Traveling through three generations: Making Konoha great again!

"You'll regret this..." Upon hearing this, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado's lips twitched slightly.

Hiruzen has changed a lot recently, becoming both familiar and unfamiliar to them.

But Danzo remained the same...

Whenever Hiruzen Sarutobi said something, if it was even slightly different from what he thought, he would blurt out this sentence!

It's like some kind of pre-programmed ninjutsu... it always triggers precisely.

Will I regret it?

Surprisingly, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't rush to refute Danzo Shimura. Instead, he nodded slightly and said with a rather serious expression:

"Okay, then tell me why I regret it. If you're right, then I'll listen to you."

"Huh?" Shimura Danzo was taken aback, his combo interrupted.

No, that's not how you play the Konoha Naruto mini-game! Why are you actually listening to my advice?!

You should shout that you're the Hokage, then refuse to listen to me, we'll glare at each other, I'll slam the door, and then I'll go back to Root and start cursing you in private…

Finally, in some mysterious event, I won the Hokage position, and I'll show you my divine robe!

Oh.

I forgot, the root system is going to be dismantled; this thing is gone...

No, are monkeys really that trustworthy?

After yesterday's training ground incident, Shimura Danzo, who was publicly criticized and given a military order, had the opportunity to show his face in front of everyone, but after returning home, he pondered it carefully.

Something still doesn't feel right!

If he were Hiruzen Sarutobi, he would definitely use this momentum to completely crush himself!

The previous promise? Giving him a fair chance to become Hokage or something...

Who would remember such a thing!

Because Root exposed real problems in front of everyone, Hiruzen Sarutobi confirmed that Root was going to disband.

Even if he wanted to play some trick, there was nothing he could do.

Neither Koharu Utatane nor Homura Mitokado would speak up for themselves; if they made a mistake, they had to be punished—that's how ninjas are.

The reason why Shimura Danzo was breathing heavily again today is, to some extent, a struggle about his future.

But the problem is...

"Hiruzen, do you really keep your word?" A strange sense of guilt washed over Shimura Danzo. He quickly gathered his thoughts and replied earnestly:

"If twenty core Jonin are designated, the so-called 'Konoha Committee members,' then the Hokage's power will inevitably be divided among these people. How can the authority of the Hokage Building be guaranteed then?"

"Hiruzen, you may think this is good, but it's undoubtedly irresponsible towards the Hokage's authority! All Jonin must take direct orders from the Hokage!"

Danzo Shimura revealed his inner thoughts.

Hiruzen Sarutobi silently stared at Danzo Shimura, then shook his head in exasperation after a moment: "I thought you had some profound insights..."

"I understand your logic: a large population equals dispersed power, which equals a loss of control over power, right?"

Danzo Shimura nodded confidently: "Yes, so what? Isn't that right?"

"The essence of decentralized power is the overlap of responsibilities and the ambiguity of ownership..." Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe and slowly filled it with tobacco leaves:

"To put it in the words you understand best, the Root organization you used to lead was like this... It had a high degree of overlap with the Anbu, and it was under my Hokage's banner. If this continues, your orders will override mine in the hands of some people."

Danzo Shimura said expressionlessly, "I did that so that..."

Koharu and Mitokado nodded gently.

That's really how it is...

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, signaling him to shut up: "The 'Konoha Committee' that I want to establish is not a decision-making body; they are a higher-level executive body with only the so-called right to make suggestions."

I will listen to good suggestions, and I will reject bad suggestions.

"I will naturally have the final decision-making power, the core personnel power, the power to allocate resources, and the power to handle emergencies."

"Establishing the areas of expertise for each committee member, defining the boundaries of power, and establishing accountability and oversight mechanisms will only make Konoha's operations more efficient and smoother."

"Are you worried that your platoon leader will betray you?"

Danzo Shimura frowned:

"That's different. My control over them is absolute! Hiruzen, I won't hold back anymore. Can you place a cursed seal on these 'Konoha Committee members'?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed: "Danzo, you've been lurking in the shadows for too long. If others heard this, they'd think Konoha was some kind of slave farm..."

Danzo Shimura, however, raised his head and did not feel ashamed.

He believed in this system of controlling the physical body to the extreme.

"I'm talking to you about the Will of Fire, but you probably won't understand now."

"Your approach is essentially about training private soldiers, which only turns talented ninjas into worthless suicide soldiers. What we in Konoha need is for our ninjas to shine and realize their value."

"When people live in fear and control, they become like walking corpses."

"Talented people become mediocre, mediocre people become lifeless, and the indelible geniuses, by doing this, will only accumulate hatred and ultimately cause greater harm to Konoha."

Hiruzen Sarutobi used an analogy: "Even if you placed a cursed seal on Orochimaru, would he be completely obedient to you?"

Danzo Shimura frowned; he still wanted to refute Hiruzen Sarutobi.

But deep down, I felt that what he said made sense.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's perspective on problems seemed to be slightly better than mine...

"The cruel world of ninjas has caused too much suffering for many people."

"So, even the slightest glimmer of light will draw countless moths to us..."

"In extreme environments, people's thirst for 'hope' can surpass morality, kinship, and even the instinct for survival, especially for ninjas who are spiritually empty and see themselves as tools."

Hiruzen Sarutobi remarked with emotion:

"The Will of Fire is the core value of Konoha, and a better weapon than the Cursed Seal. I hope you will understand this well, Danzo."

Koharu and Mitokado exchanged a glance.

That's not wrong in itself, but somehow it sounds a bit chilling...

"You've been in this small organization, Root, for too long. You only have about twenty people under your command. To become Hokage, you'll be in charge of an entire village."

"This kind of thinking is not acceptable."

These words seem to be criticism.

But Danzo Shimura listened with great interest.

Although he couldn't fully understand it yet, he could sense it...

This old monkey seems to really be grooming himself as the successor to the Hokage?

They actually found out the real deal through conversation...

Old man, hand over your forbidden Naruto technique right now!

But Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped talking, puffing on his pipe and rummaging through his pockets.

It looks like they're looking for a lighter...

Danzo Shimura gritted his teeth.

I was just getting into the fun, why is there a broken section?

He strode over to Hiruzen Sarutobi and lit a fire for him: "Hmph! You're getting more and more regressive with age, even forgetting to bring your things! I think you should reflect on yourself!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi burst into laughter: "Sorry, sorry!"

Meanwhile, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado exchanged a glance, both looking on in surprise.

isn't it?

Danzo actually lit a cigarette for Hiruzen!