Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its character belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 124: Awkward Meeting
After Hiruzen arrived in Konoha, he was immediately escorted to the medical ward.
Although he had repeatedly insisted that he was fine, no one listened and even forcefully brought him to the ward.
"Hokage-sama, please cooperate," one of the medical-nin said firmly. "It's just a precaution and we wanted to know the damage on the body."
Hiruzen frowned slightly but did not resist anymore but for the first time he felt his authority as the Hokage being challenged. His body had already been stabilized by the Level Three Healing Scrolls and from his perspective, there was no urgent need for further treatment.
Yet, he was still brought here, forcefully by the medical ninja. What he didn't know was that this entire situation had been quietly arranged by Uzumaki Raiken upon hearing the s
Raiken stood outside the medical facility, watching calmly as Hiruzen was led inside. His expression was neutral, but his mind are thinking on how to weakening Hiruzen power.
'This is necessary step so the influence of the third Hokage diminish or non existence at all,' thought Raiken.
Raiken had no intention of allowing Hiruzen to immediately reclaim influence upon his return. By putting Hiruzen on hospital it will weaken Hiruzen influence, so he
He remembered very clearly wha had happened in the original timeline, according to the forum and theory.
Even after stepping down as Hokage and passing the title to Minato, Hiruzen had never truly relinquished power. His influence remained deeply rooted within Konoha, especially within the ANBU and administrative structure.
Officially, he had stepped down but unofficially the major decision are still under him. He didn't disturb all Minato order but when things turn not to his path or Minato wanted to do a major change in the village, he would quietly use his influence to stop him.
Whether that information was entirely accurate or not didn't matter.
Raiken wasn't willing to take that risk.
'I won't let history repeat itself,' thought Raiken. 'It shouldn't be history be theory repeat itself.'
This time, things would be different. Hiruzen would not have a chance to regain control over the ANBU.
Not even partially and he would make Hiruzen lost any influence left in Anbu.
Raiken had already begun restructuring internal systems quietly when Hiruzen missing, ensuring that Hatake Sakumo authority as Hokage was solid and uncontested. The ANBU, in particular, had been reorganized to report directly and exclusively to Sakumo.
There would be no shadows behind the throne like root division.
No hidden hands guiding decisions from the background and no room for Danzō or Hiruzen to return.
Raiken's eyes narrowed slightly.
At that moment, a familiar sound echoed in his mind.
[DING! 1000 Stars donated]
A translucent notification appeared in his vision.
[Message: Don't let Hiruzen ever have his power again.]
Raiken blinked once, then let out a faint breath.
"…I don't plan to," he murmured quietly.
If anything, that was already part of his strategy from the very beginning.
He turned his gaze back toward the medical building.
Inside, Hiruzen was likely already being examined, delayed under the justification of "necessary recovery." It wouldn't hold him forever but it would buy time and give the impression that third hokage had been replaced with a better one.
.....
MEETING ROOM
Hiruzen only arrived at the meeting room after spending nearly half an hour undergoing a full examination by the medical-nin.
Although he had insisted that he was fine, they had thoroughly checked his condition before allowing him to leave. By the time he stepped into the meeting room, the discussion inside had already begun.
The moment he entered, the atmosphere shifted and conversations stopped.
All eyes turned toward him. But something felt… off.
"Welcome, Third Hokage-sama," several members greeted him respectfully.
Hiruzen paused for a fraction of a second.
'Third Hokage.'
That title had never been spoken like this before.
Not when he was still in power.
Now, it sounded different, like a label marking something that had already passed. A reminder that he was no longer the current Hokage, but a former one.
"…Thank you, everyone," Hiruzen replied calmly, masking the slight discomfort rising within him.
At the center of the room stood Hatake Sakumo the new Hokage of Konoha.
He was reviewing reports, his expression serious and focused. In front of him were documents detailing the ongoing war, as well as intelligence suggesting that the Fire Daimyō might have played a role in instigating the conflict but that was his private document that he didn't intent to share it in today meeting.
When Sakumo noticed Hiruzen arrival, he acknowledged him with a nod but nothing more.
It was the attitude of a Hokage.
Hiruzen felt a flicker of confusion and come frustration.
This was not how things used to be.
Before he could speak, Raiken stepped forward, breaking the silence.
"Third Hokage-sama," Raiken said politely, though his tone carried an underlying firmness. "During your absence, the village was forced to conduct an emergency vote for a new Hokage."
He paused briefly.
"I understand this may come as a sudden change, but it was done for the greater good of Konoha. I hope you can understand."
Hiruzen looked at him for a moment.
There were many things he wanted to say.
Many questions he wanted to ask.
But in the end... he simply nodded because the word greater good for Konoha are too big, if he argued because of the vote, people might look at him weirdly.
"…You all made the correct decision," Hiruzen said. "You did well."
His voice was clam but inside, bitterness lingered.
The meeting continued, Hiruzen took a seat which are no longer in the centre but one of the empty chair.
Everyone noticed it but didn't say anything, so he was forced to listen as reports were presented one after another. Battlefield updates, supply movements, enemy strategies, everything was discussed in today meeting.
Yet something was different, he was no longer the one leading the discussion.
Before this Shikajin was the one who lead the meeting but it was all with his permission and he was the man behind the scene.
He was only… listening.
At one point, Hiruzen tried to speak.
"The ANBU...."
But before he could finish, Raiken responded immediately.
"The ANBU has already been restructured," Raiken said. "It now operates under a new command system. There are currently no available positions for another slot, Third Hokage-sama."
The words were polite.
But the meaning was clear.
'You no longer have authority there.'
Hiruzen expression remained composed, but his hand tightened slightly.
"…I understand," he replied.
Anger flickered beneath the surface but he suppressed it.
The meeting gradually approached its end.
Just as people began organizing their documents, Hiruzen suddenly remembered something important.
"Where is Danzō?" he asked.
The room fell silent for a brief moment.
Sakumo looked up.
"Danzō?" he repeated. "He returned to prison."
Hiruzen frowned slightly. "Returned?"
Sakumo nodded. "He stated that since he was previously under house arrest, he would prefer to continue his sentence properly in prison."
That answer caught Hiruzen off guard.
'Danzō… willingly returning to prison? No that man is the traitor who left me in the jungle alone, if not because of him there won't be a new Hokage?'
----
There is 30 advanced chapter on my patreon.
Chapter 150: Brother
Chapter 151: Hyuga Conflict
Chapter 152: Abuse Of Power
Chapter 153: Save Yourselves
Chapter 154: Prevent Worse
-patreon.com/zorojurown