I am the new Hokage of Konoha.

After Orochimaru used that sonic ninjutsu in the secret base, a squad of Anbu members who accompanied Hiruzen Sarutobi fell down. Although not all of them died, some did, and the survivors are now seriously injured.

Hiruzen Sarutobi saw this but still didn't make a move, which was undoubtedly a major mistake on his part.

Does the life of one's own disciple matter, but the lives of one's subordinates don't?

Especially since the former was a rogue ninja.

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, had seen his reputation plummet to its lowest point in history.

Ultimately, he himself felt deeply remorseful and guilty after Yun Ting's final blow.

Without needing the latter to say anything more, Hiruzen Sarutobi, in a voice that was older than ever before, admitted his mistake: "Regarding Orochimaru's defection, I was first at fault for failing to properly guide him, and then I let him leave because of my own selfish reasons. Furthermore, I disregarded the people of the village. I am willing to bear all the punishments imposed by the village. I hope that everyone will cooperate with the Fourth Hokage in the future so that Konoha can become more prosperous."

Chapter Thirty-Four: Subsequent Impact

"Third Hokage, you..."

Although they were dissatisfied with the Third Hokage's attitude toward Orochimaru, he had served as Hokage for so many years, and his merits and hard work were beyond question. Hearing the Third Hokage take the initiative to admit his mistake and accept punishment, some of the Konoha ninja present still felt a little reluctant.

But at that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted them all with a wave of his hand.

He wasn't just putting on an act; he was wrong, and he was willing to bear all the consequences.

In addition, his statement was also a way of declaring the end of his political life and handing over power in Konoha to Yunting.

Actually, he had already made up his mind after letting Orochimaru leave, but he didn't expect Yun Ting to act so quickly.

The younger generation is truly formidable!

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Yun Ting. With his decades of experience, how could he not see that the other party was behind everything that had happened today?

He simply chose the path of no return when presented with the choice, so he has no one to blame but himself.

Moreover, Konoha Village can no longer afford internal strife.

"Yun Ting, I'm entrusting Konoha to you from now on." With a hint of melancholy, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had finally let go of everything, looked at Yun Ting solemnly and said.

"I guarantee that Konoha will thrive under my leadership," Yun Ting said with a serious expression.

This was a true transfer of power from the Third Hokage to the Fourth Hokage.

On the sidelines, the clan leaders of the Hyuga, Uchiha, Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, and Aburame clans, as well as renowned Jonin of Konoha such as Minato Namikaze and Kurenai Yuhi, witnessed this scene firsthand.

Thus, Yun Ting's plan was a complete success.

From this day forward, he truly held power in Konoha and became the rightful Fourth Hokage.

After a simple yet solemn ceremony, the people of Konoha left without lingering.

Along the way, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally learned about Kumogami's awakening of Wood Release. He was deeply shocked and thought of the First Hokage.

Perhaps, he really can make Konoha even more glorious!

Thinking about this made Hiruzen Sarutobi feel more at ease.

One hour later.

Within the vast battlefield, scarred and devastated by the battle between Yun Ting and Orochimaru.

A small, palm-sized white phosphorescent snake suddenly emerged from the corpse of a snake that Yun Ting had initially cut into half. Its golden vertical pupils were filled with complex emotions as it glanced in the direction of Konoha before disappearing into the forest.

......

The first half of Konoha in 48 should have been uneventful.

However, Yun Ting's arrival made the first half of the year quite unusual, because two major events that shocked the ninja world occurred during this period.

One is Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha, who was killed after defecting.

Secondly, the Fourth Hokage of Konoha awakened Wood Release.

When Yun Ting and a group of Konoha ninjas returned to the village, these two incidents spread rapidly without any attempt to conceal them.

It quickly became the talk of the town.

Leaf, root base.

Danzo Shisun, who had concealed most of his body in the darkness, remained motionless for a long time until Ryoma Aburame came in and reported:

"Lord Danzo, all the relevant laboratories have been closed, and all documents and materials related to human experimentation have been destroyed."

"I understand." Danzo placed his hands on his elbows and said in a deep voice, "Have the Root people move the experimental equipment out as soon as possible. Since the risks of conducting experiments in Konoha or even the Land of Fire are too great, then move them to a small neighboring country. Also, tell them to be careful on the way. That Senju brat is always trying to find something on me. You must know that these days are no longer the days when Hiruzen Sarutobi was in power."

Finally, when "Hiruzen Sarutobi" was mentioned, Danzo's eyes clearly showed a different look.

He never imagined that his old friend, who had fought against him for so many years and suppressed him relentlessly, would be overthrown by a junior, and that he would fall for such a simple scheme.

"So, Hiruzen, are you really getting old? But I will never admit to being old! If I hadn't been a little slow back then, I wouldn't be waiting until now for the Hokage position."

Danzo muttered to himself, then asked, "Has the Orochimaru matter been investigated thoroughly? Has it been confirmed that he is dead?"

Ryoma Aburame said expressionlessly, "We have examined the area where the Fourth Hokage fought Orochimaru and found no marks left by the latter. Combined with what a group of Konoha Jonin witnessed, Root has confirmed that Orochimaru is indeed dead."

"What a pity! Although Orochimaru sometimes has his own ideas, one has to admit that he has unparalleled talent in research." Danzo said this with genuine regret.

In his view, all the researchers in Root combined couldn't match half of Orochimaru's talent.

Therefore, upon learning of the latter's defection, he was even willing to risk sending Root ninjas to help.

But in the end, we were a step too late.

In this way, research beyond the roots will undoubtedly be much slower, or even stagnate.

Danzo subconsciously touched his right arm, which was tightly wrapped in bandages, with his left hand, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes as he asked, "So, how's the investigation into Senju Kumogawa's Wood Release going?"

When Wood Release was mentioned, Ryoma Aburame's expression showed a slight change: "Very strong! Extremely strong! This is the conclusion that Kou himself came to after going to the battlefield. He even said that the effect of the Wood Release he used was probably not even half as good as the Fourth Hokage's."

"A fake is still a fake."

Danzo shook his head in disappointment and said finally, "For the time being, let Root remain silent."

"Yes."

......

In the Sarutobi clan's territory, Hijō was killed in his home.

Mitokado Homura, Koharu Utatane, and Hiruzen Sarutobi, all disciples of the Second Hokage and with decades of friendship with Danzo, gathered together at this time.

"Hiruzen, are you out of your mind!" Mitokado Homura exclaimed, his emotions running high, in the reception room.

As fellow students of the Third Hokage and stakeholders in the Hokage lineage, Hiruzen Sarutobi's downfall was a heavy blow to both of them, the two Konoha advisors.

He didn't believe that now that the Third Hokage was no longer a constraint, his two advisors could still have much influence on Senju Kumo-tei regarding important matters in Konoha.

Especially after the latter possessed Wood Release, which was considered a symbol of Konoha, and had even killed Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin, in a direct confrontation.

The reason why Mitokado Homura criticized Hirazen for being confused after the fact was not because of the matter of him relinquishing power.

At the time, this was a foregone conclusion and there was basically no way to change it.

What truly annoyed him was Hiruzen letting Orochimaru go.

If this incident hadn't happened, there wouldn't have been the subsequent coup attempt.

Although he had always been pleased with his old friend's soft heart, which allowed them, his old friends, to wield more power.

But now this soft-heartedness has backfired, making him resentful.

At this moment, facing his old friend's accusations, Hiruzen Sarutobi simply smoked his pipe expressionlessly.

Although he had previously expressed his willingness to accept punishment, he was, after all, the Third Hokage of many years, and Yun Ting did not make things difficult for him in the end, leaving him with dignity so that he could truly enjoy his retirement life.

Soon, the pungent smell of smoke filled the entire room, causing Mitokado Yan, who was about to say something, to cough violently as soon as he opened his mouth.

"That's enough, Menyan." Koharu, who had been watching from the side, patted him on the back and said, "Things have come to this point, shouldn't you think carefully about what to do next?"

The two then continued their discussion on this topic.

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent, simply taking out his treasured crystal ball, placing it in a box, then summoning a member of the Sarutobi clan and handing it to him, saying:

"Give this to the Fourth Hokage and tell him it's a gift from me."

"Yes." The Sarutobi clansman took the box and turned to leave.

The two Konoha advisors, who had witnessed everything, stopped talking, exchanged a glance, and then Koharu Utatane spoke up: "Hiruzen, what do you think we should do next?"

"What should we do?" Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at the two of them and finally spoke, "There is a role model here that I think you can learn from."

"Who?"

"Two advisors from Sunagakure."

"..."

Chapter Thirty-Five External Reactions

While Konoha was still discussing the two major events, the other four great nations, which were on par with Konoha, also soon received the news.

The Land of Wind.

Having just returned from gold mining, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, looked at the news from Konoha handed to him by his subordinates and couldn't help but marvel at how many talented people Konoha truly had.

Even though one of the three legendary Sannin was lost, they gained an even stronger Fourth Hokage with Wood Release.

It is said that the latter is only in his early twenties, he is really young!

Rasa turned his head to look out the window at the Sand Village covered in sand.

Having suffered the devastation of two Shinobi World Wars, the Sand Village's strength has plummeted to its lowest point ever, with a severe shortage of successors and financial difficulties so dire that even the Kazekage himself has to personally venture into the desert to seek his fortune.

His former ambitions have long since vanished; now, all he hopes for is to restore the village to its former glory as much as possible.

"Perhaps, turning hostility into friendship with Konoha, or even becoming allies, is a good way out for Sunagakure at present."

Luo Sha suddenly realized this, and his eyes grew brighter and brighter.

The Land of Earth.

The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, overheard his son, Kyoto, discussing information about Konoha while receiving treatment for his aching back from a gentle and kind female nurse in a hospital bed.

Upon learning that Yun Ting possessed Wood Release, he sighed deeply, and his mind drifted back to the past.

"I just hope... this Fourth Hokage, who is also from the Senju clan, will have a personality like his predecessor. If he were like Madara Uchiha, the future ninja world would be in turmoil!"