Chapter 118: Danzo Shimura Is About to Take Power
"Swish!"
A massive Sword Qi, infused with Chakra, suddenly surged toward Jiraiya. This caused Jiraiya, who was standing on top of Gamahiro's head, to narrow his eyes. Through this immensely powerful Sword Qi, Jiraiya was suddenly reminded of the White Fang of Konoha, Sakumo Hatake, during his Peak period.
"Clang!"
Gamahiro was also a master of the sword. Although it did not belong to the human race, its massive size often represented immense strength. Its plain and unadorned block erupted with the power that Gamahiro should possess.
Uzumaki Kenshin, who was attacking from mid-air, was not annoyed that his attack had been blocked. He simply adjusted his forward momentum, and the ninja sword in his hand was unsheathed once more.
"Gamahiro, return to Mount Myōboku..."
"But..."
"This is an internal matter of Konoha, so there is no need for your help." Jiraiya wore a bitter expression. Although Hiruzen Sarutobi had his faults in the past, the deceased should be respected. Now that his body was not yet cold, such a situation had occurred, which made Jiraiya's already heavy heart feel even worse.
"Jiraiya, you kid, don't try to be a hero. Remember to come find me if you encounter something difficult to handle!"
Before leaving, Gamahiro instructed Jiraiya, then followed Jiraiya's words and, along with Gamabunta, dissipated into a puff of smoke, reappearing in Mount Myōboku in the blink of an eye.
After the two large toads disappeared, Jiraiyablocked the sword attack from Uzumaki Kenshin. He did not engage in a prolonged fight with him, but instead, after a few leaps, stood not far from Danzo Shimura.
"Danzo, Konoha is currently in a time of crisis, and our teacher's body is not yet cold. I truly cannot imagine that you could actually take things to this extent!" Jiraiya's face was gloomy as he pointed at Danzo Shimura from a distance, nearly cursing him out loud.
"As long as you did not participate in this incident, there will be a conclusion later." Danzo Shimuraremained unmoved. "Hand over the Jinchuriki of the Hidden Sand Village to me, then surrender, and you will still be able to maintain some dignity."
"And if I don't?!"
"Then don't blame this old man for not considering your past contributions and having the Root Ninjaforcibly take you away for interrogation!"
Seeing the atmosphere between Jiraiya and Danzo Shimura becoming increasingly tense, and with the escaping Hidden Sand Village Ninjas—except for Baki, who was leading Rasa's two children—having been mostly wiped out, the Konoha Ninjas finally had the opportunity to handle Konoha's internal affairs.
"Danzo Shimura!" Asuma Sarutobi stepped forward at this moment. "I don't care whether you are doing this for Konoha or for yourself, but right now my father..."
"I am also deeply grieved by Hiruzen's sacrifice." Danzo Shimura remained as steady as a mountain. "But Konoha cannot go a single day without a leader, especially in such a critical moment!"
"Even if our teacher has sacrificed himself, it is not your turn to be the Hokage of Konoha!" Jiraiyaassumed an offensive stance, which made the Anbu guarding Danzo Shimura feel as if they were facing a great enemy. "Furthermore, who gets to be the Hokage of Konoha is naturally decided by a vote among Konoha's Jonin and high-ranking officials. Now is not the time for you, Danzo Shimura, to make the final decision!"
"I certainly support electing the Hokage by vote; this has always been the tradition, and no one can break this system." Danzo Shimura looked as if he had victory in his grasp. "But before the election, you, as the prime suspect, still need to be arrested and brought to justice!"
"I do not agree!" Asuma Sarutobi was the first to step out and support Jiraiya.
"I also do not agree with you arresting Lord Jiraiyawithout authorization!" Kurenai Yuhi followed closely behind.
"I also stand on Lord Jiraiya's side." This was Might Guy.
"Although Lord Jiraiya was once a teammate of Orochimaru, I also support Lord Jiraiya's innocence!" Anko Mitarashi also stepped forward.
"Although our three clans only take orders from the Hokage, Danzo, you are not yet the Hokage, so we naturally do not need to follow your orders." Nara Shikaku represented the Ino–Shika–Chō clans. Although they did not completely align with Jiraiya, they would not take orders from Danzo Shimuraeither.
"I also oppose arresting Lord Jiraiya!"
"Lord Jiraiya is a hero who protected Konoha!"
"We..."
At this moment, the factions within Konoha were completely exposed. Most of the Jonin present had been personally promoted by Hiruzen Sarutobi. For Danzo Shimura to think he could command them by relying on his identity as the leader of the Rootwas undoubtedly a fantasy.
"If that is the case, then don't blame this old man!" Danzo Shimura let out a cold snort. The Root Ninjabehind him stirred, ready to act. As long as Danzo Shimura gave the order, they would definitely rush forward at the first opportunity.
After the invasion by external enemies, internal strife was about to unfold in Konoha under the leadership of Danzo Shimura, which put Jiraiya, who was wholeheartedly devoted to Konoha, in a dilemma.
"I am very grateful for your trust." Jiraiya first thanked the Konoha Jonin who supported him, then changed the subject, intending to quell this internal disturbance in Konoha. "But let it be this way: I agree to let Konoha launch an investigation into me, but it absolutely should not be you who judges me, Danzo Shimura!"
Danzo Shimura was secretly delighted, but his expression remained calm as usual. "I do not intend to judge you; it is just that you are indeed a suspect!"
"As the head of the Interrogation Department of the Anbu directly under the Hokage, I think handing Jiraiya over to me to handle is the best choice." Ibiki Morino's fierce face was expressionless, and his words were as stiff and cold as ice shards. "The most urgent matter right now is to clear out the invaders, pacify the civilians, protect the various daimyo as they evacuate Konoha, and then launch a reckoning against the Hidden Sand Village and the Sound Village!"
Ibiki Morino, this powerful Anbu department head, finally stepped forward. Although he did not forcefully protect Jiraiya, his words clearly stood on Jiraiya's side, and there were very few loopholes in them, making it impossible for any of the Ninjas present to find fault.
Danzo Shimura could only let out a cold snort as a form of acquiescence. Although his power was still no match for the Hokage faction left behind by Hiruzen Sarutobi, Hiruzen Sarutobi was now dead, and he had managed to frame Jiraiya, who had the highest support, with a trumped-up charge. This could already be counted as a victory in the first stage.
However, Danzo Shimura still did not intend to completely give up the idea of making the charges against Jiraiya stick. "My Root also has an Interrogation Department. I think since both belong to the Anbu, there should be no problem in conducting a joint interrogation of Jiraiya, right?"
Although Danzo Shimura was asking for others' opinions, after speaking, he directly named two people and had them stand on either side of Ibiki Morino. The implication was self-evident.
"As the person second only to Hiruzen in status, seniority, and power, I will temporarily take over the command of Konoha and act as the Fifth Hokage. Does anyone have any objections?!"
"I..."
The Ninjas who had just supported Jiraiya wanted to speak up again, but at Jiraiya's signal, they all kept their mouths shut. After uttering a few sparse words, they could only lower their heads and remain silent.
"Since there are no objections, then I order..."
"Wait!"
Kakashi Hatake, walking with a staggering gait, suddenly appeared in the middle of the field. There was a fatal puncture wound in his chest, and blood seeped down his pant leg, soaking his soles and leaving a trail of clear, visible bloody footprints on the ground.
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