"What?" Hiruzen could barely register what he had just been told.
"I- I- Katsuro, surely you-"
"No, Hokage. You either agree to the terms, or Danzo dies. This isn't a negotiation." This time, it wasn't Katsuro speaking – it was Fugaku. After him, voices of agreements came from other prominent clans – the Akimichi, Yamanaka, Kurama, Aburame and Nara all spoke their agreement – and not just them. Smaller clans, such the Hatake clan, and respected Shinobi all agreed – even the Sannin, who were the Hokage's own disciples, didn't say anything in his defence. If anything, Jiraiya and Tsunade seemed to be in agreement that Hiruzen should step down. However, Katsuro noticed that Orochimaru was staying strangely quiet – and I'm pretty sure I know the reason.
Hiruzen wasn't an idiot.
He bowed his head, and nodded wordlessly, signalling his agreement, much to the glee of the rest of the clan leaders.
F*ck! Danzo, you absolute imbecile! I warned you so many f*cking times, and you never listened! Even now, I just stuck out my neck for you, and look where it's gotten me!
And you! Uchiha Fugaku! I've watched you since you were a boy, you arrogant fool! Don't think your meddling will go unpunished!
But wait – they're not the main problem. No – no, it's him! Senju Katsuro! Not only have you opposed me at every possible time in every possible way – not only did you humiliate me in battle, but you're also trying to force me off my throne?!
Just you wait, brat. I may have lost the battle, but I won't lose the war. If I had any doubts before, they're all gone now.
I don't care how I'm going to do it – but one way or another, Senju Katsuro – you are a dead man.
As everyone left, having decided what would happen, Katsuro left the somewhat shaken Hokage and instead of walking to his family, friends or people walked toward Orochimaru, who had been walking away. Recognising his intent, Orochimaru waited for him under a tree, and as an intelligent man in his own right, from seeing the dangerous glint in Katsuro's eye, he had a guess he knew what this was about.
Katsuro narrowed his eyes slightly, and spoke with a grave tone.
"Orochimaru, I'll keep your involvement with the experiments under wraps for now, because you only dealt with dead bodies. But I don't want to hear of you becoming another Danzo, and don't even think about touching my people or property."
Katsuro's eyes seemed to glow with venom as he stared at the Snake of the Leaf.
"Otherwise, not even your moulting will save you. I will hunt you till the ends of the very depths of Hell."
He delivered his threat and then patted Orochimaru's shoulder. Between the 2 geniuses, they knew no fight would break out now.
"Let's hope I won't have to do such a thing, Orochimaru, I quite like you even if you are a little weird."
With that one-sided conversation, Katsuro walked away as nonchalantly as he came. Returning to where he belonged.
—
Hiruzen stood before the murmuring and restless crowd, who wondered what such a large announcement was about. A sense of fear was permeating throughout the crowd and the village. The rumours about one of their beloved heroes causing them a huge loss kicked things off, and then just yesterday there was a large mobilisation of the village's Shinobi towards the outskirts. People had feared an enemy within their very village, and this announcement didn't serve to put them at ease. They almost expected that another war would be declared from everything that had been happening.
But only time would tell, and it was quickly approaching. Soon silence was called for, as a hush fell over the crowd, and soon the Hokage began speaking. Throughout, major leaders laid waiting in anticipation, to see if his promise would be fulfilled.
"I am sure all of you are aware of the movement of our Shinobi yesterday and even rumours that have been spread in the village. The cause of both of these is… the elder Shimura Danzo. Severe crimes he has committed have come to light. Among them include the kidnapping and murder of children, men and women of the Hidden Leaf."
Murmurs spread, in shock hearing their very elder would betray them. "Danzo is also liable for leaking confidential information, such as rumours you may have heard about the village's hero, the White Fang."
The chatter only swelled hearing this, the context made many begin to believe the rumours were just that rumours, and the Hokage calling the White Fang a hero helped.
"Multiple clans have suffered under him immensely, being targeted for their abilities. His main targets were the Senju and Uchiha but numerous other clans like the Yamanaka, Aburame and Kurama. Shinobi who give their lives to protect you were targeted from within, dying without their families even realising how."
Normal citizens of the village did not get along with the Uchiha, that was a fact. They were naturally quite proud, even arrogant and they policed them. It was obvious what would happen, and it made Katsuro think the Second did it on purpose. But by tying the Uchiha to the comparatively well-liked Senju and speaking of their suffering, it made the people sympathetic even to them. Giving them a glimpse of the ostracization they were suffering. Of course, they were not the only ones, sympathies were felt for all the clans who suffered -many saw them as their protectors, saviours and heroes, after all.
"He experimented on those he captured, such as the Senju who were useful as experiments for their large vitality and even stole the sacred Kekkai Genkai of the Uchiha clan, stealing the eyes of their dead. Danzo also experimented on the cells of the First Hokage, an unforgivable disrespect to our founder."
So far there had been shock, disgust and anger but this caused outrage. Not only were their founding clans treated like insects by their leadership, the First Hokage who may as well have been worshipped as a God was desecrated. Shouts rang out, calling for Danzo's punishment and death.
The Third bowed his head in front of everyone, "It is my inadequacy as Hokage that all this has happened, I hope you can forgive me."
Seeing him bow his head, their anger simmered down somewhat, and Katsuro was impressed. To bow his head so publicly… it even feels somewhat sincere. Well played Hiruzen, even if this situation is attached to your name, at least for now you have curbed their anger.
Some people who had by this point fallen under the doctrine spewing Hiruzen's will of fire, shouted out, telling him to lift his head, and that it wasn't his fault. They didn't know quite how wrong they were.
As much as he wanted to, Hiruzen couldn't just leave it like this, he knew for a fact washing his hands so cleanly of the matter would lead to his office being stormed by a certain Patriarch and he could do nothing about it.
"I apologise sincerely for my friend Danzo. Danzo has been removed from all positions of power and will suffer imprisonment for his crimes. I vow that the village will compensate those treated unfairly. I shall also take responsibility, as soon as there's a replacement I will step down as Hokage. I hope you all continue to support the village."
The announcement came with many mixed reactions; Danzo's punishment was deserved but many thought he was let off far too easily. But the announcement of the Hokage stepping down was polarising. Lots of people thought it was deserved, the Hokage had appointed his friend as elder and right under his nose he had betrayed the very village he served. But others had been swept up by the wave of propaganda that had been pushed which painted Hiruzen as the 'Strongest Hokage' and the man who brought peace to the Leaf. As a result, they could not fathom him stepping down when he was still young.
To the young children who did not know better, the perfect image of the Hokage had been destroyed. Kakashi, who was deeply involved already, held a subtle hatred for the man, and even talents like Minato grew more wary and disappointed. His nature meant he saw the best in the Third, but he couldn't help but think – If it was me, such a thing would never have happened.
Things were changing, that at least, was clear.
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