The Advisors Step Down

"What! Where is his body?"

The three were very surprised, but their years of high-level careers had made them quite shrewd. After a slight shock, Utatane Koharu dormitory, was the first to speak up and ask.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was somewhat strange. Although he had made up his mind to capture Danzo, he did not intend to kill Danzo. Upon hearing the news of Danzo's death, Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes revealed sorrow, regret, and pain, a very complex mix of emotions.

Mitokado Homura understood the reason for summoning the three of them; Danzo must have revealed a lot of dirty secrets.

Naraku gazed at the village below, paying no attention to the three people's faces. Hearing Utatane Koharu's words, Naraku said softly:

"Danzo, suffering a backlash from the First Hokage Cells, transformed into a large tree."

"This..."

Mitokado Homura knew what this meant. The First Hokage Cells experiments were not a secret. They had been specifically researched and experimented with during the Third Hokage generation, but because they were too dangerous, they were later banned and classified as secret.

"Danzo..."

Upon hearing of Danzo's fate, Sarutobi Hiruzen murmured Danzo's name.

"Hmph! Danzo recklessly conducted forbidden research, wantonly arrested people to experiment on Ninjutsu, and harmed countless lives."

Danzo secretly colluded with missing-nin, the most famous of whom was missing-nin, one of the Sannin Orochimaru!

Danzo was backfired by the First Hokage's power and transformed into a giant tree. Ha! I can't imagine how many people Danzo sacrificed to master this incredible Wood Release ninjutsu!

The crimes committed by Danzo mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg; the data, files, and documents in Danzo's base are simply shocking!

Naraku coldly announced Danzo's crimes, his voice growing louder as he spoke. After a slight pause, his face flushed, he roared:

"You second-generation disciples, the so-called high-ranking officials of Konoha, are more corrupt and dark than I could have imagined! More than any villager in Konoha could have imagined!"

After Naraku finished roaring, he turned his head and stared coldly at Sarutobi Hiruzen and Utatane Koharu to his left.

Having held high positions for many years, the three men looked embarrassed when the fourth generation roared at them like that. Faced with such an attack, they were at a loss for words.

Regardless of whether the Fourth Hokage's account is accurate, even if it isn't, the Fourth Hokage could easily make it so. Moreover, the three of them are well aware of Danzo's style, so it's highly likely that Danzo's dirty laundry and evidence have indeed been unearthed.

Seeing that the three didn't respond or argue, Naraku's expression softened slightly, and he said in a deep voice:

"I've sealed some of the evidence of crimes that were found during the search of Danzo's Danzo. If you want to see it, you can go to the archives."

Danzo's crimes were far too dark for Konoha to bear.

The people of Konoha cannot trust such high-ranking officials. I hope you will reflect on this and do your jobs well.

"From today onwards, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Utatane Koharu, you two will only be responsible for your own departments. The duties of Hokage Advisor are no longer your concern."

As Naraku finished speaking, he raised his staff high and then gently lowered it, sparing himself from killing all three of them with a single blow.

Sarutobi Hiruzen is still in charge of the Department of Education, Utatane Koharu remains in charge of the Department of Finance. As for their important positions Hokage Advisor, they were stripped of them due to Danzo's involvement.

The Hokage Advisor are core members of Konoha's leadership. In an emergency, if Konoha is leaderless, the Hokage Advisor can decide who will become Hokage.

As long as the chosen Hokage is well-known in Konoha and not too outrageous, the Jonin will generally support him.

At the same time, the Hokage Advisor serve as a bridge between Konoha Land of Fire's court. It's not a very important matter; the court usually communicates with the advisors.

Communication between the imperial court and the Hokage is crucial. As the true ruler of the Land of Fire, the Hokage puts immense pressure on the Konoha court. Unless it's a major war, the court generally doesn't directly confront the Hokage.

"I'm sorry, fourth generation, I've disappointed you."

"I will reflect on my actions, please don't worry."

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Utatane Koharu had prepared for the worst when faced with the Fourth Hokage's attack, but the Fourth Hokage ultimately let it go.

The group initially thought they would be Danzo like Danzo, but to their surprise, the Fourth Hokage only removed two of them from their advisory posts, and Mitokado Homura was not affected at all.

With the Uchiha in power, the two sides should have been irreconcilable enemies long ago. However, the Fourth Hokage was indeed a kind and tolerant Hokage, whom even Sarutobi Hiruzen and Utatane Koharu had to admire.

Unlike Danzo, the rest of them were not as radical. They generally agreed with the Second Uchiha, but not entirely. Just as there were insightful individuals within the Uchiha, such as Kagami Uchiha and the Fourth Hokage, there were also those who possessed great wisdom.

Moreover, the Advisory Council also includes Mitokado Homura, which provides a buffer and prevents the group from completely losing power.

"Since you have no objections, let's Danzo as it is."

Although you two are not serving as advisors, the affairs of the Department of Education and the Department of Finance are extremely important, so please do not slack off."

Seeing that the others had resigned themselves to their fate, Naraku did not continue to criticize them.

"I see."

"Knew."

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Utatane Koharu answered softly, then exchanged a glance.

"I'm leaving." (x2)

The two turned and walked away slowly, leaving only the Fourth Hokage and Mitokado Homura behind.

"Lord Yan, your name is almost never mentioned in Danzo's base files, so even if the Konoha Ninja are wary of the higher-ups, they won't be wary of you or me."

Naraku explained in a soft voice why he hadn't taken action against Mitokado Homura.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Utatane Koharu were removed from their advisory positions. Their current positions Department of Education and Department of Finance are not like those of the Security Department, which were inherited by the Uchiha with the endorsement of the Second Hokage.

If the two are exposed for any more scandals, they will be completely forced out of office and lose power. Currently, they still serve as department heads and are considered to be among the powerful high-ranking officials, but unlike before, they are no longer at the core of Konoha's power.

"I understand, Fourth Hokage. I will fully support you. As an advisor, I will take on the responsibility of supervising the Hokage no matter what. Good medicine tastes bitter but is good for the disease, and honest advice is hard to hear but beneficial to conduct."

Fourth Hokage Konoha, you have reclaimed power, but please don't forget, Konoha belongs to everyone. We cannot allow any one ninja clan to dominate. Otherwise, the tallest tree in the forest will stand out...

Mitokado Homura expressed his support implicitly. He felt somewhat conflicted about his two classmates' layoffs, and Mitokado Homura a soft reminder without saying the rest of his sentence.

"I understand. The Uchiha Clan is the largest clan in Konoha. I will make this outstanding tree of the Uchiha clan keep its head down."

Naraku understood Mitokado Homura's words. "The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind."

In the eighth year of Naraku's rule, the Uchiha population and the number of ninjas in Konoha grew rapidly.

When the First Hokage and Second Hokage encountered this situation, they instructed the Senju Clan to go into hiding and live in Konoha. However, the Uchiha Mu Senju Clan could not do the same.

Because the Uchiha possessed the iconic Kekkei Genkai Sharingan, Naraku did not want to suffer the same fate as the Senju Clan, who were betrayed and murdered by their own disciples, resulting in their near extinction.

Naraku had his own plans regarding the rise of the Uchiha.

Kazuma and Obito are on a secret mission. If all goes well, the Uchiha will become the future Land of Fire, and most of the population will follow Naraku to the capital. Therefore, there will be no question of them standing out in Konoha.