Konoha, reported by the Fourth Hokage at the start.

Chapter 503 Resonance of Hatred

"Huh... isn't that the Hokage?"

"Why did he kneel down?"

"Really... What's wrong with the Hokage?"

Soon, those below saw the Third Hokage kneeling before them on the roof of the Hokage Building.

Because the Third Hokage was unable to speak or move, and because Tsunade, advisors, elders, and other high-ranking Konoha officials were standing behind him.

Although the crowd below was puzzled by the Third Hokage's kneeling, they did not suspect that he had been imprisoned. Some even cheered for the Hokage.

Hearing the cheers below, a sliver of relief appeared in the despairing heart of the third generation. His years of service—no, his years of service—had not been in vain; the people were still on his side.

These bastards, Tsunade, want to hand him over to the enemy as Hokage. He'll see how they explain this to the villagers who support him.

No matter how much he did, it was all for the stability and interests of Konoha, and it was aimed at the ninja clans. He never targeted ordinary ninjas.

Thinking of this, the Third Generation sneered inwardly, his eyes no longer filled with anger, but instead revealed a look of watching a show.

The high-ranking members of the ninja clan behind the Third Hokage, despite already knowing the Third Hokage's influence in the village, couldn't help but feel a tightness in their hearts upon hearing the cheers below, and subconsciously looked at Tsunade.

Since Tsunade stepped forward to resist the Third Hokage and agreed to hand him over, they launched a propaganda war, spreading the news that the Third Hokage was unwilling to stop the war and had secretly sent the Anbu to provoke the major hidden villages, resulting in heavy casualties in Konoha.

They also shifted the blame for sending children to die on the battlefield to the third generation, claiming that it was because the third generation refused to listen to advice that so many children died.

Under the guidance of the Konoha ninja clans, a large portion of the village did indeed develop hatred towards the Third Hokage.

Even so, the Third Hokage still held considerable prestige from his position as Hokage over the years. Without Tsunade, the granddaughter of the First Hokage, endorsing him, no one could convict the Third Hokage of any crime, let alone force him to die.

Now, it's up to Tsunade to decide the outcome.

Tsunade stepped forward, came to the Third Hokage's side, looked at the murmuring crowd, and raised her hand to signal for silence.

soon.

The people below realized that Tsunade was about to speak and gradually quieted down.

As the princess of Konoha, the granddaughter of the first Hokage who founded the village, and a representative of the Senju clan, Tsunade's influence in Konoha was in no way inferior to that of the Third Hokage, who had served as Hokage for many years.

This scene made the Third Generation panic, and his watchful gaze instantly turned into intense hatred.

He never expected that his disciple would betray him.

Without Tsunade's involvement, the other ninja clans wouldn't have dared to threaten him, let alone make decisions like asking him to die.

He's being kind by not letting these guys die.

Unfortunately, he couldn't understand why Tsunade would betray him.

Could it be Hatake Sagumo?

That's right.

It must be that despicable guy who wanted to seize the Hokage position from him and used love to bewitch Tsunade.

Tsunade is so foolish!

How can love compare to the bond we've shared as master and disciple for over a decade!

While the Third Hokage was lost in thought, Tsunade spoke.

"You must all be very curious as to why the Third Hokage is kneeling here, right?"

"Really? Why is the Hokage kneeling down? Why isn't the Hokage saying anything?"

As soon as Tsunade spoke, the crowd below began to ask questions. However, the Third Hokage on the top of the Hokage Building remained silent. This strange scene made everyone below realize that something unimaginable might happen today.

"Who among you has children, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, or other relatives who died in the war? Please raise your hands so I can see them!" Tsunade called out loudly.

"..."

The crowd fell silent for a moment. This Ninja World War was a hundred times more brutal than the previous two, as evidenced by the fact that they had sent five- or six-year-old children to participate in the war.

Such a brutal war naturally resulted in many deaths.

It would have been fine if they hadn't thought about it before, but now that Tsunade has brought it up so bluntly, the emotions of everyone in Konoha have been instantly drawn into an atmosphere of grief for the death of their loved ones and hatred for the killing of their enemies.

The Third Hokage, who was adept at manipulating public opinion and emotions, immediately understood Tsunade's intentions upon hearing her words.

He was in a hurry. He knew that if he didn't say anything now, the hatred that had been stirred up in the crowd would eventually be directed at him, and then he would truly die without a burial place.

"hateful!"

"Who exactly taught Tsunade this method of inciting hatred?"

The Third Hokage cursed inwardly, but to no avail. Unable to speak, he could only watch helplessly as Tsunade stirred up the villagers' hatred.

The people below, thinking of their deceased relatives, raised their hands.

Then, they suddenly realized that everyone had raised their hands, which meant that everyone had loved ones who had died in the war.

Emotions are contagious and can resonate with each other.

When the hatred of nearly 100,000 people resonates, that power is enough to destroy everything, including the Third Hokage they once respected.

The rest is self-explanatory.

After arousing the hatred of everyone, Tsunade began to explain the whole war from the basics to the deeper levels, gradually revealing the true nature of the Third Hokage.

When he heard that the Third Hokage had been secretly hunting down Uchiha and Hyuga clans with special bloodline limits for many years to conduct human experiments, he was shocked.

When he heard that the Third Hokage, disregarding the dangers of war and willing to sacrifice more villagers to expand the war and buy time to suppress Konoha's White Fang, he was deeply moved.

When he heard that the White Fang of Konoha was framed by Danzo, who had personally ordered the Third Hokage to kill civilians in a small border town, he was shocked to learn that Danzo had personally ordered Danzo to do so.

After hearing about the various underhanded tactics the Third Generation employed against their own people, the good image that the Third Generation had always maintained completely collapsed in the eyes of the villagers.

He transformed from a loyal and dutiful Hokage into a sophisticated, selfish, and man-eating monster who disregards human life.

"what……"

"Three generations, you'll pay for my son's life!"

"Ah... my poor grandson!"

"dad……"

"Mother……"

The hatred of the crowd below, who had lost their loved ones, was directed entirely at the Third Hokage. Countless people roared at the Third Hokage on the Hokage Building, their hateful gazes wishing they could tear the kneeling Third Hokage to shreds in an instant.

Finished!

Seeing this, the Third Hokage knew he was completely finished!

How could this happen?

The Third Hokage stared blankly, not understanding why things had suddenly turned out this way. How had he suddenly gone from being the respected Hokage to a man-eating monster hated by everyone?

This isn't me!

Yes, that's not me!

Within the third generation's brain, a chakra subtly shifted and separated, amplified desires returned to normal, rationality returned, and memories quietly resurfaced.

In an instant!

The third generation's pupils contracted sharply, then froze completely.

Memories flowed like water, gradually awakening memories from the past month across three generations.

Finally, when all the sealed memories returned, the Third Hokage's eyes were bloodshot, and two lines of bloody tears streamed down his pale face.

(End of this chapter)