Chapter 241: Power Transition
Konoha, Sarutobi Clan.
Once expansive and imposing, the Sarutobi clan's land is now in disarray.
Beneath the ruins of houses, the once proud members of the Sarutobi clan are now engulfed in sorrow.
In a dilapidated house, Sarutobi Hiruzen, with white hair and age spots, sits in silence, his cloudy eyes fixated on the 'Nin' character he personally wrote on the wall.
"A report for the clan head: due to the destructive power of the false Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's Tailed Beast Bomb, the Nara, Akimichi, and our own clans have suffered severe damage," reports a Sarutobi clan ninja who appeared in the room, but Hiruzen remains silent after hearing the report.
However, at that moment, Sarutobi Asuma enters calmly. In just three days, having experienced these drastic changes, Asuma seems much more mature.
"Father, the Police Force has brought Danzo to our doorstep," says a mature Asuma, lifting his head to look at his father's aging figure. His lips move, and he adds, "Danzo is still alive!"
This single statement causes Hiruzen's shoulders to tremble, and a glint appears in his cloudy eyes; he finally reacts.
After signaling the other ninjas to leave, Hiruzen, looking haggard, turns to face his son Asuma and hoarsely says, "What a scheme, Uchiha Yoru is truly a formidable opponent."
After exposing his Sharingan and Wood Release, Shimura Danzo has become the biggest stain on their Hokage lineage, with solid evidence to back it up.
But Yoru, with his malicious intent, delivers Danzo alive to him, presenting a difficult choice.
To deny knowledge of Danzo's actions and execute him righteously – would anyone believe it? Such words might deceive the lower-ranking ninjas and civilians in the village, but not the higher-ranking ones.
If he cannot bear to act and wishes to spare Danzo's life, then that stain becomes an indirect admission of guilt, carrying all the responsibility.
Danzo being delivered to Hiruzen's hands is purely a vexation.
Even if Danzo were executed by Yoru, it would at most be an act of vengeance. But delivering him back to Hiruzen affects the Third Hokage in every possible way.
"Father, Danzo!"
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Asuma hoarsely says, "The Police Force brought Danzo here under the authority of the Third Hokage."
Facing this dilemma, Hiruzen slowly lights his pipe and exhales a puff of smoke, his cloudy eyes revealing a wise expression.
"Executing Danzo will cause the Sarutobi clan to lose heart and be isolated by all ninjas in the village. Spare Danzo!"
As Hiruzen's hoarse voice echoes, Asuma frowns and finally says in a deep voice, "Shikaku Nara is currently at the border of the Land of Lightning, commanding nearly three thousand ninjas."
Lifting his head to glance at Asuma, Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head indifferently, "This is what everyone in the ninja world wants to see, but more importantly, Konoha can't afford any more turmoil."
Slowly rising to his feet, Sarutobi Hiruzen's turbid eyes revealed a firm determination. The look he gave Asuma in that moment was unforgettable.
"I have not lost yet. The Will of Fire still burns within me. Konoha must never fall into the hands of the ambitious Uchiha."
After standing up, Sarutobi Hiruzen, this time, did not wear the robe of the Third Hokage. Instead, he held the Hokage hat in his hand and walked out of the house, heading straight towards the Hokage office building.
…
On the balcony of the Hokage Building, a meeting of the Jonin.
As the sound of footsteps arose, all the Jonin of the Konoha tensed up. With the appearance of a figure, someone slowly walked towards the four chairs that symbolize the power of Konoha.
Uchiha Yoru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya sat upright in their chairs, with the remaining seat known to everyone as reserved for the Third Hokage. This arrangement signified that the previous upper echelons of power had been completely reshuffled.
This time, sitting in the main seat was Uchiha Yoru, wielding tremendous power. His every word and deed would lead the future development of the Village.
Around them, the vigilant ninjas revealed pairs of three-tomoe Sharingan eyes, proving to everyone that the Konoha was now under the domination of the Uchiha.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I believe you are all aware of the corruption problem of the Third Hokage's administration. Researching the First Hokage's cells, secretly stealing bloodline limits from our own village, and even more horrifying discoveries have been made in the Root."
At this moment, Uchiha Yoru looked at everyone with anger, "The Root has been conducting inhumane human experiments on our own villagers!"
"There are also many issues of corruption and embezzlement, involving ninjas from clans like the Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, and Sarutobi, who hold high positions..."
Uchiha Yoru ruthlessly criticized the upper echelons of the Third Hokage without any mercy, and many ninjas' faces were filled with gravity.
The Third Hokage's regime represented an era, but today they were witnessing the end of this era.
Just then, slow footsteps echoed, and everyone turned with shock. The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had arrived.
At the same time, Uchiha Yoru, who was criticizing the Third Hokage's administration, was also taken aback, then a serious look appeared in his eyes, though his face remained expressionless.
"Third Hokage."
This time, Uchiha Yoru's tone lacked the respect he once had, only the calm gaze of a victor as he looked at the other, and no one found this inappropriate, as both sides had almost come to blows.
"Lord Third, your arrival is timely. We were just preparing to take this opportunity to re-plan the village's reconstruction due to the recent crisis."
Uchiha Yoru's face showed a false smile, while Kakashi Hatake stepped forward, his single exposed eye showing firmness.
They had no way back, and the Konoha was transforming as they had anticipated.
A map of the Konoha was presented, a familiar scene to Hiruzen, who showed a calm expression.
A show of force? After the last Nine-Tails incident, Danzo had used it as an excuse to rearrange Konoha's power structure. Clearly, the opposition was now seizing this opportunity to return to the center of power in the Konoha.
"Lord Third!"
"Lord Third!"
As Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly approached, the ninjas showed complex expressions, some unable to hide their distress, murmuring respectful titles, while others watched coldly.
As the Third Hokage took his seat and exhaled a ring of smoke, he smiled at Uchiha Yoru, "It seems I have arrived just in time."
Facing the Third Hokage, Uchiha Yoru also revealed a political smile and nodded, "Of course, the Third Hokage's arrival is timely, saving us the trouble of going down to notify."
This statement exposed the current situation, with Uchiha Yoru directly addressing in a notifying tone, which almost indirectly meant that the Third Hokage had lost his influence.
As everyone took their seats, Jiraiya looked at the old man with a complex expression, sighing at the turn of events, while Tsunade scoffed in disdain at the political maneuvering, finding it somewhat distasteful.
Following Uchiha Yoru's suggestive glance, Kakashi Hatake nodded gently to everyone, then pointed at the map of Konoha and began to explain.
"This area was previously occupied by the Sarutobi, Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, and Shimura clans, but the rampage of the false Nine-Tails Jinchuriki three days ago was witnessed by all. Among them, the Root organization secretly conducted vile human experiments within the village, and no one can guarantee if there are any more Root research labs."
"If another rampage occurs, it will be a loss for the village!" Kakashi's calm voice echoed, leaving many Jōnin astonished, as some began to understand.
This was purely an excuse for settling old scores. During the Nine-Tails' disturbance, the higher-ups of Konoha, citing the Sharingan in the Nine-Tails' eyes, exiled the Uchiha clan to the outskirts of the village. Now, it was clear that it was time for retaliation.
"Therefore, after discussions among the three Sannin, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and the head of the Police Force, Uchiha Yoru, it was decided to relocate these clans here."
As his hand swept across, all Jōnin fell silent. It was a turn of fortune; now it was their turn.
Moving these major clans to the edge of Konoha, close to the Police Force, not only expelled them from the center of power but also placed them under surveillance, was a clear move.
Kakashi spoke calmly, then suddenly chuckled dryly, "All this is for the safety of the village. After all, this area has been involved in Root's secret experiments. We don't want another incident."
This was almost a threat. Many had guessed that the so-called false Nine-Tails Jinchuriki might be linked to Root, but surely the Police Force was involved behind the rampage.
Who would dare disagree? A Tailed Beast rampage was a problem all major ninja villages faced.
"Of course, not everyone will be relocated. We've designated a safe area investigated by the Police Force, where some clan ninjas can reside."
Even the usually oblivious Jiraiya was shocked by these tactics, finding the young man even more ruthless than the old man.
Not only taking revenge but also driving the clans associated with the old man to the village's edge, while also throwing in bait as part of a divide-and-conquer strategy.
This area was almost explicitly saying that those who pledged allegiance could reside there.
As Kakashi continued explaining, Uchiha Yoru turned with an apologetic look towards the Third Hokage.
"Third Hokage, we're temporarily inconveniencing the Sarutobi clan, but please convey that the Police Force will inspect this area thoroughly. Once it's confirmed safe without any hidden dangers, the clans can naturally return."
Under the guise of political smiles, Sarutobi Hiruzen saw this and also showed a forced smile. What did it mean to wait for the inspection to be complete? It was not up to them.
Moreover, the underlying message was divisive. What does it mean by 'no hidden dangers'? It meant allegiance to them.
"The head of the Police Force has worked hard."
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, also responded with a smile, but his words hinted that you are not the Hokage yet.
However, Uchiha Yoru pretended not to hear and, with a smile on his face, stood up and began gesturing towards the map behind Kakashi.
"This area is filled with countless secret research bases of the Root organization, so this is a long and arduous task. To be always on guard, I suggest relocating the Hyuga and Uchiha clans here."
"After all, with the Byakugan's surveillance capabilities, and the police department's duty to protect the village's safety, I hope Hyuga Hizashi, as the team leader, will not refuse this dangerous task."
At this moment, Uchiha Yoru's face suddenly showed a serious expression, as if entrusting a very arduous task to the Hyuga clan.
Upon hearing this, Jonin Hyuga Hizashi immediately stood up, bowed deeply with respect, and exclaimed, "Lord Yoru, rest assured, the Hyuga clan is willing to shed our last drop of blood for the peace and development of Konoha."
"Also here, the Inuzuka clan's ninja dogs and the Aburame clan's insects are among the best reconnaissance secrets in the ninja world. I think the Inuzuka and Aburame clans can undertake the security of this area."
The leaders of the Aburame and Inuzuka clans stood up, their faces showing excitement, and exclaimed, "The Inuzuka/Aburame clan will definitely not disappoint everyone."
Even though I already knew the shamelessness of politics, seeing all this, Jiraiya couldn't help but widen his eyes in amazement.
To speak so shamelessly with such righteous fervor, and so convincingly, I can't help but feel that politics is not for those who value their dignity.
Just after suggesting that the Sarutobi, Yamanaka, Nara, and other families move out of this area, they shamelessly used the excuse of solving security risks to arrange their own major clans here.
Truly shameless!
"Tsunade, this kid alone is as shameless as several old guys."
The prestige of Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, was at stake here. He quietly complained to Tsunade. Tsunade, upon hearing this, merely scoffed in disdain.
"Jiraiya, this is what being Hokage is about."
Facing Tsunade's retort, Jiraiya shook his head and secretly broke out in a cold sweat, thinking of the previous example of the Hokage's higher-ups dealing with the Uchiha clan. Now, their response seems acceptable, hoping that the village will stabilize soon.
And Tsunade, witnessing this scene, couldn't help but shake her head secretly. This vindictive kid, but what he did was indeed satisfying.
The Jonin had no strong objections to the Uchiha clan moving back to the center of Konoha, as the Uchiha clan had lived here a few years ago.
As for the other smaller clans, everyone remained silent. This is the process of power transition.
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