Hiruzen was truly worried that if this incident wasn't handled properly, someone would seize upon it and launch a fierce attack, making it impossible for him to remain as Hokage.
What's more, Koharu's messy affairs were not limited to just this one. Who knew how much evidence Shin might have? Would he expose one thing after another?
If he tried to forcibly suppress this matter and more incidents came to light, he would inevitably become the target of public outrage. But now, villagers and many ninjas had already gathered in front of the Hokage Building, demanding that he come out and explain.
This matter could no longer be delayed. No matter what, he had to show up.
After hesitating for ten minutes, he finally made up his mind. If he didn't protect Koharu, things would explode immediately. He knew better than anyone how stubborn she was.
Given the current situation, the only option was to forcefully protect her for now and plan further steps afterward.
As he walked to the front of the Hokage Building and looked at the dense crowd, he was in a foul mood. Even now, he still didn't know who was behind this attack on him.
"The Hokage has come out!" someone shouted, and the entire crowd instantly quieted down.
Hiruzen looked at the sea of people and immediately put on a smile. "I'm very sorry to have kept you all waiting so long. After all, investigating certain matters takes time. I have already sent people to inventory our strategic supply warehouse, and the matter has been fully investigated. After the inventory, all strategic materials in the warehouse matched the records. The rumor that Koharu sold materials from the strategic warehouse is unfounded. As an elder, she would never do anything to harm the village's interests. On the contrary, she has worked diligently and earnestly for many years. I hope everyone can trust her. Lately, there have been many rumors in Konoha that undermine unity and attempt to divide us. I hope everyone can remain rational and discerning, and not be used by those with ill intent."
"Hokage-sama, is what you're saying true?" someone finally asked with a sigh of relief.
"Absolutely," Hiruzen replied with a smile. "Please trust me, this is a serious matter that concerns the safety of the village. I would never deceive you."
After all, he was still the Hokage. Although many in the village had growing dissatisfaction with him, his public assurance still carried some weight.
After another hour-long speech about dedication to the village, the tired villagers finally began to slowly disperse.
---
Back in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen was overwhelmed with regret.
He deeply regretted it.
He regretted that he had not resisted the tremendous convenience that came with power, nor the repeated persuasions of Koharu and Danzō, which led him down a path of no return. If he had stayed clean, how could any of this have implicated him?
Without this mess, not only could he have continued as Hokage in peace, he could have taken this opportunity to strip Koharu and Danzō of their power. Then, with all authority in his hands, he could have become a Hokage with as much absolute authority in the village as Ōnoki or the Third Raikage.
Unfortunately, there was no medicine for regret in this world.
Now that things had come to this point, he could only grit his teeth and push forward. And the most urgent task was to get through the immediate crisis. But just as this thought arose in his mind, an image suddenly flashed through his mind.
It was the scene of Tsunade discovering a problem in the strategic supply warehouse. The moment the image appeared, his soul nearly left his body. Cold sweat poured down, and he was completely stunned.
When he finally came to his senses, he was already so panicked that he couldn't even speak. His body trembled violently, completely out of control.
He had once again foreseen the future, but this time, it was after he had finished his public speech and given his personal assurance in front of all of Konoha that there were no problems with the strategic reserve warehouse.
Less than an hour had passed between then and now.
When his emotions reached the breaking point, he completely collapsed.
A few minutes later, tears suddenly streamed down his face. He slumped into his chair, looking as though he had lost all hope in life.
Why?
Why did this prophetic vision only come after my speech?
Would it have been so hard for it to come just an hour earlier?
If I had foreseen this image earlier, my response would have been completely different.
But now, as Hokage, I made a public promise, and then immediately had a vision showing that there is a problem with the strategic reserve warehouse.
Oh Sage of Six Paths, why must you torment me like this?
If the strategic reserve warehouse really does have an issue, I... I… what should I do?
No, maybe the vision is fake. Yes, it must be fake.
In a daze, like a soul lost, he staggered his way to Koharu's office.
When he saw her looking overjoyed at having survived the crisis, he immediately flew into a rage and shouted, "I want you to tell me the truth, are you absolutely sure there's no deficit in the strategic reserve warehouse?"
"Hiruzen!" It was the first time Koharu had ever been scolded by him like this. Her eyes filled with tears as she said with deep grievance, "Even you don't believe me?"
To make up for the shortfall, she had spent a significant amount from her own pocket. After suffering such a big loss and still being doubted, she felt heartbroken, truly heartbroken.
"Of course I trust you," Hiruzen said, his anger deflating instantly at the sight of her expression. He let out a weak sigh, "It's just that Tsunade is so aggressive… if she found anything at all, I'm afraid we won't be able to weather this storm."
"It's really fine!" Koharu promised. "If you don't believe me, you can ask..."
---
"You're saying Hiruzen publicly denied the accusation and promised the villagers he wasn't lying?"
At the Senju clan's estate, Mito asked in surprise.
"Yes," Tsunade nodded.
"Hiruzen has truly brought this upon himself," Mito shook her head, already seeing how it would all end.
"Tsunade-nesan, what does she mean by that?" Kushina, innocent as ever, asked in confusion.
Recently, Mito hadn't just been teaching her sealing techniques, she'd also been teaching her many other things. As a result, Kushina, who never used to think much, had slowly begun to learn how to analyze and reflect. But she still had a simple mind, and hadn't been studying for long.
Many things still didn't click for her right away.
Tsunade explained, "The Hokage is the leader of Konoha. His credibility carries tremendous weight, it's his greatest tool for governing. Without it, even if he's powerful, he won't be able to earn the people's respect. Previously, he was overly passive and refused to send troops to aid the Land of Whirlpools. That already hurt his reputation and made him seem weak and incapable. In the past few months, rumors harmful to him have been spreading all over Konoha, further damaging his credibility. And now, he's lied to the villagers in public. If that lie is exposed, what do you think will happen?"
Kushina thought for a moment and said, "If he loses the people's trust again… he might not be able to stay Hokage anymore."
"Exactly!" Tsunade smiled with satisfaction.
She didn't expect Kushina to actually have a brain after all.
Just as that thought crossed her mind, she turned to Shin and asked, "What should I do next?"
"Why, make sure he completely loses his credibility," Shin replied with a faint smile. "He is already on the path to destruction. Now all we need is a trigger, something to completely shatter the villagers' trust in him. And it's our job to reveal that trigger."