You have to realize, even Danzo wouldn't have dared to do such a thing!
He only ever dared to attempt assassinations against me!
Wait... Danzo?
A sudden realization struck Hiruzen Sarutobi, and he felt that something was terribly wrong. In his memory, even if the Daimyo of the Land of Fire wasn't exactly a brilliant ruler, he was certainly no fool—at most, he was a mediocre man of little consequence. With a powerhouse capable of suppressing the entire shinobi world under his command, how could the Daimyo have dismissed her so carelessly with a single word?
There was something fishy going on!
Hiruzen's chest heaved violently as a torrential rage simmered within him!
"Tell Danzo to get his ass over here!"
At this moment, facing the imminent breakdown of his beloved disciple, Hiruzen Sarutobi was unwilling to let the blame fall on Sakura Haruno. Instead, he directly ordered Mitokado Homura to bring Danzo to him.
Regardless of what Sakura did or whether she succeeded, this scapegoat must be pinned on Danzo!
Attacking the Daimyo's estate as a shinobi... that was an act of blatant insurrection!
Sakura could not afford to bear the weight of such a crime! To strike at a superior from below and break the ironclad law that had existed between shinobi and nobility since ancient times—it didn't take a genius to know that this would stir up a monstrous wave of chaos across the entire shinobi world!
Even the Land of Snow, which supported Sakura becoming Hokage, would abandon her immediately! In the worst-case scenario, every nation in the shinobi world would do the unthinkable and unite to launch a full-scale invasion of Konohagakure!
At the same time, instability would erupt within the village itself. The vast majority of people would immediately distance themselves from Sakura and draw a line in the sand. Every military achievement she had earned would vanish in an instant!
Sakura could not, and must not, take the fall for this!
"Hiruzen, you were looking for me."
It seemed Danzo had known all along that Hiruzen Sarutobi would seek him out. Upon receiving Mitokado Homura's notice, he arrived at the Sarutobi residence with an air of composure. However, the moment he saw Tobirama Senju, he submissively lowered his head and greeted his teacher.
Facing Danzo's greeting, Tobirama Senju merely gave a calm nod, silently observing the unfolding scene. Three years had passed, and Danzo hadn't changed a bit. The only things that had changed were Konoha's new generation and Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage.
"Danzo..."
"Tell me, what have you done?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at his friend of several decades with cold, indifferent eyes. At this moment, he had no desire to play games or beat around the bush; he only wanted the truth.
"What could I have done?"
Facing Hiruzen's gaze, Danzo couldn't help but sneer. "Hiruzen, you've grown old. You are no longer the great shinobi you once were."
Danzo's tone was extremely indifferent, even carrying a hint of mockery.
"Danzo, I am the Hokage!"
Looking at Danzo Shimura, Hiruzen Sarutobi was beyond furious. In the past, he had let this man off time and time again for the sake of their shared history as fellow disciples and lifelong friends. But this time, Danzo actually dared to scheme against Sakura.
This time, Hiruzen Sarutobi could no longer tolerate it.
"Hiruzen, do you regret it?" Danzo Shimura spoke softly, looking at his old friend who was glaring at him in a rage.
"I do regret it! I regret not weeding you out sooner!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up, and a violent aura erupted from his frail, small frame! For a moment, the entire house seemed to tremble under the pressure!
"Hiruzen!" Mitokado Homura looked at Hiruzen in terror. If Hiruzen actually made a move in this state, there truly would be no turning back!
"Hiruzen, look closely. What is this?"
Facing Hiruzen Sarutobi's full-throttle killing intent, Danzo Shimura unhurriedly pulled a piece of silk from his robes—it shimmered with light even in the shadows. Hiruzen's pupils shrank instantly at the sight.
That wasn't just silk! That was an official decree from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire!
For the first time, Danzo showed the expression of a victor. With an air of satisfaction, he unfurled the Daimyo's decree in front of Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Mitokado Homura.
"Would you like me to read it to you?"
Without waiting for Hiruzen's answer, Danzo Shimura began to recite.
"By the mandate of Heaven, the Daimyo hereby decrees..."
The smile at the corner of Danzo's mouth could no longer be contained. Hokage! The Fifth Hokage! The position he had struggled for his entire life! This moment was finally his! The seat of Hokage finally belonged to him, Danzo Shimura!
"As Hiruzen of the Sarutobi clan has served as Hokage for several decades and is now aged and infirm, he is no longer fit to carry out the responsibilities of the office. We have heard that Danzo Shimura, the 'Darkness of the Shinobi' of Konoha, is brave, resourceful, and possesses extraordinary ability. He has fought for Konoha his entire life, serving in the shadows with silent devotion. This spirit of tireless dedication deeply moves Us. Now that Hiruzen is gravely ill, it is truly inappropriate for him to continue as Hokage. He should retire to his home and enjoy his remaining years. Therefore, we hereby appoint Danzo Shimura to the position of Fifth Hokage. It is Our hope that the new Hokage will not fail Our trust, and will deter all enemies while spreading the prestige of Konoha."
As Danzo finished reading the decree, the entire Sarutobi residence fell into a deathly silence.
Previously, Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't entirely certain if Danzo was behind this, but now he was positive! This was definitely his doing!
Brave and resourceful?
To hell with that! Selling four thousand lives to Kakuzu on the battlefield—is that what he calls brave and resourceful?!
"You motherf***er!"
The fury surged into Hiruzen's heart so sharply that he even spat out a curse.
"Hiruzen, you are no longer the Hokage. Now... I am the Hokage!"
Danzo could not hide his wide grin. The frustration of being suppressed by Hiruzen Sarutobi for so long vanished instantly; even the air felt fresher.
"You will regret this, Danzo!"
Unlike Danzo, Hiruzen Sarutobi was shaking with rage, his eyes flashing with unmistakable killing intent! Although he didn't know what methods Danzo had used to get the Daimyo to issue such an absurd decree, he knew he had to kill Danzo right here and now!
Otherwise, once the contents of this decree spread, if Sakura attacked the Daimyo at this time, she would not only be condemned by everyone but would also give Danzo a legitimate reason to order every shinobi in Konoha to execute her!
He hadn't expected the situation to spiral downward so rapidly in such a short amount of time, leaving Hiruzen filled with immense regret.
However, just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to drag his sickly body forward to cut Danzo down, Tobirama Senju grabbed the hand he was using to form seals.
"Teacher?!"
Hiruzen was shocked. Was it possible that even Tobirama Senju was siding with Danzo?
At that moment, dozens of Root members wearing ANBU uniforms and striped masks appeared, their drawn blades gleaming as they completely surrounded the Sarutobi residence!
If Hiruzen Sarutobi truly tried to move, these fanatically loyal Root members would undoubtedly strike him down where he stood, regardless of whether Tobirama Senju was present!
"Danzo Shimura!"
"What are you doing?! Do you intend to rebel?!"
Mitokado Homura looked at the dozens of Root members surrounding them, his face pale with horror.
This was a coup! This was an outright coup d'état!
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