Chapter 178

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The day Danzo returned, Hiruzen was ousted.

In less than half a day, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire's decree arrived.

This turn of events was unexpected for Hiruzen, as well as for Koharu and Homura .

All the arrangements against Kyomu turned into a joke due to Hiruzen's sudden downfall, morphing into internal strife among themselves.

Simultaneously, the story of Sakumo's suicide spread throughout Konoha, with all fingers pointing at Hiruzen's inaction.

Moreover, some incidents from the Iwa battlefield were also exposed by Danzo, narrated in vivid detail, causing Hiruzen's reputation to plummet sharply.

However, Hiruzen's influence in the village was deeply rooted, with the Sarutobi clan's considerable power backing him.

In retaliation, Hiruzen exposed Danzo's dark secrets, and the two formally entered a stage of mutual accusations.

In just one night, the deposed Hiruzen and the newly appointed acting Hokage Danzo were caught in a storm of scandals, leaving the villagers unsure of whom to believe.

That night, in the early hours, Jiraiya and Minato's forces returned to the village.

"Danzo is the acting Hokage?" Jiraiya was stunned. "What happened in such a short time!"

Not only Jiraiya but also Minato were shocked. They had rushed back to Konoha on Hiruzen's orders, only to find him deposed upon their arrival.

"No, I must see the old man!"

Jiraiya knew Danzo too well. If that old guy became Hokage, who knew what would happen to the village.

"The acting Hokage has ordered that Jiraiya and Minato are not to contact Hiruzen and that your units are to disarm and await further instructions." The one blocking Jiraiya and reading the order was Kakashi.

"Kakashi, you..." Minato looked at his disciple in shock. "How could you..."

"Follow orders!" Kakashi's eyes were cold, staring intently at Jiraiya and Minato. "Anyone who disobeys will be executed!"

A confrontation was imminent.

Jiraiya looked at Kakashi standing in front of him and then at the Root ninjas and the ninjas from the Shimura and Aburame clans behind him. He had made a decision.

"We refuse to follow the acting Hokage's orders!"

"Do you want to start a civil war?" Kakashi swept his gaze coldly over Jiraiya. "Or do you defy the Daimyo's decree?"

Instantly, sweat broke out on Jiraiya's forehead, caught in a dilemma.

He had guessed that Danzo had used the Daimyo's power to oust Hiruzen legitimately.

In terms of reason and duty, he had to obey all the acting Hokage Danzo's orders.

Falling silent, Jiraiya's mind raced.

After a short while, Jiraiya made a decision and slowly raised his hand, preparing to order his Konoha ninjas to disarm.

"Jiraiya."

Suddenly, a deep voice came from a distance. It was Hiruzen, stripped of his Hokage robe and hat, now dressed in combat gear.

"Though I am deposed, I will never acknowledge it. I will never let Danzo become the Fourth Hokage, not even the acting Hokage."

Wielding the Power Pole formed from Enma, Hiruzen walked forward. The Root ninjas tried to stop him but were blocked by the Anbu ninjas following him.

Standing before Jiraiya, Hiruzen looked seriously at him. "What will you choose?"

Biting his teeth, Jiraiya didn't answer immediately but instead asked, "How did things come to this?"

"It's a long story." Hiruzen glanced at the Hokage building. "After we remove Danzo, I will explain everything to you in detail."

"Old man, what you're doing is untenable," Jiraiya spoke bitterly. "And after doing this, what about the Daimyo..."

"I will bear the responsibility alone," Hiruzen interrupted. "Though I have many faults, you know Danzo well enough!"

Jiraiya was at a loss for words, and Hiruzen continued.

"If Danzo is given control, it will spell disaster. I can step down, but the Fourth Hokage must be either you or Minato!

Though the Daimyo has the right to appoint the Hokage, if the choice is not respected by the village, we have the right and must have the right to voice our opinion.

The Daimyo will respect us, or his foundation will be shaken."

Hiruzen was correct. The Daimyo of the Land of Fire had the authority to appoint and dismiss the Hokage but needed to respect the village's internal voice.

But the information in Hiruzen's words shocked Minato.

Did he have a chance to become the Fourth Hokage?

What kind of twist was this?

Although Hiruzen mentioned Jiraiya, Minato, as Jiraiya's disciple, knew Jiraiya had no interest in the position and would refuse.

As the second choice, Minato would naturally become the Fourth Hokage after the acting Hokage Danzo was deposed.

"Hokage... No, Third Hokage-sama, I can't do it. I lack the experience to be the Fourth Hokage. Lord Orochimaru or Lady Tsunade would be more suitable."

"You can."

Before Hiruzen could speak, Jiraiya patted Minato's shoulder. "Have you forgotten what I told you?"

The prophecy of the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku echoed in Jiraiya's mind.

The savior of the ninja world would be his disciple. And Minato, in terms of character, strength, and identity, fit the prophecy perfectly.

Although he didn't show as much potential as Kyomu, Kyomu was not his disciple and was instantly dismissed by Jiraiya.

Considering the current situation, Jiraiya had made his decision.

"Indeed, besides Minato, I can't think of anyone else," Hiruzen said calmly. "Orochimaru is too dark-hearted, and Tsunade's thoughts are now on Kyomu, not the village."

Jiraiya felt a surge of absurdity. How could Tsunade be involved with that brat Kyomu...

But he quickly suppressed his chaotic thoughts.

"Sensei, give the order. We will follow your lead."

"Good!" Hiruzen nodded and was about to act when a large group of footsteps approached from afar.

Kyomu had returned with his troops!

"Hokage... No, former Third Hokage-sama, are you about to start a rebellion?" Kyomu's voice was playful. "Do you want to plunge the village into civil war?"

In an instant, the two-sided dispute turned into a three-way struggle, throwing the scene into chaos.

Meanwhile, three of Kyomu's old subordinates under Jiraiya's command immediately ran to Kyomu's side.

"Lord Kyomu, you must avenge our fallen comrades!"

Thud.

They tried to kneel, but Kyomu quickly stopped them.

"It's my fault," Kyomu's expression was icy. "I anticipated some might act against you, but I didn't expect them to be so ruthless!"

"Kyomu, what do you intend to do? At this critical moment, you must remain calm!" Jiraiya grew anxious. "This is Danzo's delay tactic. I was already trying to rescue them, but..."

"Don't make excuses for your incompetence," Kyomu interrupted. "I once thought you were someone, but now I see you're just a waste."

Kyomu had no interest in further conversation with Jiraiya. He raised his hand abruptly. "Everyone, follow my orders..."

"Kyomu, don't!" Tsunade rushed in from afar, arriving just in time.

"Captain Kyomu!"

"Lord Kyomu!"

Simultaneously, Guy, Genma, and Ebisu, along with over a thousand of Kyomu's old subordinates, arrived and quickly joined the ranks behind Kyomu.

In the blink of an eye, Kyomu's forces swelled from a thousand to nearly two thousand.

No one spoke, but each person's heart burned with a fire, silently awaiting Kyomu's next command.

"Tsunade-neesan." Kyomu's voice was firm. "My thousand brothers must not die in vain. I promised them justice."

He pointed behind him.

"We won't accept it!"

"We won't accept it!"

"We won't accept it!"

The deafening shouts drew many Konoha villagers, who realized the village was on the brink of a major upheaval.

"Kyomu, just listen to your sister this once, just this once!"

Tsunade tried to approach Kyomu, but Genma suddenly blocked her.

"Everyone listens to Kyomu, not the other way around," Genma looked up at Tsunade, eyes flashing with hostility and exclusion.

Tsunade had no time to deal with Genma but stopped in her tracks. "Kyomu, I will get you the answers you seek. Please, don't act rashly."

Kyomu looked at Tsunade, then at his people, and finally fixed his gaze on Kakashi.

"Come here."

Kakashi stepped forward silently, removing his mask.

Shing.

Yoei unsheathed instantly, and in the moment Kakashi opened his mouth, the blade precisely struck his tongue, breaking the curse seal without harming him.

At the same time, Danzo, standing by the window in the Hokage office, wore a grim expression.

"Heh, it seems the blade can't be used anymore." He gestured behind him, and a Root ninja stepped forward.

"What of Rin?"

"White Zetsu has successfully deceived Obito, and Rin is under our control."

Danzo nodded. "Good, proceed with the backup plan."

"Yes, Lord Danzo!"

The Root ninja left, and Danzo continued to watch the farce at the village entrance from the window.

"Kyomu, I think we should talk."

Hiruzen spoke up, placing all the blame on Danzo, beginning the dog-eat-dog battle.

"It's all Danzo Shimura's doing. Even your teacher Sakumo's death was his plot."

Hiruzen could no longer care about other matters. His priority was to remove Danzo and redirect Kyomu's hatred towards Danzo.

Kyomu inwardly sneered. This situation was perfect for him!

This was exactly what he wanted, and the plan was going smoothly.

"Third Hokage, you should have evidence for your claims," Kyomu spread his hands. "I trust neither you nor Danzo."

"I will provide evidence and promise to punish the instigator," Hiruzen offered. "But you must promise me to stay calm and prioritize the village's greater good."

"And what about my comrades who died on the Iwa battlefield? And the cut-off supplies during my hard-fought battles?"

"I will give you an explanation."

Listening to Hiruzen's responses, Kyomu's heart remained cold, but his expression didn't change.

"Fine, I'll wait for a satisfactory answer from the Third Hokage." Kyomu nodded and then turned back. "Everyone, listen to my command!"

Hup.

Two thousand men behind him stood straight, embodying perfect discipline.

Such a scene made Hiruzen and the others' eyes twitch.

But Kyomu didn't care. "Follow me back to the village. We will trust the Third Hokage one last time to give us a satisfactory answer."

"Yes!"

Kyomu's forces entered the village unimpeded.

Kyomu looked at Tsunade. "Sis, this is my utmost sincerity."

"I understand, and I will get you a satisfactory answer."

Nodding, Kyomu led Kakashi and the others back to the village. Hiruzen and Jiraiya exchanged a relieved glance.

With Kyomu appeased, everything would be easier. They just needed to oust Danzo Shimura.

But was Danzo so easy to deal with?

He knew how to exploit every favorable condition around him and could create advantageous situations through schemes if none existed.

For instance, public opinion.

Or the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

"Let's head back to the village."

Hiruzen turned, but Tsunade called out. "Old man, how do you plan to handle this?"

"First, we oust Danzo."

"And then?"

"We'll see after that!"

Hiruzen didn't give a definite answer, but Tsunade understood his intentions, as did Kyomu.

Jiraiya gave Tsunade an apologetic look and led Minato and the seven thousand Konoha ninjas behind them back to the village.

"Sarutobi!" Tsunade was exasperated. "Are you trying to destroy the village?!"

Hiruzen didn't respond, and Tsunade felt deflated.

Powerless, extremely powerless.

But Kyomu's planned storm was already underway.

(End of Chapter)