Hiruzen Sarutobi gazed into Naruto's icy blue eyes. There was no youthful passion or impulsiveness typically found in peers, nor was there any greed for power. It was an almost inhuman tranquility, an absolute rationality that viewed everything as a calculable variable. This rationality, more than Danzo's ambition-twisted obsession, sent a chill down his spine.
Danzo was a fox driven by desire, his actions somewhat predictable. But Naruto, before him, was like a precise machine; everything he did served a cold and clear objective.
Countless thoughts flashed through Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind. Refuse him? Then wait for that report about the Uchiha to reach Sasuke's hands, detonating a bomb powerful enough to shatter Konoha. Agree to him? That would mean entrusting the Village's darkest power to this twelve-year-old boy.
Unconsciously, a flicker of flame wavered in his dimming heart.
Perhaps it truly could work.
He recalled his repeated concessions—to Orochimaru, to Danzo. Those indecisive actions ultimately led to irreversible bitter consequences. He was tired, truly tired. Perhaps, in the final stages of his life, he should act as a truly decisive "Hokage."
"What is your specific plan?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was hoarse. He neither agreed nor refused, merely asking this question.
Naruto knew the old man had compromised.
"You only need to tell him that you wish to step down due to health reasons and will recommend him as the Fifth Hokage. Let him appear; I will arrange the rest."
After Naruto's figure disappeared at the doorway, Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado hurried in, their faces filled with worry.
"Hiruzen! You can't listen to him!" Utatane Koharu's tone was urgent. "He's still a child, an unstable child! Giving Root to him is a hundred times more dangerous than giving it to Danzo!"
"Exactly." Homura Mitokado echoed. "Although Danzo's methods are extreme, his loyalty to Konoha is beyond doubt. We've worked with him for decades and understand his bottom line. But this Uzumaki Naruto... we know nothing about him!"
"New clothes are better than old, but old friends are better than new. Hiruzen, now is not the time for risks."
Hiruzen Sarutobi ignored their dissuasion. He silently picked up his pipe, this time lighting the tobacco and taking a deep drag, letting the smoke swirl in his lungs. The swirling smoke blurred his aged face, also concealing the emotions deep within his eyes.
After a long while, he slowly exhaled smoke rings, saying in an unprecedentedly calm tone: "I have already suffered countless bitter consequences from indecision. Both Advisors, please trust my judgment as Hokage once more."
"Furthermore, Danzo is not loyal."
The two Advisors wanted to say something more, but Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped them with a raised hand. They saw a flash of ruthlessness and decisiveness in those eyes, which always seemed tired and cloudy, a look they hadn't seen in a long time.
"Pass on my order," Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority, "Assemble all Anbu captains and the heads of all major clans for a meeting tomorrow morning in the highest conference room."
He paused, then added: "Just say that due to health reasons, I am preparing to step down as Hokage. And at this meeting, I will recommend a candidate for the Fifth Hokage."
The two Advisors exchanged glances, both seeing shock and incomprehension in each other's eyes.
The next morning, in the highest conference room of the Hokage Building, the atmosphere was so heavy it could almost drip. All of Konoha's high-ranking forces were gathered. The heads of the Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, Hyuga, Inuzuka… major clans had varied expressions, whispering among themselves, guessing the true purpose of this sudden meeting.
When Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that he would recommend Danzo Shimura as a candidate for the Fifth Hokage, the entire conference room immediately fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was stunned by this decision… Meanwhile, deep beneath Konoha, in the cold, damp Root base.
Danzo received a secret report from his surface informant. He held the scroll in one hand, the other behind his back, his face devoid of expression, but his slightly constricted pupils betrayed the turmoil within him.
Ecstasy.
A decades-long aspiration was about to be realized today, in the most unexpected way.
But closely following was a bone-deep vigilance.
"Hiruzen… that old man, would he give the position to me so easily?" Danzo paced back and forth in the empty stone room, the tapping of his cane on the ground monotonous and rhythmic.
This was too abnormal. Like a sheep willingly inviting a wolf to devour itself. There must be a trick.
Yet the allure of the Hokage position was like the sweetest poison laid before him; he couldn't refuse. He had waited for this day for far too long. So long that it had become his sole obsession in life.
"Gather all elites, and follow me to the Hokage Building." After a brief deliberation, Danzo gave the order.
Ambition ultimately overcame reason. He decided to see for himself what tricks Hiruzen Sarutobi was playing. Of course, he wouldn't go unprepared. In the shadows, he had already set up multiple contingencies; whether it was a feast or a trap, he was confident he could handle it… On the streets of Konoha, Jiraiya was idly strolling, trying to find some writing inspiration from the youthful and beautiful girls. But he quickly realized that the atmosphere in the Village today was somewhat different.
Normally, villagers would discuss daily trivialities, or which shop had released a new flavor. But today, almost all conversations revolved around one name—Uzumaki Naruto.
"Did you hear? If it weren't for that Naruto kid, our entire street would probably have been destroyed during this crisis!" The dumpling shop owner's wife gushed to a customer.
"Yes, yes, I saw it with my own eyes! So many Narutos, they chased away all those Sunagakure and Amegakure Ninja! He even had his clones organize our evacuation, much faster than those Chunin lords!" An excited old woman buying vegetables added.
Inside Ichiraku Ramen, the atmosphere was even more fervent.
"I'm telling you, that Naruto kid is the real hero!" Teuchi the owner vigorously waved his ladle. "He not only repelled the enemies but also sent his clones to rescue those trapped under houses! My daughter Ayame was carried out by Naruto's clone!"
Jiraiya sat in a corner, silently listening to it all. He was somewhat surprised, even a little taken aback.
He knew Naruto had performed exceptionally well during the invasion, but he hadn't expected his popularity among the civilians to soar to such a degree in such a short time.
In the mouths of these simple villagers, Naruto was no longer the "demon fox" to be wary of and shunned, but a "guardian" who stepped forward in times of crisis and prioritized protecting ordinary people like them. This heartfelt support and gratitude could not be bought with any command.
Jiraiya felt a new burst of inspiration, picking up his notebook to record this rare flash of insight.
"Ruthless to enemies, tender to civilians—such a contrasting character might be quite interesting~"
...Hokage Building, highest conference room.
The heavy stone door was pushed open, and Danzo Shimura walked in, surrounded by over a dozen Root elites. He still wore his somber attire, his right eye bandaged, and leaning on his cane.
He scanned the room, his gaze sweeping over the faces of Hiruzen Sarutobi, the two Advisors, and the clan heads one by one. Finally, he bowed slightly to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Hiruzen, I apologize for the wait. Before entering, the young man who escorted me already informed me of your decision, and this… truly overwhelms me." His tone sounded humble, but the fleeting glint of triumph in his eyes did not escape the notice of the old foxes present.
In the shadows of the corner, a masked Anbu stood silently, as if merged with the darkness. He was Naruto, disguised with a Transformation Jutsu. He calmly observed everyone in the conference room, especially the prey who had just stepped into the center of the trap.
"Danzo, sit." Hiruzen Sarutobi gestured to the empty seat beside him.
Just as Danzo prepared to step forward and enjoy the fruits of victory, an unforeseen event occurred.
A dozen Anbu guards standing by the walls moved almost simultaneously. They silently appeared beside each participant's seat, gently placing a file sealed in a brown envelope on the table.
This sudden action stunned everyone.
Danzo's steps halted, and the Root elites behind him immediately tensed, their hands on their weapons.
"Hiruzen, what is the meaning of this?" Danzo's voice turned cold.
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not answer him, merely stating calmly: "Everyone, please take a look at this document first."
Nara Shikaku was the first to open the envelope. When he saw the title, his usually lazy eyes instantly sharpened.
"Investigation Report on Certain Crimes of the Root Organization (Top Secret)"
A rustling sound of envelopes being opened filled the conference room, followed by gasps of shock.
—Secretly collaborating with Orochimaru for forbidden jutsu human experiments, leading to the disappearance of numerous civilians in Konoha's border regions.
—Bribing Ninja, manipulating public opinion, framing Sakumo Hatake, resulting in a hero being wrongly accused.
—Long-term surveillance of Konoha's major clans, planting spies, stealing secret techniques.
—Remaining inactive during Orochimaru's invasion of Konoha, abandoning civilians to their fate.
—Colluding with Hanzo of the Hidden Rain Village… Each charge was shocking. Beneath each one was detailed witness testimony, times, locations, and even partially encrypted cipher documents as corroborating evidence.
The entire conference room erupted in an uproar.
"This… how is this possible!"
"Lord Danzo, is what it says true?"
"Sakumo-senpai… alas…"
Questions, angry shouts, and incredulous exclamations merged into a torrent, instantly overwhelming Danzo.
Danzo's face could no longer be described as merely grim; it was a ghastly, livid snarl. He knew he had fallen into a meticulously designed trap. From the moment Hiruzen announced his retirement, this scheme had been set.
But he couldn't understand how Hiruzen Sarutobi could possess so much evidence, which he himself thought had been buried in the dust of history.
No time to ponder. The eyes of the Anbu and clan heads present had already shifted from shock to anger and scrutiny. His carefully cultivated image of decades crumbled at this moment.
A decisive ruthlessness flashed in Danzo's eyes. If diplomacy wouldn't work, then he wouldn't hesitate to use his last resort.
Chaos was the best cover.
While everyone's attention was on the documents, his bandaged right eye stealthily focused on Hiruzen Sarutobi in the main seat.
Mangekyo Sharingan, Uchiha Shisui's strongest genjutsu—Kotoamatsukami!
Silently, an irresistible will was forcibly implanted into Hiruzen Sarutobi's brain.
[Danzo must be strongly supported to become Hokage.]
The next second, an angry shout silenced the entire room.
"Everyone, quiet down!"
It was Hiruzen Sarutobi. He slammed his hand on the table and stood up. Everyone looked at him, awaiting his final judgment on Danzo.
However, what Hiruzen Sarutobi said next left everyone's minds blank.
"This document is purely fabricated! It is a shameless slander against an elder who has dedicated his life to Konoha!" He declared righteously, his face showing undeniable fury, "My decision is made; the Fifth Hokage will be Danzo Shimura! Anyone who dares to object is an enemy to me and an enemy to Konoha!"
The conference room fell into a deathly silence.
Everyone looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with the eyes of someone watching a madman. They couldn't understand why the Hokage's attitude had changed 180 degrees in an instant.
The atmosphere became incredibly bizarre.
In the corner, the masked Naruto observed everything
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