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"Hiruzen, Sakumo Hatake follows the path of a shinobi by saving his comrades. His reputation has risen over the years, even the Sannin have to yield to his prowess!"
After saying this, Danzō Shimura did not even look at Hiruzen. He turned and left, his sleeves fluttering behind him.
"Bang!"
The door to the Hokage's Office closed, and the sound of Danzō Shimura's footsteps faded away down the corridor.
Inside the Hokage's Office, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat motionless in his chair for a long time. The pipe in his hand flickered, and the Hokage's hat was pulled low, hiding his face in the smoke, making it impossible to discern his expression.
At that moment, Uchiha Tōshirō was carrying a large plastic bag filled with the spoils of his shopping: beef ribs, spinach, potatoes, and more.
Ever since Uchiha Mika got married, he had taken over these tasks. With control over the household finances, Tōshirō had not neglected himself. Over the past two years, he had become familiar with the store owners and even asked them to bring in some exotic ingredients for him.
He would occasionally indulge in a meal of oysters or other seafood, after all, a happy life should start from a young age, and everyone understood that.
While reminiscing about the White Fang, he greeted acquaintances he encountered on the way home.
Ever since he met the White Fang's family four years ago, he had occasionally seen them on the streets of Konoha. It was a pity that such a gentle and courteous man would meet such a tragic end. Unfortunately, with his current small frame, there was little he could do...
The village, founded by the First Hokage to protect children and comrades, had seen a shinobi who tried to save his comrades being condemned by the village and forced to atone with his life. As the old ancestor said, it was a case of putting the cart before the horse.
[It seems the Third Hokage has tacitly approved of this matter!]
The next afternoon, he took the afternoon off. Strolling through Konoha's commercial district, Tōshirō held a tricolor dango in one hand and listened to the adults' discussions with his ears perked up.
At that moment, the public opinion was widespread. Unlike the previous day when the news was only circulating among a few people, it was now almost common knowledge. In the open, idle adults gathered in groups to discuss the matter, each expressing their own views.
In Tōshirō's view, there were several reasons why this matter had developed in this way...
Firstly, the timing. It was the interlude between the Second and Third Great Shinobi Wars. As the famous 'White Fang of Konoha,' Sakumo Hatake's importance to the village was not as significant.
After all, when the birds have flown, the good bow is put away; when the rabbits are dead, the dogs are cooked. This kind of distasteful thing happens in every world and every country, and it wouldn't be different for the White Fang.
Secondly, the village's overconfidence. The Third Hokage was at the peak of his power, and his three disciples had earned the title of Sannin. Whether it was Orochimaru, Jiraiya, or Tsunade, they had all gained great fame in the village and the shinobi world.
Including Danzō Shimura and the heads of the major clans in their prime, the young man who was training in the Second Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique, and the growing Kushina Uzumaki, the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, and the Konoha Eight Colors! Konoha's combat strength had truly expanded, and it was not an exaggeration to say that the village was brimming with talent.
Thirdly, the duty of a shinobi. What is most important for a shinobi? Should they abandon their comrades to complete a mission, or abandon the mission to save their comrades? This is a difficult question with no standard answer. Abandoning the mission is detrimental to the village, but completing the mission at the cost of comrades is putting the cart before the horse.
Based on the Ninja Code described in the Konoha Shinobi Academy's textbooks over the years, Tōshirō had already determined the Third Hokage's stance.
The Will of Fire, proposed by the First Hokage, improved by the Second Hokage, and compiled under the Third Hokage, along with the Ninja Code, summed up in eight characters: Mission above all, Village above all.
As for the last reason, it was worth pondering. It was likely that he was blocking the path of certain people, and these people were not just Danzō Shimura. They probably included the Third Hokage's disciples who were potential successors to the Hokage position.
Otherwise, if this matter had been handled by Danzō Shimura alone, it would not have led to such dire consequences. With the Third Hokage mediating, a single mission failure should not have resulted in Sakumo Hatake's suicide.
[I wonder what the Third Hokage will think after facing the Nine-Tails' attack, Kakashi Hatake and Kushina's deaths, Orochimaru's defection, Jiraiya's departure, and Tsunade's hemophobia?]
[Speaking of which, does Tsunade have hemophobia now? I wonder what happened to that short-lived Kato Duan. Is he dead or still alive? Does he have to wait until the Third Great Shinobi War to die?]
Full bosom, plump hips, slender waist, long legs, and blonde hair! Thinking of the occasional glimpse he caught of her on the street...
No wonder that pervert Jiraiya was so infatuated.
Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! If it weren't for the age difference, I would have been tempted to pursue her. With me, Tsunade, who would care about other girls? What was that saying again, who needs a bicycle...
As he walked, he found himself at a courtyard in the village. The outer fence was made of logs, giving it a unique charm. The courtyard was filled with evergreen trees and some flowers and grass.
However, the flowers and grass were slightly withered, showing that they were not well-maintained. In the center of the courtyard was an L-shaped wooden house, with its doors and windows tightly shut, devoid of any life.
Is this Kakashi's house? It looks quite desolate!
Without pausing, he continued at his original pace, passing by the courtyard. At this moment, it would not be wise to have any connection with Kakashi or Sakumo Hatake.
Who knows if there are any ANBU hiding nearby? Although monitoring Sakumo Hatake might be difficult, who knows what that mad dog Danzō Shimura might do?
And in a few days, this courtyard would likely be surrounded by foolish villagers and the teammates Sakumo Hatake saved, who would berate and blame him to achieve their sinister and dirty purposes.
[I'm still too weak! If I had the power of Madara or Hashirama Senju from the Rock Face, I could just give anyone who displeases me a Powerful Struggle and make them see things my way!]
[Train harder! The revolution is not yet complete, comrades must strive!]
He threw away the bamboo skewer he had finished eating and patted his cheeks.
[Work hard! Strive! Let's go!]
(End of Chapter)