Danzō, having received the poison from Orochimaru, quickly began to act.
Under the pretext of a gathering of old friends, he invited Sarutobi Hiruzen, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu to his home for dinner. At the same time, he applied a colorless and odorless poison to Hiruzen's bowl, chopsticks, and wine cup.
This poison was a chronic one. It would not take effect on the spot but would lie dormant for a period of time before acting up.
As for how long it would lie dormant, it depended on the dosage of the poison and the victim's constitution.
Half a month later, the poison began to take effect. Sarutobi Hiruzen gradually felt a lack of energy, becoming drowsy and sleepy.
At first, Hiruzen did not pay much attention, thinking it was due to overwork and lack of rest.
During this period, Kageyama Kogetsu and Orochimaru worked together and successfully improved the Cursed Seal.
Kageyama Kogetsu planted the Cursed Seal on all six of his women and taught them the method of practicing the human race's Sage Mode.
However, Kogetsu's method of planting the Cursed Seal was different from Orochimaru's. It was not done by biting with the mouth, but by a normal jutsu.
Under Kogetsu's personal care, even the weakest, Nonō Yakushi, successfully survived the erosion of the Cursed Seal.
In the future, as long as they cultivated diligently under Kogetsu's care and guidance, the six women would sooner or later be able to cultivate Sage Mode.
However, to what realm they could cultivate would depend on their own fortune.
It was worth mentioning that after becoming a Jonin, Kurenai had been frequently active in the ninja world. With her excellent genjutsu, she had already made a small name for herself in Konoha.
Given time, it was not impossible for Kurenai to make a name for herself in the ninja world.
Kurenai's proficiency in genjutsu had already surpassed Yuhi Shinku's. Putting aside the Kage-level experts of Konoha, her genjutsu proficiency was definitely one of the best among the Jonin.
Even a three-tomoe Sharingan Jonin could not restrain Kurenai because, under Kogetsu's guidance, she had developed more than one non-visual genjutsu.
Kageyama Kogetsu had a large number of genjutsu in his hands. Besides Konoha's genjutsu, he also had genjutsu from Mount Myoboku and Ryuchi Cave.
In Kogetsu's view, when Kurenai's chakra reached the standard and she could release genjutsu without a trace in every move, she would have stepped into the Kage level.
If she successfully cultivated the human race's Sage Mode, with the all-around enhancement of Senjutsu chakra, Kurenai would surely occupy a place among the strong individuals of the ninja world!
In terms of ambition, Kurenai and Pakura were the two strongest among Kageyama Kogetsu's women.
As time passed, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt that something was wrong and went to the Konoha Hospital for an examination and treatment.
However, all the medical ninja at the Konoha Hospital could not find the cause of his illness...
Uzumaki Karin had been specifically instructed by Kageyama Kogetsu to deliberately pretend that she could not find it.
Uzumaki Karin had no psychological burden in doing this.
First, she was listening to her man and helping him progress.
Second, although she did not know the inside story of the destruction of the Uzumaki clan, the words of the clan elders made it clear that Konoha, their ally, was at fault.
It was unclear how much of a problem there was, but it was indisputable that Konoha, their staunchest ally, had not fulfilled its due responsibilities.
The Uzumaki clan had guarded Konoha's southeastern border and had resisted the pressure from Kirigakure at all costs.
In the end, they were attacked in turn by the major forces of the ninja world, such as Kumogakure, and ended up with their clan and country destroyed. Konoha owed the Uzumaki clan.
Uzumaki Karin did not think that Konoha's good treatment of her alone could make up for this.
For Uzumaki Karin, Kageyama Kogetsu had spoken. For the other medical ninja at the Konoha Hospital, he was not so polite.
Kageyama Kogetsu acted in secret, directly using the spiritual spheres created by his Tenseigan to control them, making them all lie.
The Konoha Hospital was helpless. Sarutobi Hiruzen and the other two naturally thought of Tsunade, the medical master of the ninja world.
However, Danzō had already made preparations. The ninja sent by Konoha could not find Tsunade's location at all.
They wanted to ask Jiraiya, who was wandering the ninja world, to help find her, but they couldn't even contact Jiraiya for a short time.
Kageyama Kogetsu was also proficient in medical ninjutsu, but he had never shown it openly, so no one else knew.
As time passed, Sarutobi Hiruzen's drowsiness became more and more severe. His waking time became less and less, which had already affected the handling of Konoha's official affairs...
Although Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu could help share some of the burden, some major matters still needed the Hokage's decision.
After all, the Hokage was still there. It was not a special period of a vacant Hokage position, so it was not the turn of the Hokage's Advisor or the consultant elders to overstep their authority.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's abnormality could not be hidden from the well-informed ninja in the village, let alone the high-ranking officials of Konoha's various departments and the heads of the major ninja clans.
Danzō was also spreading news in the dark, fanning the flames. For a time, the topic of the Fifth Hokage was on everyone's lips.
Among the discussions of the many Konoha ninja, the names of Kageyama Kogetsu, Jiraiya, and Tsunade were mentioned the most.
Although Danzō's name was mentioned, it was relatively rare because ninja without some status in Konoha did not even know of his existence.
The things Danzō did were all very dark and not to be widely publicized, so his merits were unknown.
...
At the monthly Konoha high-level meeting, the Konoha F4 and the heads of Konoha's various departments gathered, the atmosphere serious and solemn.
It was worth mentioning that Sarutobi Shinnosuke was now the Commander of the Konoha Anbu.
In the original story, Sarutobi Shinnosuke and his wife died in a high-difficulty Anbu mission shortly after Konohamaru's birth.
Speaking of which, in the original story, the Sarutobi family could indeed be called a family of loyal martyrs for Konoha.
Sarutobi Biwako died at the hands of Obito, Sarutobi Hiruzen died at the hands of Orochimaru, and Sarutobi Asuma died at the hands of Hidan.
Of the whole family, only Sarutobi Konohamaru, Sarutobi Mirai, and Kurenai were left.
In this world, besides Sarutobi Biwako, the father, son, and daughter-in-law were all alive and well.
At the meeting, after the pre-arranged topics were discussed, Danzō, taking advantage of the fact that the meeting had not yet dispersed, couldn't wait to make his move.
"Hiruzen, you have worked hard for Konoha for most of your life. You are old and should retire and rest well."
"After retiring, you can also concentrate on treating your illness. After you are cured, you can enjoy your golden years and the happiness of family."
"It can't go on like this. The operation of Konoha is being affected."
"For the sake of Konoha, please hand it over to someone else!"
With that, Danzō stood up from his seat, turned, and bowed deeply, not getting up for a long time...
Although his words were polite, they were in fact a form of forcing the abdication, just a relatively gentle one.
Seeing this, no one spoke, just watching quietly...
Because what Danzō said did make sense.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was indeed old. His face was covered in wrinkles, and his figure had even shrunk a little.
Coupled with his illness, he was indeed not competent for the position of Hokage. Even if he didn't step down this time, he would sooner or later.
In that case, it was better to step down sooner rather than later. At least the impact on Konoha would not be so great.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, a little lonely. "Alas... this old bag of bones is indeed useless."
"For the sake of Konoha, I should step down."
"Let's put the election of the Fifth Hokage on the agenda."
Danzō was overjoyed upon hearing this. Fortunately, he was deep in his schemes, otherwise he might have laughed out loud on the spot.
"While everyone is here, I'll share my thoughts."
"If we can find Tsunade and Jiraiya, and they are also interested, then we will choose one of them."
"If we can't find them or they are not interested in the position of Hokage, I will recommend Kogetsu as the Fifth Hokage at the Land of Fire conference."
"Homura, Koharu, Shikaku."
"I probably won't be able to attend the Land of Fire conference due to this strange illness of mine. You will express my attitude to the officials of the Land of Fire on my behalf."
"Yes, Hiruzen (Lord Hokage)," the three of them answered in unison.
Danzō's expression froze, all his joy gone, and he was very angry.
Damn you, Hiruzen!
You're not even choosing me in this situation?
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