On the other side, the paralyzed Hiruzen lay sprawled amidst the fading crackles of lightning.
Sparks danced across his body, sizzling against his skin.
The earth wall he had raised—something that had drained an enormous amount of chakra—crumbled like brittle parchment before divine power.
If not for Enma's indestructible armor, the blow would have ended him. But the Ape King, having borne the brunt of that strike, was spent and forced to retreat back to Mount Huaguo to heal.
Though Hiruzen's body had avoided fatal injury, his chakra and stamina were nearly drained dry. He was left paralyzed, unable to move.
Whoosh!
A figure appeared, and Hiruzen's heart sank to the pit of his stomach.
"Well, well. Isn't this Elder Hiruzen? Still breathing, I see."
Kakashi stood with one hand tucked in his pocket, raising the other in a lazy wave. His tone carried that casual sarcasm that cut sharper than a kunai.
"You're lucky. I've got just the right vacation spot in mind for you."
Before Hiruzen could respond, Kakashi grabbed his ankles and hoisted him upside down like a sack of rice.
Swish!
The two vanished instantly.
"Elder Hiruzen!"
The Anbu directly loyal to the Third cried out. They had been in pursuit, determined to end Kakashi's rampage, but now panic spread among them.
They scattered in all directions, desperate to recover their Hokage. After all, who knew what Kakashi would do?
"Stand down!"
Before they could get far, they were blocked by Anbu under the Fourth.
"By order of Hokage-sama, no one leaves until Kakashi returns!"
The Anbu of the Fourth were no less formidable.
The Third had already stepped down; his private Anbu should have long been disbanded. To keep them around was essentially running a personal army—an illegal one.
"You—!"
The Third's loyalists seethed with fury.
"Minato, what is the meaning of this?!"
"We are Hokage's advisors, and you dare stop us?!"
Utatane Koharu's expression turned ashen as she glared daggers at Minato.
"If anything happens to the Third, can you take responsibility?!" Mitokado Homura barked.
"Hokage's advisors?" Minato's voice was cold. "Not anymore."
"Fugaku!"
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Uchiha Fugaku stepped forward, bowed to Minato, then turned to face the two with grim eyes.
"Former advisors—while in office, you abused power for personal gain, embezzled assets, and repeatedly shielded Danzo in his crimes. Anbu has already gathered more than fifty verified proofs, with hundreds more pending review."
"By the laws of the village, you are required to cooperate with the Security Department's investigation. During this time, you are forbidden private contact with outsiders. Defy this, and punishment will be heavier."
Fugaku emphasized the word former, making it clear. He gestured sharply, signaling them to move.
"You dare! We are Hokage's advisors. Even Hokage cannot dismiss us without a vote from the Elders—" Koharu screeched, spitting venom like a cornered cat.
"Oh? Forgotten the law already?" Minato's tone cut like ice. "In wartime emergency, Hokage holds supreme authority, including dismissal of advisors and even the Elders Council."
"Danzo's rebellion threatens the village as much as war itself. Therefore, as Hokage, I declare the village under Level One combat readiness."
He stepped forward, eyes hard.
"And I hereby dismiss you both."
"You—abuse of power! I'll wait until Hiruzen returns—" Koharu shouted, panic rising in her voice. She knew what awaited inside the Security Department. Retirement behind iron bars.
"Fugaku, take them."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
"Guards, escort the former advisors. If they resist, ensure they still leave with dignity."
"Yes!"
"You'll regret this! When Hiruzen returns, he'll make you all kneel and beg forgiveness!" Koharu screamed, trembling with rage.
But she and Homura were already restrained and dragged away.
Minato's expression did not soften. Parasites like them had no place in the new Konoha.
"Kakashi… the rest is up to you."
Deep within the Forest of Death, Hiruzen hung suspended, his chakra sealed by the Four Symbols Seal.
And there, Kakashi sat comfortably on him—fists raised, glowing faintly green as they hammered down one after another.
"This one's for my father, who trusted you too much."
Smash!
"This one's for Rin, who nearly became a replacement Jinchūriki."
Smash!
"This one's for Obito, who almost fell into Danzo's hands."
Smash!
"This one's for Minato-sensei, who you treated like a puppet instead of a Hokage."
Smash!
"…For Fugaku, whom you cornered."
Smash!
"…For Shisui"
Smash!
"…For Uchiha Itachi, who should've lived a normal life, not twisted into a traitor."
Smash!
"…For the Senju and Uchiha who died because you shielded Danzo."
Smash!
"…For every villager sacrificed by his hands."
Smash!
"Ora ora ora—ah, you get the idea." Kakashi's fists blurred, his voice mocking, almost playful. "Ever wonder what a lecture feels like when it comes with subtitles on your face?"
Each punch carried a glow of medical chakra—not out of mercy, but out of mockery. Kakashi kept Hiruzen's body from breaking too soon, ensuring the punishment dragged on.
For Hiruzen, it was worse than death. His pride, his dignity as Hokage—shattered with every strike.
No one had ever dared treat him this way.
But as Kakashi's words drilled deeper, the rage inside him dulled. Reflection crept in.
Had he really allowed so many sins to fester under his reign? Had his tolerance of Danzo killed so many?
Was he truly worthy of the title Hokage?
He stopped resisting.
Instead, memories surfaced—his early days as Hokage, full of vigor and determination. Then the gradual compromises. The weakness. The endless wars that pushed him to cling desperately to "stability," sacrificing people who should never have been sacrificed.
The glorious mask cracked, leaving him to face the rot beneath.
For once, he stripped away the hollow excuses of "Will of Fire" and "for the village."
And for the first time in decades… Sarutobi Hiruzen truly began to reflect.