As time went on, the resentment within the hearts of Konoha's villagers deepened.
After cooling down and thinking things through, they began to realize that behind every tragedy there seemed to be one shadow—
The Third Hokage: Hiruzen Sarutobi.
If the Hokage had communicated with the Uchiha clan sooner and strengthened the village's defenses, the Uchiha never would have had the chance to leave the village.
If the Hokage had made proper preparations, the Nine-Tails wouldn't have gone berserk, and the village wouldn't have suffered such devastating losses.
If the Hokage had personally gone to the battlefield, the Konoha shinobi wouldn't have fallen into chaos when the Third Raikage suddenly appeared.
If the Hokage had shown stronger leadership, they wouldn't have needed to pay reparations to their enemies!
In the end, wasn't the village's current state all due to the Hokage's incompetence?!
Villagers and shinobi alike couldn't help but think this way.
As the highest authority of the village, the Hokage had to take responsibility—and give everyone an explanation!
Fueled by anger, a portion of Konoha's citizens began to protest, demanding that Hiruzen Sarutobi face the people and explain himself.
——
——
Hokage Building.
Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, his brows knotted tightly.
Though he had mentally prepared himself, he hadn't expected things to escalate this far.
At this rate, if he didn't take action soon, public opinion would force him to resign as Hokage.
Just as he was deep in thought, the door swung open and an energetic Danzo Shimura strode in.
Seeing Hiruzen look up, Danzo's lips curled into an unrestrained smile. "Hiruzen, you've seen how the villagers feel. If you don't take responsibility, the village could fall into civil disorder."
"I think it's best you step down as Hokage and stay on quietly as a village advisor."
At those blunt words, Hiruzen replied coldly, "If I resign, who do you think should take my place?"
Danzo straightened his back unconsciously, asking, "Hiruzen, what do you think of me?"
"Hmph!" Hiruzen slammed the table, pointing a trembling finger at him. "Look at yourself! One eye, one arm, scars all over your face—go look in the mirror! Do you think you look anything like a Hokage?!"
"And tell me—can you honestly say the villagers' current turmoil has nothing to do with your scheming?"
"If you don't restrain yourself, I'll dissolve Root and strip you of your advisor title!"
Danzo's face turned crimson with fury.
He jabbed a finger toward Hiruzen. "Fine! Sit in that chair till you rot for all I care! Don't ever think of handing it to me!"
With that, he kicked open the office door and stormed out.
Once Danzo was gone, Hiruzen's expression gradually calmed.
As the sun set and rose again, determination hardened in his eyes.
He tossed his pipe onto the desk and murmured a few words to the Anbu hidden in the shadows.
Danzo wasn't wrong—right now, the villagers' anger was too great. Someone with enough authority had to step forward and bear the blame.
——
——
Konoha Village.
Yuzuru Uchiha strolled down the street, nibbling on a skewer of three-colored dango.
Since the New Year, he had come to Konoha alone.
His purpose?
Naturally—to see how Hiruzen Sarutobi and the villagers would react after losing the war.
Watching their rage and helplessness was, for now, one of Yuzuru's few pleasures.
At a street corner, dozens of villagers had gathered.
"Have you heard? The Hokage had long noticed something strange about the Uchiha, so he had Sakumo Hatake lead the Anbu to monitor them around the clock—but the clan still vanished without anyone noticing."
"I'm telling you, Sakumo must have colluded with the Uchiha! Otherwise, under such strict surveillance, there's no way the entire clan could move without detection."
"Hmph! Even if he didn't collude, we can't forgive his incompetence. If it weren't for him letting the Uchiha slip away, none of this would have happened!"
"That's right! Sakumo Hatake must take responsibility—he's the sinner of Konoha!"
"He's the reason we lost our homes! The reason we're penniless! The reason we lost our families!"
"..."
Scenes like this were unfolding all over the village.
Yuzuru couldn't help but shake his head.
These people really never change—never self-reflect, only blame others for their misery.
Still, he hadn't expected events so similar to the original timeline to happen so soon.
Thinking of Sakumo Hatake's fate in the original story, Yuzuru popped the last bite of dango into his mouth and headed toward the Hatake residence.
——
——
"You're the sinner of Konoha, Sakumo Hatake!"
"Because of your negligence, so many of us died—don't you feel even a shred of guilt?!"
"Ha! To think I once respected you. You're not worthy of any honor!"
"We know you're in there, coward!"
Outside the Hatake residence, dozens of rioters shouted insults.
They hurled vegetable leaves, eggs, and stones over the wall.
On the gate, someone had smeared the word "SINNER" in red paint—a sight that stung the eyes.
After watching for a while, Yuzuru activated Kamui and slipped into the courtyard.
There, a masked boy was striking a wooden post again and again with a short blade, every blow fueled by raw anger.
After a while, the boy suddenly turned and rushed toward the door.
"Kakashi. Stop."
A low, hoarse voice sounded. Kakashi Hatake froze mid-step.
"Father, why are they saying those things about you? You're a hero of the village!"
Sakumo Hatake stepped out of the house.
In just one day, his face had grown deathly pale.
He looked nothing like the proud "White Fang of Konoha"—just a weary, broken man.
"Kakashi, let them say what they want."
"They need someone to vent at."
Kakashi clenched his fists. "Even if they need to vent, why put all the blame on you? Why don't you explain? Tell them you had nothing to do with the Uchiha!"
A bitter smile flickered across Sakumo's face. "Explain…?"
"Kakashi, make your own dinner tonight. I'm going to rest for a while. Don't disturb me."
With that, he turned and closed the door.
Kakashi took a few steps forward, wanting to rush in—but in the end, he just hung his head and returned to his room.
Watching this, Yuzuru raised an eyebrow.
How familiar this scene was.
Sakumo Hatake…
Was he really about to take his own life?