I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 399 A gentleman hates a petty person; a true man is not without ruthlessness.

"Sakushige Hatake! What do you want to do?!"

Inside a conference room in the Hokage Building, Sakumo Hatake unleashed his killing intent. The ferocity honed from countless life-or-death missions and battlefields surged forth like a dam bursting.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo looked extremely grim, while Koharu Utatane pursed her lips and even intentionally or unintentionally avoided eye contact. Homura Mitokado slammed his fist on the table in anger, but when Sakumo Hatake glanced at him, Homura couldn't help but tremble.

Inside the vortex-like high-rise building in the distance, Tatsuma, who was meditating, couldn't help but come back to his senses. In Sage Mode, the state of being integrated with nature made Tatsuma's senses extremely sensitive.

That malevolent aura, which even Chenma had never seen before, was like a high-powered spotlight in the darkness, shining directly on Chenma so intensely that he couldn't bear it.

Inside the meeting room, staring at the fearful expression on Mitokado Homura's face, Hatake Sakumo spoke, "Lord Homura, Shimura Danzo dared to so brazenly plot against me. You ask me what he intended to do?"

Danzo looked like he was in deep trouble. He had been notified to attend a meeting that morning and felt something was off. But as soon as he arrived at the meeting room, Hiruzen Sarutobi presented him with the evidence of his crimes.

Then, they summoned Sakumo Hatake, and upon meeting him, Sakumo's undisguised killing intent was immediately apparent.

As expected, White Fang cannot be allowed to live! His worries were indeed justified; White Fang's existence would only prevent him from leading Konoha to even greater heights.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was also not good at this moment, because yesterday, that kid Tatsuma came over and made a gesture that everything was settled, and then he believed it and even forced the Mutual Multiplication Explosive Talisman to Tatsuma to take away.

And is this what you, Sakamoto Tatsuma, call "getting it done"?

It's a pity he emphasized that Tatsuma shouldn't show up, otherwise he would definitely have glared at him!

But now, he could only look at Hatake Sakumo and say, "Sakumo, you are a party to this matter. I would like to ask for your opinion to see if there is any misunderstanding between us, so we can clear it up and talk it out."

"I don't think there's any need to talk. If Lord Danzo wants to kill me, then let him kill me. Of course, I, Hatake Sakumo, am not a fish on a chopping board. I cannot satisfy Lord Danzo's demand that I die just because he wants me to."

At this moment, Hatake Sakumo was completely expressing his emotions. Hearing his words, Danzo's expression darkened even further. What was Hatake Sakumo trying to do? Was he going to retaliate in kind? Outrageous!

Hiruzen Sarutobi also stood up at this moment and said, "Sakumo, I can understand your feelings. Danzo did go too far in this matter, but personal feuds are not the way to solve problems."

"I don't understand what the Hokage is saying. I only know that when the First Hokage was still alive, private duels were the best way to settle scores. Although I am not as good as the First Hokage, I am willing to have a final battle with Lord Danzo!"

As soon as he finished speaking, White Fang was drawn from its sheath. With the infusion of chakra, the short blade shone with a dazzling light, making even the sunlight outside the window seem dim in comparison.

Danzo suddenly took a deep breath, his heart pounding like thunder. He even felt the helplessness he had felt years ago when he bid farewell to his mentor in that forest.

"Sakumo!"

From the perspectives of Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, Sakumo Hatake had already appeared beside Danzo, taking advantage of the dazzling light from just a moment ago, raising his short blade as if about to strike Danzo.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand gripped Sakumo Hatake's arm tightly, making it impossible for him to advance even an inch.

After a moment of distraction, Danzo suddenly came to his senses, stood up, formed hand seals, faced Hatake Sakumo who was being held captive by Sarutobi Hiruzen, took a deep breath, puffed out his cheeks, and pouted his little mouth.

"Sexy Sun Bro!"

In an instant, the Vacuum Great Jade was spewed out from Danzo's mouth, and the resulting shockwave caused the tables and chairs in the conference room to fly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's brow twitched, his face darkening completely. With a burst of power, he flung Sakumo Hatake behind him. As he released Sakumo's arm, his hand was cut by a metal plate on Sakumo's clothes.

However, with just this little bit of blood, Hiruzen Sarutobi smeared his fingers on his wrist and then quickly formed hand seals.

"Ninja Art! Summoning Jutsu!"

"Bang!"

"Monkey King! Transform!"

The newly appeared Monkey King hadn't even figured out his surroundings yet, but upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, he immediately transformed into the Vajra Staff. Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around, grabbed the staff, and spun it rapidly.

"Rat-a-tat-tat~"

The spinning Vajra Ruyi Jingu Bang (a magical staff) cut through Danzo's Vacuum Giant Ball, making a strange sound. The shattered Wind Release techniques flew around the conference room, cutting through tables and chairs, breaking walls and windows, and even slicing through Hiruzen Sarutobi's Hokage robe.

After the Vacuum Jade was completely shattered, Hiruzen Sarutobi held the Vajra Staff in one hand and tore off the tattered white cloth strips on his body with the other, revealing the tight-fitting combat suit underneath.

With a dark expression, Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed his staff at Danzo and his other hand at Sakumo Hatake, saying, "Nonsense! Do you even respect me?! Do you even respect the village?!"

Danzo, his face dark, said, "It was that madman Hatake Sakumo who struck first! Attacking the village's advisor and elder, Hatake Sakumo, you deserve to die!"

Sakumo Hatake did not offer any explanation, but instead gripped the short sword White Fang tightly in his hand, his face full of resentment. His eyes, which were usually half-open, were now fully open, his sharp gaze piercing Danzo.

Seeing the killing intent in his eyes, Danzo's heart trembled. His vision had been affected by the dazzling light. If it weren't for Hiruzen Sarutobi's intervention, Sakumo Hatake would probably have been beheaded by now.

This Sakumo Hatake actually dared to kill Hiruzen Sarutobi right in front of him! He's just... just... incredibly audacious!

"Tap tap tap~"

Suddenly, a series of footsteps sounded outside, and a large number of ninjas surged towards the conference room. However, before they could get close, Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted, "Go back!"

Footsteps outside halted. After a few seconds, some ninjas began to return, but most remained standing still. Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and shouted, "A top-secret meeting is taking place inside the conference room. All those not involved, return to your posts!"

Only after Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke again did more and more ninjas leave. Hiruzen Sarutobi glared at Danzo and Sakumo Hatake with a warning look.

Everything in this meeting room is absolutely Konoha's "family scandal." If this scandal were to be publicized, Konoha's reputation would definitely suffer a great blow. That's why he wanted to discuss this behind closed doors.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi could understand why Sakumo Hatake attacked out of spite, but Danzo, knowing that he had already stopped Sakumo Hatake, still attacked him, which shows that he was still not giving up.

By now, Hiruzen Sarutobi roughly understood what Tatsuma meant by "got it done"—that the kid had actually convinced Sakumo Hatake.

Hatake Sakumo's outburst of rage was actually an act, because Sarutobi Hiruzen knew that even if Hatake Sakumo was not as good as him, he wouldn't be without any other means after grabbing his arm.

All of this was to make Sakumo Hatake a sword hanging over Danzo's head. Only when Danzo was truly afraid would Sakumo Hatake have any effect; otherwise, he would just be a fat knife, making people laugh.

And now it seems that the effect is very good. Danzo has clearly stopped making eye contact with Sakumo Hatake. Every time, Danzo avoids him.

The first act was performed very well, and the second act must not be delayed. Hiruzen Sarutobi directly refuted Danzo's previous accusations against Sakumo Hatake, saying:

"Danzo! Don't forget why this happened! If you hadn't repeatedly tried to harm Hatake Sakumo, and even actually carried it out, would Sakumo be so angry?!"

You're the one who's in the wrong! Apologize now!

"Sarutobi! You..."

Danzo stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi in disbelief, as if he himself had been betrayed. He gritted his teeth and said, "Sarutobi! If Sakumo Hatake dares to lay a hand on me today, he'll dare to lay a hand on you tomorrow."

"And yet you still protect him like this, Sarutobi! You're too soft-hearted!"

Seeing that Danzo still hadn't realized his mistake, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot, and he said, "Yes, yes, I was too soft-hearted. I was so soft-hearted that I thought you could get away with it by admitting your mistake."

"Since you are so stubborn, then stay quiet for a while and reflect on your actions. From today onwards, you are no longer required to manage Root, nor are you allowed to leave Konoha. I will personally monitor your every move."

Another power grab!

Danzo's face flushed instantly as he glared at Hatake Sakumo. That damned Hatake Sakumo had twice taken his manhood!

But the next moment, when his gaze met Hatake Sakumo's murderous gaze, Danzo couldn't help but look away.

Realizing this, Danzo clenched his fists, not understanding why he had done something so shameful.

He could only direct his anger at Hiruzen Sarutobi, roaring, "Sarutobi! You'll regret this!"

"Danzo! Don't forget, I am the Hokage!"

After Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, he slammed his Vajra staff heavily on the ground with a dull thud. Danzo angrily flicked his sleeve and strode towards the door. Just as his hand touched the doorknob, Hiruzen Sarutobi said:

"Did I say you could leave?! You're utterly arrogant!"

"you"

Unexpectedly, Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't even willing to leave him a shred of dignity. Danzo trembled with rage, but Hiruzen ignored him and instead looked at Sakumo Hatake, asking:

"Sakumo, are you calm now? Or do you want me to punish Danzo in some way?"

"It's up to the Hokage to decide."

Sakumo Hatake sheathed his short sword, White Fang, his gaze still coldly fixed on Danzo. Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and said, "Now that things are clear, let's cancel the Land of Earth mission we discussed earlier."

With his back to the crowd, Danzo clenched his fist again. He had put in so much effort and made so many preparations, only to have it all come to nothing.

Suddenly, Sakumo Hatake said, "I believe it is unnecessary to cancel."

(End of this chapter)