Sarutobi Hiruzen's body quietly turned into a mass of ash like paper scraps, clinging tightly to Shimura Danzo, wrapping around the body of this old friend!
"Monkey..."
"This time, it's my turn..."
"Has my death brought about your rebirth?"
"But in the end, I still didn't become Hokage, and the crisis of Konoha isn't resolved, I can only watch everything from the Netherworld Pure Land..."
Shimura Danzo clearly felt a suffocating sensation, knowing that his life was about to come to an end, knowing that his death would bring about Sarutobi Hiruzen's revival...
When all the ash-like paper scraps wrapped around Shimura Danzo, his breath finally completely disappeared, and his body slowly transformed into the appearance of another person.
Shimura Danzo died.
But another person was thus revived!
Konoha's Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen!
However...
Lines of clear cracks appeared on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face, even his eyes seemed somewhat lifeless, marking him as a reanimator.
This was somewhat different from Orochimaru's Reanimation Jutsu, perhaps because this time the resurrected Sarutobi Hiruzen's power was somewhat stronger.
"This is..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, immediately realizing that he had been revived by Reanimation Jutsu, his gaze quickly lifting to look at everyone present.
Orochimaru.
Akihara Kagura.
And a group of Root Ninja.
"Kagura."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes focused on Akihara Kagura, recalling what Orochimaru had told him before his death: "Was it truly you behind the Leaf Collapse Plan?"
It was truly beyond his wildest expectations!
Akihara Kagura, this little fellow, really was the manipulator behind the Leaf Collapse Plan!
Sarutobi Hiruzen never thought Akihara Kagura would have such a mind, because Akihara Kagura had always been honest to the point of naivety, never allowing anyone to suspect he would have any ill intentions, because if he had any, he'd just say it straight.
"Rest assured."
Akihara Kagura nodded and said softly, "Third Hokage, I won't harm Konoha's interests; in fact, my presence will make Konoha even stronger."
"Why did you do this?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Akihara Kagura, questioning the purpose of his actions: "Is it because I didn't pass the title of Hokage to you?"
"I didn't want to do this."
Akihara Kagura shook his head and continued, "But Lord Danzo insisted on doing this, he wanted to clear his name from being framed by your manipulation with the Double Bloodline Ninja..."
"Framed? That wasn't Danzo..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, only thinking for a second, then seeing the Root Ninja present, he immediately uncovered the truth: "Wait... it was you!"
"Yes, it was me."
Akihara Kagura looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with satisfaction and continued, "I did everything; I framed Lord Danzo and expelled him from Konoha, and I also set you up, making you misunderstood by Lord Danzo..."
"Where's Danzo?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to search for Danzo's figure.
Akihara Kagura looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, sighed, and said, "Third Hokage, you've read the Sealing Book, you should know that resurrecting someone requires a sacrifice, right?"
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's forehead twitched, considering a possibility: "Did you use Danzo as the sacrifice to resurrect me?"
"Exactly."
Akihara Kagura nodded and continued, "Tomorrow is your funeral, I'm worried you wouldn't make it for the viewing, so I specially revived you..."
"Missing my own funeral viewing..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a bizarre sensation beyond his comprehension.
For nearly seventy years before his death, he had never heard of anything like this, bringing someone back to life to view their own funeral!
"Go take a look."
Akihara Kagura gently persuaded Sarutobi Hiruzen, hoping the elder would understand the current situation: "By the way, the Chunin Exams were quite successful, is the Hokage satisfied?"
"Is this considered a success?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen had a bitter smile on his lips.
"The Chunin Exams weren't disrupted, were they?"
Akihara Kagura nodded and continued, "We gave you a grand exit, gave Lord Danzo and Lord Orochimaru a grand entrance, and gave Konoha a reason to declare war on the Hidden Sand Village and The Hidden Mist Village, I can force them to sign even harsher treaties..."
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was left speechless.
If things were as Akihara Kagura said, this event was surprisingly beneficial for Konoha, because The Hidden Mist Village and the Hidden Sand Village were responsible for the death of Konoha's Third Hokage, giving Konoha a legitimate reason to start a war, which Konoha would never let go unpunished.
Akihara Kagura no longer had Sarutobi as a direct superior.
From now on, there was no one in Konoha who could suppress Akihara Kagura. Although Jiraiya was Akihara Kagura's teacher, he might not think like a politician, which could control his disciple, and might even push everything onto Akihara Kagura.
Moreover...
If Akihara Kagura really were to be suppressed, he might not stop at eliminating Jiraiya.
Akihara Kagura...
Had the potential to seize control over Konoha.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart was suddenly filled with worry.
Seeing his revival, Akihara Kagura's mood was instead relaxed.
[System Prompt]: [Ensure the successful completion of the joint Chunin Exams, mission accomplished, reward: Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning.]
[Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning (Spews high-temperature smoke to scorch the enemy, with the potential to cause a high-temperature explosion. Under the Kinjutsu Master's bonus, the range of smoke released by Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning is even more extensive.)]