Chapter 143

"Okay, now we must return the bodies of the two councillors to their families and then take control of matters after their deaths," Danzo said calmly.

"What about the truth behind the deaths of the two councillors? Can we just let it go?" someone questioned.

"Yes, if we don't uncover who's working in the shadows, wouldn't our lives be at risk?"

"I will naturally assign people to investigate the truth. Right now, Konoha is in turmoil. The most important thing is to elect someone who can stabilize everything. I propose we hold a high-level Konoha meeting soon to elect the Fifth Hokage!" Danzo declared, his tone indifferent as if it wasn't even a suggestion but an order. Without waiting for a response, he left.

The others exchanged glances, murmuring in confusion.

"I'm afraid the deaths of the two councillors weren't caused by the undead Uchiha, but by someone who couldn't bear it anymore and acted!"

"I heard that Danzo visited the councillors yesterday but left looking grim. I think he was rejected in his attempt to become Hokage."

"Are you saying Danzo killed them...?"

"Shh! Be careful. Don't say anything without evidence!"

"But who else is the most likely suspect? Everyone knows Danzo wants to be Hokage."

"But the councillors were his former teammates. Would he really go that far?"

"Who knows..."

Some of Konoha's senior officials, remembering how Sarutobi Hiruzen ascended to Hokage, hesitated.

"In any case, with the councillors gone, Danzo is the most suitable person in Konoha right now."

Who in Konoha could stand against Danzo?

The Sarutobi clan? Sarutobi Asuma, a mere Jonin, couldn't possibly defeat him.

Apart from the Sarutobi clan, the Hyuga clan, the largest in Konoha, also had the potential to succeed the Fifth Hokage. But Hiashi seemed interested in competing for the position.

Hiashi had already left the room as soon as Danzo did. The Hyuga clan had always maintained their high status in Konoha by knowing their place. They had strength, but they never aspired to be the top. Instead, they supported whoever became Hokage.

So, to them, it didn't matter whether Danzo killed the councillors. All that mattered was who would become the next Hokage.

The Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi clans held similar positions. However, their overall strength was slightly weaker than that of the Hyuga clan.

With the councillors gone, Danzo became the dominant voice in Konoha. No one dared oppose his call for a meeting to elect the Fifth Hokage.

As a result, even Sarutobi Hiruzen's funeral was postponed by two days.

During those two days, Konoha was anything but peaceful.

Two entire clans, the Mitokado and Utatane clans, were wiped out overnight, their members slaughtered.

No one saw who did it. Upon investigation, traces of Fire Release and Lightning Release were found at the scene, and many of the victims bore sword wounds.

The only clue left behind was the Uchiha clan emblem painted with the blood of the slain members, in the middle of both clans' compounds.

At the high-level Konoha meeting, Danzo, now acting as the temporary Hokage, spoke from the center of the room.

"Fire Release, Lightning Release, sword wounds… Uchiha Sasuke is the primary suspect. I sent people to apprehend him yesterday, but Uchiha Sasuke has disappeared. The truth is clear. The deaths of the two councillors and the destruction of the clans were all caused by Uchiha Sasuke!"

"Uchiha Sasuke is hereby classified as an S-rank rogue ninja of Konoha. He will be hunted down by Root, dead or alive!"

No one could believe that the truth pointed to an Uchiha survivor.

Who could have imagined that a Genin like Uchiha Sasuke could carry out such acts?

Thirteen-year-old Uchiha Itachi had slaughtered the Uchiha clan, and now twelve-year-old Uchiha Sasuke had destroyed both the Mitokado and Utatane clans.

The Uchiha clan—they were truly demons!

After this incident, the higher-ups of Konoha were once again reminded of the Uchiha clan's terror.

They could wipe out entire clans without hesitation!

And when they turned ruthless, not even their own family was safe!

Unlike Konoha's leaders, the village civilians remained unaware of these bloody political events. They were still grieving the devastation caused by Orochimaru and Sunagakure's invasion.

The Mitokado and Utatane clans were not as renowned as the Uchiha, so their complete eradication went unnoticed by most. Only if someone intentionally spread the news would the villagers find out.

But Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was known for manipulating public opinion, was dead. Danzo had no need to spread the news. After all, in a twisted way, Uchiha Sasuke had served his purpose.

Without Sasuke to take the blame, Danzo might not have secured his role as temporary Hokage!

In the Root,

Danzo, in a foul mood, walked into his former domain.

Sitting in his old chair was a man in a devil mask.

"Sasuke-sama, Kazuki-sama asked me to deliver a message. From now on, you will remain in Root. You may command the forces here as you see fit."

Sasuke glared at Danzo from behind his mask, then, in a sudden flash, drew his sword!

Danzo, aware of the attack, did not dodge. He allowed Sasuke to sever one of his fingers in a single stroke.

"For Kazuki's sake, I'll spare you for now, but every time I see you, I'll cut off a piece of you. Now get out!"

Danzo didn't utter a word, sweat beading on his forehead. When Sasuke finally let him leave, he sighed in relief and said,

"Everyone, retreat!"

After Sasuke had killed the two councillors, Kazuki had placed him in Root, and Danzo was forced to follow Kazuki's orders without question.

Meanwhile, with Danzo's position as temporary Hokage secured, Sarutobi Hiruzen's funeral finally began.

Nearly all the ninja of Konoha attended the funeral, dressed in black, standing solemnly before Sarutobi Hiruzen's gravestone.

Konohamaru sobbed uncontrollably, unable to accept the reality.

"Grandpa, Grandpa, this can't be true. You wouldn't lie to me, would you? I haven't beaten you yet, haven't surpassed you to become Hokage! You can't die!"

No one tried to stop Konohamaru—sometimes the best way to heal is to let out the pain.

Sarutobi Asuma stood by his father's grave for three days and nights, from dawn till dusk, smoking cigarette after cigarette until the ashes piled up around him.

On the last morning, he took a deep drag from his final cigarette, tossed it into the pile of ashes, and left, as if he had made some kind of resolution.

Jiraiya too stayed for a long while.

He had attended Sarutobi Hiruzen's funeral openly, to the surprise of many. But no one approached him.

Jiraiya was shocked by the indifference. Had he known, he wouldn't have hidden his presence so carefully.

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The fanfic is finished on p@treon/tambeerg