Hiruzen Sarutobi himself was a simple person, so he knew better than anyone that simple people were not suitable to be leaders!
He knew that as a Hokage, he wasn't qualified.
Soft-hearted, indecisive, only knowing how to preach...
But what could he do?
He was just that kind of person!
That's why he appreciated Minato's character even more!
Gentle to friends, ruthless to enemies, yet not giving people anything to gossip about, completely putting himself in the position of the victim so no one could pick out any faults.
Except for his slightly detached nature and lack of a strong sense of belonging to the village, he was simply the perfect successor!
So he tried his best to establish a bond between Minato and the village, but he didn't expect to be backstabbed severely by Danzo.
He understood that Danzo was unreconciled and still full of ambition for the position of Hokage.
But now that Minato had charged directly into the Root base, even if he wanted to protect Danzo, he couldn't open his mouth.
As long as he dared to speak, Minato would immediately develop a strange illness that prevented him from using Wood Style, the kind that couldn't be cured no matter what.
At this time, he had to make a trade-off!
"Minato has never taken the initiative to attack his companions in the village. On the contrary, Danzo, you... you, the so-called Root who bears the darkness and will stop at nothing, even using despicable means, seem to be the one truly endangering the village."
Hearing this, Danzo's expression gradually stiffened. He looked at Hiruzen incredulously.
He couldn't believe that after so many years of friendship, the other party really gave up on him like this!
"Everything I did was for Konoha!"
Danzo's voice was cold and sharp. "He possesses such power at the age of five! If we don't restrict it..."
"Enough, Danzo! Don't you understand?"
Hiruzen shouted in a deep voice, "No matter what power Minato has, it is not a reason for you to act against him without authorization! Today you can assassinate Minato because Wood Style is uncontrolled, tomorrow the Shimura clan might be exterminated because they are too strong! Some precedents absolutely cannot be set!"
Danzo said coldly, "Too weak! Hiruzen! You will regret it!"
"Danzo, I am the Hokage."
Hiruzen stated the fact calmly, but ultimately couldn't bear it in his heart. "Surrender... Danzo!"
This is your last chance...
He really didn't want to watch his friend of many years die like this. Danzo surrendering was the best choice.
He could remove the other party's position, take away his power, punish him slightly to warn others, give Minato and the others some extra compensation, and suppress this matter completely.
Danzo obviously realized this too.
Not to mention the Third Hokage and others, he couldn't even handle Minato now!
Rather than fighting to the death, it was better to save himself for now. There might be a chance to regain power in the future...
Thinking of this, he gradually calmed down.
Danzo looked at Minato. Seeing Minato's calm gaze and no intention of speaking, he quietly relaxed.
It seems this kid isn't arrogant enough to ignore the Hokage...
"I... Ugh—"
Just as Danzo was about to speak, he suddenly retched. Tender fern shoots spread out from his mouth and nose. Danzo subconsciously covered his neck, his face turning purple instantly!
"Wood Style?"
Seeing this, everyone looked at Minato's main body.
"I released too many Wood Style spores just now because I was worried he would escape. Although they can only grow some ferns and cannot compare to tree seeds that can turn into trees, because they are finer and more hidden, they are also easier for the human body to absorb."
Minato put on a regretful look. "Plants are like this. When the root system grows indiscriminately without restraint, it will more greedily deprive nutrients from other lives, even delaying the development of the trunk to strengthen itself."
"In Lord Danzo's situation, only a small sacrifice can be made, removing them along with flesh and blood. But in this way, Lord Danzo will also..."
Minato paused, shook his head, and didn't continue.
Hiruzen looked at Danzo struggling in pain, opened his mouth, and finally just sighed ruefully.
Between Wood Style and Danzo, he had to make a choice.
There were Anbu members under him present. Even if he was the Hokage, he couldn't openly shield Danzo.
He had just given Danzo a chance, and Minato had also shown his attitude.
Pleading for Danzo again would only arouse Minato's dissatisfaction even more and intensify the conflict between them.
Unable to bear watching Danzo's painful struggle, Hiruzen shook his head and turned to leave, his back looking somewhat desolate.
Wood Style cannot be lost, especially since the other party was involved with the next generation Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Compared to making a decision about Danzo with his own hands, such a result might not be a bad thing.
"Danzo, this guy brought it on himself..."
Homura Mitokado looked at Danzo struggling due to blocked airways, shook his head and sighed softly. "From childhood to adulthood, he only knew how to play petty tricks, yet his ambition far exceeded his ability. Why couldn't he learn to behave?"
Tsunade looked at the two advisors who seemed to be mourning the death of their own kind, a trace of surprise flashing in her eyes. "How strange. I thought you would plead for mercy, or put on the airs of advisors and demand Minato release him or something..."
"Emotionally, of course, we want to do that."
Koharu Utatane said lightly, "But he has threatened the core interests of the village. Neither the Nine-Tails nor Wood Style are things he can interfere with without authorization."
"If it hadn't blown up, it would be fine to discuss. But once the matter is brought to the surface, a choice must be made. It's just that this time, it happened to be Danzo's turn to be abandoned."
"When you are in our position in the future, you will naturally understand."
"I don't care for it."
Tsunade snorted. She didn't expect these two heartless guys to have such awareness.
Koharu shook her head slightly and didn't say anything.
This kind of thing didn't depend on personal preference...
She looked at Danzo not far away. At this time, green plants were constantly drilling out of Danzo's body. He looked twisted and weird. strange noises came from his chest, seemingly still trying to breathe. The few remaining Root ninjas surrounded him helplessly.
And Minato just stood quietly not far away watching, his eyes calm and waveless.
Judging from his posture, he obviously intended to catch the remaining few Root members in one net.
The powerful strength of the First, the calm mind of the Second, the affinity of the Third, the powerful talent once in a century, and the ruthless means that none of the previous Hokages possessed...
How could such a person allow us mediocre old guys to dictate things on the side?
"Alright, Minato... finish it quickly."
Tsunade glanced at Danzo, her sanity dropping wildly, and urged with a frown.
She didn't ask Minato to spare the remaining few Root members. Avenging teammates wasn't rare in the ninja world, not to mention that this group of people had been brainwashed by Danzo.
"Understood, Sensei."
Minato clapped his hands together, interlaced his fingers, and then extended them towards Danzo in a claw shape.
"Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Huge trees drilled out from the walls and deep underground, dancing like wild dragons, plunging the already dim Root base into complete darkness.
Firelight flickered faintly in the darkness, but was instantly extinguished...