should be Gen. They arrested two people, and the Anbu also took two, making a total of four. It should be a team."

"Naraku, the orphanage Nonō, reported this situation to the Third Hokage at the Hokage Building. It's normal for the Third Hokage to send Anbu guards. Perhaps you're overthinking it. Just ask the Third Hokage."

Uchiha Fugaku, however, didn't take it seriously. They were just two petty thieves; it wasn't a great achievement. The Third Hokage had been in power for many years, and his image as a great and righteous man was deeply ingrained in people's minds.

While Fugaku can be considered loyal to his family, Fugaku is equally compliant with the Will of Fire and Sarutobi Hiruzen's ideology.

"So this Fugaku still hasn't been beaten up by Sarutobi Hiruzen."

Upon hearing Fugaku's mission report, Naraku sighed inwardly. He was powerless to change Fugaku's overly optimistic view of the Third Hokage. Naraku had subtly and overtly criticized the Third Hokage many times in previous meetings, revealing many of Third Hokage dirty secrets.

As a result, in Uchiha Fugaku's mind, the Third Hokage was still as virtuous and righteous as ever. Naraku had to admire the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, for he truly had some skill.

"Alright, I understand, Fugaku. As I told you before, Anbu Shimura Danzō's subordinate Anbu unit is called Root. Root is a group of ruthless ninjas, and I think I've told you about Root ideology many times as well."

"Alright, you can go about your business now. I'll ask the Third Hokage about last night's events to confirm if they're true."

Naraku waved his hand at Fugaku, indicating that Fugaku could leave.

Fugaku sensed Naraku's dissatisfaction, feeling somewhat bewildered and unsure of what he had done wrong. After a moment of surprise, he agreed and turned to leave.

Naraku watched Fugaku's departing figure and shook his head slightly.

Naraku knew what Fugaku was up to when he heard his report. He knew that the claim that the Anbu were definitely Root ninjas was just a bluff, and that it could only fool ninjas who had been misled by the Third Hokage.

If Naraku here, he would have easily found an excuse to take care of them, instead of listening to so much nonsense. In the Shinobi World, it's ultimately about might makes right.

Furthermore, if it weren't for the presence of the renowned Jonin Fugaku last night, Root wouldn't have been so certain of victory. Given Naraku's understanding of Root wouldn't have bothered with any pretense; they would most likely have launched a direct attack to silence him.

"Dōmoto, no more guards needed. Tell your team to have the day off."

"Hi"

Naraku gave a brief instruction in his office, then got up, preparing to go to the Hokage Building to ask Sarutobi Hiruzen.

When traveling within Konoha, it's not appropriate to bring bodyguards; it would be too presumptuous and damage Naraku's approachable image.

Naraku walked slowly towards the Hokage Building. Along the way, many Naraku Konoha Ninja greeted him, and Naraku responded with a smile to each one.

Naraku quickly arrived at the Hokage Building and headed straight for the Hokage Office.

Bang! Bang!

"Please come in."

Sarutobi Hiruzen, with a pipe dangling from his lips, spoke softly, seemingly puzzled by the arrival of Uchiha Nara, the number one threat, but his expression remained as gentle as ever.

"Third Hokage lord, last night the Military Police Force apprehended two thieves at the orphanage, but they were taken away by the Anbu midway."

The ninjas who carried out the mission reported that the two Anbu from last night were acting strangely, and they had some doubts about Anbu, so I came here to verify.

Naraku to the Hokage Building and first mentioned what happened with Root last night. Although it was a small matter, since he was there, he brought it up.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, pipe in mouth, recalled the Security Department issue that Danzo.

"Danzo's subordinates must have clashed with the Security Department last night."

Sarutobi Hiruzen hearing Naraku's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi understood.

"Yes, I sent them. Thanks for your hard work, Military Police Force."

Root was also part of the Anbu Guard, Sarutobi Hiruzen had no choice but to smooth things over and clean up Danzo.

"The Third Hokage masters are so busy with their daily affairs, yet they still remember such a small matter at the orphanage. Naraku admires them."

"Where the Konoha dance, the fire will burn ever brighter. As the Hokage, it's normal to care about the villagers. Alright, Naraku, you didn't come here for something so trivial, did you?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't want to talk about last night anymore; he understood perfectly well that the more he said, the more mistakes Sarutobi Hiruzen would make.

"Third Hokage, you are no longer the Hokage. Please have some self-respect."

Naraku still addressed Sarutobi Hiruzen with respect, but only as the Third Hokage. Since Sarutobi Hiruzen had already announced his abdication and the nomination of the Fourth Hokage at the previous Jonin meeting, calling him Sarutobi Hiruzen was no longer appropriate.

"Cough cough"

Sarutobi Hiruzen coughed twice, choked by Naraku's words, and put down his pipe to take a sip of tea. After setting down his teacup, Sarutobi Hiruzen's gentle demeanor transformed; his face became extremely serious, and he said in a deep voice:

"Having served as Hokage for so many years, I've almost forgotten. Naraku, did you come here just to remind me of this?"

"No, Third Hokage, Konoha cannot be without a Hokage. As the previous Hokage of Konoha, you should be training the Fourth Hokage."

Furthermore, the conflict between Konoha and Iwagakure and Kumogakure continues. Although you have abdicated, the sentiment within Konoha remains turbulent.

Please elect the Fourth Hokage as soon as possible to lead Konoha to end the Shinobi World War!

Naraku spoke politely to Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was refusing to move unless urged, but his words implied a strong desire for a change of Hokage.