"That was you framing me!"
Shimura Danzo's eyes flashed with fury!
"Interesting..."
Fourth Kazekage Rasa remained calmly seated beside them, the smile on his lips growing even more pronounced, as if watching their quarrel for the first time.
"Many people witnessed it with their own eyes..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen squinted as he glanced at Rasa, knowing he must not lose face in front of this Kazekage, and sought to suppress all matters first: "Since you've returned to Konoha, let's first calm the chaos here; we can discuss everything after it's over..."
Whatever happens, unnecessary sacrifices must be avoided as much as possible.
This was Sarutobi Hiruzen's principle of conduct. With people from The Hidden Sand Village around, now was not the time to fall out with Shimura Danzo; he still hoped to discuss everything privately with him since there was still room for maneuver.
Moreover...
If the conflict between Konoha and The Hidden Mist Village continues to escalate, and The Hidden Sand Village believes it can intervene, it may lead to more bloodshed.
Sarutobi Hiruzen coldly instructed: "Order Akihara Kagura to act immediately, arrest all Hidden Mist Ninja causing the chaos, but try not to take their lives..."
In the stands.
A group of Konoha Ninja could no longer hold back their actions.
Akihara Kagura, surrounded by a group of Jonin, quickly rushed towards the platform with the aim of protecting the Third Hokage and preventing the situation from spiraling out of control.
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Countless tree roots and vines immediately sprouted throughout the entire examination venue, each one precisely seizing a Hidden Mist Ninja, binding them all to the trees!
Soon.
Almost all the Hidden Mist Ninja present were captured by the Deep Forest Emergence.
The lead Jonin from The Hidden Mist Village, Hozuki Mangetsu, swung his Ninja Sword, severing a vine, and exerted his strength causing him to cough up a mouthful of blood: "What's going on with Orochimaru's side? Wasn't someone supposed to stop Akihara Kagura?"
"Lord Mangetsu, look at the platform..."
A Hidden Mist Ninja looked towards the platform in panic, exclaiming, "Where is Elder Yuan? Why is Shimura Danzo here?"
"What the hell is going on?"
Hozuki Mangetsu observed the two bickering figures on the platform, frowning deeply: "Why hasn't Orochimaru acted according to plan yet!"
The key now was not the whereabouts of Elder Yuan but rather that Orochimaru needed to act immediately to stop Akihara Kagura; otherwise, they were no match for Akihara Kagura, not even able to deal with the Konoha Ninja!
"Water Release: Great Bursting Water Wave!"
Hozuki Mangetsu hastily formed hand seals, forcing out a gigantic wave despite his frail condition; the wave almost instantaneously engulfed half the examination venue and even reached the Red Sun Array Barrier, which quickly incinerated the incoming wave, causing steam to fill the air.
In the next moment!
Hozuki Mangetsu manipulated the wave beneath him to form a huge water figure, making the water figure reach out to grasp the approaching Akihara Kagura!
However...
A tree root suddenly grew, swiftly forming into a wooden figure, which reached out and crushed the water figure's head, capturing Hozuki Mangetsu who was controlling the water figure in its hand!
The chaos stirred up by the Hidden Mist Ninja was subdued by Akihara Kagura in less than a few minutes, if not moments!
This swift and decisive resolution immediately intimidated many present who were looking to take advantage of the chaos!
Standing atop the wooden figure, Akihara Kagura surveyed those who were intimidated, then turned his gaze to Gaara and Karin inside the halted Red Sun Array Barrier.
"Continue the exam."
"..."
Everyone present was speechless.
Who had the mind to focus on the exam now!
The Hidden Mist Ninja stirred chaos in Konoha, directly provoking a war between two Ninja Villages. Who would still be concerned about a Genin battle!
No matter how strong these two Genin are, they can't compare to a war between two villages! Isn't the most pressing issue asking if the Ninja World is about to erupt into another war?
However...
Karin was very obedient.
The black butterfly wings behind Karin gently fluttered, rushing directly towards Gaara; this Chunin exam actually needs to go on!
Gaara was never someone willing to admit defeat. The gourd behind him had already completely transformed into yellow sand, frantically blocking Karin's charge under his control!
The Chunin exam battle that should have ended is still ongoing.
The battle on the high platform that should have started hasn't begun yet, and the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen still hopes that Shimura Danzo can resolve everything privately, avoiding disputes in front of everyone, so as not to embarrass the Fourth Kazekage from The Hidden Sand Village.
However...
Shimura Danzo refuses to do so.
In the past, when Shimura Danzo served as Hokage Assistant, he did many dirty deeds in secret, and Sarutobi Hiruzen would actively help Danzo suppress them, discussing and resolving them privately.
This time...
Shimura Danzo insists on exposing all of Konoha's darkness to the public, letting the sunlight shine down to reveal the ugliness of his old friend Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Don't forget, Monkey."
Shimura Danzo looked at Akihara Kagura leading a group of ninjas surrounding them, indifferent to his own danger, and coldly questioned, "It was you who decided to use the First Hokage's cells for human transplant experiments, to give Wood Release the power to seal and control the Nine-tails, preventing the village's Jinchuriki from losing control..."
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression turned gloomy.
This matter is a Konoha high-level secret. Is it apt for discussion at this moment?
Though he was the one who decided to use Hashirama Cells for human transplant experiments, wasn't it Danzo who actively suggested it?
Moreover, seeing the huge losses from the experiment, he immediately called to halt the experiment. Yet Shimura Danzo continued the experiments illegally, even colluding with Orochimaru!
"I called off the experiment long ago."
Sarutobi Hiruzen harshly rebuked Shimura Danzo, ruthlessly exposing Danzo's intentions: "Yet you defied my orders in secret, even colluding with Orochimaru to continue unauthorized human experiments, abducting orphans from nearby villages, kidnapping villagers…"
"I did it for Konoha…"
"Is it really for Konoha or for your own selfish desires!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen coldly stared at Shimura Danzo, presenting even more compelling evidence: "All ninja information registration in the village should be submitted to the Hokage Tower. How many subordinates have you privately retained over the years, do I really need to list them one by one?"
"..."
Shimura Danzo's momentum faltered.
This elder forgot that his mistakes are far more numerous than Sarutobi Hiruzen's, stubbornly believing he's doing it for Konoha instead of himself. Yet, as soon as he raised a question, Sarutobi Hiruzen pierced through it, leaving him with barely any rebuttal.
"That's because…"
Shimura Danzo hesitated for a moment, then found an unreliable reason: "You always want to monopolize power and control everything; I was merely trying to prevent you from making mistakes…"
Shimura Danzo recalled the deceit towards the First and Second Hokage and simply used these matters as evidence: "To consistently hold onto power within the village, you chose Namikaze Minato as the Fourth Hokage instead of the more suitable Orochimaru at the time. Wasn't Orochimaru more qualified to become Hokage back then? Just because Orochimaru would defy your orders, you stripped him of the qualification to become Hokage…"
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was almost amused by Shimura Danzo's argument.
Is this old friend somewhat out of touch, coming up with such an argument now? Doesn't he realize how easily he can be countered?
"..."
Seated beside them, Fourth Kazekage Rasa seemed very intrigued by Konoha's Hokage transitions, attentively observing Sarutobi Hiruzen, hoping to hear answers from the elder.
"Orochimaru harbors darkness too deep within him."
Sarutobi Hiruzen stated this reason very appropriately, and he could even provide evidence: "As facts prove, my decision wasn't wrong. Orochimaru feared death, conducted unauthorized human experiments, and defected from Konoha, while Minato chose to sacrifice himself to protect the village…"
Speaking in terms of facts, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't make any mistakes. Indeed, Namikaze Minato was a suitable choice, and Shimura Danzo's argument stands no ground, only proving Sarutobi Hiruzen's correctness.
No help for it.
Why did Orochimaru have to defect?
However, Shimura Danzo's verbal combat skills are incredibly poor!
Fortunately.
Fourth Kazekage Rasa was right beside them, proactively chiming in: "I'm a bit curious about a question, was the Third Hokage worried that Orochimaru would seize power if he became Hokage?"