Traveling through three generations: Making Konoha great again!

Leaf.

Hokage Building.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat on a large wooden chair, smoking the pipe that had been with the original owner of the body for many years, and intently flipped through the documents.

There was a deep sense of curiosity in his eyes.

Before he could look around for long, the office door handle was roughly turned, and almost simultaneously, a perfunctory knock sounded as a man wearing a bandage on his head and leaning on a cane strode in.

Danzo Shimura was seething with anger.

Hiruzen Sarutobi recently fell seriously ill, suffering from a high fever and being bedridden for several days, which forced him to put some of his work on hold.

It had only been a few years since the Second Shinobi World War ended, and the village had not yet fully recovered from the smoke of war…

This performance is incredibly lazy!

We need to give this Hokage's assistant a good talking-to!

Just as Shimura Danzo was about to habitually shout "Hiruzen," he triggered a smooth little combo that he had used for many years.

But then he saw the other person suddenly look up, their eyes filled with amusement.

Danzo Shimura felt a chill run down his spine and instinctively stood still.

What happened?

Having just recovered from a serious illness, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to have become younger, with a much more upright posture and figure than before.

Is it just my imagination?

"I thought it was someone else."

Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his pipe on the edge of the table slowly, paused for a moment, and said, "So it's the Hokage..."

He deliberately emphasized the last two words: "...The assistant has arrived?"

Danzo Shimura's face was very grim.

During that brief pause, his emotions were stirred.

After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi never referred to himself as the assistant to the Hokage.

So is there a possibility, a very small possibility, but one that should exist?

—The monkey has realized today that I am the most suitable person to be Hokage, and he will pass the position to me today!

But the word "assistance" was added.

Danzo Shimura immediately realized that Hiruzen Sarutobi was expressing his dissatisfaction!

"Hiruzen..."

Danzo Shimura frowned, his fingers unconsciously tightening, causing the file folder in his hand to wrinkle slightly: "What do you mean by this?"

"It means you've been doing a good job lately." Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled, seemingly pleased. "The Root organization continues to expand, with individual funding and equipment surpassing even the Anbu..."

"They've added trench coats to their attire and adopted masks that look even more menacing than those used by the ANBU. As their assistant, you have absolute authority over them..."

"The Root of Konoha is named Shimura!"

Danzo Shimura's thoughts raced.

Something's not right...

Something's 90% off!

Logically speaking, he was secretly conducting a sealed Wood Release experiment, so Hiruzen Sarutobi shouldn't be causing him trouble now.

At the very least, the Hokage will only try to take away the fruit that grew in the darkness and give him a punishment, if he realizes that he has achieved something, once he has.

In this process, even if the expansion of his personal power exceeded the framework of being an assistant to the Hokage, it was still the price he paid for this darkness.

This is the result of their long-standing tacit understanding.

Is Hiruzen Sarutobi now going to break this contract?

Isn't he afraid that he won't use Wood Release anymore?

If he were to take the blame himself, as a branch under the light, would he dare to shoulder this responsibility?

"Hiruzen, I did it for Konoha!"

Danzo Shimura emphasized loudly, "The Root organization lies hidden in the darkness, facing the most brutal environments and missions, naturally requiring a large number of personnel and resources!"

"As Hokage, you should be thinking about the future of the village and the inevitable Shinobi World War, not fussing over trivial matters within Root. This is pointless infighting!"

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly stood up, took his pipe, and strolled over to Danzo Shimura.

He gave him a disdainful smile and exhaled a thick cloud of smoke.

The pungent smoke made Danzo Shimura clench his fists immediately!

This is so humiliating!

Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi is the Hokage of Konoha, he shouldn't be treated like this by his assistant...

But what he said next stunned the darkest figure in the ninja world.

"You think I'm criticizing you?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and patted his old friend hard on the shoulder: "I'm just reminding you, you've taken the wrong path!"

Danzo Shimura frowned: "What wrong path have we taken?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand roughly.

"Everyone, from the Five Great Hidden Villages to the most obscure ninja clans, knows about your ambition to become Hokage."

"But how can you be Hokage looking like this?"

"Always walking in the shadows, as the leader of a special department, you possess privileges that ordinary ninjas fear."

"But the further we go down this path, the further we drift away from the position of Hokage."

"For example, why did the Second Hokage allow the Uchiha clan to take over the duties of the Security Department alone?"

Danzo Shimura's expression became quite interesting.

He certainly understood this principle.

Standing in the light was a privilege that was previously exclusive to Hiruzen Sarutobi, a powerful figure in Konoha.

There can't be two suns in the sky.

Therefore, Danzo Shimura could only hold tightly to the darkness in his hands…

After all, the power of darkness is still power, and he is, after all, the Hokage's assistant, who is second only to the Hokage!

"Of course I know!"

Danzo Shimura spoke hoarsely, "What do you want to say, Hiruzen! I'm willing to bear the darkness for the village! A ninja must have the conviction to sacrifice!"

"I'm asking you, do you want to be Hokage?" Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly laughed. "I'm only asking you this once, Danzo."

In the past, Danzo Shimura believed that no one understood Hiruzen Sarutobi better than him.

But today, he had absolutely no idea what the Hokage was up to…

"How could I not want to? I think about it day and night, I dream about it every day! I want to be that damned Hokage so badly!" Shimura Danzo roared inwardly.

but.

Faced with Hiruzen Sarutobi, whom he couldn't fathom, he found it difficult to utter the words he was about to say.

Subconsciously, the scene of Tobirama Senju asking who would cover the rear appeared in his mind.

He didn't dare raise his hand when covering the retreat...

Are you afraid to even say you want to become Hokage?

Thinking this, Shimura Danzo took a deep breath and uttered a single, stiff word: "Yes!"

"Yes, you've improved compared to before." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with a smile.

This tone made Danzo Shimura feel uneasy.

Do you think you know me well? Let me tell you, you don't know me at all!

What's with that tone of yours?

You think you're my boss?!

Although I was complaining in my heart, I was listening intently.

"If you want, I can help you, but I'm not specifically asking you to."

"Let me make this clear to you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to his seat and took a sip of hot tea: "I will give you official endorsement for some of the things Root did in the past."

Danzo Shimura's breathing became heavy involuntarily, and doubts welled up in his heart.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, would he really take the blame for himself?

Was the Sage of Six Paths still the creator of the ninja world?

Danzo Shimura couldn't wait for Hiruzen Sarutobi to continue, but Hiruzen Sarutobi calmly sipped his tea.

She glanced at him, her chin slightly raised.

This means that I have already demonstrated my sincerity.

Next…

Your turn.

Danzo Shimura was filled with conflicting thoughts.

Should we reveal the story about that Wood Release test subject...?

That's a precious Wood Release ninja!

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi's composed demeanor left him completely baffled.

"At Orochimaru's request, I cooperated with him to conduct some Wood Release experiments."

Danzo Shimura carefully chose his words: "We paid a price, but the results were extremely gratifying. We produced experimental subjects that survived the intensity of the first generation of adult cells."

"That's what I'm here to talk to you about today."

This is a lie.

He came here specifically to criticize Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi beckoned, and Danzo Shikimura sat down, pouring him a cup of tea.

He seemed completely unconcerned about Wood Release.

Danzo Shimura frowned slightly. That was Wood Release!

He couldn't help but start making plans.

Is Hiruzen Sarutobi waiting for a higher price, pretending not to care to lower the price he's asking for... or did he actually know all along?

The cool tea tasted bland and tasteless, overwhelmed by my chaotic thoughts.

Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed completely unconcerned about the Wood Release experiment he had just witnessed, and said with a smile, "That's all?"

"I recently acquired a talented ninja from the Aburame clan."

Danzo Shimura's tone grew increasingly annoyed:

"Hiruzen, is this even a big deal? If I don't go and demand people from those arrogant ninja clans, how will Root have any fighting power? How will we establish the authority of the Hokage lineage!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed heartily: "See, you're in such a hurry again. It's been a long time since we two old brothers sat down and had a chat. I'm just concerned about your work and life."

"You've really had a tough time all these years."

Danzo Shimura sneered inwardly. This monkey, why is he playing the sentimental card now!

But his taut, deadpan face softened somewhat unconsciously.

"Sometimes, I see you cultivating some kind of armed force at the base, and you're trying your best to keep it from me..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi abruptly changed the subject: "I'm not angry, but rather a little heartbroken."

"You know you're not in the normal Hokage promotion sequence, so you're probably forming these private armies hoping that if I'm gone one day, you can try to stage an armed coup, right?"

"Besides considering the village, you also want to obtain this power by initiating research on Hashirama's cells, right?"

"Power is power, that's true, but in Konoha, to completely equate the two is to disregard the training we received from Lord Hashirama and Lord Tobirama..."

The atmosphere became heavy.

When the Hokage points out that his subordinates have the intention to seize power by force, this is definitely the most severe accusation.

As for Shimura Danzo...

Hiruzen Sarutobi seems to know himself a little too well…

The two drank tea in silence for a long time.

"I didn't think that way," Shimura Danzo said slowly. "Hiruzen, just tell me what you want to do."

"After all, you are the Hokage..."

But what he didn't expect was...

Instead of being reprimanded by Hiruzen Sarutobi, he was met with a scolding.

It is a guarantee.

"Danzo, I promise you with the honor of being Tobirama's disciple that I will consider you as one of the official candidates for Hokage from now on."

This statement carries significant weight.

So much so that Shimura Danzo urgently asked, "Hiruzen, are you serious?!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes and pointed to the portrait of Tobirama Senju on the office wall.

Danzo Shimura's heart instantly burned with passion.

"Now that you're on the right path, you should operate in the sunlight, Danzo..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sipped his tea: "Keep a few of the Root members you can handle, and I'll take care of the rest."

"Don't worry, I'll prepare a position for you."

The main event is coming!

Danzo Shimura was rapidly calculating in his mind.

He certainly didn't think that Hiruzen Sarutobi would be so kind as to guide him onto the right path and leave him with so many men and troops.

Moreover, the asking price is actually quite fair.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi were a little more ruthless...

With his meager power, what kind of trouble could this so-called assistant and leader of the root cause stir up?

Light is a third generation…

Although Shimura Danzo didn't want to admit it, the monkey was indeed a formidable opponent!

The Ino-Shika-Cho trio, his three disciples, Sakumo Hatake, and the various ninja clans gathered in the name of the Hokage…

Even the Uchiha clan, if they were to come and suppress him, they would all have to serve this stinky monkey!

As long as Hiruzen Sarutobi is alive, it would be too easy to subdue him.

"Hiruzen, I think Root should still be..." Shimura Danzo took a deep breath, trying to bargain.

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his index finger, signaling him to be quiet: "Danzo, you need to consider this from the Hokage's perspective. If you were the Hokage, how would you treat Root?"

Danzo Shimura remained silent.

In Konoha today, the Hokage's power is far from unlimited.

However, for him, the Hokage's assistant and the leader of Root who was bound by the laws of Konoha, this was a fatal blow.

Moreover, they even used Lord Tobirama as collateral…

By making the competition for Hokage public, they promised him a fair chance to compete.

The portion size is sufficient.

"I see."

Danzo Shimura placed a scroll on the table: "I'll also tell you some things about Orochimaru, Hiruzen..."

"I will handle the matter at the root."

"But what you promised me..."

Having said that, he gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a deep look and strode towards the door.

And then take two steps out of the office.

As Shimura Danzo looked at the open door, a thought struck him.

Although reluctant, he still turned around and closed the door.

In the past...

He won't close the door for the monkeys!

It's a miracle they didn't slam the door!

But times have changed; this old guy still deserves some respect…

Danzo Shimura, with a sour face, turned around and closed the door.

Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the door close with a smile, raising an eyebrow.

Clearly, he wasn't the same Hiruzen Sarutobi from before...

He was once a senior government official named Yuan Fei, who was making great strides in his career when he was unfortunately diagnosed with ALS.

The only thing to do is to actively treat the illness and relax by browsing historical anecdotes during rest periods.

A few days ago, the algorithm somehow pushed a video that used Naruto as a metaphor for history.

Although the content was somewhat ambiguous, it made even someone like him who had never watched Naruto smile knowingly. He watched several episodes in a row before finally falling asleep.

After Yuan Fei woke up, he found himself in this ninja world, having become the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi!

Although this body was not that of a boy, it contained power far beyond his comprehension.

Moreover.

Although he only knew a few uncertain bits and pieces about the future of this world.

But he has a trump card up his sleeve.

With a slight thought, a page of red-headed white paper appeared in my mind, its black characters solemn and clear.

[Authority], [Diplomacy], [Economy], [Education], [Military].

Five indicators are listed side by side.

After finishing his conversation with Shimura Danzo, a touch of gold quietly appeared at the bottom of the word "authority".

It's like a progress bar.

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