Chapter 366: Mr. Danzou

During this period,

Konohagakure has undergone tremendous changes.

First, the Third Hokage not only failed to compensate the Ninja Clans that had contributed as promised, but instead suppressed them vigorously.

The Third Hokage publicly announced,

That the distribution of the Evil God's spoils would take into account everyone who had made outstanding contributions to the village in the past and in this war.

This also led to more than half of the spoils promised to the Ninja Clans flowing into the pockets of civilian ninja.

The civilian ninja, who had always been loyal to the village, were bombarded by the Third Hokage's various tactics and sweet talk, and a large portion of them became members of the 【Shadow Organization】 directly under the Hokage.

It was like an army directly loyal to the Hokage.

To some extent, it even bypassed the village directly.

A haggard-looking Utatane Koharu said quite helplessly: "Hokage, if you do this, it will be hard for the Ninja Clans not to have grievances!"

Back then, Hiruzen Sarutobi promised to compensate the Ninja Clans afterward in exchange for a large number of Reward Points.

The two Hokage Advisors naturally took the lead in helping.

Who could have imagined that Hiruzen Sarutobi would actually discard the millstone once the donkey was dead, causing some Ninja Clans to hate even Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, and begin to isolate their two clans.

"I have nothing to say if you want to suppress the Ninja Clans, but..."

Mitokado Homura spoke directly, his face looking ugly as he said: "Even if you wiped out all the Ninja Clans, as long as it was for Konoha, this old man wouldn't even frown!"

"But, are you also protecting the village by tilting a massive amount of resources into the Shadow Organization?"

"Isn't the Shadow Organization under your direct jurisdiction just a private army?"

There was one thing he didn't say out loud: how was the Shadow Organization any different from the Root Organization that Danzou had founded back then?

The most critical thing is,

The Root Organization had at most dozens to nearly a hundred ninja, and Danzou was not the Hokage, so he couldn't cause too much influence.

But now, Hiruzen Sarutobi holds the position of Hokage, and by relying on the power in his hands, he is blatantly expanding the Shadow Organization, which already has over two thousand members.

The more Mitokado Homura thought about it, the more frightened he became, and he questioned: "What exactly do you want to do, Hiruzen!"

"Of course, it is to consolidate all power into a single rope, instead of being restricted by the Ninja Clans everywhere like before!"

Danzou smiled coldly, his palm stroking the Hokage Hat.

Borrowing the lingering prestige of Hiruzen Sarutobi dying for Konoha, he used thunderous means to suppress the Ninja Clans, and then consumed the Evil God's spoils to win over a massive number of civilian ninja.

Completely stabilizing his power base.

Both were disciples taught by Senju Tobirama, and Danzou's political means were not inferior in the slightest.

The reason he had always appeared frustrated was because Hiruzen Sarutobi's strength was greater than his, and his prestige was higher, which led him to only be able to passively do some things.

Even so, he was still able to run the Root Organization quite impressively.

Carrying out this series of measures was naturally a matter of course.

"Fire Empire?"

Utatane Koharu's drooping eyelids opened, revealing cloudy eyeballs filled with shock and panic, and she asked: "Do you want to be like the evil Orochimaru and turn Konoha into Hiruzen Sarutobi's personal fiefdom?"

This kind of behavior of winning over civilian ninja, suppressing Ninja Clans, and then using the civilian ninja to completely sweep away opponents.

Was exactly the same as what Orochimaru did back then.

"I admire Orochimaru very much!"

In the past, Danzou would have definitely rushed to distance himself upon hearing such words, but now he just looked at the two advisors calmly.

The Elite players of the Shadow Organization were the sharp tools that allowed him to stand tall.

Generally speaking,

Orochimaru was indeed very compatible with Danzou; whether it was human experimentation or his attitude toward ordinary ninja, both had that unscrupulous side.

"You are truly crazy, Hiruzen!"

"I think it is time for you to step down from the position of Hokage and return it to the Fourth Hokage!"

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu reacted intensely; the Ninja Clans were their roots, and Hiruzen Sarutobi was digging up their roots now—who could accept that? Fortunately,

The Third Hokage was only temporarily serving as Hokage because Namikaze Minato had died in battle, and they could now completely support Namikaze Minato to take the position again.

"Do the two of you want to betray Konoha?"

Danzou's voice was cold, and as his words fell,

Four figures suddenly appeared in the office, standing straight behind the two advisors.

"Elite players?"

Mitokado Homura's face changed slightly, and he instinctively stretched out his hands,

But before he could form a seal, his fingers were already broken by two Elite players of the Shadow Organization, and the intense pain made cold sweat stream down his face.

Danzou said in a flat tone: "Everyone who betrays Konoha will receive a severe trial; even Hokage Advisors cannot escape."

"You cannot represent Konoha!"

Mitokado Homura, whose neck was held by an Elite player's Kunai, roared angrily.

"Very soon, those who are not loyal to Konoha will be completely liquidated!"

Danzou waved his hand,

The four Elite players disappeared, leaving only the two Hokage Advisors standing on the spot, vigilant and afraid to act rashly.

It must be said,

Danzou's current Shadow Organization is definitely the strongest force in Konohagakure; even some members of Asuma's Mobile Unit have been won over.

Unless they unite, no one can stop the Third Hokage.

Danzou's thunderous means only circulated among the Konoha high-level officials and the Ninja Clans.

Most civilians and ordinary ninja did not feel much,

They were focused on something else.

Aizen Sosuke.

A warrior from the border of the Fire Empire, who, despite not being a player, possessed strength approaching Shadow-level.

In a mere half-month, this name was etched into everyone's memory.

With a polite demeanor, a love for calligraphy, and a kind and humble nature, he not only risked his life to help the wounded during battle, but even after the war ended,

he continued to spare no effort in helping Konoha rebuild without any compensation, extending a helping hand to civilians who had lost their homes.

Some desperate civilians and ninja alike, encouraged by Aizen, reaffirmed their belief in continuing to live and stepped out of the shadows.

"Hello, I am Aizen Sosuke."

The man wearing black-rimmed glasses arrived at the nearly forgotten orphanage and said to the staff: "Here is two hundred thousand yen; I hope it can provide some warm broth for the children who have lost their parents tonight, to soothe their cold hearts."

"Mr. Aizen!"

The drowsy orphanage director revealed an expression of excitement.

The Evil God attack had just ended, and everyone was busy with reconstruction everywhere; places like the orphanage were bound to be temporarily forgotten.

It was feared that the orphanage would only be remembered once most of the damage had been restored and the civilians and ninja had spare energy.

Of course,

Mr. Aizen was the exception; he would come to the orphanage every two days and hand over all the hard-earned rewards he had made to the director.

He took care of the disabled orphans, cooked meals for them with his own hands, taught them how to read, and told them about the Will of Fire and various life lessons.

It wasn't just the orphans; it was said that Mr. Aizen also provided relief to the impoverished civilians and worked hard to lay the fallen ninja to rest, attending to every matter personally.

Mr. Aizen did all these small, subtle things in silence, until he was suspected of having ulterior motives toward Konoha and was taken away by members of the Shadow Organization for investigation.

The whole truth was revealed! Only then did everyone realize that Mr. Aizen had been doing so many good deeds silently, without seeking fame or fortune!

(End of this chapter)