With the deaths and surrenders of Sand Ninja and Sound Ninja, the Konoha Crush plan was completely terminated.
This battle made Jiraiya and the ninjas of various clans famous throughout Konoha. The villagers praised their strength and thanked them for their merit in protecting their home and saving them.
As for Hiruzen Sarutobi, what did he do?
Did he fail to detect the enemy's plot beforehand, fail to command Konoha to resist the invasion, and instead spend half a day entangled with the traitor he trained in the barrier, only to end up seriously injured and lying on the ground?
If Hiruzen Sarutobi had died a heroic death, the villagers might have remembered his achievements. But now, seeing him on the verge of death, he not only fails to inspire respect but also makes the villagers doubt his strength and worry about whether he can protect Konoha.
Moreover, news of the tragedy that befell the Sarutobi clan eventually spread a few hours later. The bodies of the ninjas and civilians that were cleared out confirmed some of the previous rumors, making everyone realize just how powerful the Hokage clan was, and causing the villagers to completely lose faith in Hiruzen Sarutobi's ability to protect Konoha.
How can someone who can't even protect their own family protect everyone else?!
However, such suspicions did not dampen the villagers' interest in gossip. They still enjoyed watching this drama of a once-powerful family falling into ruin. When they saw the remaining Sarutobi tribesmen wailing and crying at the gate of their tribe's territory, they secretly felt a sense of relief, which greatly alleviated their frustration at having to temporarily live in tents after their houses were destroyed.
Compared to Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura felt even more pathetic.
By the time he led his Root force back to the village, all the prisoners from the Sand and Sound ninja had been captured. He hadn't even had time to collect the enemy corpses or gather intelligence. In the end, he could only sheepishly retreat to Root's secret base, plotting how to seize the opportunity to become Hokage.
But before he could even settle into his chair, news arrived that the Sarutobi and Shimura clans had been massacred within their clan territories. Suffering two blows in quick succession, Shimura Danzo fainted from shock and anger, only managing to regain consciousness after emergency treatment by Root medical ninjas.
The Sarutobi clan's near extermination, a tragedy that spread throughout Konoha and became fodder for villagers' gossip, was equally shocking. Yet, the Shimura clan remained completely unscathed. Few in the village were willing to discuss it; only the Root ninjas who handled the remains, under Danzo's chilling gaze, fearfully cleaned the corpses and meticulously recorded every detail.
night
Inside a ward at Konoha Hospital, Hiruzen Sarutobi stared blankly at the stark white ceiling, his mind blank. His injuries, after emergency treatment, had brought him out of danger. He had only temporarily lost mobility; only his head remained under control, and even using the toilet required assistance—he was practically a cripple.
How could Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been high above everyone for decades, possibly endure being transformed from a powerful Hokage who dominated the entire village into a bedridden cripple waiting to be fed and urinated on?
He already knew about the tragedy of the Sarutobi clan, where his son and grandson were beheaded on the same day. The Sarutobi ninjas who were defending the village against the enemy, along with the clan members who had already retreated to the refuge and those who had narrowly escaped from the clan's territory, still numbered about 200. There was one Jonin, six Chunin, and five Genin. Considering all that, the Sarutobi clan could still be considered a small ninja clan in Konoha.
But what does this mean to him?
His own lineage is now completely extinct. Unless some special forbidden methods are used, how could someone his age possibly continue his lineage?
The pain of having no descendants made Hiruzen Sarutobi truly feel that he was an old man in his twilight years, needing his children around him to enjoy the joys of family life.
"Old man"
Jiraiya pushed open the hospital room door, looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi's old and tired body, and called out cautiously.
Upon hearing his beloved disciple's voice, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes flickered slightly, but he still did not respond.
"Hiruzen, are you feeling better?"
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado followed Jiraiya into the ward. When they saw Hiruzen Sarutobi's dejected and lifeless appearance, they became very anxious.
Their power is tied to Hiruzen Sarutobi. Given Hiruzen's current condition, it would be difficult for him to shoulder the responsibilities of Hokage. Once the position of Hokage changes, even with their seniority, it would be difficult for them to maintain their current superior status.
Before visiting their old friend, the two had already discussed it briefly: if Hiruzen's body couldn't be cured, they would do everything they could to promote Jiraiya or Tsunade to become the Fifth Hokage.
Even though their status and power would certainly differ greatly, they could still maintain considerable influence based on their respective identities.
At the repeated calls of his apprentice and old friend, Hiruzen Sarutobi barely turned his head, his voice empty, "I'm not going to die for now."
You should have already known about my situation before you came, so please just say what you need to say. I'm not sure I can handle it if it takes too long!
Hiruzen Sarutobi had already guessed most of the purpose of Mitokado Homura's visit.
Aside from the fact that its high-level combatants didn't suffer significant losses, the damage this battle inflicted on Konoha was almost comparable to the Nine-Tails' rampage.
Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast, revived in the center of the village without warning. Even though Naruto managed to distract Shukaku in time, Shukaku, along with the sandstorm and the Tailed Beast Balls it randomly spewed, caused significant damage to Konoha.
The unprecedented invasion from outside Konoha caused unrest among the villagers. Under such circumstances, how could someone who was almost crippled continue to be the Hokage?
Even while lying in his hospital bed, Hiruzen Sarutobi could vaguely hear discussions outside about who could take over the Hokage's duties. Occasionally, a few words would be cursed at him for teaching rogue ninjas who were harming Konoha and for not being able to protect the village.
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged a glance and said, "Hiruzen, your current physical condition is no longer suitable for you to be Hokage. Konoha needs a leader who is young and strong and can give everyone confidence."
Even though he had expected it, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still furious when he heard Mitokado Homura's words, and felt that it was much more difficult to breathe.
"How could you do this? The teacher's injuries are serious, but they can still be treated!"
Jiraiya saw them discussing the change of Hokage right in front of their teacher's sickbed and couldn't help but speak up to stop them, even winking at the two elders.
"No one in Konoha possesses this kind of medical ninjutsu!"
Mitokado Homura, with a stern face, exposed Jiraiya's pretense.
Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to have regained his judgment. He forced himself to raise his head slightly and looked at Homura Mitokado, "Who do you want to succeed as Hokage?"
Koharu, standing nearby, chimed in, "Jiraiya has done a great service this time, and the villagers are very grateful to him."
Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could say anything, Jiraiya shook his head.
"No, no, my personality isn't suited to be Hokage."
Just as Mitokado and the others were about to speak, they heard a click as the door opened.
Danzo Shimura pushed the door open and entered, his face cold and menacing.
"You irresponsible bastard, you'll never be Hokage with that kind of mentality!"
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