"Kai, stop!"
Shishio Mitarashi never expected Kai to be so bold, directly attacking Koharu Utatane, one of the Hokage's advisors. He hurried forward to intervene.
"Relax, she won't die."
Kai looked at Koharu Utatane struggling to get up from the ground with a hint of disdain.
"Kai, Koharu is a Hokage advisor. You've gone too far."
The Third Hokage couldn't help but reprimand Kai after seeing his former comrade Koharu Utatane knocked down.
"Hokage-sama, I've gone too far? Isn't it too far that Danzo spread rumors in the village, leading to Sakumo-sensei's suicide? Don't tell me you, as Hokage, are unaware of these matters." Kai directly confronted the Third Hokage with a hint of sarcasm.
"..."
The Third Hokage remained silent, fully aware of these issues.
Sakumo Hatake's reputation was not only renowned in the ninja world but also at its peak in Konoha, rivaling his own. The Third Hokage didn't stop Danzo's actions, hoping to use this opportunity to suppress Sakumo Hatake's influence. However, he didn't expect Danzo to go to such extremes, ultimately driving Sakumo Hatake to death.
Bang!
The door to the Hokage's office was kicked open again, and a flustered Tsunade rushed in.
After spending half a year with Kai, Tsunade knew very well that Kai was a person of deep loyalty and greatly respected Sakumo Hatake. Upon hearing of Sakumo Hatake's death and seeing the rumors about him spreading throughout the village, Tsunade could easily guess that the upper echelons of Konoha were involved.
From the decline of the Senju clan after the death of Tobirama Senju in the First Shinobi World War to the point where only she remained, wasn't it facilitated in the same way?
Without any delay, Tsunade went straight to the Hokage's office.
"Old man, with Konoha now facing attacks from the four major nations, you still drove Sakumo-senpai to death. Do you want to see Konoha's destruction?"
Seeing Kai unharmed, the panic on Tsunade's face disappeared, replaced by agitation as she directly confronted the Third Hokage.
"Tsunade, Sakumo Hatake chose to commit suicide himself. It has nothing to do with us." Danzo suddenly spoke from the side.
"Nothing to do with you!?"
Tsunade sneered: "I wonder if my second grandfather were still alive, knowing you drove a Konoha ninja to death, would he kill you directly!"
Although Tobirama Senju acted coldly and ruthlessly, he was very kind to Konoha's ninjas, except for the Uchiha clan, as the Senju and Uchiha clans were centuries-old enemies.
Hearing Tsunade's words, Danzo's face turned grim. Despite everything, Danzo deeply respected Tobirama Senju, his teacher.
Ignoring Danzo, Tsunade turned to the Third Hokage and said: "No matter what Kai has done today, I support him in the name of the Senju clan."
Looking at Koharu Utatane lying on the ground, Tsunade said to Homura Mitokado: "As for the Hokage advisor, if you have any objections, I'll hit you too!"
Seeing Tsunade unconditionally supporting him, Kai was at a loss for words and remained silent.
The Third Hokage felt caught between a rock and a hard place given the current situation.
Tsunade's stance essentially represented the attitude of the Three Sannin. Moreover, Tsunade spoke in the name of the Senju clan, which, despite being virtually extinct, still held significant prestige in Konoha.
Combined with Shishio Mitarashi, if not handled properly, Konoha might fall into internal strife before even engaging in war with other villages!
"What is the situation in the Land of Rivers?" The Third Hokage had no choice but to change the subject.
"The situation in the Land of Rivers!? Didn't expect you still remembered Konoha is amidst war."
Tsunade sneered: "The Sand and Stone ninjas in the Land of Rivers have been completely wiped out by Kai alone. The Hidden Sand Village has been crippled and won't be able to start any war for the next ten years!"
Wiped out all Sand and Stone ninjas single-handedly!
Everyone present gasped, as if hearing an incredible tale. What kind of strength would be needed to achieve such a feat?
Few believed Tsunade's words; Kai was only a child, even the Third Hokage couldn't accomplish such a thing!
But as Tsunade's teacher, the Third Hokage knew Tsunade's temperament well, she would never lie nor bother to. Looking at Kai standing calmly, he pondered deeply.
The Hokage's office finally quieted down for a moment before the Third Hokage slowly spoke:
"Alright, Sakumo's matter will be publicly clarified, and the ANBU will start eliminating rumors. Sakumo Hatake's name will be allowed to be engraved on Konoha's Memorial Stone."
"Hiruzen, Sakumo Hatake committed suicide and cannot be engraved on the Memorial Stone!"
Danzo argued for the last time, although he had achieved his primary goal, he didn't want to concede any further.
"Old thing, if you value this so much, then I can personally engrave your name on it." Kai said coldly to Danzo.
"You!" Danzo was about to speak.
"Enough, Sakumo's matter is settled. Additionally, Danzo, your Root is to be disbanded, and all Root ninjas will be incorporated into the ANBU to support the frontline."
"This can't be! Root cannot be disbanded, Hiruzen, don't forget that Root's existence was approved by Tobirama-sensei."
Danzo was shocked; he didn't expect Hiruzen Sarutobi to do this. Root was his life's work, and Danzo wouldn't easily relinquish control.
The Third Hokage was also somewhat helpless; Root indeed had its necessity, but the immediate priority was to eliminate internal conflicts within the village. Simply allowing Sakumo Hatake's name on the Memorial Stone wouldn't suffice, Danzo had to make a greater sacrifice.
"Alright, Danzo, it's only a temporary disbandment. After the war, you can reorganize. That's the decision; everyone can leave. Tsunade, stay to report on the Land of Rivers."
The Third Hokage didn't give Danzo a chance to speak further, directly announcing the decision.
Danzo knew the Third Hokage intended to sacrifice him, and further arguments were futile. He looked at Kai with eyes full of hatred.
Kai, however, couldn't care less about Danzo and walked out of the Hokage's office directly. Shishio Mitarashi followed suit, and the clan heads, who seemed like spectators, also exchanged glances and left the Hokage's office.
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