"Then let's proceed as Mito-sama wishes."
The Third Hokage forced a smile as he spoke to Momoka.
There was no other choice. With the Senju, Uchiha, and Hyuga Clans joining forces, they accounted for more than half of Konoha's strength. Many among the remaining half also leaned toward those three clans, especially the Senju Clan.
A starved camel was still bigger than a horse.
Though the Senju Clan had declined, its prestige was greater than ever.
The people of Konoha remembered the blood the Senju Clan had shed for the village.
Though his authority as Hokage appeared immense, and he commanded the powerful Hokage's Anbu directly under him, if they truly came to blows, he likely could not even defeat the Uchiha Clan alone. Even with the Sarutobi Clan and the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans added in, the result would be much the same.
Now that the three major clans had unexpectedly chosen to join forces, especially with the Uchiha Clan actually siding with the Senju, what could he, the Hokage, possibly say?
Say no?
Or protect that warmongering comrade of his, who had a talent for courting death, even at a time like this?
He still wanted to remain Hokage for a few more years.
"The village absolutely cannot be thrown into chaos. Danzo, you should go in peace. If you must blame someone, blame yourself for going too far this time."
The Third Hokage was furious at Danzo for failing to live up to expectations.
At the same time, Danzo's astonishingly high limit for courting death made his heart pound in alarm.
He had damaged the Senju Clan's Barrier Seal.
Mito-sama was not even dead yet.
How had he dared?
Who had given him the courage?
It certainly had not been Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Hiruzen, you truly are too weak. You