Kurotsuchi: "I'm blindly guessing that it's all bark and no bite."
Samui: "It really is all bark and no bite."
Nii Yugito: "Otherwise, those two beasts would have been arrested long ago."
Mabui: "In reality, it's still because of those two words."
Karui: "What?"
Temari: "Clan Head."
Mei Terumī: "This regime is truly laughable."
Kurotsuchi: "After all, he's been the Hokage for so many years. Konoha has long been his personal domain."
Anko Mitarashi: "That's truly disgusting!"
Yūgao Uzuki: "Black-Framed Naruto is right."
Huh?
Orochimaru: "Indeed. Everything Black-framed Naruto-kun does has a strong purpose, and he himself is the most correct one!"
Senju Tobirama: "Orochimaru, calm down. Don't start a blind cult of personality!"
In response, Orochimaru just shrugged.
The black-framed large screen continued the scene.
[Danzo remained silent.]
[Things were different now.]
[At present, he hadn't even regained his status as Hokage Advisor.]
[He had been caught with leverage again, and this leverage was no smaller than before.]
[Even the two old, immortal opportunists—Hokage Advisors Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado—didn't dare wade into this mess.]
Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado: "..."
Does this narration want to die?!
How dare it talk about us like that?
["Speak."]
[Hoo—]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag from his pipe.]
[Then he slowly turned around.]
[Looking at Danzo Shimura.]
[A hint of anger appeared in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.]
["There's nothing to say."]
[Danzo leaned on his cane and slowly stepped forward.]
[Clack, clack, clack—]
[The cane hitting the floor produced a crisp sound.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes slightly.]
[He couldn't help but wonder.]
[Was it because he had been too lenient with the other party after the Uchiha incident?]
[However.]
[When Danzo placed a copy of the experimental research results on the Hokage Office desk.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed.]
["The research on the Uchiha and Senju, as well as Orochimaru's past research, are all included here."]
[Danzo said expressionlessly.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi closed his eyes and rubbed his temples.]
["I will take the Wood Release experimental subject ('Tenzō'/'Yamato')."]
["An explanation must be given for this matter."]
[Hearing this, Danzo remained silent, simply staring at Hiruzen Sarutobi.]
Senju Tobirama: "Is it what I think it is?"
Orochimaru: "It is exactly what you think it is."
Senju Tobirama: "It succeeded?"
Orochimaru: "Indeed. Based on the research data you left behind, a method was found."
Orochimaru: "After improvements, one finally survived."
Hearing this, Senju Tobirama's lungs nearly burst with rage.
Senju Tobirama: "How many people must have died?!"
Orochimaru: "Danzo captured them, and Teacher Sarutobi pretended not to know, giving his tacit approval."
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "..."
The Konoha masses.
Those who had previously been shouting about the Will of Fire, and those shouting about the omnipotent Lord Third Hokage.
At this moment, their noses were turning red.
["Also, push a few people forward (as scapegoats), and then behave yourself!"]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi silently put away the research report.]
[Danzo glanced at him indifferently, then turned and left.]
[In fact, Danzo had taken action last night, but he was stopped by Anbu Ninja.]
[Danzo's idea was simple.]
[Since he needed experimental subjects, he could just take away all the eyewitnesses from yesterday.]
[But this definitely couldn't bypass the Hokage, the Sarutobi Clan, and the Konoha Military Police Force.]
[Just as Danzo stepped one foot out of the Hokage Office.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice came from behind.]
["Don't harbor intentions toward Kazematsuri Moegi."]
[Danzo didn't reply. He closed the door and left immediately.]
[Just like that, this incident came to an end.]
[The rest was none of his concern.]
[After Danzo left.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.]
["Kazematsuri Moegi... a very pure bloodline. Perhaps she will achieve great things in the future."]
["Keep her near Konohamaru Sarutobi."]
["Perhaps in the future, her identity can still be useful."]
["That child was scared... just go and reassure her after a while."]
[With that, Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his brow and issued an order.]
["Go back and tell them to behave themselves during this period. After this incident, I do not want similar things to happen again."]
["Otherwise, joint punishment!"]
["Yes, Clan Head."]
[Swoosh—]
[After that Sarutobi Clan Ninja left.]
[Only Hiruzen Sarutobi remained inside the Hokage Office.]
[Leaning back in his chair, Hiruzen Sarutobi still felt a headache coming on.]
["I still lack someone capable and obedient."]
["If Minato were still here..."]
["Forget it."]
["Wait a little longer. The upcoming series of events will be enough to elevate Asuma's reputation to the next level."]
["It's about time I wrote a letter to the Daimyō."]
[Saying this, Hiruzen Sarutobi took out a scroll.]
["I'm feeling a bit powerless."]
["Then let's do it a little earlier."]
["That child Naruto is already fine, perhaps even surpassing Minato."]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at the schedule on his desk.]
["Wait until Kakashi finishes the assessment."]
["I will personally go and mentor him."]
["Heh heh, Naruto will definitely be delighted."]
[Thinking of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's mood finally improved somewhat.]
[This day.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi spent the entire day busy 'cleaning up the mess.']
[He finally managed to control the public opinion.]
[As for the 'rumors and gossip' that suddenly popped up.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi sneered.]
["It seems there are quite a few bugs hiding in the Village."]
["I just need to find time to clean them out."]
[He then looked at the mission report submitted by Yūgao Uzuki.]
["Very good."]
["Naruto is already a staunch follower of the Will of Fire."]
["This incident did not affect him at all."]
["On the contrary, he even actively helped everyone understand the incident."]
["Wonderful... he is more sensible and adaptable than Minato~!"]
["Too bad, if only this old man had more granddaughters."]
["However, Yūgao is also perfectly capable."]
[Finally, the busy day came to an end.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi left, massaging his aching back.]
[Just as he stepped out, he saw Asuma sitting under a streetlight, constantly smoking.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi was startled.]
[Then he shook his head helplessly.]
[He had originally thought Asuma had guessed his intentions or learned something.]
[He never expected that his youngest son was distressed because his crush had rejected him today.]
[Of course, he also had some complaints about the events that transpired in Konoha today.]
["Let's go home. We can talk about whatever you have to say there."]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi, hands clasped behind his back, walked past the hesitant Asuma.]
[At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi completely made up his mind.]
[In one week, after Naruto passes Kakashi's assessment, he will personally go and mentor Naruto.]
[Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu.]