Because he knew it was true, many things were done with his tacit consent to Shimura Danzo, as those actions benefited Konoha.
But…
Shimura Danzo actually came out and said it openly!
Shimura Danzo looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, his voice growing darker: "You are the Konoha basking in sunlight, and I am the Root buried deep underground. You enjoy the glorious life as Hokage above, while I endure all the dirt of the decaying leaves below…"
"I can endure all of this…"
Shimura Danzo raised his palm, speaking coldly: "But if you want to cut off the Root, do you think the great tree Konoha won't perish together?"
Shimura Danzo suddenly tore open his sleeve, raised his palm, and unleashed a powerful Wind Release Ninjutsu with open mouth!
"Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!"
This Wind Release Jutsu, like a scythe, instantly sliced through the wall behind the grandstand, forcing all the ninjas present to retreat!
According to the Konoha Collapse Plan, Shimura Danzo should first fight Sarutobi Hiruzen to exhaust his Chakra, making the next step smoother.
"Monkey."
Shimura Danzo drew his ninja sword hidden in his sleeve, the blade pointing at his old friend: "Let's settle the things of the past here..."
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen calmly took off his Hokage Kasa, planning to face the challenge from his old friend himself, even waving to dismiss the Hokage Guard Team: "Shimura Danzo is my friend from the past, let me see him off on his final journey!"
"Quite boastful, Monkey…"
Shimura Danzo's eyes narrowed slightly.
"..."
A group of Konoha Jonin looked at each other in dismay.
"Don't interfere in their battle."
Akihara Kagura shook his head, sighed, and spoke: "Everyone detain the rioting Hidden Mist Ninja, soon I will create a battleground for Hokage-sama and Danzo-sama."
"Yes."
The group of Jonin could only comply.
Since Hokage-sama is not convenient to issue commands, they could only follow the orders of the Hokage Assistant, and doing as Akihara Kagura said surely would pose no issue.
Fourth Kazekage Rasa, seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo about to fight on stage, smiled slightly and moved to a more comfortable spectator seat.
Meanwhile.
Inside the Chunin Exam arena.
The battle between Gaara and Karin had concluded.
Because Gaara couldn't defeat Karin for a long time, Shukaku finally couldn't hold back and took over the battle, only to be restrained by Karin using the Vajra Lock Chain, leading to Gaara's defeat, utterly disgracing the Tailed Beasts' reputation…
Inside Gaara's sealing space.
Shukaku and Gaara were still glaring at each other inside the sealing space.
"It's all your fault for coming out."
Gaara looked displeased at Shukaku, his expression gloomy: "Causing me to lose to that glasses-wearing woman again, I wouldn't have lost so quickly if I fought myself…"
"How did we lose again?"
Shukaku ignored Gaara and was pondering his own defeat, recollecting what the Vajra Lock Chain that Karin used was: "What kind of Jutsu is that Vajra Lock Chain, maybe I should ask those guys again…"
Because Karin's Vajra Lock Chain overly restrained Shukaku, leaving him puzzled why being bound by it made it difficult to use Chakra?
How about…
Asking those Tailed Beasts?
Shukaku had this thought but quickly discarded it.
The last lesson was too profound, and he decided to think of a strategy himself for facing Karin in the future.
However…
Naruto Uzumaki witnessed this entire scene.
Inside Naruto Uzumaki's sealing space, Kurama could see through Naruto's eyes Gaara and Shukaku being beaten by Karin, and let out a disdainful laugh.
That fool Shukaku!
Daring to clash heads with the Uzumaki Clan!
Even I have suffered enough from the Uzumaki Clan's Vajra Lock Chain, does that idiot Shukaku really think developing some useless abilities will change the fact that it's the weakest of the Nine Tailed Beasts?
Kurama intended to jot down today's events; next time that idiot Shukaku quarrels with him, Kurama could use this as material to taunt Shukaku.
"Karin wins."
Shiranui Genma announced the victor, then his eyes drifted towards Akihara Kagura's direction, seemingly asking if the exam should continue.
"Continue."
Akihara Kagura glanced calmly at Shiranui Genma, then dispelled all his Wood Clones and cast the Multi-Wood Clone Jutsu again!
"Wood Release: Multiple Wood Clone Jutsu!"
Eight Wood Clones emerged from behind Akihara Kagura!
"Ninpo: Four Red Sun Array!"
Four Wood Clones stayed in the Chunin exam arena to prevent any threats to the audience's safety; four Wood Clones jumped to the high stage, enclosing the battlefield of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo to contain their battle's aftermath from affecting others.
Two Red Sun Array Barriers appeared simultaneously!
All the spectators felt overwhelmed, unsure whether to watch the duel between Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo or continue watching the battles in the Chunin exams.
"Do we really need to continue the exam now?"
Kakashi Hatake stood by Akihara Kagura's side, feeling a bit speechless: "Shouldn't resolving Shimura Danzo and the Hidden Mist Village's issues be more important now? Also, whether the people from The Hidden Sand Village have any intentions…"
"This doesn't delay anything."
Akihara Kagura glanced at Kakashi Hatake, carelessly continuing: "Don't worry, there won't be any problems; didn't everyone say before? Some allies will never betray us."
"..."
Kakashi Hatake sighed helplessly.
Truth be told.
Their words weren't entirely reliable.
Kakashi Hatake would rather trust Akihara Kagura's judgment.
Although the people from The Hidden Sand Village and other smaller Ninja Villages haven't shown any movement yet, Kakashi Hatake suspects a new crisis might arise soon…
Because Shimura Danzo and The Hidden Mist Village suddenly erupted, seemingly without considering Akihara Kagura's ability to suppress them, appearing somewhat mindless.
If these people dared to act this way…
There must be some supplementary plan involved…
Could it be that Shimura Danzo sacrificed himself and The Hidden Mist Village, just to have a fair fight with Sarutobi Hiruzen at such a time?
Shimura Danzo wasn't Hiruzen's match, this former Hokage Assistant was no man of recklessness, and given the frequent rumors in the Ninja World about him conspiring with Orochimaru, Kakashi Hatake truly does not believe there isn't a larger impending crisis…
Upon the high stage.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo had already clashed fiercely into combat.
These two elderly men were already frail with age, and just after exchanging a few moves, they were slightly out of breath, resorting to their respective specialized Jutsu within the Red Sun Array Barrier!
"Wind Release·Shuriken!"
Shimura Danzo's hand produced a shuriken, spitting Wind Release Chakra onto each one, forming sharp Wind Release outlines around them, turning them into rapidly spinning Wind Release blades shooting towards Sarutobi Hiruzen!
"Ninpo: Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen, unfazed, tossed a shuriken, swiftly forming hand seals, causing dozens of shurikens to collide with the Wind Release·Shuriken, altering their course, and dispersing them upon impact with the Red Sun Array Barrier!
"Danzo!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression turned serious, intensely focusing on his old friend: "This time, to protect the village, I must kill you here…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was determined not to leave this matter to anyone else, he intended to personally deal with Shimura Danzo here, just like the First Hokage once killed Uchiha Madara!