At this moment, Hiruzen's expression was just like a member of the 5th Division witnessing Aizen's betrayal.
Makoto's expression, however, remained unchanged. He spoke leisurely:
"Think about it, Sensei. Now that Konoha is in this state, even if we secure this victory, who is the primary person responsible?"
"It can only be you, the Hokage. And the outcome is that you would have to step down, relinquishing the position of Hokage to someone else, just like after the Third Great Ninja War."
He paused briefly, then continued:
"I have no interest in that position. So the two most likely to take the seat are none other than the two wandering outside, Jiraiya, or Tsunade."
"And this incident would also become a major stain on your career as Hokage, though your record already has quite a few blemishes to begin with."
"So, why not die in this great battle?"
Makoto revealed a slight smile.
"The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, repelled the Missing-Nin, Orochimaru, at the cost of his own life, protecting the village from the evil Otogakure and Sunagakure... I will publicize your glorious achievements like this. See, doesn't that make things much better? Death can solve many problems."
"Rest assured, after your death, I will write a splendid eulogy to sing your praises. You will still be the strongest Hokage in Konoha's history since its founding."
After hearing this, the Sound Four maintaining the Four Violet Flames Formation were dumbfounded.
Orochimaru couldn't help but laugh: "Hahahaha! Little junior disciple, you're far more interesting than I imagined."
A full half a minute passed before Hiruzen finally regained his composure, roaring in fury:
"Makoto! Have you been deceiving everyone all this time?!"
Makoto raised an eyebrow and shrugged:
"Don't make it sound so dramatic, Sarutobi-sensei. I'm just stating the facts. Compared to ending up as a mangy dog causing great losses to the village, dying as a hero is far better. I'm considering your best interests here."
Though harsh, it was indeed the truth.
In the original Konoha Crush Plan, even if Hiruzen could pull off a miraculous victory against Orochimaru, his fate would be no better than death.
Danzo would absolutely seize the opportunity to challenge him, forcing him to abdicate the Hokage seat.
Moreover, regardless of who became the Fifth Hokage, Hiruzen would never again have access to Konoha's highest authority.
Neither Tsunade nor Danzo possessed the easy-going temperament of Minato, who would allow two rulers to coexist.
Dying as a hero was truly Hiruzen's best possible ending.
"Why do you possess the Mangekyo Sharingan?"
Hiruzen demanded, his anger uncontainable.
Makoto had lost interest in speaking with this teacher. He glanced indifferently at Orochimaru:
"Time's almost up, Orochimaru-senpai."
"Haha~ Did you hear that, Sarutobi-sensei?"
Seeing his teacher's expression of having eaten feces, Orochimaru felt this trip to Konoha was well worth it.
"Since our junior disciple says so, let's not waste any more time."
With those words, the reanimated Senju brothers, their bodies now fully restored, landed on either side of Orochimaru.
"Die, Sarutobi-sensei!"
Orochimaru's voice sharply rose as he charged at Hiruzen alongside the two reanimated Hokages.
Hiruzen was already aged and weakened, compounded by the immense psychological damage inflicted by Makoto's words—
In less than three minutes.
The once-great 'God of Shinobi' lay prone on the ground.
His heart was pierced by Orochimaru's Kusanagi Sword, pinned to the earth.
Makoto and Orochimaru stood on either side of Hiruzen.
Makoto looked down at him:
"Rest assured, Sarutobi-sensei, Konoha will flourish even more in the future. And as you often say, 'Where the leaves of Konoha dance, fire will burn eternally'. Now, let your Elder Council serve as fertilizer to nourish the village."
Hiruzen glared resentfully at this treacherous disciple. Just as he was about to speak, Orochimaru chimed in:
"Our junior disciple is right. These years, Konoha has been brought to its lowest point by Sarutobi-sensei and his ilk. It couldn't get much worse."
Makoto added:
"Don't worry, Sensei. I will provide for your daughter-in-law, you need not be concerned. I will also take good care of Konohamaru, raising him to be my sharpest blade. If you feel lonely, I can send your son down to accompany you as well."
Hearing this, Hiruzen became so enraged that he couldn't even draw breath… holding it in, he passed away on the spot.
Beside him, Orochimaru couldn't help but laugh again.
'This junior disciple was truly a character.'
With Hiruzen dead and Orochimaru having no intention of confronting that man, the Sound Four dissolved the Four Violet Flames Formation.
Makoto glanced at Orochimaru with his Eternal Mangekyo:
"Senpai, I trust you understand what should and shouldn't be said?"
"Of course."
Seeing the Mangekyo in Makoto's eyes, Orochimaru felt a chill inside and quickly expressed his agreement.
Through the forbidden technique of Living Corpse Reincarnation, he constantly changed bodies. Though this allowed his physical form to barely remain at its peak, his mental strength weakened each time.
Genjutsu-type Kekkei Genkai like the Sharingan were precisely his bane.
Besides, Orochimaru himself was currently quite exhausted… only a madman would provoke Makoto at this moment.
Still, Orochimaru was curious: Since Makoto wasn't of Uchiha lineage, how could he freely switch between normal eyes and the Sharingan?
"Orochimaru-sama, Konoha's Ninjas are approaching."
Tayuya warned.
Orochimaru nodded, then looked at Makoto: "Then farewell, little junior disciple."
Makoto's lips curled slightly as he waved his hand, signaling Orochimaru and his group to depart quickly.
Just then, Kakashi and the others, seeing the Four Violet Flames Formation dissolve and assuming the battle was over, arrived just in time, encountering Orochimaru's group head-on as they prepared to retreat.
Kakashi and the others were stunned.
'What happened? Why was Orochimaru still alive?'
'Could it be that the Hokage, along with Makoto who possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan had been unable to defeat Orochimaru?'
Just then.
A heart-wrenching cry came from the arena rooftop.
"Senseeeei! You died such a tragic death! Your disciple has failed you!"
Orochimaru stumbled, nearly falling from mid-air.
'Good heavens! Such acting skills?'
Kakashi and the others were also taken aback.
Seizing this opportunity, Orochimaru quickly summoned Manda through the Summoning Technique.
"Damn Orochimaru, calling me out without notice again! Remember to prepare a hundred live human sacrifices!"
Manda cursed as its massive body, rivaling a Tailed Beast, crashed through the Konoha's Ninjas blocking its path and swiftly retreated from Konoha.
"Damn it!"
Many Konoha's Ninjas cursed and wanted to pursue.
But Kakashi stopped them: "First, check on Hokage-sama's condition."
Finding this reasonable, the others hurried to the arena rooftop.
There, they saw Orochimaru's Kusanagi Sword piercing Hiruzen's body from behind, pinning him to the ground.
The severely wounded Third Hokage lay on the rooftop, his eyes closed forever.
And Makoto's performance continued.
"Heavens! Sensei! Your unfilial disciple has failed you! Your disciple has failed you! Waa—"
Hearing Makoto's wailing, the gathered Konoha's Jonin and players felt a pang of sympathy.
Airi wiped away tears as she said to those beside her: "I can't believe Grandpa Hokage is gone... Makoto must be heartbroken. They always had such a close teacher-student bond."
Aizono Marina nodded: "Yes, indeed."
"Makoto, don't be too sad..."
Mrs. Yukinoshita approached, holding Makoto's right hand to comfort him.
Yukino, however, looked at Makoto, who seemed possessed by an Oscar-winning actor, with a strange expression.
She felt something was off.
"Wh-what happened, Makoto?"
Kakashi stepped forward, asking incredulously, "With you and the Hokage working together, even Orochimaru shouldn't have—"
"It was Danzo! That damned traitor Danzo!"
Makoto's voice was choked with sobs.
"He conspired with Orochimaru, orchestrating this disaster to kill Sensei and seize the Hokage seat! Sensei and I were about to win when he suddenly appeared and stabbed Sensei from behind!"
"Damn! Damn! That inherently evil Shimura Danzo!"
Asuma flew into a rage: "What?! That bastard Danzo!"
Kurenai said indignantly: "Let's storm the Root immediately to avenge the Third Hokage!"
Genma: "I've always said leaving Danzo in Konoha would eventually cause disaster!"
If Makoto had named anyone else, these Konoha's Ninjas might have harbored some doubt.
But saying it was Danzo… that made perfect sense.
Not only was this man's desire to become Hokage so obvious in Konoha and the entire Ninja World-
Whenever chaos occurred in the Ninja World, Danzo could more or less be connected to it.
He was practically a causality weapon.
…
Meanwhile-
Far away in the Root's base, Danzo suddenly shivered for no apparent reason.
'What was happening?' He inexplicably felt a chill.