"Let's compare," the fake Danzo began, voice cold and measured. "The Third Raikage, even with white hair, held off countless enemies for three full days. Meanwhile, our Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi—at the height of his power in his thirties—couldn't even stand against the Gold and Silver Brothers. And not only that, he left the Second Hokage to cover their retreat."
"He was lauded as the 'Professor of Ninjutsu,' the strongest Hokage ever. Yet he couldn't face just twenty opponents. Tsk."
"Even the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, in his twenties, wiped out over fifty jonin in a single battle. And Hiruzen didn't so much as try to stay and fight."
Danzo paused. "Makes you wonder… was Hiruzen truly hiding his strength? Planning the Second's death, readying himself to take the Hokage seat?"
"I think he was," someone in the crowd said. "Danzo himself pointed out that Uchiha Kagami—the youngest of the Elite Guard, only 25—died in that battle. Yet the older advisors returned unscathed. It sure looks premeditated."
"Maybe Hiruzen was just that weak," another murmured. "Kumogakure reporters even said, during the Second and Third Great Wars, Konoha could win even if we leashed a dog. Hiruzen… I can't think of a single impressive accomplishment."
A chilling theory echoed: "Maybe Hiruzen and the advisors conspired with the Gold and Silver Brothers to eliminate both Hokage and Raikage... then silenced Kagami when he discovered the plan. And Danzo? He lost an eye and arm covering that retreat."
The crowd shivered.
"And Kumogakure reporters also said the Senju clan was wiped out—only Princess Tsunade remained," someone whispered. "Perhaps Hiruzen feared his conspiracy would be exposed, so he finished the job himself—using the pretense of awakening Wood Release."
"He even became Tsunade's guardian and acquired the clan's assets! And little Nawaki? He died at twelve on the battlefield. Tsk."
"Now it makes sense," someone said. "No wonder the elders dared speak against him, and Hiruzen pushed for Hashirama's cell experiments—to destroy the Senju once and for all."
"No wonder he didn't help the Uzumaki clan either!"
"Probably because they discovered his schemes."
"So what did he do?"
"Teamed up with Kirigakure and wiped them out too!"
"Ugh, now that you say it... it all lines up!"
"My god... is the Third Hokage really that kind of person?"
"Isn't it obvious? Look at Konoha's White Fang, Sakumo Hatake!"
"He died because Sarutobi feared he'd overshadow him."
"He was weak, his subordinates strong — he felt threatened!"
"And Hyuga Hiashi! Killed a worthless Cloud shinobi and was forced to commit suicide as an 'apology' to the Land of Lightning!"
"And Hiruzen called it 'peace.'"
"Peace that comes from sacrificing your own people? Disgusting."
"What if the Land of Lightning knew about Sarutobi killing the Second Hokage?"
"And that's why they forced him to kill Hiashi?"
"You know, that might actually be true!"
"And remember Kushina? She was kidnapped when she was a child. Only the Hokage and a few knew she was Jinchūriki. How else would Cloud have found her? Hiruzen leaked that intel to eliminate the last Uzumaki."
A voice challenged the claim: "If only the higher-ups knew, how do you know?"
"Nonsense! I used to be in the Anbu!" came the reply. "I escorted Kushina to Konoha—under Lady Mito's orders. Minato even called me 'senpai.'"
"I see. My apologies, truly!"
The real Danzo was stunned.
They're actually buying this?
They're... elaborating on their own??
My god.
Verbal manipulation really is terrifying. Good thing I'm the one doing it.
Self-deception? Even scarier. But hey — I'm the one benefiting.
Thinking that, the real Danzo felt his mind lighten.
...
Inside a nearby building, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Torifu Akimichi watched in disbelief.
"He's lying so brazenly," Koharu gasped.
"Wasn't he the one terrified of death?" Homura growled.
"Are we just going to sit here and watch?" Koharu asked.
"What can we do?" Torifu sighed. "We'll just keep watching. We didn't step in when Hiruzen erased the Shimura clan—so maybe this balances it out."
Torifu admitted quietly, "Danzo's right. If we'd stayed, the Second Hokage might've lived."
Koharu and Mitokado exchanged guilty looks.
Danzo's words cut deep: "As the Hokage's Elite Guard, fleeing and abandoning your duty is betrayal. Watching Kagami die—that's injustice."
"How can men like us live with that disgrace?"
He paused, voice breaking: "I've wondered… would it have been better if Kagami and I had died that day? Maybe then I wouldn't be haunted by guilt."
Koharu asked softly, "Is that why you refused the advisor role?"
Torifu nodded. "Something like that."
...
At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived, eyes ablaze.
"Danzo, you snake! You've manipulated the villagers into slandering me!"
"I — Hiruzen Sarutobi — was the first to volunteer to stay behind that day!"
"And yet you claim I ran?"
"You even accuse me of being a Kumogakure spy?!"
"How dare you be so shameless?!"
"Hmph. 'Lies'?"
"Tell me, am I really wrong?"
The fake Danzo stared him down, fearless.
"Do you dare say you've never felt guilt for your teacher's death?"
"Do you dare say your conscience is clear when you dream at night?"
"Do you dare say that, as an Elite Guard, you abandoned your Hokage and fled — and you're fine with that?"
"I—" Hiruzen choked.
He couldn't argue.
Because he had felt guilt.
"As the Hokage's Elite Guard, abandoning the Hokage and fleeing alone is disloyal!"
"Watching Kagami die is unrighteous!"
"You — disloyal and unrighteous — how dare you sit on the Hokage's seat?"
"How dare you reclaim power after Minato's death?"
"An old man who doesn't die is a thief!"
"Greedy for power!"
"Hiruzen Sarutobi — where is your shame?!"
Danzo's roar shook the plaza.
And Hiruzen's expression changed dramatically.
He stumbled back.