Chapter 177

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On the road.

Jiraiya and Minato, master and student, were silent as they traveled. Both knew what awaited them upon their return to the village.

When they were less than a day's journey from the village, Jiraiya could no longer hold back.

"Minato, what will you do?"

Minato shook his head with a bitter smile. "Sensei, I don't know."

He truly didn't know, and he wasn't pretending.

Hiruzen was the Hokage of the village and had promoted Minato.

Kyomu was a formidable warrior in the village, playing a decisive role in the Third Shinobi World War.

Minato didn't want to delve into who was right or wrong. He only knew that if it came to a confrontation, the village's foundation would be exhausted, possibly beyond recovery.

Jiraiya understood this. He chose to side with Hiruzen.

He didn't do it for Hiruzen but for the future of the village in his mind.

"Minato, if things get to the worst possible scenario, you will stand with me, right?" Jiraiya turned to Minato.

"Sensei, I think... I will."

"I need a definite answer," Jiraiya asked seriously again.

"I will stand by the village." Minato made his choice.

Jiraiya didn't smile but nodded and fell silent.

The relationship between Konoha, Hiruzen, and Kyomu was clear: Konoha came first. If a conflict broke out, the threat from Kyomu to the village would be greater than that from Hiruzen.

Kyomu's forces numbered around two thousand, while those loyal to Hiruzen and the three advisors of Konoha comprised the majority of the village.

If a conflict erupted, it would be a direct clash between these two forces.

If Kyomu won, the village would undergo a severe reshuffling. The founding clans, the Sarutobi and Shimura clans, would face cleansing.

Other small to medium clans closely associated with the Sarutobi and Shimura clans would also be affected, to varying degrees.

The extent of this impact was unknown.

Moreover, other forces loyal to Hiruzen would face devastating blows, leaving the village severely depleted.

Jiraiya chose the solution that minimized the village's losses. Only by eliminating Kyomu and his followers could Konoha's losses be minimized. Although there would still be a severe decline in strength and a generational gap, it was far better than the first scenario.

Minato understood this as well. He knew the world wasn't just black and white; there were compromises and choices.

When facing decisions, people often chose not justice, but what maximized benefits or minimized losses.

It was inevitable and sad.

But unlike Jiraiya, Tsunade chose to stand on the side of justice.

Although Kyomu wasn't wholly righteous, compared to Hiruzen and his followers, he was far nobler.

Comparisons made everything clear.

To Tsunade, this whole situation could have been avoided if Hiruzen and his cohorts had addressed issues earlier instead of suppressing and indulging them.

"Old man, you betrayed the will of our ancestors and your original intentions!" Tsunade bit her teeth as she rushed forward. "I will seek justice for Kyomu and the late Sakumo. I will not run away anymore!"

However, despite her determination, Tsunade was still deeply worried.

If Kyomu really stood against the village, she didn't know what to do.

Convince him?

Clearly impossible. Whether it was Hiruzen or Kyomu, only one could survive their confrontation.

But if it really came to a fight...

"No, I believe my stubborn brother won't go that far. As long as..." Tsunade bit her lower lip, "As long as the instigator is dealt with, I believe my brother will stop and not bring the village to ruin!"

Tsunade's thoughts were correct. Kyomu only wanted to kill the Konoha F4. As for destroying the village and slaughtering those loyal to the Konoha F4, he wouldn't do it unless absolutely necessary.

"I hope some people can choose to think from the right perspective, rather than focusing on maximizing benefits, minimizing losses, or the twisted will of fire."

...

Kyomu murmured to himself, turning to Fugaku beside him. "Has there been any recent news from Obito?"

"Just three words: all is well."

Kyomu understood, knowing Kakashi had been marked with Danzo's Curse Tongue Eradication Seal and couldn't transmit any more useful information.

But all of this had been prearranged by Kyomu and Kakashi during their years of planning.

"Hmm, everything is going according to plan. Hiruzen will soon taste betrayal and backstabbing."

With a playful smile, Kyomu remarked, "Dog eat dog is truly a delightful thing. I bet Danzo can't wait any longer."

Danzo was indeed impatient, as was the entire Shimura clan.

Like the Sarutobi clan, the Shimura clan was also a founding clan of Konoha. Even before the village's establishment, the two clans had maintained nearly a century of close cooperation.

But ever since Hiruzen became Hokage, the two clans had gradually drifted apart.

The reason was clear: Hiruzen was Hokage, and the Sarutobi clan naturally prospered.

Everyone had their own selfish desires. But the Shimura clan felt it was unfair. Although Danzo held a high position, he wasn't the village's leader and was always under Hiruzen's suppression.

Once close allies, they now found it hard to bear each other's success. The Shimura clan wanted to catch up or surpass the Sarutobi clan.

The current situation between the two clans was a clear example of how they could endure hardship together but not share prosperity.

Especially since Hiruzen never groomed Danzo as the Fourth Hokage, which fueled the Shimura clan's resentment.

If you, Hiruzen, prosper, why can't you help us rise next?

Since you won't help, don't blame us for taking it ourselves!

"Scoundrel!"

In the palace, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire slammed his hand on the table, throwing the incriminating reports about Hiruzen to the ground.

"I wondered why the previous two Shinobi World Wars didn't reach our territory, but this time we keep retreating. It turns out to be your doing, Third Hokage!"

The Daimyo was furious. Battles on other nations' lands and within their own borders were completely different.

The latter inflicted greater damage on the Land of Fire, not just in terms of resources but also population and geography.

Battles between ninjas could change the terrain.

The Valley of the End was an example. After the battle between Hashirama and Madara, the area became unsuitable for ordinary people to live, farm, or engage in other activities.

The Land of Fire's dominance in the ninja world relied on its fertile lands and abundant resources. War within its borders would devastate many farmlands.

"Hiruzen must step down. Prioritizing his own agenda over the Land of Fire's interests during wartime is his gravest mistake!"

As long as it didn't affect the Land of Fire or himself, the Daimyo could tolerate Hiruzen doing anything to Konoha.

But in the Third Shinobi World War, Hiruzen had crossed the line.

"Draft the order: Due to his poor command during the Third Shinobi World War, causing undue losses to the Land of Fire and Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen is dismissed as Third Hokage. Danzo is appointed acting Hokage. If he can mitigate the losses to the Land of Fire and Konoha, he will be immediately promoted to Fourth Hokage."

After dictating, an official quickly wrote it down and presented it to the Daimyo.

With a stamp, the order was made official, and a messenger hurriedly sent it to Konoha.

Dismissing Hiruzen relieved some of the Daimyo's worries, but he still felt uneasy.

The relationship between the Daimyos and the ninja villages was similar to that of the Emperor and the Shogunate, akin to a constitutional monarchy but with significant differences.

The Daimyos were not mere figureheads; they were the true rulers of their countries. While they didn't have absolute control over ninja villages, they did have the power to appoint or dismiss the village leaders.

Even so, the Daimyos were always on edge, fearing the ninja villages' growing power might threaten their rule.

Naturally, the five great nations' Daimyos had an unspoken agreement.

First, control the economy, and then, when the ninja numbers grew too large, start a war to reduce their numbers significantly.

After the war, regardless of the outcome, the Daimyos would maintain their control.

If the war expanded territories, it was ideal. If not, the loss of wealth and face was worth the stability and control over the ninja villages.

However, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire was unsure if Hiruzen Sarutobi would obey his order or if he would act desperately.

"I may be overthinking. I only appointed Danzo as acting Hokage. Whether he succeeds or not, I have two options."

The Daimyo smiled, "Fight, the fiercer, the better. Only then will they stay in their ninja villages instead of coveting my throne."

Everyone had their own plans and needs, making Hiruzen the one to be discarded.

Danzo had thought it all through, knowing he was just a step away from becoming the Fourth Hokage of Konoha.

First, use the Daimyo's pressure and public opinion to oust Hiruzen. Second, eliminate Aragami Kyomu as a potential threat.

As for Kakashi, if he obeyed, he could be a tool. If not, he could be eliminated as well.

In no time, Danzo returned to the village, faster than Jiraiya, Minato, or Kyomu.

He had fewer people and no extra supplies to carry, making his pace quicker.

Accompanying him were Kakashi, Obito, and Rin.

Kyomu had instructed Kakashi to bring Rin and Obito along with Danzo.

Returning to the Root base, Danzo wasted no time and immediately began his propaganda.

He revived the old story of Sakumo's suicide and spread the tale of Hiruzen's betrayal of fellow ninjas on the Iwa battlefield.

"Let the rumors ferment for a while," Danzo sneered. "Once the Daimyo's order arrives, we can make a big announcement."

Meanwhile, a humanoid creature, entirely white, emerged from the ground. It was a spore clone of White Zetsu.

"White Zetsu, this is Rin's chakra. Remember it and proceed as planned."

"Got it, Lord Danzo."

With a grin, Danzo completed his first phase of planning. "My era is coming. Hahaha!"

He returned to the Shimura clan's residence.

"How are things?"

"Lord Danzo, the Daimyo's order should arrive in half a day."

"Good!" Danzo clapped his hands and laughed. "Is my Hokage robe and hat ready?"

"They are ready."

Danzo laughed heartily, then spread his arms, signaling his clan to dress him.

Soon, with the help of many, Danzo replaced his old clothes with a brand-new Hokage robe.

Putting on the Hokage hat, Danzo Shimura savored the moment before leading his people out of the clan's residence, heading straight for the Hokage office.

"Fourth Hokage?"

Residents on the streets saw Danzo Shimura and his group, noticing the Hokage robe he wore.

"What's going on?"

People murmured, but Danzo remained unfazed.

However, Hiruzen, standing by the office's window, crushed his pipe in his hand.

"Danzo!!!"

Trembling, Hiruzen never imagined that despite planning everything, he had overlooked Danzo.

Bang.

Danzo kicked the door open. "Hiruzen, get out of my Hokage office!"

Danzo's first words shattered Hiruzen Sarutobi's composure.

"Danzo , I am the Hokage!"

"No, I am now!" Danzo Shimura replied coldly. "The Daimyo's order will arrive soon. You're finished, Hiruzen!"

"Danzo, you will regret this!"

"Hahaha, regret?" Danzo laughed disdainfully. "Hiruzen, I am the Hokage now. Haha, hahaha!"

As he laughed joyfully, Hiruzen gritted his teeth, wanting to act, but felt drained of all energy.

So this is what betrayal feels like.

(End of Chapter)