join p atreon.com/KeyofStars and become a Sequence 9: Reader for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr
"Impossible!"
Upon hearing the report from Anbu, Mitokado Homura instinctively widened his eyes, turning to the Anbu Ninja beside him with a look of disbelief, thinking he was an infiltrator.
However, upon seeing his face, he immediately dismissed that thought, though his mind still refused to believe the intelligence he had just received.
"Shimura Danzo killed, several Root bases purged."
"Absolutely impossible!"
He stared intently at the intelligence report, still shouting like a Lunatic, his teeth clenched tightly.
But looking at his slightly twitching face, one could still discern the subtle, creeping fear that spread from deep within him.
Danzo is dead?
Just like that, so easily, without any warning?
What's more, it was Sawara Kiri who personally took action.
If it was Sawara Kiri, it was indeed unlikely Danzo could win, but…but…
"How dare he kill someone?"
Mitokado Homura murmured in a low voice, collapsing onto the chair behind him with a thud, his entire body seeming to lose its vitality, muttering in disbelief.
Doesn't he fear that others will break the rules just like him?
Doesn't Sawara Kiri have any family or friends?
If such a precedent is set, won't anyone with political ambitions resort to violence?
As if sensing his confusion, the Anbu beside him said in a low voice:
"Lord Mitokado, Jonin Sawara Kiri killed Shimura Danzo under the pretext of apprehending an escaped rogue Ninja, and the detailed mission report has already been submitted to the Hokage Building."
Mitokado Homura merely scoffed at this, saying nothing.
For people of their status, was it really difficult to find a few corresponding pretexts?
If it continues like this…
As if suddenly understanding something, Mitokado Homura abruptly stood up from his seat and said hastily, "Quick! Go get those sealing scrolls from my inner room, and immediately notify Utatane Koharu! We're leaving the Village!"
The Anbu Ninja beside him was startled, seemingly unable to comprehend his sudden strong reaction.
Mitokado Homura had no time to explain, only saying simply, "Those three fools from 'Substitute Hokage Council' have gone mad, actually letting a fierce tiger like Sawara Kiri run wild."
"Now they've killed Danzo, so our situation will inevitably…"
The moment he realized the unwritten rules had been broken, Mitokado Homura immediately became aware of his own safety.
But unfortunately.
"Bang—"
Before he could finish speaking, the door in front of him was kicked open by several Ninja, and a crowd of Ninja outside, led by several Jonin, swarmed in, surrounding Mitokado Homura and his companions.
Mitokado Homura was startled at first, but then immediately reacted, trying to reprimand them with his accumulated prestige from the past:
"Who are you?!"
"Trespassing on a Hokage Advisor's private residence, do you know what crime this is?!"
Although he said so, he was, after all, a former Hokage teammate. The moment he realized the situation was irreversible, he gripped the scroll at his waist behind him, preparing to escape the Village.
However, these Konoha Ninja in front of him showed no sign of being intimidated; they all looked at him with sharp, knife-like gazes, fully on guard.
Mitokado Homura, who had not been on the battlefield for a long time, saw these frontline Ninja who had just returned from battle. Facing the heavy killing intent in their eyes, his heart couldn't help but tremble, and he suddenly realized his own old age.
Suddenly, he inexplicably felt some regret.
The time separating him from the concept of the battlefield was too long, so much so that he even began to feel unconfident when facing these juniors.
If only he had trained more diligently…
Unfortunately, before he could think further, a capable Jonin at the forefront had already raised the Hokage's order in his hand and spoke:
"Former Hokage Advisor Mitokado Homura."
"Now, the Hokage Office is prosecuting you on twenty-seven charges, including market disruption, financial corruption, accounting fraud, and obstruction of frontline operations."
"Please come with us!"
Mitokado Homura only heard half of the charges before he knew that Tsunade and those bastards were trying to ruin him. A fierce glint suddenly shot from his eyes behind his glasses, and he immediately tried to flee.
However, the scroll behind him had only been half-drawn.
"Snap!"
A pale hand abruptly pressed down.
Mitokado Homura's heart skipped a beat, and then he sharply turned his head.
Then, he saw a tall, long-haired man appear behind him at some unknown point, his golden snake-like eyes quietly watching him.
"Lord Mitokado."
"When a man is about to die, he should at least retain some dignity."
Mitokado Homura's eyes suddenly widened: "Orochimaru! You scoundrel!"
"Do you know what you are doing now, and how much disaster you will bring to Konoha in the future?!"
"I'm telling you, it's still not too late to stop now, otherwise—"
"Otherwise what?"
Orochimaru's voice didn't change in the slightest; he merely looked at him indifferently.
At this moment, Mitokado Homura's heart instantly turned cold.
He realized it.
They were serious this time.
Damn it.
You are Sarutobi Hiruzen's disciples, our junior disciples! How dare you now…
However, no matter how much he wanted to say, he could no longer speak.
The dense, tadpole-like sealing runes had, the moment Orochimaru's hand pressed onto his wrist, quickly climbed onto his body, fixing his entire frame in place, completely unable to move, and even unable to make a sound.
In the end, Mitokado Homura could only stare at him with wide, angry eyes.
Until he was restrained by other Konoha Ninja and taken away.
Orochimaru stood inside, quietly watching the scene, completely ignoring the Anbu who had been standing beside Mitokado Homura since earlier, his gaze distant.
His tongue, soft and slick like a rope, slowly glided across the corner of his lips.
For the first time in a long while, a glimmer of excitement appeared in Orochimaru's golden eyes.
The wind began to blow.
It wasn't just Mitokado Homura.
Almost at the same time Sawara Kiri killed Shimura Danzo, the entire "Substitute Hokage Council" and the forces under its control began to act.
One part coordinated with the Uchiha Clan Police Force to manage various defense matters within the Village, while the other part, according to a list, kicked down doors and arrested people at the fastest speed.
For a time, the entire Konoha Village was filled with Ninja moving like swallows across the rooftops, and Ninja and high-ranking officials who had participated in the previous operation under Mitokado Homura and his subordinates were constantly being arrested and interrogated.
At first, the villagers thought that Ninja from other Villages had invaded the Village again. The large-scale operation scared everyone into silence, and even the commoners who were supposed to go out to work understood the gravity of the situation, hiding in their homes and refusing to come out.
It was only after the initial arrests were completed that teams of Ninja went out to post announcements and organize Genin teams to publicize that this operation was to arrest the culprits, led by the two Hokage Advisors Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, who had colluded with foreign Ninja Villages to instigate a rice riot in the Village, causing villagers to be unable to eat affordable food.
At the same time, various grain stores were also brought under control at the fastest speed.
In just two days, various grains that had soared to nearly two hundred Ryo per Kane were brought back down to their original price of fifty or sixty Ryo per Kane.
This series of actions and crackdowns, coupled with the most crucial propaganda campaign, immediately made this 'riot' very popular among the common people, who even gathered to watch the arrested Ninja and high-ranking officials throughout the Village.
However, battles between Ninja were ultimately unavoidable, and even though "Substitute Hokage Council" now held a complete advantage, there would always be some who refused to give up and resisted to the death.
But that could only be considered a minor interlude in this arrest operation.
In these two short days, not only within the Village, but even a significant portion of the personnel within the Hokage Building itself were cleared out.
Legitimate pretexts and concrete charges were the best justifications for arresting these parasites who abused their past merits.
Under Orochimaru's strong-handed methods, even many people who tried to switch allegiances after observing the unfavorable situation found no place, and large numbers were purged.
The number of people in the entire Hokage Building was directly reduced by more than a third, but the efficiency of various affairs was actually several times higher than before, and even the always-scarce supplies became quite abundant.
It must be said that a great purge is indeed a very effective kind of magic.
However, it was clear.
Not everyone liked this type of magic.
In just two or three days, Sarutobi Saizo's face had aged considerably since last time, appearing even shriveled, his skin sallow, and his hair filled with many gray strands.
However, facing such a moment of life and death, as the clan head, he had no choice but to gather his spirits and preside over this clan meeting.
"Have the messengers we sent to the Senju Residence received a reply?"
He looked at an elder below him.
That elder also had a look of dejection: "…They couldn't even get through the door."
The other clan elders immediately burst into an uproar.
"Betraying their teachers and destroying their ancestors! They are truly betraying their teachers and destroying their ancestors!"
"The Sannin also received favors from our Sarutobi Clan. Even if they don't consider themselves, won't they consider the future generations?"
"Did they ever consider what kind of chaotic results would ensue if everyone did this in the future?!"
"Although Mitokado Homura and the others made mistakes, they were only minor ones. Why such an extreme reaction?"
"I heard that Danzo was already slain by Sawara Kiri's fierce blade, and now it's Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu's turn. If this continues, won't it be us next?"
"Someone definitely has to take responsibility for this."
"Who would have thought they'd make such a big fuss over such a small matter?"
The clan elders below were in chaos, all condemning the actions of the "Substitute Hokage Council" as excessive.
It was just a short period of difficulty for some civilians; not many starved to death. Moreover, the whole process only lasted half a month, yet the result was that all three Hokage Advisors were to be eliminated.
This was a major breach of rules.
Clearly, the Sarutobi Clan only truly felt the pain when the repercussions were about to hit them.
As for those civilians buying food at slightly higher prices, what was the big deal?
It was a minor issue!
Their clan's wealth was accumulated through generations of their ancestors risking their lives on the battlefield. It was built through the efforts of several generations. Just scamming them out of a bit of money, was it really necessary to resort to killing?
However, no amount of complaining could change the current situation.
Someone had to bear this extremely heavy responsibility.
Thinking of this, all the clan elders present gradually fell silent, looking in unison at Sarutobi Saizo, who sat at the head of the table.
"Alas."
To be honest, as early as when he tried to oppose the "Substitute Hokage Council," Sarutobi Saizo realized he might face such a situation, as he was merely a clan head chosen temporarily.
"Let's not discuss the extent of the responsibility for now."
"What we need to consider first now is survival."
Sarutobi Saizo forced himself to raise his head, despite his fatigue, and looked at everyone: "Do you think the 'Substitute Hokage Council's' appetite is only this small?"
"Is devouring one Sarutobi Clan enough to satisfy them?"
A younger clan elder below spoke: "Are they really going to kill all of us?"
"…"
Upon hearing this, the room fell silent for a moment.
As soon as the young clan elder spoke, seeing the reactions of those around him, a sudden chill went down his spine.
Surely not?
Sarutobi Saizo did not continue, changing the subject: "In any case, to ensure that our Sarutobi Clan doesn't fall too hard in this round, we should start thinking about what comes next."
"In the entire Village now, who else could possibly stand against the 'Substitute Hokage Council'?"
"…"
Hearing this question, everyone present was silent at first.
Then, one person cautiously suggested: "A Ninja Clan alliance?"
"More precisely, it should be the Uchiha Clan."
Another elder said in a deep voice: "But why would they accept us? We are now like stray dogs, without Hiruzen's political standing, and we want to oppose the 'Substitute Hokage Council.' Can the Uchiha Clan bear this risk?"
"Moreover, that young girl within their clan is on good terms with Sawara Kiri."
"They can climb to a high branch peacefully, why should they take risks?"
Everyone spoke one after another, their discussions quite practical.
Many times, people don't make seemingly outrageous choices because they are stupid, but because they have no other choice.
As long as there is a glimmer of a desire to struggle, one must try.
Waiting for death is certainly death, but if one struggles… what if it succeeds?
Finally, Sarutobi Saizo's eyes sharpened as he decisively stated:
"Climbing to a high branch peacefully is indeed possible, but it's just a high branch—if you can directly wield power, why settle for a roundabout approach?"
"Does their Uchiha Clan not want to be Hokage?"
"Currently, the Uchiha Clan lacks the capability, but what if the entire Sarutobi Clan is thrown in?"
"Financial resources, manpower, Ninjutsu, political standing."
"Things they can't do, we might not be unable to do."
"If the old clan head, Sarutobi Sasuke, could risk everything and bet on the Senju Clan back then, why should we not dare to place our bets now?"
"…"
Everyone was silent.
For no other reason than that this new clan head was playing too big, a mahjong game of one hundred million for ten billion, where ruin was always on the line.
However, Sarutobi Saizo's next sentence made their hearts skip a beat.
"Furthermore, I also learned a secret recently."
He looked calmly at everyone present: "The current Uchiha Clan Head possesses that pair… the Mangekyo Sharingan."
Instantly, the entire secret room fell silent.
Just as a faint, unclear spark of hope ignited in their hearts, a slight knocking sound suddenly came from the thick heavy door outside.
"Clan Head."
"The Hokage Building has issued an order, requesting all clan heads and high-ranking officials to proceed to the Hokage Building for a full Jonin Meeting."
In less than a week, the deep-rooted network of the Mitokado Homura faction throughout Konoha was completely cleared out.
The so-called deeply entrenched political connections proved utterly worthless in the face of true violence.
The only thing that can limit violence is the unknown, greater violence.
After clearing out these parasites, a streamlined Konoha should naturally embark on further reform—the "Substitute Hokage Council" might feel a bit overwhelmed now that they have just fully seized power, but this dual pressure of war victory and political victory makes this the best time.
In a short while, all Jonin in the Village had gathered in the central conference room beneath the Hokage Building.
Although Sawara Kiri was at the very end, he was also by the podium.
Looking around, hundreds of Jonin were sparsely gathered in this conference room, forming their own small groups and taking their seats.
Just by looking down from above, one could immediately tell who belonged to which group.
At this moment, he felt quite at ease, completely devoid of the tension from having just wiped out the former Hokage Advisor Group.
Perhaps this was the so-called room of a strong person.
In contrast, the three members of the "Substitute Hokage Council" were noticeably much more serious.
Unlike Sawara Kiri, who didn't have to think about anything, they now had to thoroughly reorganize the political hierarchy of the entire Hokage Village to better divide and conquer.
The entire meeting process was not complicated; it merely briefly outlined the various crimes of the Hokage Advisor Group and summarized the recent period.
Although most people pretended to be serious, Sawara Kiri still noticed a few people secretly yawning.
It wasn't until Orochimaru took the stage and began to speak that the atmosphere in the entire hall suddenly changed.
"...Now that the Second Shinobi World War has ended, due to changes in the world situation, Konoha Village's internal affairs concerning economy, education, and research must also keep up with the times."
"According to the discussions of the forty-ninth 'Substitute Hokage Council' tripartite meeting, the provisional decisions are: One, to jointly establish Village-run monopolistic economic industries, including but not limited to grain, medicine, salt, iron, tobacco, chemical military… totaling thirty-nine categories and eighty-one sub-items; Two, to further establish a Ninja Advanced Professional School, entirely taught by Jonin, on the basis of the existing Ninja Academy, specifically for professional re-instruction after graduation from the elementary Ninja Academy; Three, to implement patent reform for the existing Village research industry center…"
If the previous large section was just customary nonsense, then every word that came from Orochimaru's lips now was the absolute core of the matter.
Upon hearing the crucial points, many Ninja Clan heads below almost gasped—because the industries they themselves were operating, or rather, entirely depended on for their livelihood, were now within the scope of the Village's collective monopolistic operations.
What did this mean?
Were they robbing them of their money?!
As for the other secret Ninjutsu clans, their eyes widened even more upon hearing about the further instruction at the Ninja Academy's advanced specialization.
They originally relied on advanced specialized Ninjutsu for their livelihoods. If even this advantage was gone, what would serve as the core unifying point for them as a 'Ninja Clan'?
This was a major event that could lead to the dissolution of an entire Ninja Clan!
It was practically a blatant attempt to dismantle the load-bearing walls of this Village.
Therefore, after hearing only half of it, the audience was already in an uproar, noisy like crashing waves, making it almost impossible to hear clearly.
Only a portion of the Jonin who came from commoner backgrounds seemed to suddenly realize something, their eyes practically glowing as they looked at the three on the stage.
However, Orochimaru seemed to have anticipated this, calmly and indifferently reading the entire speech, then leisurely stepping down from the stage.
He completely disregarded the clamor of the people present.
Sawara Kiri also sat quietly to one side, propping his chin with one hand, indifferently watching the tumultuous crowd of Jonin below, his gaze unconcerned.
However, whether they were indifferent or calm.
Visibly.
The next wave of impact, entirely composed of Ninja Clan groups, would sweep over like a storm.
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars and become a Sequence 9: Reader for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr