I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 521 Everyone, to a greater or lesser extent, treats others as emotional substitutes.

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused his hand, which was reaching for the cigarette case, then lowered it. He looked at Tatsuma, whose expression was calm, even somewhat confident, and who didn't seem to be bluffing at all, and asked, "Why do you ask that?"

"During the meeting, you overemphasized the issue of the Uchiha clan."

Tatsuma pursed his lips and said, "Furthermore, before I left the Land of Frost, you also mentioned that there might be changes in the village, and a few days ago, I met Lord Danzo in the Land of Lightning."

So, this was a rebellion primarily involving the Uchiha clan. Am I right? And Danzo-sama's ability to leave the village is probably because he was a major contributor to this event.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Tatsuma with a complicated expression, and then said, "I was thinking that I shouldn't let you know about this, but I still forgot about your talent."

You understand the changes in the village far better than most people who stayed behind.

By saying this, Hiruzen Sarutobi was essentially admitting that Tatsuma's conjecture was correct. Tatsuma lowered his eyelids and casually asked, "Who was involved?"

"Who else could it be? It's those radicals led by Uchiha Orika. But don't worry, the problem has been solved, and Danzo has also taken care of the follow-up problems."

Tatsuma understood Hiruzen Sarutobi's subtext. Based on his understanding of Danzo, if Danzo made a move and the target was still the Uchiha clan, then there was a high probability that he wouldn't leave any loose ends.

But he didn't express any regret; he simply raised his eyes and said, "More than that, isn't it?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned and explained, "I had suspected Danzo before, but he was just playing along with those Uchiha. He did a lot of work in this incident."

Hiruzen Sarutobi assumed that Tatsuma still suspected Danzo. If it weren't for their long-standing friendship and his confidence in his understanding of Danzo, Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't have easily believed Danzo's words.

Although he felt a little uncomfortable, Hiruzen Sarutobi understood why Danzo was suspected, and that things would be fine once the explanation was cleared up.

Tatsuma shook his head, frowned, pursed his lips, and then said, "I wasn't referring to Lord Danzo."

Seeing Tatsuma's expression, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly became curious, remembering Danzo's words about other people being involved. However, since Danzo said he would investigate, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't tell Tatsuma about it.

After all, those people were too well-hidden. Given Tatsuma's personality, he'd probably be distracted by investigating them once he found out. It wasn't worth it for Tatsuma to be distracted by such things right now. However, Hiruzen Sarutobi still asked with a puzzled look:

"What do you know?"

Tatsuma pondered for a moment and said, "I also know Uchiha Orika. His talent and vision are completely insufficient for him to do things that you need to take seriously."

If this is his personal action, then his primary goal should be the position of Uchiha clan leader, which will have some impact on the village, but it's not something you need to handle personally.

Therefore, what he did must have directly threatened the stability of the village or the course of the war. He couldn't have done it, and he couldn't even imagine that someone had instigated or instructed him to do it.

Tatsuma's tone was extremely confident, as if he hadn't considered whether he was overthinking things at all. Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him for a long time, then sighed and said:

"I've only revealed one name, and you've already figured everything out. Indeed, just as you guessed, there might be an unseen hand pulling things together behind Uchiha Orika."

But who could it be? What is their purpose? The village doesn't understand at all, and is completely unaware. Danzo left the village to investigate this matter.

He has currently focused his attention on several small countries in the northwest, but it's difficult to investigate them right now, given the chaos of war.

The northwest direction is quite possible. Tatsuma narrowed his eyes. Danzo, putting aside other aspects, is undoubtedly capable.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to orchestrate so many tragedies across the ninja world, creating so many tragic figures. Now that he's putting his abilities to good use, Tatsuma isn't surprised at all that he might uncover something.

He said with a puzzled look, "But I saw him in the Land of Lightning a few days ago."

The Land of Lightning is located northeast of the Land of Fire, and while it's not exactly worlds apart from Danzo's destination, it's certainly a vast distance away. Danzo had absolutely no need to go to the Land of Lightning.

"That one?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand and said, "You hadn't been heard from for too long, and Danzo was worried, so he decided to go into the Land of Lightning to investigate. But just as he infiltrated, news of you got out."

After saying that, seeing the surprised look on Tatsuma's face, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately realized that Tatsuma had always seemed to have a vague prejudice and resistance towards Danzo.

It is likely that these prejudices and resistance stem from the influence of Tsunade and others, as well as the fact that Danzo did indeed do many despicable things, such as the matter of Hatake Sakumo, and that Tatsuma also sided with Hatake Sakumo in this matter.

Therefore, it is understandable to have prejudice and resistance towards Danzo, after all, the two have quite a few differences in their beliefs.

After thinking for a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke up for his friend, saying, "Tatsuma, Danzo's attitude towards others may have many flaws."

However, he has never treated you unfairly. He thinks highly of you and believes that you have fully inherited the Will of Fire of the Second Hokage. Within his capabilities, he has done his best to help you.

Upon hearing this, Tatsuma nodded. Indeed, Danzo had not done anything to harm him.

When he first arrived in the ninja world, he was often worried that one day on his way home, he would be surrounded by several masked ninjas who would ask him to see some important person.

Then they get brainwashed by various spells and rhetoric.

What Tatsuma found hard to understand and regrettable was that Danzo didn't do that; in the early stages, it could be understood that he simply couldn't enter Danzo's field of vision.

But when he gained some fame, Senju gave him enough protection, and after that, Danzo seemed to never do anything to target him.

No, not only had he never done it, but since gaining the ability to sense malice, Tatsuma had never sensed any malice directed at him from Danzo.

To be honest, Tatsuma had been struggling with this for a while, until just now, Hiruzen Sarutobi's words helped him break free from a simplistic and overly complicated situation.

Danzo wasn't targeting him, most likely because of Tobirama Senju?

Tatsuma doesn't entirely agree that Tobirama Senju completely inherited the Will of Fire, but it's undeniable that he learned many principles of conduct in the ninja world from Tobirama.

As a "human", Tatsuma's personality had already solidified, but his ninja side was largely influenced by Tobirama Senju, and he would sometimes unconsciously use Tobirama Senju's way of thinking to think about things.

It would be strange if Danzo couldn't see such a "similarity." Perhaps Danzo really saw the shadow of Tobirama Senju in him.

Although it felt strange, I was the one who benefited.

I never expected that Shimura Danzo, with his thick eyebrows and big eyes, would also be involved in stand-in literature.

Suddenly, Tatsuma felt a chill and even shivered.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was observing Tatsuma's changing expression, went from being gradually pleased to suddenly being stunned. What was Tatsuma thinking? Why did he show such an indescribable expression?

Regardless, Tatsuma seemed less resistant to Danzo, and Hiruzen Sarutobi pressed on, saying, "At the same time, Danzo is also a staunch supporter of your becoming the Fourth Hokage."

Upon hearing this news, Tatsuma looked somewhat bewildered. Danzo had supported him becoming the Fourth Hokage.

Wasn't not becoming Hokage a constant source of anxiety for Danzo? Even if he hadn't yet become the darkest figure in the ninja world, the root of Konoha, who had completely disappeared into darkness, it was impossible for him to relinquish the position of Hokage, right?

It's getting more and more sci-fi!

Even Tatsuma suspected that either Danzo was lying to lower Hiruzen Sarutobi's and others' guard, or that Hiruzen Sarutobi was deliberately trying to save face for his old friend who owned the shares.

Tatsuma pursed his lips and said, "Speaking of which, I've heard some rumors along the way. It seems that he has already assumed the position of Fourth Hokage without my knowledge?"

"Ha~ I don't have a better way either. After all, we must ensure the treaty signature is valid, right?"

As Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, he was somewhat smug. If the necessity of his actions wasn't great at first, after Tatsuma's specific methods were relayed back, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt more and more that he had done the right thing and done it in a timely manner.

This directly tied Tatsuma to the village, so even if the Daimyo's household learned that Tatsuma had used a tailed beast to threaten another country's daimyo, they wouldn't dare to easily harbor resentment towards Tatsuma, let alone openly express their attitude.

Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who felt he had made a brilliant decision, Tatsuma said, "Actually, Hokage-sama, you could say that my actions were entirely authorized by you."

"Then wouldn't I have to take the blame... cough cough, I mean, wouldn't that transfer the credit for what you've won to me?"

As Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, his hands momentarily went blank, then he quickly grabbed some cigarettes, his attempt to cover up his misunderstanding all too obvious.

Tatsuma shrugged, too lazy to expose Hiruzen Sarutobi, and said, "However, this will be unfair to the Hokage. I'm afraid that starting tomorrow, there will be some bad rumors circulating in the village."

"I know they can't wait for you to return and take over."

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced out the window at the villagers who had lingered for so long, patted the straw hat on the table, and said, "They wish you would come up to the top floor right now and take this straw hat from me."

Even if I delay for just one more day, some impatient villagers will surely suspect that I am going back on my word or that I am reluctant to give up the position of Hokage.

Ultimately, however, this was a foolish act born of their excessive expectations for the village's future. Besides, it wouldn't have much impact on the village or the war; a little noise was tolerable for this old man.

"The Hokage's magnanimity is good for both you and the village."

Tatsuma nodded. Although he knew that Hiruzen Sarutobi was unlikely to be bothered by these sounds, he was willing to explain things beforehand if possible.

"Alright, go back and rest."

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand with a smile and said, "Iwagakure has also changed its battle strategy. Instead of large-scale battles, they are now operating in small teams. Orochimaru and the others will also be returning to the village one after another."

Oh, right, that's perfect, those kids from the Ninja Academy.

"Lord Hokage, you should get some rest too."

Tatsuma revealed a bright, but emotionless smile as he left the Hokage's office. He didn't use the Flying Thunder God Technique to leave, as that wouldn't be very friendly to the villagers outside.

They didn't have any particular purpose; they just wanted to see more of the "heroes" of the war. Tatsuma wasn't socially awkward and didn't mind receiving some applause and flowers. Moreover, the sooner they finished the process, the sooner the traffic congestion around the Hokage Building would be relieved.

"You little brat"

Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Tatsuma's retreating figure and shook his head helplessly.

(End of this chapter)