The once misty Shikkotsu Forest was now shrouded in smoke and poisonous fumes.
The Senior Toad Sage from Mount Myoboku and the White Snake Sage from Ryuchi Cave had both manifested their true forms, engaging in fierce battle against the Slug Sage within the grounds of Shikkotsu Forest. Despite their home-field advantage, even together they couldn't harm or subdue the Slug Sage under the will of the two Holy Places.
After all, no matter how mild-mannered the Slug Sage may be, it remained a Sage who wielded the power of the present—and now stood as the only Great Sage still possessing this near-legendary level of power after the forces of past and future had faded away.
The Senior Toad Sage and White Snake Sage fully understood this but still felt compelled to act.
Because the Slug Sage was simply too stubborn—it paid no heed even to the life-or-death crisis threatening the Ninja World and the very survival of the Holy Places, maintaining instead a completely indifferent attitude as if it were nothing more than doing nothing but waiting for death like a lifeless log.
So after exhausting countless words trying to persuade it, the Slug Sage remained unmoved. Unable to contain himself any longer, the White Snake Sage issued threats. Following some sarcastic retorts from the Slug Sage, a battle between Sages finally erupted.
However, since Shikkotsu Forest was the Slug Sage's central stronghold, despite both Sages giving it their all, they still found themselves helpless against it.
Unlike Mount Myoboku and Ryuchi Cave, Shikkotsu Forest was entirely the personal domain of the Slug Sage. All slugs were theoretically its clones, so when fully fused together, the resulting power was sufficient to destroy heaven and earth.
Maybe out of concern for the forest, the Slug Sage chose to hold back and not unleash its full strength. Instead, it deliberately held back, limiting itself to defense and measured counterattacks, attempting to minimize damage to Shikkotsu Forest.
But a Sage is still a Sage—each movement carried the mighty power capable of overturning mountains and seas. Even though the Slug Sage seemed somewhat hesitant, nearly one-tenth of Shikkotsu Forest had already been affected by the battle, completely obliterated in the onslaught.
"Slug, are you still refusing to see reason?"
After a round of combat, the panting White Snake Sage sneered angrily, "The Ninja World has already reached its most dangerous moment. How can you still stay locked away like this!"
"Don't forget, Kaguya will definitely come after you too!"
"And when that time comes, if Mount Myoboku and Ryuchi Cave fall, then who will save your fate?"
Yet when these words reached the ears of the Slug Sage, it remained indifferent, gently swaying the two feelers atop its head just as always, as if charging up energy.
"Just think about it—it's already time for change."
The Senior Toad Sage also stepped forward to urge him, "Hiding away and amusing yourself leads nowhere. The natural energy of the Ninja World is ultimately limited. Even if Kaguya doesn't directly attack the Holy Places upon returning, if the Ninja World collapses, the Holy Places won't escape destruction either!"
Even so, the Slug Sage showed no reaction whatsoever.
On the contrary, a swarm of tiny slugs steadily converged behind it, merging into its body one by one.
The power of the Great Katsuyu Sage, who had created an entire holy ecosystem by herself, was beyond anyone's estimation.
Even the Senior Toad Sage, renowned for his vast knowledge, couldn't tell what the full strength of the Great Katsuyu Sage would be if the entire slug population of Shikkotsu Forest completely merged into one.
"Retreat now."
After a long standoff among the Three Sages, the Great Katsuyu Sage finally spoke: "Otherwise, your bones will become the densest jungle in Shikkotsu Forest!"
"You're bluffing me!"
The impulsive White Snake Sage lashed out its tongue again.
Then, without waiting for the Senior Toad Sage to respond, it sprang forward and attacked the Great Katsuyu Sage directly in its true form.
With reluctance, the Senior Toad Sage, having allied with the Great Katsuyu Sage, had no choice but to join the battle as well.
Though the White Snake Sage acted recklessly and impulsively—an undeniably foolish move—the Senior Toad Sage had no other option. After all, compared to the stubborn Great Katsuyu Sage, at least the White Snake Sage was a visible ally.
Thus, the battle resumed violently.
And peace seemed further away than ever.
Such conflicts among the Holy Places had nothing to do with Hyuga Soushu, who was currently focused on consolidating internal affairs within the Ninja World. He didn't even know about the dispute among the Sacred Beasts.
What lay before him now was how to fully seize control of Konoha, already heavily infiltrated by the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation.
His biggest obstacle besides the Hokage faction, led by Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, was none other than his longtime friend Sakumo Hatake.
Therefore, when Hyuga Soushu returned to Konoha with his forces, the village leaders gave no response whatsoever.
No one came to welcome him, nor did they display any sign of armed resistance.
Even Danzo, who had always insisted on eliminating traitors, kept his distance when facing Hyuga Soushu, who had returned to the village with over a thousand elite guards.
As a result, only those members had been left behind in Konoha due to their differing opinions from their clans came to greet them at the entrance of Hidden Leaf Village. Although the scene appeared lively, everyone looked visibly uneasy.
The reason these members had been left behind in Konoha was due to their differing opinions from their clans. They came out of obligation rather than genuine willingness.
At the same time, they were deeply worried about what might happen if Soushu, having arrived with his elite ninja force, decided to spark a civil war right inside the village. None of them could predict where they would stand in such a situation.
When the hide is gone, what can the hair cling to? No different here.
However, Soushu paid little heed to their inner concerns. After exchanging brief greetings with the clan representatives, he led his forces straight back to his long-absent Hyuga District.
Meanwhile, Hiashi Hyuga—who had been branded a traitor by those left behind in Konoha—had no choice but to face the music, personally leading his men to greet Hyuga Soushu at the entrance of the clan territory.
"Lord Hyuga Soushu!"
As Hyuga Soushu's procession arrived at the district, Hiashi immediately stepped forward to bow respectfully.
"It's been quite a while, dear cousin Hiashi. You seem to be doing well."
Hyuga Soushu wore a warm, friendly smile on his face, chatting casually with Hiashi.
Yet, the more composed Soushu appeared, the more anxious Hiashi felt inside.
Sakumo Hatake sat silently in the Jonin Unit office, unaware of how long he had remained motionless.
Standing respectfully before him was a Servant Ninja dispatched by Hyūga Sōshu.
The purpose of this Servant Ninja's arrival was simply to deliver an invitation—inviting Sakumo Hatake to a banquet in the evening.
Though the invitation seemed straightforward, Sakumo hesitated—unsure whether he should accept it.
"Who else?"
After a long pause, Sakumo finally asked.
"If you agree to attend, I will then proceed to deliver invitations to Shirakawa Namiko and Yechame Hamako."
The Servant Ninja responded respectfully.
The implication was clear—if Kakashi declined, he likely wouldn't receive an invitation directly.
This manner was also a sign of respect toward Sakumo Hatake.
After all, within the reformist faction led by Sakumo Hatake—the Progressive Civilian Jonin Party—Shirakawa Namiko and Yechame Hamako were both elite Jonins who ranked just below him, deeply respected throughout the Hidden Leaf Village.
Especially during this time when the common ninja class had significantly weakened and the progressive faction was nearly collapsing, if Hyūga Sōshu bypassed Sakumo entirely and courted the other three directly, the consequences were too terrifying for him to imagine.
Loyalties shift—especially in times of great upheaval like this.
Sakumo had little recourse and was powerless to stop it all.
Because the Will of Fire (the core philosophy he once cherished) had been rendered worthless under the weight of the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation.
Even among the new generation of common ninja students graduating from the Ninja Academy, their greatest wish was simply to obtain a lifelong salary from a Ninja Clan Capital Corporation upon graduation, thus ensuring a life free from worries about food and shelter; being selected into the ranks of the Shogunate Ninja Force would be nothing short of a miracle.
And the Will of Fire that Sakumo once championed, as well as the bill advocating for Direct Election of Hokage by Jonins—a proposal he had fought hard to pass—had already become irrelevant, not only forgotten but disregarded completely.
Even Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen himself no longer cared much about succession of the Hokage title.
"I understand. I'll arrive on time."
After a long pause, a weary Sakumo muttered weakly as he waved his hand dismissively, abandoning his futile convictions and bowing to reality.
After all, the tide of the times in the Ninja World surged unstoppable, beyond any individual's power to resist.
Sakumo Hatake knew with painful clarity—he could not change any of this.
"Understood!"
The Servant Ninja immediately bowed and backed out of the Jonin Unit office respectfully.
"Ahh..."
Alone in the room, Sakumo let out a helpless sigh.
But at the same time, he also felt as if a massive weight had been lifted from his heart, making him feel suddenly much lighter.
"Are we really just going to sit back and watch all of this unfold?"
Inside the Hokage Office, hidden in the shadows, Danzo Shimura gazed at the silent and motionless Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. He couldn't help but speak: "If you allow that boy to continue unchecked, Konoha will be utterly destroyed!"
"For now, the Konoha still stands, and so does the Will of Fire."
After a long pause, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, finally murmured softly.
Then, he offered no further explanation of his beliefs or views, simply falling silent once again, as if those words had been nothing more than an excuse.
"Hmph!"
Danzo clearly wasn't willing to accept this reasoning, yet there was little else he could do but snort bitterly.
After all, just to protect his own life, he'd already taken refuge in the Hokage Office. No matter how much ambition he still held, he could only suppress it.
And nearly an hour later, a soft knock came at the door.
"Come in!"
Danzo couldn't wait and immediately called out.
However, outside the door, the Anbu stopped knocking but did not enter.
"Come in."
This time, it was the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who finally spoke.
The Anbu ninja gently pushed the door open and entered.
"Lord Third, the list has been completed."
The reporting Anbu ninja said respectfully.
At the same time, he presented a scroll before the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Well done. You may be dismissed now."
The Third Hokage replied casually, then accepted the scroll and began reading it.
The Anbu ninja bowed respectfully once more before quietly leaving, never even glancing toward Danzo throughout the entire exchange, as though he simply didn't exist.
"Fascinating,"
Danzo couldn't help but sneer. "Your subordinates sure know how to show proper respect! They've practically ignored my presence entirely!"
"They were idle anyway, so I trained them a bit. It's nothing of significance."
The Third Hokage responded offhandedly.
As for the contents of the scroll, they filled him with concern while also offering some relief.
The scroll contained the guest list for tonight's banquet at the Hyuga Estate, including most of the reform-minded Jonin. Most eye-catching among them naturally was Jonin Unit Leader Sakumo Hatake.
Additionally, other Jonin from various Ninja Clans remaining in Konoha had also attended the banquet. Whether unwillingly forced or willingly accepting their invitation, attending was attending—there was no need for further debate.
After all, it was a case of Heaven moves faster than human plans.
However, the one person who truly brought comfort to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was none other than his disciple Tsunade.
As the sole direct descendant of the Senju Clan, she received an invitation from Hyuga Soushu to the banquet at the former Senju Clan territory. However, Tsunade had directly refused it.
"I think we've just found our candidate for Fourth Hokage,"
Hiruzen Sarutobi said casually, tossing the scroll over toward Danzo, who sat in the corner.
"What did you say?!"
Just having caught the scroll, Danzo was immediately stunned by these words.
The Fourth!
The Fourth he had always longed for!
Has it been decided already?!
"Tsunade would be perfect. If she's willing, I'll put both the Administrative and Finance Departments entirely under her control."
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally understood his old friend's meaning, but he left absolutely no room for negotiation: "As for the Training Department, we can decide what to do once she officially assumes office."
In other words, if Tsunade accepted the role as The Fourth, Danzo would report directly to her.
"She would never accept!"
Danzo was stunned but quickly recovered. "Knowing her personality, there's no way she'd agree."
"After all, both The First and our teacher were from the Senju Clan. It's only fitting that the village should return to her leadership now, don't you agree?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly stood up. "Let's go. Join me on this journey!"
"Where to?"
Danzo felt somewhat at a loss.
This was too sudden!
"The Senju Clan's Territory."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said firmly, "We can't afford to wait. We need to decide now!"
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