"You're injured?" Sasori finally emerged from the esophagus of the Giant Rock Toad, only to find that the battle outside had already concluded. It felt as if his powerful punch had landed on a cushion of cotton.
"Brother Sasori, are you concerned about me?" Deidara joked.
"Shut up!"
Looking at the mess around him, Sasori realized the intensity of the battle had exceeded his expectations.
In such a short time, Deidara had grown to this level! It made Sasori, as his senior, feel somewhat overshadowed!
No, I must enhance my strength!
Deidara had mentioned the Wood Release puppets last time. It's time to join forces with Orochimaru and speed up the research.
"Hey! Brother Sasori, where are you rushing off to?" Deidara asked curiously.
"To find Orochimaru!"
...
Konoha!
The village was truly shrouded in gloom this time! Although the casualties were far fewer than in the previous defeat, the Third Hokage was dead! And he had died within his own village.
This was the greatest blow to Konoha's prestige. How would the other four great ninja villages view Konoha?
Oh!
Isn't this Konoha, the so-called strongest ninja village? How did it become so weak in just a few years? The Hokage was openly assassinated within the village, and the culprits got away scot-free. How laughable!
So, in this leaderless state, the first priority was to choose someone capable of taking on the responsibility as the Fifth Hokage, to unite the people internally and deter threats externally, to get through this difficult period.
Based on past experiences, there were only two viable candidates for the position of the Fifth Hokage: Jiraiya and Tsunade. Compared to them, others had significant shortcomings.
For instance, Kakashi lacked experience, and Danzo was too old and had a less-than-stellar reputation.
In the original story, Danzo had to wait until Jiraiya died, Tsunade's fate was uncertain, and Konoha was in a state of emergency before he could become Hokage. During the Chunin Exams when the Third died, he had no part in it.
Even then, it was only after he slandered Kakashi to the Daimyo that he finally succeeded in becoming Hokage.
But things are different now!
Who dares say that I, Shimura Danzo, am not qualified!
If it weren't for me, Shimura Danzo, leading the Root to eliminate Orochimaru's "reinforcements" and fighting him off in the final battle, Konoha would have been doomed!
I, Shimura Danzo, am the great hero who saved Konoha!
Moreover, this time, Shimura Danzo successfully redeemed himself. It turns out that Lord Danzo wasn't just idling around; he was genuinely protecting Konoha in silence!
He was fulfilling justice in the shadows!
True to the Root's name!
Deep underground, silently guarding Konoha, seeking no rewards or fame. We used to maliciously speculate about them!
I am truly a heinous person!
Thus, naturally, Shimura Danzo was now just a step away from becoming Hokage!
What was that step?
It was the nomination from the Hokage's advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu. Though they usually held less weight than Danzo, they had significant influence over the choice of the next Hokage at crucial moments.
And these two were seasoned politicians, usually relying on Danzo to balance Sarutobi Hiruzen and protect their own power, appearing to have a good relationship with Danzo.
But now, they were showing their true colors. Could they let Danzo become Hokage?
Once someone with such a strong desire for power like Danzo became Hokage, they would be left with nothing, eventually becoming mere figurehead elders.
"So, our opinion is to choose either Jiraiya or Tsunade to succeed as the Fifth Hokage," Utatane Koharu stated.
In the Hokage's office, led by Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, clan heads of Konoha's major ninja clans were gathered, along with department heads like the Anbu Commander, Medical Department Head, Barrier Corps Head, Education Department Head, Interrogation Department Head, and the newly reformed Police Force Head, Shimura Kiyoto.
Also present were high-ranking Jonin like Kakashi, the newly famous Jonin Might Guy, and the Third's son, Sarutobi Asuma.
In short, all the prominent figures in Konoha were there. After all, this was a discussion about the next Hokage. They weren't like Sarutobi Hiruzen, who could make such a decision unilaterally.
Jiraiya! Tsunade!
Upon hearing these two names, everyone nodded in agreement, without any objections.
As for Danzo, his situation was that no one opposed him, but no one actively supported him either.
This made Danzo anxious! Damn it! Among all these high-ranking members of Konoha, was there not one person who recognized my talents, Shimura Danzo?
Was there not one person willing to speak on my behalf?
I have contributed to Konoha, shed blood for the village!
To complete this act, I even sacrificed several Sharingan!
Perhaps Danzo's silent cries were heard, as someone suddenly stepped forward in the Hokage's office and declared loudly, "I object!"
Hmm?
Everyone turned in surprise to look at the person who voiced their opposition.
Shimura Kiyoto, unfazed by the scrutiny, slightly raised his head, looking at Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu with disdain.
"There is someone in Konoha more qualified to be the Fifth Hokage!"
"And you two are ignoring the obvious choice! What are your motives?"
Wow! He went straight for personal attacks, implying that Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were driven by personal interests in recommending Jiraiya and Tsunade.
While that might be true, it couldn't be admitted!
Mitokado Homura raised his head, frowning as he met Shimura Kiyoto's gaze. "Shimura Kiyoto, what do you mean by that?"
"What do I mean?"
"Lord Danzo of the Root, in terms of seniority, is a peer of the late Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, far surpassing the younger Jiraiya and Tsunade."
"In terms of contributions, Lord Danzo has worked diligently for years, while Jiraiya and Tsunade have been away from the village for many years. Whose contributions are greater?"
"In terms of responsibility, Lord Danzo rises early and retires late, tirelessly protecting Konoha. And those two? They enjoy their freedom outside, far inferior to Lord Danzo!"
"In terms of strength, Lord Danzo defeated Orochimaru, a fellow Sannin, with a single move. Jiraiya and Tsunade wouldn't last three moves against him!"
"In terms of reputation, who in the ninja world doesn't fear the darkness? Once he becomes Hokage, it will immediately deter those with greedy eyes. As for Jiraiya and Tsunade,"
"If they become Hokage, others might think Konoha has turned into a big bathhouse or a giant casino!"
"I ask you! Why not propose Lord Danzo as Hokage, but instead suggest those two?"
"What are your motives?"
Bravo! Truly impressive!
How had I not noticed such talent within the Shimura clan before?
Konoha needs someone like you who dares to speak the truth!
Danzo truly wanted to applaud loudly, but mindful of his image, he maintained a composed demeanor, sitting there with his facial muscles twitching slightly, wanting to smile but holding back.
"Kiyoto! Mind your manners!"
Seeing everyone's attention shift to him, Danzo waited a few seconds for the right moment before standing up, pretending to scold Shimura Kiyoto in the center of the room.
"Lord Danzo! These are my heartfelt words!"
"I understand!"
"To not disappoint everyone's expectations, I will reluctantly accept the position of Hokage."
Everyone: "..."
Wow, you didn't even pretend to decline? And who is expecting you? Stop making things up!
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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