"He mastered all five chakra natures and was said to have learned all of Konoha's jutsu, including powerful forbidden techniques like the Reaper Death Seal."
"However, that mastery apparently only applied to jutsu of S-rank and below."
"He did not learn bloodline limit techniques or clan-exclusive secrets—and even failed to master the Flying Thunder God Technique, a signature jutsu of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju."
"His greatest strength seemed to lie in his Summoning Jutsu: Monkey King Enma, and in wielding the adamantine staff."
"The Second even gave him a nickname—'Monkey.'"
Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki:
So this is what they meant by "master of all Konoha jutsu"? Turns out it's just the ones below S-rank? Hahaha!
Fourth Raikage A:
Not only that, he couldn't even learn Tobirama's Flying Thunder God. Meanwhile, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, used it to perfection—I experienced it firsthand.
Second Hokage Tobirama Senju:
Shameful! I have nothing more to say. I must have been blind to have taken on two such disappointing disciples.
Uzumaki Naruto:
I think Grandpa Hiruzen was a great man! Why is everyone trash-talking him?
Hearing Naruto's defense, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a wave of guilt.
After all, it was because of him that Naruto suffered so much as a child.
And yet... the only one speaking up for him was Naruto.
Kushina Uzumaki:
Naruto! Have you forgotten? If not for Hiruzen, you would've known long ago that you're Minato's and my son. Everyone in the village would've known, and you wouldn't have suffered so much.
Minato Namikaze:
Naruto, I agree. What Hiruzen-sensei did in that regard was wrong. Why are you still defending him? You're the one who suffered.
Naruto:
It's not like that.
Back when everyone avoided me and treated me like I didn't exist—
Grandpa Hiruzen was the only one who came to see me.
He looked after me, encouraged me...
To me, he's the best.
First Hokage Hashirama:
@Sarutobi Hiruzen – Don't you feel ashamed? Do you not blush hearing that?
Second Hokage Tobirama:
If someone else had said it, I might've assumed it was sarcasm.
But coming from Naruto? It has to be genuine.
You know that better than anyone, don't you?
Sarutobi Hiruzen:
@Naruto – I'm sorry. I'm the one who caused your suffering.
I don't deserve such kindness from you.
From that moment on—
Hiruzen made a silent vow.
Even if he had to fight the world...
Even if his new power meant he could now stand against everyone...
There was one person he would never hurt:
Uzumaki Naruto.
Because—
When the whole world mocked and rejected him...
Naruto was the only one who genuinely stood up for him.
And more than that—
Hiruzen knew full well: he was the reason Naruto had suffered so much in childhood.
And yet Naruto still defended him.
How could he ever raise a hand against him?
The Broadcast Continued
"But Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't become the first non-Senju Hokage merely because of his background or strength."
"In terms of status and skill, Shimura Danzo—another student of the Second Hokage—was just as qualified."
"But there's only ever been one requirement for becoming Hokage: being someone the people recognize."
"When Hiruzen was young, the First Great Ninja War had just begun."
"He served in the Hokage Guard Platoon, alongside future Konoha elders Koharu and Homura, Akimichi Torifu, Uchiha Kagami (Shisui's father), and Shimura Danzo."
"In the final stages of the war, Tobirama led the team to negotiate with the Hidden Cloud."
"But the Gold and Silver Brothers betrayed them, assassinating the Second Raikage. The Konoha team was trapped."
"Someone had to stay behind to hold off the pursuers."
"Tobirama had already decided to sacrifice himself, but before doing so, he wanted to test his students."
"He asked: 'Who among you is willing to stay behind as a decoy?'"
"To be Hokage, one must have the will to sacrifice for the village. This was a test of character."
"Danzo had the will—but not the courage. He hesitated."
"Young Hiruzen stepped forward without hesitation. 'I will!'"
"That was the difference between Danzo and Hiruzen.
Hiruzen was willing to face any enemy for the sake of the village.
Danzo only dared to act from the shadows."
"After Tobirama's death, Hiruzen became the Third Hokage."
Root Headquarters
Danzo lowered his head.
He finally understood...
Why Tobirama had chosen Hiruzen to be the next Hokage.
That moment—that test—was the reason.
If only he had stepped up then…
He would've become Hokage long ago.
He wouldn't have had to scheme for so many years, sacrificing so much... and still end up Hokage-less.
Regret filled his heart.
Why... why hadn't he had the courage back then?
Sarutobi Hiruzen:
@Tobirama-sensei – If I had to choose again—whether to die for the village—I would still step forward, without hesitation.
Second Hokage Tobirama:
Sigh... That's exactly why I chose you.
Back then, you made me proud.
But everything you did afterward has only brought disappointment.
First Hokage Hashirama:
Good deeds deserve praise.
Mistakes deserve punishment.
They can't cancel each other out.
Even if you've done a lot for Konoha, Hiruzen, you've also tarnished its name.
Sarutobi Hiruzen:
You may laugh at me, but I'll still say it—
Everything I did... was for the village.
Fugaku Uchiha:
Ugh.
"Senju Pikachu":
Disgusting.
Mikoto Uchiha:
"For the good of the village"? What a convenient excuse.
Fourth Raikage A:
Exactly! Isn't it funny how everyone who says they acted "for the village" ends up being hated?
Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki:
It's like the ultimate weak excuse—used when someone has nothing else to say.
ImmatureKidWhoLovesTsunade:
I beg you all—please stop using "for the village" as a defense. Just stop.
Chōji Akimichi:
@A @Ōnoki @ImmatureKidWhoLovesTsunade – I disagree!
Chōza Akimichi:
@Chōji – Are you out of your mind?! Apologize—now!
Chōza was sweating nervously.
Was Chōji insane?
Look at the people who'd used that excuse—Sarutobi Hiruzen, Danzo, the Third Mizukage...
Every one of them used "for the village" as a shield after committing terrible acts.
And now Chōji dared to defend that phrase?
Was he trying to draw everyone's hatred?
Chōji Akimichi:
I said that because of Kakashi-sensei.
Back then, he sacrificed himself and used Kamui to absorb the missile chasing me.
That was his best choice for the good of the village.
So I stand by what I said—not everyone who says that line is a joke.
Kakashi Hatake:
@Chōji – You're wrong, Chōji.
Those who truly care for the village...
don't say it with their mouths—they prove it with their actions.
Sakumo Hatake:
Well said. That's my son.
The future Sixth Hokage.
Sarutobi Hiruzen:
@Kakashi – So what are you implying?
That I only talk and never act?
Wasn't it me who pulled you out of ANBU to lead Team 7—the strongest team in Konoha's history?
Kakashi Hatake:
That's not what I meant, Third.
Second Hokage Tobirama:
@Hiruzen – Kakashi is right.
Those who truly serve the village don't boast about it.
They show it through deeds.
That's the reason I made you Hokage.
Have you forgotten that?
Sarutobi Hiruzen:
Sensei... I...
Hiruzen opened his mouth to respond—but then saw Naruto looking at him.
And he fell silent.
At that moment, the broadcast resumed, pulling everyone's attention back.
"Hiruzen appointed Danzo as his personal advisor and gave him significant authority."
"Danzo, under the guise of leading the ANBU Training Division, founded Root, a secretive and autonomous organization."
"Root operated even deeper in the shadows than ANBU, carrying out missions that could never see the light of day."
"Hiruzen allowed it. He knew that maintaining Konoha's peace required not just a just figurehead—but also a ruthless hand."
"Hiruzen was the ever-warm sun shining on the village."
"Danzo was the blade hidden in darkness, swift and merciless."
"Together, they made Konoha the strongest Hidden Village once more."
Danzo:
@Sarutobi Hiruzen – Old friend! Just look at how the scroll described us!
Tell me this isn't targeting me!
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