"Damn it."
Danzō Shimura's entire face darkened, his knuckles white as he tightly gripped his cane.
This move by Hiruzen Sarutobi completely disrupted his plans.
Since Hiruzen Sarutobi, as the Hokage, had already taken the blame, could he, the leader of Anbu Root who was directly named, really plead innocence and claim he bore no responsibility?
This was an intention to drag him down along with himself before "dying."
No, that's not right.
A more sinister light flashed in Danzō's eyes.
Even if Hiruzen stepped down, he could still retreat behind the scenes as a Hokage Advisor, similar to when Minato Namikaze took over, and still maintain control over the Anbu through his old subordinates for a short period.
The deeper purpose for this urgent dissolution of "Root" and its full takeover by Anbu is likely far more than just weakening me...
It's to pave the way for the next Hokage!
He wants to seize this opportunity to thoroughly eliminate me, the greatest threat and most unstable factor to the Hokage position, and create a "clean" power environment for his preferred successor!
The thought immediately made Danzō recall Hiruzen's recent questioning about the Hyūga Clan incident, and his heart gave a sudden jump.
Could it be that Hiruzen has already realized I obtained the "Caged Bird" Cursed Seal?
Wouldn't that mean...
"Third Hokage-sama." Shikaku Nara opened his mouth, subconsciously wanting to say something, perhaps to make the customary attempt to persuade him to stay, but Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his hand and cut him off.
"Spare me the polite theatrics of 'declining the position three times.'"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was calm: "Everyone knows that I returned to this position because the Fourth Hokage suddenly died in the line of duty, and I had to step in at a critical moment, an act of necessity."
"Now, Konoha has suffered heavy damage, and internal and external challenges are unprecedentedly severe. We urgently need a leader with more boldness who can guide the village through the complex future."
"I am old, and my energy is failing. It is time to pass this heavy responsibility to someone more capable."
He couldn't help but sigh here: "This is not a decision made on a whim, but the most responsible choice I have made after careful consideration."
"Now, please proceed with your nominations."
Hiruzen Sarutobi gave no one time to hesitate or offer further appeals. He took the lead, without any hesitation, and stated clearly: "I nominate, Jiraiya."
The moment these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the entire conference room instantly solidified, then became incredibly subtle.
Not Hyūga Kawa?
It's actually not Hyūga Kawa?
Many people, including Shikaku Nara, frowned, glancing at the newly appointed Hyūga Clan Head.
Hyūga Kawa sat there, his expression calm, as if the nomination result was no surprise, making it impossible to guess his true thoughts.
Why?
Neji Hyūga, in order to avoid being remotely cursed by the "Caged Bird Cursed Seal" after defecting, had already killed all the Main House members who possessed the "Caged Bird Cursed Seal" technique.
Even the forbidden archive containing the "Caged Bird Cursed Seal" had been burned to the ground by him.
Even if Neji Hyūga took the "Caged Bird Cursed Seal" with him, it wouldn't matter. Activating the "Caged Bird Cursed Seal" only works within the same bloodline branch.
For example, Tetsu Hyūga belonged to Hayato Hyūga's branch, so Higo Hyūga could not activate the Cursed Seal on him.
Only Hiashi Hyūga, the main branch, and the Main House members of Hayato Hyūga's branch could activate the Cursed Seal on Tetsu Hyūga.
The reason Kamon Hyūga brought people into Taka Hyūga's hospital room was precisely because of this.
Taka Hyūga and Iroha Hyūga were not from the same branch, so it required two Main House members to subdue him.
Neji Hyūga and Hyūga Kawa were also not from the same branch, so controlling the Caged Bird Cursed Seal was meaningless.
This was no secret.
Therefore, in their view, the last remaining threat was gone, and Hyūga Kawa was truly "free."
He was powerful, his prestige was at its peak, making him the most ideal candidate for the Fifth Hokage.
Why would Hiruzen Sarutobi abandon this most suitable person who could best stabilize the situation, and nominate Jiraiya, who was constantly away and had a volatile personality?
Could he still have misgivings about the Hyūga Clan, or perhaps about Hyūga Kawa personally? Worried about the clan's power growing too large?
But in this time of crisis, stability and strength should be the primary considerations, making that slight reservation seem insufficient as a reason.
Or perhaps...
Is it out of personal self-interest?
Is he worried that the seemingly gentle but actually dominant Hyūga Kawa, once in power, would completely sideline these "old ministers from the former dynasty," thereby eroding their influence over the village?
Various speculations flashed through everyone's minds, their gazes involuntarily drifting to the nominated Jiraiya and the expressionless Tsunade beside him.
"I second the nomination, I nominate Jiraiya."
"Agreed, Jiraiya is a suitable candidate."
Amidst the silent suspicion, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado spoke up one after the other, almost immediately following Hiruzen Sarutobi's statement.
Three votes.
And these were three highly influential votes from the Third Hokage and two Hokage Advisors.
This was no longer a simple nomination but a signal of political consensus.
Everyone now clearly realized that the situation was far more complex than it appeared on the surface.
The time to choose sides might truly have arrived.
"As expected..."
A cold light flashed in Danzō Shimura's narrowed single eye.
Koharu and Homura's swift endorsement only confirmed his suspicion that Hiruzen Sarutobi absolutely knew about his secret acquisition of the "Caged Bird Cursed Seal."
And it was highly likely that Hiruzen suspected he was using it to control Hyūga Kawa.
Otherwise, there was no explanation for why he would exclude Hyūga Kawa and instead support the unsuitable Jiraiya for the Hokage position.
In fact, Danzō Shimura had indeed obtained the Caged Bird Cursed Seal scroll, so he knew more than the others.
While others believed the Caged Bird Cursed Seal required the same bloodline branch, in reality, the seal was activated through the Byakugan, a Byakugan of the same branch, not the bloodline as others assumed.
And he possessed several pairs of Byakugan from Main House members, including those of Hyūga Kawa's branch.
"However, given Hiruzen's cautious, almost conservative personality,"
Danzō pondered, "he likely wouldn't disclose top-secret information like Hyūga Kawa potentially being under my control—information that could cause panic—to fence-sitters like Koharu and Homura."
"In his view, if those two knew that the hilt of the sharp sword that is Hyūga Kawa might be in my hand, it's possible they might support me for their own self-interest..."
Danzō Shimura indeed knew Hiruzen Sarutobi and his two old friends well.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado did not have the same intense opposition to his becoming Hokage as Hiruzen Sarutobi did.
Just like in the original story, after Pain attacked Konoha and Tsunade fell into a coma, when Danzō volunteered his candidacy to the Daimyō, the two advisors did not stop him.
Regardless of who took the position, they would remain advisors.
But if Hyūga Kawa came to power, that might not be the case.
This must be the real reason why the two would cooperate with Hiruzen Sarutobi to oppose Hyūga Kawa becoming Hokage.
"Damn it," Danzō cursed internally, his eyes flickering rapidly.
The situation was now passive.
His original plan was to stay behind the scenes and let Hiruzen Sarutobi nominate the strongest candidate, Hyūga Kawa, out of a sense of "public duty."
He would then feign reluctant agreement, both gaining the reward and avoiding premature exposure.
But now, Hiruzen Sarutobi had directly blocked that path, pushing Jiraiya to the forefront instead.
It went without saying that the Anbu Commander would also nominate Jiraiya, and Shikaku Nara would likely follow the prevailing wind...
Just as Danzō Shimura was hesitating whether to nominate Hyūga Kawa himself, Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared calm but was quietly waiting, his peripheral vision locked on Danzō.
He truly had not informed Koharu and Homura about Danzō potentially controlling Hyūga Kawa, both due to knowing their wavering nature and for secrecy.
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi also knew that arbitrarily excluding Hyūga Kawa might cause controversy.
Therefore, his move to unite the two advisors in backing Jiraiya was meant to create pressure on Danzō, forcing Danzō to personally step in and nominate Hyūga Kawa.
He was betting that, given Danzō's hunger for the Hokage seat, he would never easily give up the trump card that was Hyūga Kawa.
And once Danzō, a man with a poor reputation among the elders, publicly supported Hyūga Kawa, it would inevitably trigger caution and dislike from others.
What would moderates like Shikaku Nara think?
How would the heads of other ninja clans view it?
They would certainly suspect an unknown connection between Hyūga Kawa and Danzō, and question whether his position was truly pure.
In this way, not only would Danzō's plot fail, but Hyūga Kawa's nomination would also face resistance due to his association with Danzō, thus clearing the way for Jiraiya to take the position.
This was a masterful psychological battle and political maneuver.
Compared to the cunning and experienced Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had led Konoha for decades, Danzō's schemes truly seemed a bit like "petty cleverness."
The air in the conference room seemed to freeze, everyone's eyes shifting between Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya, and Hyūga Kawa.
The Ino-Shika-Chō trio exchanged quick glances. Inoichi Yamanaka and Chōza Akimichi simultaneously shot an anxious look at Shikaku Nara.
What should we do?
Who do we side with?
Hurry and use your clever brain to think!
"..." Feeling their gaze, Shikaku Nara frowned, opened his mouth, and was about to say something.
However, right at that moment, a calm female voice broke the eerie silence.
"I nominate Hyūga Kawa."
Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi abruptly turned his head, his face etched with unprecedented shock and disbelief, staring intently at the aloof Tsunade.
The person who spoke was none other than Tsunade.
She sat with her arms crossed, leaning against the chair, her face devoid of any expression. She didn't even look at anyone, staring straight ahead, as if merely stating an obvious fact.
What is Tsunade doing?
Didn't we already agree to jointly nominate Jiraiya to take the position?!
Hiruzen Sarutobi's careful planning was completely shattered by his two most trusted disciples turning on him at this crucial moment!
This feeling of being "backstabbed" left him both shocked and enraged.
What made Hiruzen Sarutobi's blood pressure skyrocket even more was that almost immediately after Tsunade's words fell, Jiraiya, in whom he had placed so much hope, also spoke.
"Ahem, well, since Tsunade said so..."
He glanced at Tsunade, then looked at Hyūga Kawa, giving a grin: "Honestly, everyone has seen Kawa's performance. His strength and boldness are beyond question."
"I think a younger person can bring about a new era, so..."
"I also nominate Hyūga Kawa."
Boom!
This was like pouring a ladle of cold water into a boiling pot of oil; the entire conference room erupted into chaos.
"Jiraiya! You!" Hiruzen Sarutobi could no longer remain composed. He roared in a low voice, his face flushed with shock and fury.
The situation he had meticulously planned was broken by the joint action of his two most trusted disciples!
The shock and anger of being "betrayed" overwhelmed him.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were also stunned. They frowned and looked at each other, clearly not expecting things to unfold this way.
At this moment, the deep joy and surprise in Danzō Shimura's previously gloomy eye were impossible to suppress.
What a turn of events!
What a spectacular turn of events!
Jiraiya and Tsunade actually defected.
Hahahaha, Hiruzen, you have this day too!
Danzō subconsciously looked at Hyūga Kawa, who still maintained a subtle, unreadable smile.
He had initially thought he would have to watch this opportunity slip away, just like when Minato Namikaze took the position, but unexpectedly...
Indeed, choosing the right "ally" is the most important thing.
Hmph, Hyūga Kawa is certainly different from that trash Orochimaru.
"Sorry, Old Man."
Meeting Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze, which was practically shooting fire, Jiraiya scratched his head and sighed, his tone carrying a mix of helplessness and determination. "I genuinely am not suited to be the Hokage."
"In just the few days you were away from Konoha, just dealing with the mountain of paperwork nearly drove me insane. I'd rather go fight the Fourth Raikage."
He tried to lighten the mood with a casual tone, but seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's face getting darker and darker, he quickly grew serious: "Besides, I think you should try to trust this kid, Kawa."
"Yes, he's young, and he hasn't handled government affairs, but what's the problem with that? Doesn't everyone start out not knowing how?"
"When you were suddenly given the messy situation left by the Second Hokage, weren't you also thrown into the deep end? That didn't stop you from later governing the village excellently, did it?"
The more Jiraiya spoke, the more he felt he was right. He continued: "Moreover, even if Kawa is inexperienced at first, don't he still have you and the two advisors to assist him?"
"With you all overseeing things, what major troubles could possibly happen?"
Hearing this, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane exchanged a glance and raised an eyebrow.
That's right.
Hyūga Kawa had no experience in handling government affairs, so wouldn't he still need the two of them in the end?
Just like when Minato Namikaze became the Fourth Hokage.
Letting Hyūga Kawa take the position... seemed not to be a big problem after all?
Listening to Jiraiya's "clever" defense and noticing the looks from Koharu and Homura, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face turned green then black, and he was so angry he nearly passed out.
This idiot!
Do you really think I'm opposing Hyūga Kawa because I worry about superficial reasons like him being too young and inexperienced?!
I'm worried that Konoha's future will completely fall under the control of Danzō, or even an outsider!
Even though the possibility was slim, he couldn't take any risk, especially since Hyūga Kawa wasn't the only person who could be Hokage.
Furthermore, based on Hiruzen Sarutobi's understanding of Danzō, and from Danzō's behavior, although he didn't know how it was done, Danzō definitely had a method to control Hyūga Kawa using the Caged Bird Cursed Seal.
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi was in an impossible position to speak the truth.
He couldn't reveal the truth to Jiraiya, nor could he tell anyone else.
Danzō might be a bit foolish and a bit evil, but at least his desire to protect Konoha was genuine.
If the sword that was Hyūga Kawa was controlled by Danzō, at least it wouldn't harm Konoha. But if others learned that the "Caged Bird Cursed Seal" still existed and tried to obtain it...
The sword that was Hyūga Kawa might one day be turned against Konoha itself!
Therefore, noticing the strange looks everyone was giving him, as if they were looking at a rigid old fogey...
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt like he was about to spit up a mouthful of old blood from sheer frustration.
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