Chapter 44 Fermentation

After saying these words, Shimura Danzo didn't even look at Sarutobi Hiruzen. Instead, he turned around and left with a flick of his sleeves.

"Bang!"

The door of the Hokage's office closed, and the sound of Shimura Danzo's footsteps gradually faded away in the corridor outside.

Inside the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in his chair without moving for a long time. The pipe in his hand flickered intermittently, and his Hokage hat was pressed low, hiding his entire face in smoke, making it difficult for one to discern his expression.

At this time, Uchiha Toshiro was carrying a large plastic bag filled with his recent purchases: beef ribs, spinach, potatoes, and so on. Ever since Uchiha Mika got married, he had taken over these chores himself. Controlling the family finances, Toshiro didn't treat himself poorly. Over these two years, he had become quite familiar with the owner of the grocery store, who occasionally helped him get some novel ingredients. From time to time, he would even treat himself to oysters and other seafood, believing that a happy life should be fostered from childhood—those who understand, understand.

Recalling White Fang's matters while greeting familiar faces along the way, Toshiro headed home. Ever since he met White Fang's family four years ago, he occasionally saw them on the streets of Konoha over the years. Sadly, the gentle and polite man would meet such a grim end. Unfortunately, given his current limitations, he couldn't do anything even if he wanted to.

The village founded by the First Hokage to protect children and comrades had turned into a place where a ninja was blamed for rescuing comrades, ultimately leading to a tragic death by apology. This truly aligned with the words of his ancestor—it was putting the cart before the horse.

"It seems the Third Hokage tacitly approved of this matter!" 

The next afternoon, Toshiro gave himself the afternoon off. While strolling along Konoha's commercial street, he held a trio of dango in one hand and perked his ears to listen to the adults around him, filled with emotion. 

Unlike yesterday, when the news was disseminated among a few people, it was now widely known. In public, groups of idle adults discussed the matter, each expressing their opinions. 

In Toshiro's view, several reasons led to this outcome:

Firstly, the timing. This was the gap between the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars. As the famous "Konoha's White Fang," his importance to the village wasn't as significant anymore. After all, 'when birds are gone, the fine bow is put away; when rabbits are dead, the hounds are cooked.' Such distasteful events happen in every world and country, so White Fang was no exception here.

Secondly, expansion. At this time, the Third Hokage was still in his prime, and his three students had earned the title of the "Legendary Sannin." Whether it was Orochimaru, Jiraiya, or Tsunade-hime, they had all made significant names for themselves in the village and the ninja world. 

Adding Shimura Danzo, the clan heads under the Hokage, the young sun practicing the Flying Thunder God technique developed by the Second Hokage, as well as the growing Nine-Tails Jinchuriki Uzumaki Kushina and other strong shinobi, Konoha's military strength had vastly expanded, making it apt to say the village was teeming with talent.

Then there's the role of a ninja. What is most important? Should a ninja abandon their comrades to complete a mission, or abandon the mission to save their comrades? This is a question with no definitive answer. Abandoning a mission harms the village while ignoring comrades to complete a mission also turns the purpose on its head. According to the "Will of Fire" and the "Ninja Code" - proposed by the First Hokage, refined by the Second Hokage, and compiled under the Third Hokage - it boils down to just eight words: mission first, village first.

The last reason is more intriguing. Likely, White Fang blocked the path of some people, probably not limited to Shimura Danzo but also involving those students of the Third Hokage who might have inherited the Hokage position. If this had only been orchestrated by Shimura Danzo, it wouldn't have led to the subsequent chain of events. It seems the Third Hokage mediated behind the scenes; otherwise, the mere failure of one mission wouldn't have led to Hatake Sakumo's tragic suicide.

"Who knows what the Third Hokage thought afterward, facing multiple blows like the Nine-Tails Incident, the deaths of Obito and Kushina, Orochimaru's defection, Jiraiya's departure, Tsunade developing hemophobia, and so on."

"I wonder if Tsunade-hime already has hemophobia now? And what's going on with that short-lived fellow, Dan Kato? Is he already dead, or still alive waiting for the Third Great Ninja War?"

Voluptuous figure, slim waist, long legs, and golden hair! Just thinking occasionally about seeing her on the streets by chance, that casual glance... 

No wonder Jiraiya had a lifelong obsession with her.

Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! If not for the age difference, even I might be tempted to pursue her. With Tsunade, who needs other girls? What's that saying again, who needs a bicycle...

Walking along, he arrived unknowingly at a courtyard in the village. The outer fence was made from logs, giving it a unique look. The yard was planted with evergreen trees and some flowers and plants, though the latter seemed slightly withered, indicating it was seldomly tended to. In the middle of the courtyard stood an L-shaped wooden house with its doors and windows tightly shut, giving off a lifeless appearance.

Is this Kakashi's house? It looks rather desolate.

Without stopping his pace, maintaining his original speed, he passed by the courtyard. At this moment, any connection to Kakashi or Hatake Sakumo was unwise. Who knows if there are any hidden ANBU nearby? Although monitoring Hatake Sakumo is difficult enough, it's hard to tell what might come from that mad dog Danzo.

Moreover, in a few days, this courtyard would likely be surrounded by those foolish villagers and the comrades Hatake Sakumo saved, hurling curses and accusations at him with ulterior motives.

"I'm still too weak! If I had the power of Madara or Hashirama on the Hokage Rock, I'd lay a smackdown on whoever dares cross me until they no longer dare!"

"Train, train! The revolution hasn't succeeded yet; comrades still need to work hard!"

Throwing away the dango sticks he finished eating, he patted his cheeks with both hands.

"Work hard! Strive! Keep going!"