"Itachi, I know what you two are thinking," Hiruzen said, "but let me speak frankly."
"Mr. Tree's words—they're deep. But they're soaked in negativity. That kind of thinking doesn't help us raise a strong, hopeful next generation in Konoha. It's even worse for the mental and emotional health of our villagers and their children."
"His sharp words—like knives—pierce straight to the heart. It's no exaggeration to say they strike to kill the soul. Sure, they're effective when aimed at a schemer like Danzo or Root..."
"But you have to understand: those words came from a man living in a time of total darkness. They don't match the healthy, stable, forward-moving life we live in Konoha today."
"Mr. Tree had a point, yes—but he generalized too much."
"I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, am not Danzo."
"And I am certainly not an executioner."
"Do you understand what I'm saying?" His voice was solemn, but soft.
"Understood," Itachi replied.
"Good. Just remember: darkness is only temporary. It exists to make way for the light of dawn."
"Once Danzo and Root are brought to justice, Konoha will still be the peaceful, stable village we love."
"We can't let a single rotten apple spoil the whole barrel."
"I was there—I lived in Mr. Tree's time. No one understands him better than I do."
"I know that when he said those words, he was crushed inside. Bitter. Grieving. Unwilling to give in. Radical. Even cruel."
"But let's speak honestly."
"If Mr. Tree could see us now—Danzo and Root wiped out, Konoha happy and thriving—he would feel like I do. He would want the younger generation, and the one yet to come, to be filled with hope and drive—not chained down by darkness and despair."
"So in that sense, banning talk of Mr. Tree's philosophies is actually the right move."
"Because he would never want his words twisted and used by others for the wrong reasons."
"Wouldn't you agree?" Hiruzen asked.
"We do," both Itachi and the ANBU captain said in unison.
"Good. Then let's leave it at that."
"After Danzo is dealt with, bury those words. If anyone asks, just say everything I've done was for your own good—and for the good of Konoha. Understood?"
"Understood!" they both echoed.
For our good? You mean for your own good, right?
A glimpse of your heart is enough to see the whole truth.
The moment Hiruzen said those words—banning Mr. Tree's sayings—itachi and the ANBU captain knew: they were done hoping.
So, when Hiruzen needed support to take down Danzo, he praised Mr. Tree's words.
But the moment the villagers turned on Danzo, and he was no longer a threat? Suddenly, Mr. Tree's words were dangerous. Unstable. Forbidden.
Just moments ago, he praised him. Now? Total reversal.
This was classic doublethink. Hypocrisy, executed flawlessly.
No wonder Hatake Sakumo and Hyuga Hizashi were pushed to suicide.
When the rabbit dies, the hound gets cooked. When the birds are gone, the bow is stored.
It took only seconds for Hiruzen to show his true face.
Truly masterful political maneuvering. Disgusting, but masterful.
But heaven sees all. Good will be rewarded. Evil will pay. It's not that justice won't come—it's just that the time hasn't arrived.
But when it does? Nothing will be left unpaid.
Does Hiruzen really think he can silence all of Konoha—or even the entire shinobi world?
Not a chance.
If the ANBU captain was right—if Danzo really had enraged the entire village—then no matter how powerful he was, he'd never seize the Hokage title.
Because no one would support him.
Even if he somehow took the seat, no one would follow him.
Hearts scattered. No leadership possible.
Hiruzen began to wonder—should he pin the Hashirama cell human experimentation on Danzo?
After all, those experiments were a blemish on his own record. If he could offload the blame onto Danzo, then his own record would be spotless.
And why not? He trained the Three Legendary Sannin. Sure, Tsunade developed her medical ninjutsu herself. Jiraiya learned his from Mount Myōboku. Orochimaru built his knowledge through sheer personal research.
But without Hiruzen guiding them... could they have achieved so much?
Of course not. So yes—he absolutely deserved the title of "Ninjutsu Professor."
As for Hatake Sakumo and Hyuga Hizashi... well, they were just too fragile. Suicide was their own decision. Why couldn't they just tough it out?
Eh—blame Danzo.
And Naruto. All of Naruto's suffering? Also Danzo's fault. Jealousy of Minato. Greed for the Uzumaki inheritance.
Once Danzo is eliminated, they'll seize Shimura clan property and land, redistribute some of it to Naruto, and that'll fulfill Kushina's last wishes too.
Then Naruto—Nine-Tails Jinchūriki or not—will be fully loyal. Problem solved.
In short: Danzo's death benefits everyone.
Hiruzen Sarutobi—always warm and shining in the daylight.
Danzo—cold, ruthless, operating in the shadows.
Together, they had made Konoha the strongest hidden village.
But now? Danzo had gone too far. He killed Minato and Kushina. Tried to control the Nine-Tails. Was plotting to assassinate Hiruzen and steal the Hokage seat.
By law, he had to die.
There was no other way.
With that thought, Hiruzen finally felt at ease.
Danzo—don't blame me. It's your own fault.
Your sins offend heaven and earth. If you don't die, Konoha will never know peace. And neither will I.
Besides, I'm only 62—turning 63. I can still serve for another 10, maybe 20 years.
No way am I retiring early.
But just as Hiruzen stepped out of the ninja academy with a pleased look on his face—
the whole world turned upside down.
Because all of Konoha... was shouting for his downfall.
"Down with Hiruzen Sarutobi! Avenge the Senju Clan!"
"Sarutobi must fall—Konoha's villagers must rise!"
"Unite! Overthrow Sarutobi's tyranny!"
"The ANBU are paper tigers!"
"Stop the civil war! Unite against foreign enemies! Clear Lord Danzo's name!"
"All shinobi of Konoha, unite! Crush Sarutobi and all his dogs!"
"Fight for Konoha's survival!"
"Tear down Sarutobi's dark regime! Long live the villagers of Konoha!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "???????"
Did I walk into the wrong district?
Didn't you people just say Danzo was the enemy?
I even steeled myself to take him down—and this is what I walk into?!
You're putting on this entire circus for me?
You think this is funny?!
Hiruzen's voice dropped to a deadly chill. "Can someone explain this to me?"
Killing intent radiated off him like ice, sending a jolt of fear into the ANBU captain, who felt his spine go cold and his clothes stick to his back from sweat.
"Th-this..." the captain stammered, drenched in cold sweat.
He hadn't expected things to change so dramatically just from running to the Hokage's office and back.
If I'd known, I never would've opened my damn mouth...
"You said Danzo had enraged the public! Now tell me clearly—what the hell is going on?" Hiruzen shouted, pointing at the masses demonstrating outside the academy.
Is it me the village hates now—or Danzo?!
The answer should be obvious, shouldn't it?
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin