Chapter 48 – The Fourth Hokage: Hatake Sakumo
After whispering a few short commands to the ANBU behind him, Hatake Kyūjō began to release the Haki that had been dormant inside him all this time.
Now that he had decided to reveal his power in public, there was no need for restraint. If this was to be a performance, he would make it grand.
Let's end this farce. So that no one forgets who they're dealing with.
While he waited for the ANBU to return with the "criminal records" of the two old advisors—still unfinished due to their many secret dealings—Kyūjō stood quietly in place, watching them act out the final scene of their pathetic little play.
— — —
On the other side, Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at his two former comrades with rage boiling in his chest. If he had the strength, he would've stormed over and shut their mouths himself.
He had already been subdued by Kyūjō. Danzo was dead, killed by the same man.
And yet you two... what power do you think you have left? You dare stand up and bark like this?
Can't you see? Out of everyone here, no one else has dared to object.
Seeing Kyūjō's expression remain calm and unreadable, Hiruzen could only sigh and shake his head.
Despite everything, the bonds of old friendship still tugged at him. He felt obligated—at least once—to try and "save" them.
"Koharu. Homura. Enough. Be silent," Hiruzen's voice rang out, aged but still authoritative. "This decision has been carefully made. I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, know Sakumo better than any of you. He is the most worthy man to take on the title of Fourth Hokage."
"My decision is final. There is nothing more to discuss. And after today, I ask that you two retire along with me. We are old. The new generation far surpasses us. It's time we gave them the stage."
His gaze softened as he looked toward his longtime friends, silently pleading with them not to disgrace themselves further.
Unfortunately, the two elders, blinded by pride and emotion, weren't moved in the slightest. In fact, the suggestion of retirement only made them angrier.
"Hiruzen! Have you completely lost your mind? We've dedicated our entire lives to this village—"
But before they could finish, Kyūjō lifted his head and stared at them sharply, his patience finally worn thin.
In an instant, an invisible pressure surged outward from his body.
With the release of Haoshoku Haki—Conqueror's Haki—the once-suppressed energy erupted from within him and swept across the entire village of Konohagakure.
In just a heartbeat—
Every single villager still within the village walls felt it. A heavy, suffocating pressure pressed down on their chests. The very air grew thick, difficult to breathe.
And at the epicenter, the two elderly advisors crumpled to the ground like puppets with their strings cut. Their bodies trembled, paralyzed. They couldn't even scream.
Hatake Kyūjō didn't say a word, but everyone present in the Hokage Tower's council chamber understood.
The overwhelming force that shook the heavens and earth came from him alone.
To those watching, Kyūjō now appeared not as a man, but as a divine being—or perhaps a demon.
Tsunade. Jiraiya. Orochimaru. The heads of every major clan. The elite Jōnin gathered here—every single one of them was stunned, their expressions frozen between shock, fear, and awe.
This pressure... this power...
Was this really something a human could possess?
— — —
A suffocating silence blanketed the main hall of the Hokage Tower.
Despite nearly a hundred people being present, not a sound could be heard. Even a pin dropping would have echoed.
That silence lasted for nearly a full minute before the doors burst open—and an ANBU agent entered with hurried footsteps, clutching a scroll.
Even under the crushing atmosphere, the ANBU pushed forward. His every step was deliberate and steady as he made his way toward Hatake Kyūjō.
By the time he reached him, sweat had soaked through his uniform.
"Captain, I've brought the documents you requested," he said in a trembling voice, holding out the scroll with both hands.
"Good work. You've done well," Kyūjō replied simply, nodding as he accepted the scroll.
Raising it high so all could see, he spoke—his voice echoing throughout the chamber.
"Mitokado Homura. Utatane Koharu. During their tenure as Hokage advisors, these two have abused their authority, embezzled village funds, taken bribes, and committed acts of corruption totaling more than 300 billion ryō."
"And that... is only what ANBU has uncovered so far."
He paused briefly, letting the weight of his words settle.
"Furthermore, the recent war between Konoha and the allied forces of Kumogakure and Iwagakure? Much of it was orchestrated by them!"
"They secretly dispatched shinobi to infiltrate Iwagakure and steal the sacred altar dedicated to the First Tsuchikage."
"You might ask, 'Why would they do such a thing?' The answer—let me give it to you now."
His eyes narrowed coldly as he looked down at the two elders still sprawled on the floor.
"It was all a scheme. A plan they devised long ago with the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki. The goal? Eliminate my brother—Hatake Sakumo—whom they saw as the strongest contender for the Fourth Hokage seat."
"And if the plan failed, and my brother survived, they would act as the 'mediators,' gain sympathy from the village, and use that illusion of 'peacekeeping' to justify handing him over as a scapegoat."
"Just look at them. Our esteemed advisors. Experts in betrayal when it suits their agenda."
The moment his words ended, Kyūjō vanished from his spot—and reappeared in front of the two advisors.
A Ninja Blade was already drawn in his hand. With a swift arc of his arm, the blade sliced through the air.
Two heads flew into the air.
There was no resistance.
No time to scream.
No chance to defend.
"From this day forth, my brother will officially ascend as the Fourth Hokage of Konohagakure."
"I have just one question left to ask…"
"Who supports this? And who opposes?"
In his right hand, Kyūjō still held the blood-stained blade.
In his left, the scroll filled with evidence—untouched, unread.
But no one cared to read it.
Whether the contents were true or not... no longer mattered.
The display of absolute strength was far more convincing than a thousand arguments.
Especially after seeing Homura and Koharu beheaded in the blink of an eye—unable to move, unable to scream.
Kyūjō had even been "polite." He gave them a chance to explain. He showed the scroll. That was already an incredible courtesy.
If anyone still didn't know their place... they were welcome to follow.
— — —
Three days later, the news of Hatake Sakumo's appointment as the Fourth Hokage of Konohagakure spread beyond the village walls—sending shockwaves across the entire shinobi world.
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