What's even more shocking and appalling is...
The Anbu found a large number of looted coffins in a hidden room.
Danzo not only desecrated the corpses of the First Hokage and Second Hokage.
He even dug up the graves of many powerful warriors who died in battle in the village to conduct research on various forbidden techniques.
" Lord Hokage..."
A captain of the Anbu, his face deathly pale Earth Flow the Third Hokage, his voice trembling.
"In the deepest part of the cold storage, we found..."
The captain of the Anbu swallowed hard, not daring to continue.
The Third Hokage shoved him aside and stumbled into the cold storage.
When he saw the corpse lying on the operating table in the cold storage.
The Third Hokage let out a piercing cry of grief.
That corpse was his eldest son, who died in the Third Shinobi World War, and Konohamaru's biological father!
The body's chest cavity had been cruelly cut open, and the internal organs were nowhere to be found.
" Danzo! You beast!"
The Third Hokage was overcome with emotion, tears streaming down his face, the veins bulging on the back of his hand as he gripped the Adamantine Staff.
The last vestige of affection in his heart vanished completely, replaced by overwhelming rage.
"Surround the entire Shimura Clan!"
The Third Hokage roared in anger.
"Completely raid their property! Leave no one alive!"
The Shimura Clan was unaware of Danzo's human experiments.
However, they have long been Danzo's source of funding, providing substantial financial support for Root's dark activities.
Enraged by the Third Hokage, the Shimura Clan suffered a devastating blow; all their property was confiscated, and clan members were placed under close surveillance.
The Third Hokage entrusted Tsunade with the overall leadership of this purge operation.
This was also the unspoken intention of the Third Hokage and the Konoha High Command.
They intend to use this great achievement of eradicating the Root to pave the way for Tsunade to become the Fifth Hokage.
Tsunade's decisive methods, coupled with her noble status as the granddaughter of the First Hokage and the legendary reputation of the Sannin, made her a formidable force.
It's a foregone conclusion that she will become the Fifth Hokage.
The entire Konoha began intensive preparations for the Fifth Hokage's inauguration ceremony.
Those Konoha Ninja were on missions outside the village also received urgent orders from the village and began to return to Konoha one after another.
A few days later.
Two figures, one tall and one short, walked out of the gates of Konoha.
Jiraiya investigating the Akatsuki, accompanied by the boisterous Naruto Uzumaki.
As soon as Naruto entered the village, he excitedly shouted everywhere.
" Pervy Sage! You promised to teach me the most powerful Ninjutsu!"
Naruto clung tightly to Jiraiya's clothes, afraid he would run away.
Jiraiya rubbed his temples helplessly, then formally accepted Naruto apprentice and began his special training.
Not long after.
Konoha is celebrating its grandest day in recent years.
On the rooftop of the Hokage Building.
Tsunade, wearing the sacred robe embroidered with the words "Fifth Hokage" and the Hokage hat, stood majestically before the entire village.
A deafening cheer erupted from the square below.
The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood to the side, watching the spirited Tsunade with a gratified smile on his face.
Danzo's betrayal and those horrific crimes were a devastating blow to the old man.
His already frail body aged even more after this tragedy, looking as if a gust of wind could blow him over.
This is also why, after repeatedly tolerating Danzo and ultimately being betrayed, he finally decided to formally abdicate.
Tsunade's methods after taking office were swift and decisive.
The moment she took over the Hokage duties, she immediately ordered a reduction in the power of Konoha advisors Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.
This completely sidelined these two individuals from the core decision-making level.
Despite their dissatisfaction, the two advisors stormed into the Hokage's office and caused a scene.
However, with the Third Hokage's tacit approval, and with Danzo dead, they lost their greatest ally. Moreover Tsunade's identity was far too special, and she had a volatile temper.
The two could only slink away, swallowing their anger and accepting the reality.
With Tsunade's rise to power.
Uchiha Xin's status in Konoha has also been completely elevated.
Tsunade was well aware of the terrifying power of Shin's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
But she trusted Xin completely.
On the one hand, Xin is her super creditor with gambling debts of up to 4 billion taels, and she still has to hope that Xin will reduce or waive her debts.
On the other hand, Tsunade is very good at judging people. She knew very well that Shin had no ill intentions towards Konoha, and had even saved her life at a critical moment.
Uchiha Xin never intended to break with Konoha.
The well-developed living facilities and relatively stable environment of Konoha could provide him with sufficient comfort.
He had long been accustomed to the leisurely life of eating Ichiraku Ramen and buying a few skewers of tricolor takoyaki at the takoyaki shop every day.
More importantly, he didn't want to put Hinata in a difficult position.
His meticulously planned Hinata training program has gradually matured, Hinata's dependence on and affection for him have deepened day by day.
Xin didn't want to see Hinata caught in the middle between him and the Hyuga Clan; he wanted to give Hinata a legitimate identity.
Tsunade had long seen through Xin's intentions.
Her second task after taking office.
In his capacity as the Fifth Hokage, he formally proposed marriage to Uchiha Xin Hyuga Clan.
The news caused an uproar throughout the entire Hyuga Clan.
Initially, there was strong opposition within the Hyuga Clan.
The Uchiha Hyuga considered itself the number one clan in the Shinobi World, so how could they possibly marry the eldest daughter of their Main Family to an Uchiha clan member who is the only male heir left?
However, as time went on, the situation subtly changed.
Uchiha Xin not only holds the title of Special Jōnin, but is also a favorite of the current Hokage.
Moreover, his unfathomable strength has led the Hyuga Clan's higher-ups to reassess the value of this marriage.
The dissenting voices gradually decreased.
Until that morning.
The atmosphere inside the Hyuga Clan's massive Main Family residence was exceptionally solemn.
In the spacious council hall.
Uchiha Xin, the Fifth Hokage Tsunade, and the retired Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The Hyuga Clan leader, Hyuga Hiashi, and three elders who held real power in the clan gathered together.
These three elders are all highly respected members of the Hyuga Clan, with strength approaching the Kage Level, and wield significant influence within the clan.
Even Hyuga Hiashi, as the sect leader, had to listen to their opinions when faced with major decisions.
The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
The Third Elder, seated on the right, was the first to break the silence.
" Uchiha Xin."
The Third Elder stared sharply at Xin, getting straight to the point.
" Lord Hokage himself has proposed marriage for you, I'll ask you one question: do you truly wish to marry Hinata, the eldest daughter of the Hyuga Clan's Hinata Main Family?"
Xin sat in the chair, facing this scene that resembled a joint trial. Although he felt a little embarrassed, he still nodded firmly without hesitation.
"Yes, I want to marry her."
Xin's answer was firm and resounding.