"We want justice! Make the Hokage come out and explain whether what's written in this newspaper is true!"
"I always felt something was wrong about the White Fang's death. He never lost a single battle until that one mission. Why did rumors explode over one failure?"
"Is Naruto really the Fourth Hokage's son? If that's true, why was he labeled a demon fox? Is this how Konoha treats the hero's child?"
"Three thousand ryō a month? My son's academy fees alone cost over ten thousand! How is that supposed to be enough?"
"I went to the old Senju compound earlier. The trees at the entrance—there are human-shaped marks in them!"
"Were the civilianized Senju really used for human experimentation? They founded Konoha and even gave up their clan name. Why did the Third Hokage drive them to extinction?!"
The questions came one after another, loud and relentless.
Inside the Hokage Tower, standing before the floor-to-ceiling window, Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand trembled as he held his pipe. He had always known this day might come. He believed he was prepared.
But when everything was exposed at once, the pressure of public opinion crashed down like a tidal wave, leaving him unable to breathe.
For the first time, even the Third Hokage began to question himself.
Did I truly do wrong…?
Once doubt took root, it spread endlessly.
"Hokage-sama!" an ANBU shinobi rushed in, voice shaking. "We can barely hold them back. The villagers are ramming the doors. If this continues—!"
He didn't finish.
Facing unarmed civilians, the ANBU dared not use lethal force. If blood was spilled today, the major ninja clans would immediately intervene.
In manpower and wealth, the Hokage Tower was no match for them.
This would no longer be a disturbance—it would become a public judgment of the Hokage.
Hiruzen took a deep drag from his pipe.
"Open the doors," he said calmly. "There's no avoiding this."
He could flee Konoha and survive a little longer—but his pride would not allow it.
Appointed personally by Tobirama Senju, he would face the consequences himself.
The order was relayed outward.
---
Deep beneath Konoha, inside Root headquarters, Danzo Shimura fell silent when he received the news.
So… Hiruzen chose this path.
Danzo's restless heart stirred. If Hiruzen stepped down, the seat of Hokage would finally be within reach.
I can't do it alone.
His thoughts turned immediately to the Uchiha.
"Fu," Danzo said quietly.
Fu Yamanaka stepped forward. "Danzo-sama."
Danzo whispered instructions into his ear. Fu's expression never changed. He nodded once and left.
Danzo leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing.
"The roots buried beneath Konoha… are finally about to break through the soil."
Yet he ignored a crucial truth.
His relationship with the Uchiha had long since rotted.
The attempt on Uchiha Shisui's eyes.
The endless talk of "evil Uchiha."
They would never cooperate with him.
Not Fugaku—and certainly not Uchiha Ran.
But Danzo did not think of that now.
All he saw was the future.
His gaze locked onto the Hokage robes hanging inside Root—robes tailored perfectly to his build.
He stood, walked forward, and reached out with his unaltered hand.
His fingers brushed the brim, trembling.
In his mind, he saw himself wearing them, standing above the village, commanding obedience.
Then—
Another memory surfaced.
The First Shinobi World War.
The Gold and Silver Brothers' rebellion.
A desperate retreat.
"Someone must stay behind," Tobirama Senju said coldly. "Who is willing to sacrifice themselves so the rest may escape?"
Six disciples stood there.
Danzo wanted to step forward.
The words reached his throat—
But he hesitated.
He was afraid to die.
Then someone passed him.
It was Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"I'll stay, sensei," Hiruzen said firmly. "Konoha can't lose you."
Danzo stared, stunned.
Relief… admiration… and then self-loathing flooded his heart.
Tobirama's stern expression softened. He placed a heavy hand on Hiruzen's shoulder.
"Monkey. From this moment on, you are the Third Hokage."
Everyone froze.
Hiruzen protested, but Tobirama cut him off.
"It is not time for the young to die for Konoha. Leave the rear guard to me."
He turned to the others.
"Support Hiruzen. If manpower is lacking, he may mobilize the Senju freely."
Then Tobirama looked at Danzo.
Disappointment filled his eyes.
That gaze burned itself into Danzo Shimura's soul.
------
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