Shimura Danzō's face twitched.
He almost failed to keep his composure and nearly burst out cursing.
The second half of Uchiha Ren's sentence had been completely unnecessary.
With that added remark, Ren's recommendation sounded more like a mockery than a genuine nomination.
Especially considering that during the previous emergency meeting, Ren had used a similar line to tease him.
And besides—
When had he ever said he would lead Konoha to conquer the Moon?
That place looked even more barren than the Land of Wind. What would be the point of conquering it?
Around the conference hall, many people exchanged confused glances.
No one could tell whether Uchiha Ren was serious or joking.
After all—
An Uchiha recommending Danzō to become Hokage?
Was that something that could even happen in reality?
Everyone in Konoha knew that among the village leadership, the one who disliked the Uchiha Clan the most was Danzō.
And everyone also knew that the Uchiha hated Danzō the most.
At that moment, Homura Mitokado spoke sternly.
"Director Uchiha Ren, please pay attention to the occasion."
"This is not the time for jokes. Don't waste everyone's time."
Ren replied calmly,
"Elder Mitokado, why would you say that?"
"I sincerely recommend Elder Shimura Danzō to become the Fourth Hokage."
For a moment, the room fell silent again.
Homura's eyes flickered slightly before he spoke.
"I am not questioning Elder Shimura's qualifications."
"Since you insist that you are not joking, I will accept this nomination."
He then turned to the room.
"The Director of the Konoha Military Police Force, Uchiha Ren, has nominated Konoha Elder and Hokage Advisor Shimura Danzō as a candidate for the Fourth Hokage."
"Does anyone have any objections?"
No one spoke.
After all, this was merely a nomination, not the final appointment.
Even those who disliked Danzō had no reason to object at this stage.
Most people simply assumed Homura would follow the procedure and place Danzō's name on the list of candidates.
However—
just as the process seemed ready to move forward—
a voice suddenly rang out.
"I object."
The speaker was someone no one expected.
Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The conference hall instantly erupted in shock.
Many people stared at him with disbelief.
After all, everyone in Konoha knew that Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō were practically inseparable allies.
For decades, since Hiruzen had taken office as Hokage, Danzō had been his right-hand man and closest confidant.
Whenever Danzō abused the Hokage's authority or made questionable decisions, Hiruzen usually turned a blind eye.
No matter how serious the mistake, Hiruzen had always protected him.
Yet now—
Hiruzen was openly opposing Danzō's nomination for Hokage.
That meant one thing.
Their relationship had completely broken down.
Danzō narrowed his single eye and spoke coldly.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi."
"What exactly do you mean by this?"
"Do you believe that I am not even qualified to run for Hokage?"
Hiruzen met his gaze without backing down.
"In terms of qualifications, contributions, and ability…"
"You indeed have the right to compete for the position of Fourth Hokage."
"But while you possess those qualifications…"
"you also carry sins that disqualify you from becoming Hokage."
Danzō's eye flashed with a cold glint.
He suddenly felt a strong sense of foreboding.
Hiruzen continued with a cold laugh.
"You want evidence?"
"Very well. There is plenty."
"Let's not even talk about the distant past."
"Let's talk about the Battle of Kikyō Mountain Fortress."
"The entire conflict was caused by you."
The hall instantly fell silent again.
Hiruzen's voice grew louder.
"To provoke war, you first allowed the Kumogakure delegation to stir chaos inside the village, enabling them to rescue the Nine-Tails jinchūriki."
"After that, you deliberately created a gap for the Kumogakure army, allowing them to invade the Land of Fire."
"You then illegally mobilized the Border Defense Forces to pursue them."
"As a result, our border defenses were weakened."
"Both Iwagakure and Sunagakure seized the opportunity."
"The entire defense line collapsed."
"And that ultimately led to the battle at Kikyō Mountain Fortress."
Hiruzen's voice became heavy.
"Yes, in the end, our shinobi fought with their lives and Konoha achieved victory."
"But that victory had little to do with you."
"Instead, nearly four thousand Konoha ninja were killed or wounded in that war."
"And for those lives…"
"You, Shimura Danzō, must bear responsibility."
The entire conference hall exploded into chaos.
Gasps and shocked murmurs filled the room.
Danzō's face darkened.
But Hiruzen continued relentlessly.
"Such a massive sin…"
"Forget running for Fourth Hokage."
"In my opinion, you are not even qualified to remain a Konoha Elder or Hokage Advisor."
"You should spend the rest of your life in prison."
"And take responsibility for those four thousand lives."
The hall fell into stunned silence.
Many people stared at the two old men in disbelief.
Earlier rumors had circulated that Hiruzen and Danzō had fallen out.
Most people had assumed they were just rumors.
But now—
it was clear that the two former allies had completely turned against each other.
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