Watching Miki's retreating figure in the crystal ball, the Sandaime grimaced in pain.
How tragic!
Danzo.
The Sandaime felt a pang of sympathy.
He had been observing Danzo's plight these past few days, and as expected, he met with setbacks everywhere.
The Shinobi Clans in the Village had already reached a tacit consensus, and even he, the Hokage, was powerless to change it.
Sending Danzo was a long shot.
But in the end, was even the recruitment of orphans prevented?
The Sandaime fell into deep thought; Mushi-Hime's action was somewhat unexpected.
In his estimation, at least Root's recruitment of orphans should have met no resistance.
So, why?
Is she afraid that the power in my hands will become too great and difficult to handle later?
However, what use are a hundred or so orphans? On the battlefield, they are nothing but cannon fodder...
Mushi-Hime wouldn't be unaware of this, would she?
So it's...
The Sandaime whispered, "To undermine my prestige."
Everyone in the Village saw it. Some civilians might not be clear, but the Shinobi were. Danzo represented him.
The news would circulate throughout the Village.
Danzo's reputation being ruined also meant the Sandaime's prestige was damaged.
At this point, he couldn't save Danzo either. If Mushi-Hime insisted on doing this, continuing would only embarrass him, the Hokage.
It couldn't escalate into an all-out fight, could it?
Miki was backed by the Shinobi Clans, while he represented the Village.
Continuing would only carve a rift in the Village.
So, after thinking it over, the Third Hokage compromised. The impending Shinobi World War was a threat from outside, and at this moment, causing internal disarray would only lead to death.
He could only sacrifice Danzo.
"You're too impatient, all of you..."
Looking at his unconscious friend Danzo in the crystal ball, the Third Hokage sighed.
"Danzo, the Village will not forget your sacrifice. The greater good is paramount."
"Once we retire, the two of us can finally live a peaceful life."
But...
The Sandaime looked in the direction Miki had left and took a deep drag from his pipe.
Would the Village truly flourish under their leadership?
In the future, would they truly not turn the Village into the private property of the Shinobi Clans?
Tobirama-sensei's efforts, my efforts...
Would they all go up in smoke like this?
The Village belongs to everyone.
Under his faintly receding hairline, his brows were deeply furrowed, his forehead showing signs of balding.
The Third Hokage sighed heavily.
"My power isn't enough..."
He could only hope that Tsunade, under his influence, would lead the Village on the right path.
The Third Hokage turned to tackle the mountain of work.
By nightfall, he finally had some free time and strolled over to Konoha Hospital.
He had to visit Danzo, no matter what.
In the ward, Danzo was already awake, wrapped like a mummy in bandages, with only his foul face exposed.
His rather handsome face was not injured.
But his mood was far from good.
The Sandaime didn't say much, leaning against the window sill, smoking and enjoying the night breeze.
After a long while, Danzo spoke.
"Hiruzen, that brat must die!!!"
"Let it go, Danzo," the Sandaime said. "Mito will tie you to a stake and send you flying with a Tailed Beast Ball."
"Then I'll wait for Uzumaki Mito to die!" Danzo said coldly. "Controlling the Jinchuriki gives one true power!"
"Danzo..." The Sandaime looked at him with cold eyes and said, "Do you really want to die!? Don't have dangerous thoughts!"
"You're too soft, Hiruzen!" Danzo said. "The Village is sensei's life's work! No one is allowed to mess with it!!!"
"Those brats have no idea where they'll lead the Village!"
"Danzo!" The Sandaime said, "You're the one who shouldn't mess around!!!"
"The Root's matters end here. You will continue to assist Anbu in training personnel. Don't do any more dangerous or excessive things!"
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