As Seiryū spoke, every crime he revealed made Hiruzen's expression darken further.
He had not known Danzō had done these things.
In the end, he had been too lenient. That leniency was what allowed Danzō to commit such acts right under his nose.
As for whether Seiryū's words were true?
Danzō's grim expression already said enough.
After all, Hiruzen was one of the people who knew Danzō best.
"To think..."
"As a Hokage Advisor, he was doing things like this in secret?"
"This is terrifying."
"And Hokage-sama seems to have known nothing about it..."
Hiruzen's face was dark, while the surrounding shinobi wore expressions of disbelief and horror.
Danzō was one of Konoha's highest-ranking officials, yet he had secretly done so many things that harmed the Village.
Such actions were absolutely forbidden in Konoha.
As a Hokage Advisor, there was no way he did not know that.
And yet he had knowingly broken the rules.
This was far too serious.
Many people now felt a deep disgust toward Danzō.
"Hehehe. You certainly know quite a lot."
Seeing Hiruzen's expression and the reactions of those around him, Danzō, who knew there was no way out, calmed down instead.
He looked at Seiryū. His eye was still filled with anger, killing intent, and resentment, but his voice was steady.
"To have grown to this level in such a short time, your talent surpasses anyone I have ever known."
He had no power to resist Seiryū.
The other party was only an eleven-year-old boy, yet he already possessed such terrifying strength.
Danzō took a deep breath, looked at Hiruzen, and revealed a mocking smile.
"Hiruzen, you were too soft. If you had agreed to let me train him back then, I would have turned him into the most perfect and obedient shinobi."
"Instead, look at him now. He does not even obey you, the Hokage."
"He cannot be controlled. He cannot be restrained. Someone like him will become a disaster sooner or later. A massive disaster."
"Hahaha! And all of this is because you were too kind-hearted back then, Hiruzen!"
By the end, Danzō was laughing wildly.
A mere Chūnin of Konoha did not even listen to the Hokage's orders.
He had even dared to commit insubordination and attack a Hokage Advisor.
All of this proved that Seiryū was already a shinobi beyond control or restraint.
And with such power at his age, his talent was unimaginable.
Given enough time, who would be able to stand against him?
Would the future Konoha not become his Konoha?
And all of this had happened because of Hiruzen's weakness.
If Hiruzen had handed the boy over to him for training, none of this would have happened.
"That is why you are narrow-minded and despicable. You are like a rat hiding in a sewer, only capable of judging others through your own dark and filthy thoughts."
Seiryū did not care that Danzō was trying to drag him down.
Why argue with someone who was about to die?
He sneered at Danzō and said, "What kind of person is Hokage-sama? He is someone who works tirelessly for Konoha's stability."
"He is like a great tree sheltering our growth, like a flame lighting the path ahead."
"Under his leadership, we walk toward the light and contribute our humble strength to Konoha's development."
"He has a broad heart. He knows right from wrong and good from evil. He is nothing like a despicable person such as you."
Although he was spouting nonsense, Seiryū's impression of Hiruzen had always been fairly good.
At least the current Hiruzen was a Hokage worthy of respect.
If Hiruzen had not stepped in back then, Seiryū, who had still been weak at the time, might have been killed by Setsuna for no clear reason.
In that sense, Hiruzen could be considered his savior.
As for whether Hiruzen truly went from wise ruler to tyrant like in the original story, Seiryū had no intention of digging into that.
Things like that, much like the timeline, had far too many points worth complaining about.
Thinking too much about it was a waste of brain cells.
For now, Hiruzen had not done anything worth criticizing.
If there was anything, it was merely that they stood in different positions.
People in power always had many things to consider.
Besides, Hiruzen had never persecuted him, had he?
Seiryū puffed out his chest, looking perfectly righteous.
"Besides, why would I harm Konoha for no reason? Konoha is my home, and its safety depends on everyone. I still plan to make money here... ahem."
"I mean, I am determined to become useful to the Village. I will dig pipes today, lay cables tomorrow, and work hard to make Konoha a powerful Village."
"I am different from a despicable man like you. I am a kind and good person."
Danzō was too narrow-minded.
He did not understand Seiryū's ambitions at all.
Why would Seiryū go out of his way to harm Konoha?
This was the place where he planned to make money in the future. The better Konoha developed, the more profit he could earn.
Seiryū wished Konoha would unify the entire Ninja World.
That way, there would be even more money to make.
How could digging pipes and laying cables in one Village compare to doing it across the whole Ninja World?
He could use that to become the richest man in the Ninja World.
Hiruzen: "..."
Since the child had said that much, what else could he say?
He had not expected it.
Was he really such a bright and noble figure in this child's heart?
Hiruzen had always known Seiryū was a good child when he was not "having an episode." Looking at him now, that really did seem to be the case.
Hearing those words, Hiruzen inexplicably felt a surge of emotion.
Danzō was indeed wrong.
His own philosophy was the correct one.
Bonds were the best bridge between the Village and its shinobi.
Besides, if Danzō had not targeted Seiryū in secret, Seiryū would not have been so ruthless toward him.
Every cause had its effect.
Seiryū was usually quite obedient.
Well, that was what Tsunade had told him.
Tsunade would not lie to him.
"Seiryū, put Danzō down first. I need to understand exactly what he has done."
After a pause, Hiruzen spoke slowly.
Then his tone became firm.
"As Hokage, I will not favor anyone, not even a Hokage Advisor. If he truly did what you said, I will give everyone here an explanation."
Perhaps he had already judged that Danzō had indeed done the things Seiryū mentioned.
However, everything required evidence.
He needed to understand the matter clearly.
Then he would pass judgment based on Danzō's crimes.
When a Hokage Advisor committed a crime, it had to be handled seriously.
At the same time, he wanted to use this matter to warn the other Advisors.
As Hokage, he had to consider every angle.
Hearing this, Seiryū shook his head again.
"Hokage-sama, I know you have many questions and doubts right now, but until my lawyer arrives, I won't listen to or do anything."
"..."
The corner of Hiruzen's mouth twitched.
This child was giving him, the Hokage, no respect at all.
Were those words from just now only for show?
Forget it.
Do not get angry.
The child was in the middle of an "episode" right now. There was no reasoning with him.
Not even Tsunade or Shinku could do it.
Hiruzen took a deep breath and asked, "Who is this lawyer you keep talking about?"
Seiryū said seriously, "That menace, Tsunade. Mm, she should be here soon."
Boom!
Boom, boom!
Just as Seiryū finished speaking, the roaring in the distance drew closer.
Everyone at the scene turned to look.
Then they saw thick tree branches whipping wildly through the air like tentacles, causing explosions to ring out one after another.
"This is... Wood Style?"
"How is that possible? Did the Wood Release transplant experiment succeed?"
"Who is it?"
Seeing the massive branches lashing through the air, everyone present widened their eyes in shock.
Their faces were filled with disbelief and astonishment.
This was Wood Style.
The commotion over there had actually been caused by a shinobi who had mastered Wood Style.
Could it be that what Seiryū had said earlier was true?
Had Danzō's secret Wood Release Kekkei Genkai transplant experiment succeeded?
Had another Wood Release shinobi appeared in Konoha?
If so, who was it?
"Everyone, stay on guard!"
Hiruzen's expression turned grave as he watched the movement in the distance.
In his mind, this Wood Release user was a successful test subject from Danzō's First Hokage cell transplant experiment.
They were rushing over now to rescue Danzō.
And the person fighting them might be his disciple, Tsunade.
He could sense Tsunade's Chakra.
Hiruzen never even considered the possibility that Tsunade herself had awakened Wood Style.
After all, Tsunade was no longer young.
If she could awaken Wood Style, she would have done so long ago.
"Get lost!"
Tsunade's angry shout rang out.
"Wood Style: Hotei Technique!"
More tree branches burst from the ground in that area.
They transformed into giant wooden arms, grabbing every Root shinobi nearby and pinning them down.
Swish!
Immediately afterward, Tsunade rushed over at high speed, her golden hair flying behind her.
A few Root shinobi were still pursuing her relentlessly.
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!
Seeing this, Seiryū grinned faintly.
With a thought, golden chains shot out from his body.
Moving at high speed, they crossed nearly a hundred meters and stabbed fiercely toward the Root shinobi chasing Tsunade.
In the blink of an eye, every Root shinobi behind Tsunade was pierced through.
Their Chakra gradually weakened amid their screams.
"..."
Tsunade glanced at the Root shinobi Seiryū had killed and sighed.
She did not pay them any further attention.
With a few flashes, she arrived at the scene.
She looked at Seiryū first, then saw Danzō hanging from the golden chains with severe injuries.
The corner of her mouth twitched.
This was exactly the kind of thing an overexcited Seiryū would do.
No, to be more accurate, Tsunade was actually somewhat surprised Danzō was still alive.
As for the others present, when they saw that Tsunade had been the one using Wood Style, they were stunned at first.
Then came wild joy.
"It was Tsunade-sama using Wood Style?"
"Did Tsunade-sama awaken the First Hokage's Wood Release?"
"Great!"
"Another shinobi who can use Wood Release has appeared in Konoha!"
Tsunade-sama had actually awakened Wood Release.
This was incredible news.
In a certain sense, Konoha was a Village built upon Wood Release.
Now Konoha had another Wood Release shinobi, and it was Tsunade, someone from the official Hokage line.
With the situation in the Ninja World growing increasingly dangerous, the stronger Konoha became, the better it could handle the wars that might break out in the future.
"Tsunade, you..."
At that moment, even Hiruzen was stunned.
"You awakened Wood Release?"
The person who had used Wood Style Ninjutsu was actually Tsunade.
When had she awakened Wood Release?
"Did I not tell you?"
Tsunade froze for a moment.
Thinking about it, she realized she really had not told him.
So she said, "Oh. I've been a bit busy lately and forgot."
Recently, she had been busy mastering Sage Mode and Wood Release.
Her teacher would not look for her unless something happened, so she had forgotten to mention it.
It was not a big deal, so she simply explained, "I awakened it after mastering Sage Mode. It hasn't been long."
"You awakened it after mastering Sage Mode..."
Hiruzen knew Tsunade had been training in Sage Mode.
But he had not expected that mastering Sage Mode would also allow her to awaken Wood Release.
Hiruzen felt a headache coming on.
He said helplessly, "You did not even tell me about something like this?"
"It's not that important. Compared to Grandfather, my Wood Release is still weak."
Tsunade waved her hand.
She did not intend to dwell on this topic.
There were more important matters at hand.
Her gaze swept across the field, then landed on Seiryū and Danzō.
Tsunade rubbed her temples and said to Hiruzen, "Looks like you know some of what happened, Old Man."
Since the people here had not attacked Seiryū, they must have already learned about what Danzō had done.
Otherwise, the scene would not be this "harmonious."
"More or less."
Hiruzen sighed and said, "I will handle it properly. First, have that child release Danzō."
Tsunade looked at Hiruzen.
Her voice was calm, but there was a trace of coldness in it.
"I'll handle this matter. After all, it involves Wood Release, and he also intended to target Seiryū."
It was not that she worried her teacher would shield Danzō.
The matter had already developed to this point. Even if not everyone knew about it, it had already caused a massive disturbance.
Quite a few shinobi were present.
Under these circumstances, her teacher would not hesitate or act indecisively. He would handle it swiftly and decisively.
She simply wanted to deal with it herself.
After all, what Danzō had done involved her.
And it involved Seiryū.
Hiruzen was silent for two seconds.
Then he exhaled, nodded, and said, "Of course you can handle it."
Then he looked at Tsunade and spoke in a serious tone.
"But you should understand what it means to bypass me, the Hokage, and handle a matter like this."
"It will make people wonder whether this is a signal of power transition."
A Hokage Advisor was one of Konoha's highest-ranking officials.
Only the Hokage had the right to judge a shinobi of this level.
Bypassing the Hokage to handle such a matter would send a signal.
A signal of power transition.
Because only the Hokage was qualified to judge a Hokage Advisor.
"?"
A question mark practically appeared over Tsunade's head.
No.
Was it really that serious?
"Hahaha! I knew you were finally going to make progress. A medical ninja who doesn't want to become Hokage is not a good Sannin!"
Carrying Danzō, who seemed to have passed out from blood loss, Seiryū happened to hear Hiruzen's words as he approached.
His eyes instantly lit up.
So he began instigating her, his tone filled with excitement.
"You menace, I support you becoming the Fourth Hokage. Then I'll be the Hokage's disciple, and I can throw my weight around in Konoha from now on."
"Uh, no. I mean, I won't have to be afraid of being targeted by people in high positions anymore."
"For the sake of my safety, you should hurry up and agree!"
There was such a good thing?
If Tsunade became Hokage, then his money-making plan could finally begin.
In the future, he would make Tsunade lease the Forest of Death to him for a symbolic fee of one ryō and build it into a tourist attraction.
Then he would fulfill another one of his dreams.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)