"They?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Kakashi with a questioning gaze.
Kakashi smiled slightly.
He truly smiled.
Sigh, double joy! The Four Great Beasts have been captured in one swoop!
"You just admitted it, didn't you? You, along with them, embezzled a vast amount of Konoha's wealth. Moreover, you deliberately sent some dangerous ninjas to the battlefield, and even assassinated geniuses from other villages…"
"Enough!"
The Third Hokage's voice was stern, interrupting Kakashi.
He had indeed done many things.
After becoming Hokage, he realized that even a Hokage couldn't act with complete freedom.
There were many things he couldn't do, but many things he *had* to do.
In fact, there were times when he had to be ruthless with the talents of his own clan.
Like Akiba.
Sending a genius from your own clan to their death — he had done that too.
It's just that the people he sacrificed weren't as famous as Sakumo, whose death shook the entire ninja world.
He had thought about it countless times — how did things end up this way?
In the end, he came to only one conclusion:
Perhaps only the First Hokage had the luxury of doing as he pleased, without concern for the consequences.
Though he was reluctant to admit it, in later years, there was another person like that.
Uchiha Itsuki!
He was truly someone who lived freely.
"Enough?!"
Kakashi chuckled, but his eyes remained ice-cold. "How could it be enough? After all you've done to Konoha, we can't even say a few words about it before you get angry? That's not right. No, it definitely won't work!"
"You have to pay the price for what you've done."
Kakashi spoke slowly, emphasizing each word: "Third Hokage, come. Today, I will personally send you to your death!"
As he spoke, he stepped onto the podium.
Amidst the gasps of the crowd, he declared, "I am the current Hokage, Konoha's Fifth Hokage. Executing the former Hokage — I am the most suitable person for the job."
Many people wanted to speak but hesitated.
Some, though, quietly questioned him.
After all, he *was* the Hokage! Executing him seemed extreme.
Moreover, could Kakashi really defeat Hiruzen Sarutobi?
According to the plans of the various ninja clans, Sarutobi should have been imprisoned at home, left to die of old age.
After all, he was already in his seventies; he wouldn't live for much longer.
Why was Kakashi being so aggressive?
Was it because of Sakumo Hatake?
Probably! But...
The current Kakashi had revealed his fangs.
For Hiruzen Sarutobi, no one present wanted to risk offending Hatake Kakashi.
People who weren't afraid of Kakashi, like Jiraiya, had already been sent away from the village by him, using various excuses.
Now, in the Village of Konoha, only Kakashi's voice remained.
Even Shikaku Nara, the only person who could stop him, stayed silent.
Was he crazy? For Sarutobi? For someone who had once suppressed him, he'd go against the new Hokage?
Kakashi, in his twenties, could remain Hokage for at least another twenty years.
Even if Shikaku didn't care about himself, he had to think of his clan.
Think of the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance!
"Come on then!"
Kakashi stood before Hiruzen Sarutobi, calmly saying, "Lord Hokage, let's have one final battle."
As Hokage?
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled bitterly, a sadness beyond words in his expression.
How did it come to this?
Not long ago, he had still been the proud Hokage.
How long had it been since then...?
He looked around at the people surrounding him.
Whether they were from the ninja clans, civilian ninjas, or ordinary people, their eyes were filled with extreme disgust and hatred toward him.
Danzo had been ruthless.
Before leaving, he handed over all the dirty deeds he had done, along with evidence, to Kakashi. So now, all his secrets were exposed.
He was no longer the Hokage. In the eyes of these people, he was the man who had led Konoha to ruin.
Especially after starting a few wars, he had truly brought Konoha to destruction.
Too many had died because of him.
"Kakashi, can you tell me what this is really about?"
The Third Hokage looked at Kakashi, his eyes calm.
At this moment, he knew there was no other outcome for him.
The only path left was death.
He would either die at Kakashi's hands or defeat him and live on in disgrace.
Was that what he wanted?
No!
He didn't want that.
He wanted to die in battle!
As Hokage.
"Of course!"
Kakashi made a series of hand signs, and a barrier appeared, surrounding the two of them.
Hiruzen didn't move, silently watching Kakashi complete the barrier.
"After the Uchiha clan left the village, that's when I started planning."
As expected!
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. "You're very good at hiding your intentions. You're even stronger than your father. Your father only had the qualifications to become Hokage, but you've already surpassed him in every way."
"You flatter me."
Kakashi smiled faintly. "I knew you'd start a war. No Hokage would accept the Uchiha's betrayal without taking action."
"As Hokage, any clan that betrays the village requires a response. And the Uchiha are no exception."
"As their former comrade, you knew too well the power of the Uchiha."
"But I understood Itsuki Uchiha. I knew he wouldn't leave unless he was certain of success. That's why he took the entire Uchiha clan with him."
"Because of this, the war was destined to be your loss."
"With that in mind, I was able to do many things."
Kakashi added, "I don't need to explain all those things I did to you, do I?"
"No need."
Hiruzen stared intently at Kakashi. "When did you start hating me? When did you begin blaming Sakumo Hatake's death on me?"
"Itsuki Uchiha told me. And I believe he was right. As it turns out, I wasn't wrong."
Kakashi confessed, "If it weren't for him, I probably would have only hated Danzo and forgotten about you hiding behind him."
"Itsuki Uchiha again?!"
Hiruzen sighed deeply. "I should've killed him sooner."
"Is that all you can think of?"
Kakashi sneered, "If it had been Itsuki Uchiha in your place, he would've thought about how to win him over. Hiruzen Sarutobi, you can deny it, but Itsuki Uchiha was absolutely an exceptional Hokage."
Hiruzen coldly responded, "An Uchiha can never become Hokage, no matter how exceptional they are, Kakashi. As Hokage, you must understand that."
"What about before you elevated the Sarutobi clan? Did you still think that way back then?"
Kakashi's question left Hiruzen silent.
The reason he blocked the Uchiha from becoming Hokage came down to two things:
One, he feared his deeds would be exposed.
Second, he wanted someone he approved of to succeed him.
Someone who would take care of his descendants.
As for the concerns of the First and Second Hokage...
If he cared about them, he wouldn't be in this situation now.
Beyond that, the Sarutobi clan's growth had hit a ceiling. If they could eliminate the Uchiha, they would gain many resources.
Moreover, the Sarutobi clan also specialized in Fire Release, making them a natural fit.
If the Sarutobi clan could absorb the foundation of the Uchiha, they would truly become the top clan, with deep roots and immense strength.
All things considered, the Uchiha clan had to die!
But despite everything, Hiruzen Sarutobi had to admit, Uchiha Itsuki was indeed born to be Hokage.
He was well-rounded.
Aside from his love for women, he had no weaknesses.
He was entirely different from other Uchiha.
The growth of the Village of Hidden Fire to this point — no one else could have achieved it.
Even the First Hokage had relied on the support of the Second Hokage to create Konoha.
If the First Hokage had tried it alone, Konoha would have been a mess.
Power alone does not define everything.
But Uchiha Itsuki was exceptional in every way, almost overwhelmingly so.
"Are you ready? If you have nothing more to say, Lord Hokage, we can begin."
Kakashi flexed his wrists.
He couldn't wait to kill this old man.
He still vividly remembered the moment his father's corpse appeared before him.
His father had been so pitiful then.
He was supposed to be a hero!
"I have one last question!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared intently at Kakashi and asked, "When did you meet with Danzo?"
"When you forced me to leave."
Kakashi spoke calmly, "I found him before you did, paid for the evidence he had. If you hadn't wanted to kill him, Danzo might not have done what he did."
"Everything..."
Kakashi fixed his gaze on Sarutobi and said, "Cause and effect. You made your choices, now you face the consequences!"
"Well said!"
Hiruzen nodded deeply.
If he hadn't caused Sakumo Hatake's death all those years ago, Kakashi wouldn't be standing in front of him now.
If he hadn't pressured the Uchiha clan, there would be no Uchiha Itsuki.
If he hadn't abandoned Danzo and tried to silence him, Danzo wouldn't have made such a drastic deal with Kakashi.
These brilliant minds had been forced to this point by none other than himself.
Outsmarted by his own cleverness!
That's why there was no way out for him now!
Realizing this, Hiruzen burst into laughter.
"Kakashi, you're impressive! Very impressive!"
Sarutobi looked at Kakashi with admiration and said, "I'm at ease leaving Konoha in your hands."
"Leave Konoha to me? You?"
Kakashi chuckled and said, "I call you the Third Hokage, but you don't really think you're still Hokage, do you? Let me tell you, you're destined to die as a rogue ninja."
"Kakashi!"
Sarutobi's face turned serious. "I no longer care about such things, but do you realize what it means for Konoha to brand a Hokage as a rogue ninja?"
"I know, all too well. But..."
Kakashi said coldly, "Right now, I'm just a son avenging his father. All I know is that I can't die in peace until I finish you off."
"And don't act so noble! Isn't Konoha in this state because of you?"
"Now you're pretending to feel relieved about leaving Konoha to me? You disgust me!"
Uchiha Itsuki once said something Kakashi didn't understand.
Now, strangely, he did.
...
"Itsuki, are you a good person or a bad one?"
"I'm going to be bad."
"Why?"
"Because for a good person to find peace, it takes endless struggle. But for a bad person, all they need to do is put down their weapon."
...
And now Hiruzen wanted to put down his weapon. Why should Kakashi let him?
Why?!
Kakashi stared at Hiruzen and said coldly, "Do you know how many people you've killed directly or indirectly?"
"I once thought you were a good person."
"But it turns out you're the worst kind of villain."
"You've let us all down."
"So, we'll make sure you carry the shame for the rest of your life. We'll make sure you can never die in peace!"
Hiruzen's face turned pale.
He never imagined that Kakashi's hatred for him would run so deep.
It was almost tangible.
If Kakashi could hear his thoughts, he'd probably spit on him.
...I killed your father, you think you wouldn't hold a grudge?
"Come, Hiruzen Sarutobi!"
Kakashi removed his cloak and stretched, his voice icy, "Die as a rogue ninja!"
"Kakashi!"
Hiruzen's face twisted with rage. "Do you really think you're a match for me? Let me show you—you're far too young to bear the title of Hokage!"
Swoosh!
He tossed his robe aside.
Kakashi looked down at him from above and said, "You first."
"Arrogant!"
Hiruzen roared, pulling out a kunai from his waist and hurling it at Kakashi.
His hands formed a series of rapid seals.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
One kunai multiplied into countless kunai.
Then Hiruzen pulled out another shuriken.
Kakashi merely tapped the ground lightly with his foot.
Pop!
Several small stones flew up from the ground, deflecting the kunai.
Just then, a massive shuriken flew toward him.
Kakashi simply stepped to the left, dodging it effortlessly.
Throughout all of this, Kakashi didn't even activate his Sharingan.
He saw through every one of Hiruzen's attacks with just his regular eye.
Witnessing this, not only Hiruzen but everyone around gasped in shock.
It was unbelievable!
So effortless.
Facing a legendary ninja, most ordinary shinobi would have been too terrified to move before the battle even started.
A Hokage didn't need to do anything but stand there for their mere presence to shake ordinary shinobi to their core.
"Take this seriously."
Kakashi looked at Hiruzen and said calmly, "If you don't, you won't get another chance."
Hiruzen's expression grew grave.
Even though his attacks were merely tests, he had still been quite serious.
Yet the pressure coming from Kakashi reminded Hiruzen of Uchiha Itsuki.
When had this child grown so strong?
He had only just become Hokage!
"Fire Style!"
Hiruzen quickly performed hand seals, massive amounts of chakra radiating from him in all directions.
"Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
He opened his mouth, about to unleash his jutsu.
Suddenly!
Kakashi appeared in front of him, holding a small stone.
"Third Hokage, you must've forgotten after so long without real combat. You don't need to make such big moves when fighting."
With that, Kakashi shoved the stone into Hiruzen's mouth, silencing him.
Silenced!
(End of Chapter)