Chapter 92

"Is it lively?"

Haruki crossed his arms, leaning against a locust tree by the roadside, listening to the uniform slogans from afar.

Beside him, Orochimaru's sharp eyes noticed the first few people shouting.

"Is this your arrangement?"

"That's right."

Haruki shrugged and smiled, "If no one takes the lead, they wouldn't dare to shout like this."

"Just a rabble."

Orochimaru withdrew his gaze and slightly shook his head, "Useless. If the teacher is ruthless, a few large-scale ninjutsu would solve it."

"But he doesn't dare." Haruki spread his hands, "As soon as he takes action, it would almost declare the split of Konoha, and his position as Hokage would end."

"Ultimately, it's because he's not strong enough."

Orochimaru snorted. Although he didn't like Senju Hashirama much, if Hiruzen Sarutobi had the power of the God of Shinobi, he wouldn't be in such a situation.

"That's true, but if a strong person is not restrained, what's the difference between them and a beast?"

Haruki pointed to the crowd in front of him, "You say they are a rabble, and it's true, but with someone leading, they can unleash unprecedented power."

Orochimaru glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura on the Hokage building, their faces looking unpleasant.

Unless one is strong enough to destroy the whole planet with a punch, how could they not fear such a scene?

"They consider too many things."

Orochimaru hit the nail on the head, "If it were me, I wouldn't be so hesitant."

"That's why you are Orochimaru, and they are not," Haruki said with a smile.

After all, someone who would stop at nothing to achieve their goals, even killing their teacher without hesitation, while Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated too much and missed the best chance to eliminate him.

Orochimaru glanced at him.

This remark pleased him.

He turned around, his back to Haruki, and said, "I've seen enough excitement. You handle the rest yourself."

"Huh?" Haruki was a bit surprised, "It's only halfway through, the best part is yet to come."

"The ending is already decided, it's boring."

Orochimaru's figure gradually receded until it disappeared.

"Well, you're boring too."

Haruki tilted his head, smiling as he looked at the distant scene.

---

"Hiruzen, you know me. I wouldn't go to great lengths for a bookstore."

Danzo Shimura took a deep breath and said earnestly:

"Moreover, my means couldn't be so simple and crude. This was just my subordinates acting on their own. I'm willing to hand these people over to you to deal with. Whether to punish or kill, it's all up to you."

He sold out Butai and others without hesitation.

Even though these people acted for him, making him fall into such an awkward situation, even if Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't punish them, they had no chance of survival.

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned. Although he knew Danzo's character, he didn't like such behavior.

If it were someone else, they might have been blacklisted directly.

But Danzo Shimura was within his expectations.

"Why stop today's newspaper issue?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at the kneeling Omoki, thinking today's matter might not be so simple, he needed to understand it clearly.

If there's another scare like this, he wouldn't be able to bear it.

Danzo Shimura heard the slight easing in his tone and immediately understood what his old comrade was thinking. He also realized that Hiruzen might not have seen today's newspaper.

"It's nothing major. I have a secret laboratory in Konoha's heavy prison, which was also affected. I worried the 'Konoha Daily' might leak secrets, but didn't expect Butai to blatantly defy my orders and use force against Omoki."

He regained his calm demeanor.

"I don't think Omoki has the capability to incite tens of thousands of villagers. There must be a hidden conspiracy. Please leave it to my Root to handle."

"Enough! Danzo!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but reprimand as he saw Danzo not reflecting on himself and instead pushing further, "Butai and others acted as they did because of your poor supervision!"

"..."

Danzo Shimura was indifferent in his heart but said nothing.

Hiruzen Sarutobi jumped down the building, helped Omoki up, patted his shoulder, and used green chakra to heal his injuries.

"Rest assured, Butai and others will be severely punished, giving you a satisfactory answer!"

"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"

Omoki looked grateful, with tears in his eyes.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled, thinking perhaps he was overthinking? Seeing his sincere look, it seemed genuine without any falsity.

"Alright, it's over. Today's loss at Konoha Bookstore will be compensated twice by the village."

He stopped the chakra input and said kindly.

"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"

Omoki was extremely excited, raised his hand, and shouted, "Hokage-sama is wise! Long live Hokage-sama!"

In Hiruzen Sarutobi's moment of slight distraction, the street erupted in cheers.

He felt a bit dazed.

Listening to the praise for him, he waved in response.

It didn't seem to be a bad thing. After the Root's turmoil, his prestige actually increased.

After a dozen seconds, a discordant voice emerged amidst the fervent atmosphere.

"Hokage-sama, I, Hyuga Kazushi, want to accuse Danzo Shimura. Please, Hokage-sama, uphold justice!"

The voice quieted down, and on the dead silent street, Hyuga Kazushi appeared before everyone.

Hiruzen Sarutobi suppressed the sudden unease in his heart and asked, "Hyuga Clan Leader, what did you just say?"

Danzo Shimura was also slightly stunned, recalling that he had no conflict with the Hyuga clan.

He chuckled coldly and questioned, "Hyuga Clan Leader, do you know the crime of falsely accusing the Hokage's advisor?"

"No need to remind me, I naturally know."

Hyuga Kazushi looked seriously at Hiruzen Sarutobi, hardened his heart, and since it had come to this, there was no turning back.

He knelt directly, staking the Hyuga clan's honor and dignity, determined to confirm this matter.

"Hokage-sama, please uphold justice. My Hyuga clan's forty missing members were captured by this old thief Danzo Shimura for Wood Release human experimentation!"

"Nonsense!"

Danzo Shimura was anxious.

Wood Release human experimentation alone had some leeway, but involving the Hyuga clan, this guy wanted to put him to death.

"You and I both saw their bodies, how could I use them for experimentation? Moreover, I stopped the Wood Release experiments last time, I couldn't have done it!"

"Why is Lord Danzo so flustered?"

Hyuga Kazushi's face showed killing intent, coldly saying, "Hyuga Setsu."

At his words, Hyuga Setsu appeared.

With his appearance, the crowd gasped, all eyes on his branch-covered arm.

"…Impossible!"

Danzo Shimura took two steps back in fear, shouting, "This is absolutely impossible!"