"The Uchiha Clan truly has an abundance of talents."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Sasuke on the arena stage, a hint of emotion in his words.
He had a love-hate relationship with the Uchiha; he loved them because of their strength. With them around, Konoha gained a powerful fighting force. He also hated them for their strength.
In recent years, no matter where the Uchiha were, whether in school as top students or in the front ranks, or as a primary fighting force on the battlefield.
Initially, Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't worried. Before he returned to power, he believed he could suppress the Uchiha. At that time, there were also the Konoha Sannin, Danzo, Minato Namikaze, and other fighting forces.
No matter what the Uchiha did, he wasn't afraid, so at that time, he never thought of suppressing them.
Later, when he realized that the Uchiha Clan could no longer be suppressed, and even many clans in the Village were stirring, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew he had to step down. He handed the position over to Minato Namikaze.
But unexpectedly, the Nine-Tails' Chaos directly led to Minato Namikaze's death, and the fact that the Sharingan could control Tailed Beasts was remembered again.
After Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to power, he also realized that if the Uchiha Clan was not controlled, he might truly be unable to suppress them in the future. So, he began to tacitly allow Danzo's small actions against the Uchiha.
And now, it seems the Uchiha not only didn't suffer a decline in strength due to his targeting, but instead still produced many geniuses.
He is still very strong now, but he is very afraid, afraid that they are young.
In fact, Hiruzen Sarutobi was very clear that if he were to step down at this point and hand the Hokage position to someone from the Uchiha Clan, all problems would be solved.
But he was still influenced by Senju Tobirama, and at the same time, he harbored a slight prejudice against the Uchiha Clan. Furthermore, since the Uchiha were not his direct lineage, Hiruzen Sarutobi would never hand the position over to the Uchiha.
"Konoha is inherently a cradle of geniuses."
Bai Ye said with a chuckle. Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to agree, Bai Ye's next sentence almost made him lose his composure.
"There was Konoha White Fang, the Konoha Sannin, Minato Namikaze, Hyuga Hizashi... Unfortunately, some sacrificed themselves for the Village, some left the Village due to certain events, and some were murdered. Aren't all these people from commoners or other clans?"
Are there many Uchiha geniuses?
Yes!
But there are also many geniuses in Konoha Village.
Although Jiraiya was a dead last in the Ninja Academy, after graduating, he actually displayed astonishing talent. At least Jiraiya was the only one of the Sannin who could use Sage Mode.
Damn it!
Who is he picking on?!
One of the Sannin was forced out, two left in disappointment, Konoha White Fang was killed by rumors, Minato Namikaze sacrificed himself due to the Reaper Death Seal, and Hyuga Hizashi was also a product of their compromise.
So, you can't speak properly, huh?
"Heh heh, the Fourth Hokage's death has everything to do with your Uchiha Clan!"
Danzo also said coldly at this moment.
He admitted that these matters were more or less related to him.
However, he definitely did not participate in the Nine-Tails' Chaos.
Although he wanted the Fourth Hokage to die, he never thought of using the Nine-Tails incident. To this day, he still doesn't know who leaked the situation. Also, when the Masked Man appeared and controlled the Nine-Tails, Danzo and others were actually aware of the Sharingan, even though Uchiha Fugaku tried his best to explain afterwards.
But in fact, no one really bought it.
And this was the point Danzo always used to attack the Uchiha.
"The Sharingan isn't only possessed by our Uchiha Clan, is that right, Lord Danzo?"
Bai Ye turned his head and looked at Danzo's arm. That arm was completely covered with the eyes of their Uchiha Clan.
Upon seeing Bai Ye's gaze, Danzo was instinctively startled, and at the same time, he pondered in his heart whether Bai Ye had discovered something.
If his secret were to be known, he probably wouldn't be able to stay in Konoha.
This not only involved the Uchiha Clan, but even the First's Kekkei Genkai were present. Similarly, for other Kekkei Genkai clans, such a thing was a taboo.
"Besides Kakashi, are there others?"
Danzo said lightly.
"Who knows?"
Bai Ye's words had already made Danzo panic, and at the same time, it solidified his determination to act immediately.
Bai Ye must have known something, otherwise he wouldn't have said such words. Perhaps because Bai Ye currently had no way to prove it, he hadn't exposed it for the time being.
"Are you impatient to make a move?"
Bai Ye glanced at Danzo, muttering silently in his heart.
He deliberately said that to make Danzo prepare to act in advance.
However, Bai Ye was not in a hurry. Danzo's arm was solid proof. Even if Danzo didn't make a move, he could directly attack Danzo.
It was just for maximizing benefits. When he attacked Danzo, he would also have to fight Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Danzo, stop talking!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Danzo, then immediately stopped Danzo from continuing to speak. They weren't here to argue.
Although Danzo was indignant, he didn't say anything more, but his hatred for the Uchiha grew stronger in his heart.
Seeing Danzo quiet down, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but turn to Bai Ye and ask, "Clan Head Bai Ye, you said this time you came to resolve the conflict between the Village and the Uchiha, so what is your opinion?"
Whether it was to buy time or to understand Bai Ye's true intentions.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was also very eager to talk to Bai Ye at this moment.
"Actually, it's very simple. Hokage-sama, why don't you step down and let someone from our Uchiha Clan become Hokage? Wouldn't that resolve the conflict between the Village and the Uchiha?"
"Impossible!!! How can you Uchiha become Hokage!!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't spoken yet when Danzo couldn't sit still.
The Hokage position was his lifelong pursuit. He originally thought that after the Fourth died, it might be his turn. As a result, the Third went up. He thought that if he outlived Hiruzen Sarutobi, he might also become Hokage.
However, if Uchiha Bai Ye became Hokage, he would never be able to become Hokage in this lifetime.
Coupled with his prejudice against the Uchiha Clan, Danzo naturally would not allow the Uchiha Clan to become Hokage!
"So, Hokage-sama thinks so too?"
Bai Ye ignored Danzo. The most crucial person now was Hiruzen Sarutobi. In fact, deep down, he was no longer afraid of these two. Acting was just about having a pretext.
He not only wanted to resolve the current crisis but also wanted to become Hokage, so naturally, his reputation had to be good.
Otherwise, if he just killed these two, he could have acted directly.
"Of course, anyone can be Hokage, but since one is to become a Kage, one naturally needs to gain the recognition of the vast majority of the Village, right?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi still maintained a benevolent attitude. Clearly, he didn't express much about Bai Ye's desire to become Hokage. In fact, there was even a hint of support in his tone, but the meaning of his words was also very clear: my support is useless; everyone else in the Village needs to support you.
This was his usual tactic.
"Actually, when you, Third, took office, it was the Second who personally said it, right? It's just a pity that some people are always a little bit too slow in their lives."
After Bai Ye finished speaking, both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo felt as disgusted as if they had eaten a fly.
Ignoring their expressions, Bai Ye stood up from his seat, then slowly walked towards the railing at the edge of the viewing platform, muttering to himself as he walked, "Whether you support it or not, I will come out. The Hokage is not someone's private property. If you're not capable, step down early. When you're old, people might still respect you."
Behind him, even though both of them considered themselves to have good composure, after hearing Bai Ye's words, they couldn't help but grip the armrests of their chairs tightly.
"Bai Ye, why exactly did you invite us here?"
"Of course, to declare war on you. The relationship between our Uchiha Clan and you has already reached this point. Do you think I would seek peace with you like Fugaku? Ultimately, your era has ended. You relics of the old era, don't come out and make a fool of yourselves."
Looking at Sasuke on the arena stage, he had already defeated the assigned examiner. The Genin-level examiner was also defeated by Sasuke. This was the result of his training over the past month.
After winning, a rare hint of excitement flashed across Sasuke's face. His gaze then turned towards the viewing platform, his expression as if to say, 'Teacher, I didn't disgrace you, did I?'
The youthful vigor was displayed vividly at this moment. However, he hoped that this youth would not be shot directly in the forehead by his own bullet many years later.
Bai Ye nodded at Sasuke, chuckling as he clapped, "Third, it seems we've won."
Won?
Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat dazed, and at this moment, he finally felt a hint of killing intent towards Bai Ye. He suddenly realized that he had always underestimated Bai Ye.
It seemed that from the very beginning, Bai Ye would not let him manipulate him like Uchiha Fugaku.
And now, it seemed there were only two paths to choose from.
The first was to directly step down and hand over the Hokage position to the Uchiha.
The second was to fight the Uchiha and completely eliminate them.
It seemed this time the choice was up to them.
However, when Hiruzen Sarutobi truly faced the choice, he hesitated.
Was he truly a relic of the old era?
"Konoha will not be threatened by you Uchiha! If you Uchiha dare to do anything that harms Konoha, the other clans will not stand idly by!"
Danzo roared, unable to maintain his composure today.
There were no other Ninja around, so he could speak, and Bai Ye could speak.
He could no longer tolerate Bai Ye's arrogance.
Indeed, it would be better to eliminate the Uchiha Clan!
"Lord Danzo, have you harmed Konoha's interests any less?" Bai Ye said, turning to look at Danzo and asking, "Danzo, you don't need me to say what you've done these past years, do you? You don't need me to mention who collaborated with Orochimaru, do you? I won't talk about who went against the Hokage's orders and prevented our Uchiha from providing support back then. I also won't talk about how much profit your Shimura clan has gained in the Village just by virtue of your position. Now you have the nerve to tell me that the Uchiha are harming Konoha's interests? Who is the parasite of Konoha?!"
Bai Ye's words were like a sharp blade, each word carving into Danzo's heart, leaving him utterly powerless to refute.
Because he merely reiterated what Danzo had done.
"Enough! Bai Ye, all I want to know now is, is this your attitude or the attitude of your Uchiha Clan? I think we should have a good talk, instead of letting Konoha fall into civil war!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a low voice. He was well aware that the current situation had spiraled out of control.
The Uchiha Clan seemed to be truly on the verge of going berserk.
He really should have listened to Danzo back then.
Now, Hiruzen Sarutobi truly regretted it, but he still hesitated slightly, because once they went to war with the Uchiha Clan, it would mean that Konoha would truly fall into weakness. But then he remembered what Danzo had said earlier: currently, not only Konoha, but other Villages were also embroiled in their own affairs and had no time to spare for Konoha. Now was the best time to act.
So, should they act or not!?
"Third, I've made it very clear. There are only these two choices. This is not just my personal will, but also the will of the Uchiha. You've been in power for too long. It's time for you to step down now. Konoha's roots have already rotted, and this great tree will fall sooner or later. You can't hold onto it!"
Bai Ye said lightly. If Hiruzen Sarutobi chose to step down now, he could choose not to settle accounts with Hiruzen Sarutobi later, but if he remained stubborn, then he could just die with Danzo.
His Konoha didn't need these old fogeys!
Plus, he would also eliminate those two elders!
"I understand, I will consider it." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, not showing any immediate reaction. Although he had many calculations in his heart, he also knew that now was not a good time to tear off the pretense.
Moreover, before making this decision, he had to plan it well, and this would require calling a meeting with others to discuss it thoroughly.
"Congratulations, another genius has emerged from your Uchiha."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up and said with a chuckle, looking as if he hadn't taken Bai Ye's previous words to heart.
Bai Ye couldn't help but admire his composure.
"Isn't he also a genius of Konoha?"
"That's right, then I won't disturb you. I have quite a bit of official business."
"I won't see you off either."
Bai Ye nodded, watching Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo leave.
His goal had been achieved. When his gaze turned to Hyuga Hiashi's position, the other party also gave Bai Ye a confirming look.
Just now, while Danzo and Bai Ye were arguing and distracted, Hyuga Hiashi used his Byakugan to see the abnormal Chakra flow on Danzo's arm and eyes. However, to avoid being discovered, he only took a quick look before deactivating his ability.
But he could confirm that Danzo had indeed transplanted the Sharingan.
And this also made him completely accept the idea of cooperating with Bai Ye to overthrow Hiruzen Sarutobi!