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The mysterious person who suddenly entered the village—this mission was definitely not as simple as it appeared on the surface.
At the same time, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt an inexplicable wave of unease.
"Someone, go fetch the other ANBU members who participated in this mission. I want to know exactly what happened to Kakashi," Hiruzen calmly ordered.
Not long after, detailed mission intelligence landed in Hiruzen's hands.
Kakashi's exchange with the enemy, his subsequent strange state, and the act of kneeling—all these phrases made Hiruzen's brows furrow intensely.
Though the ninja world wasn't truly feudal like in past eras, only a select few top-tier nobles or figures like Hiruzen himself, or ninjas of extremely high status, were worthy of receiving such reverence from a ninja.
Had Kakashi betrayed?
Hiruzen instinctively thought so, but quickly dismissed the idea.
Kakashi's loyalty to Konoha was unquestionable. His background and experiences had bound his heart firmly to the village. This was Hiruzen's confidence in his years of psychological manipulation (PUA).
But why? Why would Kakashi show such deep respect to an unknown enemy?
As Hiruzen carefully analyzed the intelligence, trying to decipher Kakashi's thoughts from the subtle clues, Kakashi had already changed into formal attire.
Though the Hatake clan wasn't a major family, they were still a hereditary ninja clan and placed great importance on etiquette.
Kakashi's deliberate actions, of course, stemmed from his own intentions.
Ye Wen wanted a complete and stable Konoha. Though Kakashi now possessed the strength to sweep through Konoha, he wouldn't act recklessly.
After all, Kakashi loved this land deeply.
Next, Kakashi visited the various ninja clans of Konoha one by one: Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, Uchiha, Hyūga, Aburame, Inuzuka, Gekko, Kurama, and others, both large and small.
Though Konoha had long advocated for cultivating civilian ninjas, everyone knew better.
This was a world that valued lineage and bloodlines. Civilian ninjas who relied solely on the three basic techniques taught in school—if they didn't have a good teacher guiding them—how could they possibly amount to anything?
Konoha's inheritance system had always been one where civilian ninjas depended on their ninja clan teachers to carry on their legacy.
As for those civilian ninjas without mentors and mediocre talent, they either died during missions or perished in wars—mere cannon fodder.
If the Hokage position were to be up for election, the first group to win over would undoubtedly be the upper-rank ninjas from these clans. Once they were secured, the civilian ninjas under their influence would naturally support Kakashi as well.
Jiraiya's generation was now aging, nearing the end of their prime as ninjas. Those with real power had mostly died off, and the survivors were no fools—they wouldn't dare touch the Hokage seat.
After all, the fate of the White Fang of Konoha was still fresh in everyone's minds.
To reiterate: any ninja who lived long enough wasn't a fool.
Moreover, Hiruzen Sarutobi's actions over the years had left a bitter taste in many mouths.
Especially after forcing the death of the Hyūga clan leader's younger brother, Hiruzen's actions had chilled the hearts of many ninja families.
Though most of these clans weren't bloodline-wielding ones, if similar situations arose in the future, were they really expected to let Hiruzen sacrifice their families as scapegoats?
Ninja villages were inherently places where clans banded together for survival.
Now, however, cracks were beginning to show—a situation of mutual dependence crumbling.
But among the younger generation capable of shouldering Konoha's future, there were few standout candidates.
And at this moment, Kakashi stepped forward.
The stream of information Ye Wen had imparted to Kakashi contained not only methods of cultivation but also various other pieces of intelligence—such as Konoha's dirty secrets and military strategies.
Currently, Kakashi was orchestrating alliances and negotiations.
It could be said that since Hiruzen took office and allowed Danzō Shimura to establish the ROOT organization, these two "dragons and phoenix chicks" had been recklessly squandering Konoha's foundation. Fortunately, Konoha's resources were abundant enough that they hadn't completely depleted them yet.
But the accumulated grievances over the years had filled the hearts of the various ninja clans with resentment.
Winning wars without demanding reparations?
Their own clansmen dying in droves on the battlefield while the families of Konoha's "Elite 4" grew increasingly prosperous?
{T/N: Just a joke but it refers to the 4 Elders' Clans: Sarutobi, Shimura, Mitokado and Utatane}
Various forbidden human experiments?
Turning their talented children into emotionless tools?
The list of grievances was endless.
And now, Kakashi had stepped forward, willing to shoulder the future of Konoha. Though the various clans hesitated at first, they ultimately acknowledged Kakashi.
After all, Kakashi's identity and past achievements were beyond reproach.
Though some initially doubted Kakashi's strength, once he revealed the Vast Sea Chakra Mode, the clan heads fell silent.
Who could have imagined it?! The sudden surge of chakra had even cracked the walls of their homes.
Such overwhelming power was reminiscent of the First and Second Hokages spoken of by the older generation. How could they not bow their heads in reverence!
The next day, Kakashi placed his resignation letter before Hiruzen as promised.
Hiruzen gazed heavily at the resignation form but said nothing, his gaze complex as he stared at Kakashi.
Just as Hiruzen was about to speak, a knock came at the door.
"Enter."
But as soon as he finished speaking, Hiruzen froze. A large group of ninjas filed in, instantly crowding the once-spacious Hokage office to the point of being packed like sardines.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Though startled by the scene, Hiruzen forced himself to remain calm and asked the question.
As the leader of the previous generation, Nara Shikaku stepped forward. He was a sharp-looking man with pineapple-shaped hair and two scars on the right side of his face.
The Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka trio—known as the Ino-Shika-Cho formation—had always been loyal supporters of every Hokage generation.
Yet this man, who had always been loyal to him, now looked at Hiruzen with a deep, solemn gaze, causing Hiruzen's heart to race.
What was going on?
At this moment, Nara Shikaku spoke in a low, steady voice.
"Third Hokage, after a joint vote by over eighty percent of Konoha's upper-rank ninjas, we demand the election of a new Fifth Hokage.
After all, you are advanced in age, and following the Fourth Hokage's passing, the next Hokage should have been chosen. Your return to the position was never appropriate to begin with. It's time to set things right."
The Hokage's office was eerily silent. The dozens of upper-rank ninjas who had entered simply stood there, silently watching Hiruzen.
On the surface, Hiruzen remained composed, but the trembling hand lifting his pipe to his lips betrayed his inner panic.
"You're impeaching me?!"
After a long pause, Hiruzen's aged, raspy voice trembled with disbelief as he asked the question.
Though those present still felt some fear toward Hiruzen—the man known as the "Professor of Ninjutsu"—at this point, retreat was impossible. Each of them nodded expressionlessly, their faces devoid of emotion.
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