Reform is not something one can simply undertake on a whim.
If some reforms truly bring about significant changes to the Ninja World, then other villages emulating them would be the least of the concerns.
Just like the Ninja Academy system and the Anbu system, both were created by the Second Hokage, Tobirama. Afterwards, other ninja villages followed suit and adopted them. While Konoha was displeased, there was nothing it could do.
There was no other way. Even the one-country, one-village system was borrowed from Konoha. It can only be said that Konoha possesses the most legitimate heritage in the Ninja World.
"What we old folks can do is to help him as much as possible. Where the leaves dance, the fire burns eternally. Isn't that what you've always said?"
"If things truly become dire, then it will be time for us to sacrifice ourselves for it." Koharu said, her words hinting at something deeper.
For Koharu and Hiruzen at this stage, Konoha was more important than their own lives. As long as it was for Konoha's benefit, even their own lives were not something they couldn't sacrifice.
In this era, among those who once believed in the Will of Fire, some have fallen, while others are still striving to uphold the Will of Fire. Any behavior that goes against the Will of Fire is unacceptable to them.
"Where the leaves dance, the fire burns eternally." Hiruzen murmured, a smile playing on his lips.
"Yes, Konoha will belong to the younger generation sooner or later. What we can do is to pass Konoha on intact to the juniors who possess the Will of Fire."
"I believe Kazuki, he will shoulder the Will of Fire, just like we did back then. When it truly comes down to it, that's when we'll need to make sacrifices."
After speaking, Hiruzen gazed intently at Koharu. "So, Koharu, are you prepared to make that sacrifice?"
"I've been ready for a long time," Koharu smiled noncommittally.
"In the Will of Fire, I won't be any worse than you or Kagami."
"I wanted to stay behind back then, but I was too weak. Even if I stayed behind, it wouldn't have made much difference."
"I originally thought it would be you or Kagami who would step forward to cover our retreat, but I didn't expect that in the end, it was our teacher who covered the retreat and passed the Hokage position to you."
"However, judging by your performance now, sensei did not misjudge you back then. You have indeed governed Konoha very well."
As for Danzo, Koharu didn't even mention him. After all, she never believed that Danzo would have stepped forward to cover their retreat at that time.
As an old friend, Koharu understood Danzo, he seemed obsessed with the Hokage position.
But how could the Second Hokage allow Danzo, who possessed a dark will, to become Hokage?
Konoha wasn't without other successors. Even Kagami was more suitable to become Hokage than Danzo, even if he had the Uchiha clan holding him back.
If Danzo had been willing to step forward and cover their retreat at that time, perhaps everything would have changed. Tobirama probably wouldn't have proposed that he himself cover the retreat, but instead would have let Danzo do it.
A smile bloomed on Hiruzen's face upon hearing his old friend's approval.
Koharu had always been the most intelligent and wise among them.
How could Hiruzen not be happy to receive such a compliment from her?
Perhaps only if Danzo were to say to his face, "Hiruzen, you won, you are the most suitable person to become Hokage," could it surpass this.
"I'm just afraid I'll ruin my reputation in my old age." Hiruzen then let out another bitter laugh and sighed.
"However, since Danzo made a mistake, we can't ignore it. I plan to nurture Kazuki to become Hokage as soon as possible. Once he becomes Hokage, the matters of the Uchiha clan can also transition smoothly."
"That child, Kazuki, seems to want to eliminate Ryoma and others, make the Uchiha clan a force in his hands, and then compete for the Hokage position, right?" Koharu said thoughtfully.
"Yes, but once he does that, many people in the Uchiha clan might die. How will Konoha then accept a Hokage who can easily harm his own people?"
Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe and continued, "Kazuki himself has forgotten that he is currently the most suitable person to become Hokage. Besides him, who else can compete with him for the Hokage position?"
"Even Orochimaru has subtly indicated that he is willing to support Kazuki to become Hokage."
"Once he becomes Hokage, the Uchiha clan will naturally have people supporting him. Can the so-called clan head possibly surpass an Uchiha who is the Hokage?"
If someone else became Hokage, the Uchiha clan's temperament might indeed lead to dissatisfaction, but if Kazuki himself becomes Hokage, he can naturally take action and implement reforms within the Uchiha clan.
The Hokage is indeed not supposed to casually interfere with the affairs of other great clans, but what if this clan is his own clan?
Taking action would be completely legitimate, and even other clans would tacitly approve.
It can only be said that Kazuki is still a bit too young.
Hiruzen's words made Koharu nod slightly, and then she also spoke, "However, this is also based on his absolute strength. If viewed from his perspective, there's actually nothing wrong with it."
"After all, he doesn't know when you intend to retire. After all, you are not even fifty years old yet, and your strength hasn't shown any significant decline."
"Theoretically, you still have a long time as Hokage, and because he respects you, he wouldn't forcefully try to take over."
"But the matter of the Uchiha clan is urgent. Don't you think that ever since you became Hokage, the Uchiha clan has drifted further and further away from Konoha?"
"If Kazuki hadn't emerged out of nowhere, we would probably be worrying not only about other villages but also about the Uchiha clan, a hidden danger that could erupt at any time."
"He wants to resolve the Uchiha clan's issues as quickly as possible to prove his ability, and there's actually nothing wrong with that."
"For Kazuki, Ryoma and the others are not his clansmen, they are merely a hidden danger to Konoha. Don't forget, apart from a small number of Uchiha, Kazuki has had little contact with other Uchiha since childhood. He is not a standard Uchiha, nor does he have any Uchiha-centric ideology."
"It can only be said that your perspectives on the matter are different."
Hiruzen nodded thoughtfully. In his opinion, his own idea was correct, but after Koharu explained it, how could Kazuki not be right?
"At least wait until Kazuki is 18."