Mitokado Homura quietly shot a discreet look at Utatane Koharu, who sat beside him in a daze, then immediately voiced his support for Danzo. "Hiruzen, I think Danzo is right. We have no other options at this point. I support Danzo running for Hokage."
After receiving Mitokado Homura's signal, Utatane Koharu immediately chimed in, agreeing with Danzo's proposal as well.
Hearing Mitokado Homura's words, Danzo felt a surge of delight. So helping you earlier wasn't a waste after all. Now that's my old friend!
Hiruzen Sarutobi, however, felt a chill settle in his heart. What he feared most had happened after all. It seemed his two old friends had betrayed him.
They thought they had concealed many of their actions, but how could they possibly hide them from him, the Hokage?
His decision to let Danzo establish Root had always displeased these two old friends.
Both had also privately expressed their dissatisfaction with Danzo to him.
Yet now they were supporting Danzo's bid for Hokage. He did not believe their support was genuine.
There was only one possible explanation: they had already decided Danzo could never win.
If they were that confident, Hiruzen Sarutobi could think of no explanation other than that they had already sided with Orochimaru.
"Ah, then it's settled."
At that thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly seemed to age ten years. With his back to them, he waved a hand wearily, indicating that he too supported Danzo.
Even his teammates of over thirty years no longer believed he could win. What else could he do?
The others in the village had probably all sided with Orochimaru as well.
Since that was how things stood, he might as well let them have their way. It seemed Konoha truly no longer needed him.
Once Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed, the other three