The Hyuga Shall Stand Above, In The Heavens!

Throughout the history of the shinobi world.

The Kage of each village are respected beings.

Being able to command a hundred with a single call is just the basics.

And each Kage possesses their own staunch beliefs and incomparable personal charm.

Not to mention how dark the village is, but there's a saying that's indeed true.

It's not about becoming Hokage to be recognized, but being recognized as the true Hokage.

Those who become Hokage are also those who have made outstanding contributions to the village.

However, it seems that these don't quite apply to the great old village chief.

His position as Hokage was inherited from his teacher. Initially, he said he would cut ties, and those who recognized him were just a few other guards. In the end, he didn't cut ties, and it was his teacher who died.

After ascending to the position, the Third Hokage never made any remarkable contributions.

So, it was only natural that after the war, he created a precedent in the shinobi world and was ousted!

But that's not the end of it.

The old village chief finally stood out during the Nine-Tails incident and gained recognition, but now that recognition has vanished with the terrifying public opinion.

He even made history again, becoming the only Kage who was scorned by all the villagers.

It's easy to imagine that once this incident spreads throughout the ninja world, Konohagakure will undoubtedly become a laughingstock, and Sarutobi Hiruzen will be recorded in the annals of ninja history as a negative example for all villages.

Of course, to some extent, for Sarutobi, who cares deeply about his legacy and reputation, this is a good thing.

Regardless of the nature of the fame, at least he will be remembered by everyone, which is not something just anyone can achieve. That's a skill in itself!

On the field...

The ninjas of Konohagakure, watching their highly respected old leader being so acknowledged by the villagers, also feel a bit bitter.

In their view, although the Third Hokage may have become somewhat incompetent, as a ruler who inherited his position, he's not that incapable.

The chaos caused by the Nine-Tails wasn't his doing, and it's very likely that it had nothing to do with the Uchiha clan either, probably just mutual slander.

But these are not matters for them to discuss.

Nor is it a reason for the villagers to point fingers and curse at the Hokage.

There has never been a Hokage so unpopular in history!

When the Hokage is criticized, they too will lose face outside, a tactic that leads to mutual destruction.

After all, the Hokage is the spiritual totem of a village, and it's hard to say what to make of one who has brought the position to such a state.

Nara Shikaku now deeply regrets siding with the old village chief so early.

With his wisdom, it's not hard to imagine the outcome of today's events.

Even if the old village chief goes all out and pays the price to maintain his position as Hokage, the people's hearts have already scattered, and the team will be even harder to lead. As supporters of the Third, the Ino-Shika-Cho clans will definitely be affected.

After a disaster of the magnitude of the Nine-Tails' chaos, arguing about who's right and who's wrong is meaningless. The visible cost of the higher-ups' power struggle is a village torn apart.

So, what good does creating this situation do for the Hyuga clan?

Nara Shikaku doesn't understand this point, and he frowns as he glances at Hyuga Hitoshi.

As Konohagakure's strategist, a true military advisor, he naturally understands that it's not so easy to sway the villagers.

Anyone with clear sight knows that those villagers who speak up are definitely being directed by someone.

Are you kidding? Do you really think the villagers have the guts to openly denounce the Hokage?

Don't be ridiculous.

Even a Hokage like Sarutobi has the support of the Sarutobi clan behind him, as well as the Anbu assassination squad. Under normal circumstances, no one with a brain would be swayed.

But today is different.

On this square, flattened by the Nine-Tails, under various "ironclad evidences," and in the silent resignation of the old village chief, the timing, the location, and the people are all aligned, and the weapon of public opinion has been amplified a hundredfold!

And when everyone is dissatisfied, and someone boldly speaks up, everything becomes logical.

The law does not punish the masses, and even if there's a reckoning after the fact, do you dare to kill everyone?

This smooth combination of moves is indeed a blatant scheme.

Thinking of this, Nara Shikaku can't help but admire Hyuga Hitoshi.

However, the farce must eventually end. After some thought, Nara Shikaku considers the possibility of pushing Hyuga Hitoshi to take the lead, then steps forward to approach.

He wants to have a good talk with this patriarch of the Hyuga clan.

But unfortunately, before he can get close, a figure rushes from afar, charging into the center of the square and kneeling with a thud.

In just an instant, he attracts everyone's attention.

But it's not because he's kneeling to the denounced Hokage-sama.

But it wasn't just that,

It was his ninja vest, already stained red with blood!

The atmosphere on the field changed abruptly.

Anyone could see that this person had just been through a great battle, paying a heavy price to rush back to the village!

A heavy air spread over everyone's hearts.

Even though the villagers and ninjas had their guesses, they all fell silent, waiting in agony.

"Third Hokage, the Fourth Raikage has assembled a large force from Kumogakure Village for a frontal assault on the Land of Fire, breaking through two defense lines in succession! Lord Akamichi is requesting reinforcements!"

It's over!

War is upon us!

Everyone in the square went pale, their eyes filled with despair.

After the Nine-Tails' chaos, they had all speculated that Konohagakure's enemies would take advantage of their vulnerability, but they still held onto a sliver of hope.

After all, Konohagakure was now too weak, and the previous war had greatly depleted the village's vitality. The arrival of war at this critical moment was not good news.

The ninjas' gazes became grave, and they clenched their fists in silence.

Even Uchiha Fugaku let go of Kakashi and sighed.

No one likes war, except for madmen.

Kumogakure Village's aggressive approach and the Raikage's intention to celebrate in Konohagakure were not just talk; the pressure on the front lines was likely greater than imagined!

Everyone's mood was heavy.

But there are always exceptions.

For example, the old village chief, who had just been under pressure, and his companions, now all breathed a sigh of relief.

In times of war, unity is paramount!

Deep in Sarutobi's eyes, there was even a hint of ecstasy. Good timing, Raikage! The opportunity to make amends had come, hadn't it?

Danzo looked at the old village chief with envy.

He thought the old village chief was about to be ousted again, but as fate would have it, the old village chief stood up once more!

It seemed that with the reduced pressure, the old village chief's intelligence also quickly took the high ground.

The Third Hokage looked serious, straightened his back, and surveyed the surroundings.

"I can swear on my life that the Nine-Tails' chaos was not my doing!"

The old village chief swore, and although the oath was not very strong, it still attracted everyone's attention again.

"But what Patriarch Fugaku said earlier is correct. According to Patriarch Fugaku's method, the Nine-Tails' chaos could indeed have been mitigated, and I did not consider this while fighting the Nine-Tails. It was a genuine dereliction of duty!" Sarutobi said with a pained expression.

"However, I swear that I absolutely did not order Shimura Danzo to hinder the Uchiha clan. That was not my command!"

Danzo was furious, wanting to confront Sarutobi on the spot, but Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu firmly covered his mouth.

"Danzo! The bigger picture is what matters! The bigger picture!"

Indeed.

Someone had to take the blame, and Danzo knew it, but he felt bitter and stifled inside!

"As for the Sharingan that controlled the Nine-Tails, sharing the same essence as Kakashi's Sharingan, I will investigate this matter," Sarutobi said solemnly.

"As Hokage, I will not let anyone who endangers Konohagakure go unpunished! I will give everyone an explanation for this matter, please rest assured!"

"But right now, dealing with Kumogakure Village is the top priority! Please understand!"

After finishing, the old village chief exhaled a breath of turbid air, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and glanced at Fugaku with a subtle look.

"Half an hour later, the war council will commence!"

Witnessing everything, Patriarch Hitoshi chuckled softly, making a discreet 'stop' gesture before speaking in a low voice.

"Tsk, how dull."

---------------------------------------

You can read 15 chapters ahead on patre on

patr eon.com/JYouyi