Seeing the skeptical gazes from below, Sarutobi Hiruzen knew his scheme had ended in complete failure this time.
He let out a heavy sigh, stooped his shoulders, and slowly bowed before Aozora.
"Recently, I've been occupied with negotiations with Hidden Cloud while keeping an eye on the situation with Iwagakure. As a result, I haven't had much energy left to monitor Aozora's affairs.
Moreover, the reduction of Anbu forces has caused my oversight of the village's surveillance system to falter, allowing rumors to spread unchecked and leading Aozora to misunderstand me."
With a hunched posture, gray hair, wrinkled face, and a look full of remorse,
Hiruzen Sarutobi's dramatic performance rivaled Aozora's own, with each carefully chosen word slipping the blame away as smoothly as silk through fingers.
Undoubtedly, both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Aozora delivered performances worthy of an Oscar Best Actor nomination inside the meeting room.
Having served as Hokage for decades, Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally commanded immense prestige, but his reputation had long since faded.
His beloved apprentice Orochimaru had defected, and his trusted friend Danzo had betrayed Konoha. These two incidents alone had drained much of his credibility. Though not completely ruined, they had sown seeds of dissatisfaction and suspicion among many of Konoha's upper ranks.
Now, a jonin who had earned great honors was suffering false accusations, yet their Hokage did nothing to help.
Such a Hokage, though gentle in nature, was no longer fit to lead a powerhouse like Konoha among the Five Great Ninja Villages.
Other jonins remained silent as Hiruzen Sarutobi apologized, except for those from the Sarutobi clan or the Hokage faction who murmured words of understanding.
This wasn't the first time he had bowed in apology.
The first time, they understood his struggles; the second, they showed him courtesy for his decades of service.
But things could be forgiven once or twice—never thrice. Everyone had their limits.
As Hiruzen Sarutobi completed his bow under the heavy silence of the meeting room and the Sarutobi jonins awkwardly expressed sympathy, his face turned grim.
Aozora realized that if he pressed harder now, Hiruzen Sarutobi might be forced to resign on the spot.
But knowing Fugaku was still stationed at the northwest border and the tense political climate brewing in Konoha, Aozora chose to give Hiruzen Sarutobi some breathing room.
After Hiruzen Sarutobi finished bowing, Aozora finally spoke generously: "Since Hokage-sama is advanced in years, it's difficult for him to manage everything. If so, perhaps allow more elders to share some responsibilities!"
Torifu and Commander Kosuke turned to Aozora, appreciating not only his magnanimity but also how he still fought for their interests even now.
Thinking of the repeated efforts Commander Kosuke and Torifu had made on behalf of Aozora and his companions, the jonins present nodded in agreement.
"Yes, since Hokage-sama lacks the energy, let Elders Torifu and Kosuke take on more duties."
"Let Elders Torifu and Kosuke assume greater responsibilities!"
"..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi listened to the comments coming from below, swallowed his fury, and gave a nod. "I will do so, though first, both elders need time to become familiar with these affairs."
Then he turned toward Aozora: "I'm glad you can understand my position."
Saying so, he pulled a Konoha Forehead Protector from his sleeve. "This Konoha Forehead Protector is more than just identification—it symbolizes your status as a recognized ninja of Konoha."
If you carve a slash across your forehead protector, it means you've severed ties with the ninja village and become a rogue ninja.
"You're young and reckless. This time I'll forgive you, but don't do this again."
While speaking, he walked over holding the forehead protector, as if wanting to personally tie it onto Aozora's head.
Aozora understood that Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to use this gesture to portray himself as a magnanimous elder.
He didn't go along, instinctively stepping back twice.
"I'm very grateful for Hokage-sama's and all the higher-ups' understanding in forgiving my action that was equivalent to defecting from the village.
But the fact that a ninja used Fire Release to attack the black market doesn't fully prove my innocence. To avoid implicating the village, I believe it's better for me not to wear the Konoha Forehead Protector!"
Hiruzen's expression stiffened. He hadn't expected Aozora to be so unappreciative of his goodwill. So he even refused the chance to save face.
Did Aozora really want to stop being a ninja?
Kosuke spoke up trying to persuade him: "Aozora, I believe you aren't someone who would slaughter commoners. Even if we can't find the truth, I won't allow them to hand you over."
Torifu also persuaded: "Aozora, you've already become a Tokubetsu Jonin at thirteen years old. Your future prospects are boundless—you might even become Hokage one day!"
Shisui advised as well: "Aozora, don't abandon your Ninja Way over temporary emotional impulses."
Faced with everyone's persuasion, Aozora firmly shook his head.
With the increase of his strength, he had already felt the restraints that Konoha placed upon him.
Previously, the only attraction Konoha held for him was its abundant ninja techniques, but after entering the Classified Archives, he no longer held much expectation for these.
He wasn't aligned with the Hokage faction. Before Fugaku became Hokage, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't access higher-level jutsu—the ordinary techniques were already available in Uchiha clan's vault.
Without desire for techniques or interest in power struggles, the identity of a Konoha ninja now only brought him restraint.
In the past, while Fugaku was still in the village, he could rely on Fugaku's indulgence to manage his own training time properly.
Now that Fugaku has left the village, he was being controlled by Hiruzen and Kintai, putting himself in danger.
This time he managed to escape danger—but what about next time? Or the time after?
Stay too close to the fire, and you'll eventually get burned.
By shedding his identity as a Konoha ninja, Hiruzen would no longer have control over him.
As for seizing this opportunity to undermine Hiruzen's reputation and authority—that was just an added bonus.
Koharu Utatane said sharply, "So do you truly intend to betray the village?"
Upon hearing this, Aozora shook his head and sighed, "You still don't trust me!"
Her anger flaring upon hearing this, Koharu nearly lost her temper.
Same old routine again? Can't you at least try something new?
"Please rest assured, honorable higher-ups. I will stay in Konoha waiting for the final investigation results. If the truth remains undiscovered and the Daimyo pressures the village into handing me over, then just deliver me directly to save the village any further trouble."
Saying this, Aozora bowed deeply to Hiruzen and continued: "I request Hokage-sama to cancel my ninja license. And should you wish to show consideration for my previous contributions to Konoha and refuse to let me become a rogue ninja, then simply treat me as retired!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a moment before finally speaking. "You are currently Konoha's most promising young talent. In the future, we will rely on you to grow into a towering tree that shelters Konoha from wind and storm..."
He naturally did not wish for Aozora to retire. If Aozora were no longer a ninja of Konoha, he would lose direct control over him, and could no longer bind Aozora through the authority of the Ninja system.
Aozora cut him off, sighing deeply. "I'm only thirteen years old, and I've already lost the sight in my right eye for Konoha. Do I really have to go blind in both eyes, completely disabled, before you'll let me retire?"
This statement left Hiruzen Sarutobi at a loss for words. Indeed, there were people within Konoha who continued fighting on the front lines despite sustaining severe injuries throughout their bodies—but he couldn't hold every ninja to that same standard.
Kosuke sighed as well. He himself had been left handicapped in his left eye and left leg. But seeing this, he refrained from further persuasion.
From Aozora's unreserved tone toward Hiruzen Sarutobi, he knew that Aozora had already lost significant trust in this Hokage.
If Aozora continued serving as a ninja and once again clashed with Sarutobi, there was a real chance he might defect from the village.
Faced with this reality, it might be better simply to agree to Aozora's request to retire.
Torifu also recognized Aozora's firm resolve. Sighing, he said, "Hiruzen, grant his request."
Seeing this, Hiruzen feigned regret as he spoke, "If that's truly your decision, then your status as a ninja will be temporarily revoked for now. I hope you soon reconsider. Our golden age is fading—Konoha needs young souls like yours to carry us forward!"
Aozora nodded. He removed his forehead protector, which bore a visible slash mark across its surface. He wiped it clean, then stepped forward and handed it to Hiruzen.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage."
With that, Aozora turned and walked away.
As he left the Hokage Tower, touching the smooth skin of his forehead and gazing at the clear blue sky above,
For the first time in years, a heavy burden lifted from his chest, leaving him feeling lighter than air.
He graduated from the Ninja Academy at twelve. He became a Tokubetsu Jonin at thirteen. And then, still that same year, he retired.
This may well be a legacy even greater than Hatake Kakashi's!
Aozora's extraordinary legend as a ninja has come to an end—what lies ahead for him now?
Now, the sky is the limit for the birds, and the sea offers boundless freedom for the fish.
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