Sarutobi Hiruzen had no idea what Mitokado Homura was thinking.
Because an extremely troublesome problem had suddenly landed before him.
—Tsunade had abducted more than ten students from the Ninja Academy!
It was only after several of the Academy's instructors came together to "file a complaint" that Sarutobi Hiruzen learned Tsunade had caused such a huge mess.
Helpless, Sarutobi Hiruzen could only assign an Anbu ninja to find Tsunade and question her about what exactly she intended to do.
Because of his "Orochimaru" PTSD, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help feeling a vague sense of unease, even though he believed Tsunade would not imitate Orochimaru.
"Yes." As the Anbu ninja responded, Sarutobi Hiruzen's brow involuntarily furrowed.
Because after saying "yes," the Anbu ninja did not add the honorific "Hokage-sama."
That indicated that discontent toward him as Hokage within the Anbu had already grown quite serious.
Even some Anbu who had once been extremely loyal to him were now treating him perfunctorily.
Though still loyal, they no longer respected him as they once had.
Before long.
The Anbu ninja he had sent out returned safely and reported Tsunade's intentions to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Hokage-sama, Tsunade-sama intends to select children from the Ninja Academy who are suitable to become medical-nin, and then train them as potential recruits for the Medical Unit of the Police Force."
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "…"
This immediately reminded Sarutobi Hiruzen of the argument he'd had with Tsunade not long ago.
At that time, when he rejected her proposal, Tsunade had thrown quite a few harsh words at him—and now it turned out she truly intended to create a medical unit of her own.
And she had even reached her hand into the Ninja Academy!
If it had been anyone else doing such a thing, Sarutobi Hiruzen would have used every means available to stop them. After all, the Ninja Academy represented Konoha's future, and he could never allow others to meddle with it.
However…
The one doing this was Tsunade—the granddaughter of the First Hokage.
That made things a bit troublesome.
"Tsunade… which children did she choose?" After a long silence, Sarutobi Hiruzen asked another question.
The Anbu ninja recited over a dozen names.
Each name made Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyelids twitch violently, because almost every one of them sounded familiar. Familiar meant he had paid attention to them before—these were the very children he had envisioned as Konoha's future elite shinobi.
And now Tsunade had poached them all!
...
At the same time.
The Land of Rain.
Sitting in his wheelchair, Nagato spoke to Konan beside him: "You will represent our Akatsuki to meet someone. This person, through certain special means, made contact with one of Akatsuki's external members and frankly revealed their intention. They wish to cooperate with Akatsuki."
Konan glanced at Nagato and asked in doubt, "Who? From where?"
For someone to draw Nagato's attention, their identity could not be simple.
Nagato replied, "Utatane Koharu, from Konohagakure's Root organization."
As the words fell, Konan suddenly fell silent.
"Root of Konohagakure…"
Because she recalled Shimura Danzō, who had once controlled the Root of Konoha.
Yahiko's death back then had been inseparable from Shimura Danzō.
Konan's delicate brows furrowed slightly. "Could it be another trap?"
Nagato shook his head. "The Akatsuki of today is completely different from the Akatsuki of the past. The other party wouldn't be so foolish. Moreover, I will send two of the Six Paths to act as your guards. In that case, even if it is a trap, your safety will be ensured."
"Besides, since the other party is the one actively seeking a meeting, that clearly means they're coming to us. This is our territory. In our own territory, they won't be foolish enough to act rashly."
After a pause, Nagato added, "If the other party intends to hire us for something, you can open your mouth wide with the asking price. After all, she's from Konoha, and Konoha is wealthy."
Konan nodded. "All right."
…
Konohagakure.
Police Force Headquarters.
"Keizumi, I'm not here to take sides. I simply don't want to see the Mitokado clan fall into danger, nor do I wish for the young people in my clan to be dragged into the quagmire of death. I also hope you won't tell anyone that I met with you today."
In disguise, Mitokado Homura selectively revealed part of the information he knew to Uchiha Keizumi.
After saying everything, Mitokado Homura felt a pang of guilt—as though he had betrayed Sarutobi Hiruzen and Utatane Koharu.
But that sense of guilt quickly dissipated.
He had no choice.
He had to do this.
Of course…
The main point was that Mitokado Homura believed there was no great hatred between himself and Uchiha Keizumi. Although several members of the Mitokado clan had once been taken away by Uchiha Keizumi, that was only because those clansmen had done wrong and committed crimes.
"What you call 'not taking sides' is just self-consolation," Uchiha Keizumi said indifferently. "The moment you stood before me, you had already chosen your position. You know very well that there's no turning back for you now."
"I'm a bit curious—what's your motive? Is it merely for the sake of the Mitokado clan? That excuse is far too absurd. Such a reason alone isn't enough for you to stand against the Hokage."
The verbal interrogation from Uchiha Keizumi made Mitokado Homura open his mouth, his heart filled with deep conflict.
After a long silence, he finally said, "Hiruzen has indeed become somewhat indecisive. He's old now—no longer the youthful and spirited Third Hokage, no longer the famed 'Ninja Hero' of the shinobi world."
"If, when facing you, he had chosen to be resolute from the start, I would have firmly stood on his side. But he kept retreating in the beginning, and now suddenly wants to act tough again."
"This doesn't show that he has changed from indecision to a firm hand—it only shows that he has lost his sense of judgment over the situation."
Mitokado Homura sighed. "Hiruzen… is truly no longer suited to sit in that position. His continued hold on that seat has already caused Konoha to show signs of gradual decline."
"This…"
"Haa, it's something I never wished to see."
Uchiha Keizumi studied the man before him carefully, looking through the lenses of his glasses straight into his eyes.
Uchiha Keizumi said slowly, "Whether it's the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, or the head of Root, Utatane Koharu—they both attribute Konoha's decline to the interference of [Absolute Justice] within the village. Only you believe it's the Third Hokage's problem. I had always thought the three of you shared the same ideology."
Being stared at made Mitokado Homura a bit uncomfortable; he turned his gaze aside and said, "Though we're all part of Konoha's leadership, it's impossible for the three of us to uphold the exact same mindset."
"Hiruzen leans toward balance and defense; Koharu leans toward radicalism; I lean toward rationality. Such differences in thought naturally lead to disagreements when we discuss certain affairs of state."
"Of course… such disagreements could never be known to outsiders."
"You might think we three share one ideology because we always argue to reach a conclusion first, then let others act according to that conclusion."
"And, Keizumi, you view us through the lens of 'that event,' while ignoring the arguments and debates that occurred beforehand."
Uchiha Keizumi slightly nodded, openly admitting, "That's indeed the case."
Mitokado Homura said, "I've already passed the information to you, so I should take my leave now. Whatever you plan to do, please don't involve me in it. At the very least, don't let Hiruzen and Koharu know that I contacted you in secret."
Just as Mitokado Homura turned around—
Uchiha Keizumi suddenly murmured, "If… I wanted to replace the Hokage, who do you think would be the most suitable?"
Mitokado Homura's heart was struck with shock.
His steps froze instantly.
He… he actually said those words out loud! Even back when Uchiha Setsuna was still alive, he had never dared to openly say in front of him, a Konohagakure advisor, that he wanted to replace the Hokage!
But Uchiha Keizumi showed not the slightest scruple!
After realizing that Hiruzen had already blocked the path of Absolute Justice, the thought of a "rebellious coup" seemed to have risen within him without hesitation.
Could it be that he didn't know, if someone with sharp ears overheard those words, they might become one of the means used by others to attack him?
Uh…
At the very moment such a thought surfaced in his mind, Mitokado Homura suddenly realized—Uchiha Keizumi probably truly wouldn't care.
Moreover, even if someone overheard, they likely wouldn't be too shocked.
Because Uchiha Keizumi, when facing the Hokage, always pressed forward step by step, never giving the Hokage any face at all. That attitude already made it perfectly clear to everyone—sooner or later, he would make a move against the Hokage!
At this moment, what Uchiha Keizumi said should not have exceeded some people's expectations.