Temporary meeting
Hidden Leaf Village.
When Sarutobi Hiruzen was dug out of the mountain by everyone, he had already lost consciousness. When they pried open his eyelids, his gaze was scattered.
His finger bones were completely shattered, both shoulders were dislocated, his internal organs suffered varying degrees of trauma, and his breathing was extremely disordered. His situation was critical and he was on the verge of death.
The Hokage Building immediately convened an emergency meeting, and all the high-level officials were present except for the Uchiha Clan.
After confirmation, in addition to the defection of Uchiha Nen, three other major events that cannot be ignored have occurred in Hidden Leaf Village and are waiting to be resolved:
The Third Hokage's disciples, Princess Tsunade and Jiraiya, have left to hunt down the evil Uchiha Shin'yu, attempting to avenge the deceased Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju!
Orochimaru, also a personal disciple of the Third Hokage, and the Genin Hiruko have disappeared. According to the Western Gate guards who were attacked, their defection has been confirmed!
The underground Laboratory left by the Second Hokage was invaded. The staff and Ninja on duty that night were knocked unconscious by Orochimaru and Hiruko. The Laboratory lost valuable experimental samples and data!
"This... this isn't right, is it?"
"Orochimaru is Lord Hokage's personal disciple, how could he do such a thing? Is there... some misunderstanding here?"
Mitokado Homura pushed up his glasses, "Are you saying he was bewitched? By that Hiruko or something?"
Danzo snorted coldly, "Stop deceiving yourself. If he was really bewitched, how could he have been so ruthless? My subordinates were poisoned to death by his venomous snakes!"
"Alas... this... I really didn't expect it. Orochimaru was the most mature and steady disciple under the Hokage, and now he has defected like Uchiha Nen." Torifu Akimichi sighed slightly.
At this time, an elder of the Nara Clan pondered and said, "What I'm wondering is, how did Orochimaru and Hiruko find the Second Hokage's secret research institute? This is the biggest secret, and even we have signed confidentiality agreements, and are not allowed to reveal it to anyone outside of the high-level officials."
"Hmph, don't forget whose disciple he is." Shimura Danzo said gloomily, "Those data and samples are the result of our hard work for several years. If they were to circulate, we can't afford the price!"
"Actually, there are traces to follow. Don't forget, Orochimaru and that Uchiha Nen have always been on good terms. I don't believe there's no connection between these two things!"
"In my opinion, their initial goal might have been the Laboratory..."
"Hiss, don't say it, you really shouldn't say it..."
The high-level officials discussed animatedly. No one had expected that within a mere day, the Third Hokage's disciples would either leave or defect. Everyone chattered and argued, but in the end, there were no results, and a cloud of gloom hung over them.
Just as Shimura Danzo was announcing with a face full of regret that he would succeed the Fourth Hokage and save the situation, encouraging news came from the Hidden Leaf Hospital.
Thanks to the efforts of the medical Ninja, Lord Third Hokage, has awakened!!!
The door of the conference room was pushed open, and Sarutobi Hiruzen, supported by his confidants, appeared in everyone's sight.
"You should... be recuperating... right now..." Danzo said through gritted teeth.
"For the village, I can't give up fighting yet." Hiruzen returned a smile, and in a triumphant posture, he returned to the head of the conference table.
"I am already aware of the problems facing the village. What countermeasures have you all discussed so far?"
The high-level officials looked at each other, and no one could say anything. In the end, they could only cast their reluctant gazes towards Shimura Danzo.
Hiruzen immediately followed everyone's gaze and looked over with a smile.
Under the conference table, Danzo clenched his fists fiercely, and his sinister face turned ashen.
Hmph! A bunch of incompetent fools!
He did not answer Hiruzen's question directly, but immediately changed to a questioning tone:
"Hiruzen, Orochimaru is your disciple. You bear the primary responsibility for the laboratory theft!"
Hiruzen sighed, his gaze filled with shame as he addressed everyone, "I take responsibility for this matter. I attended this meeting despite my injuries to address this very issue!"
He then summarized everyone's questions and, after a moment of contemplation, decisively proposed his countermeasures.
"First, while maintaining the minimum necessary defense within the village, immediately dispatch all high-level combat forces to search for Tsunade and Jiraiya. Both are pillars of the village's future, especially Tsunade, who holds a distinguished position. We must bring them back to Hidden Leaf Village without fail!"
"Second, dispatch all squads, with Chunin members temporarily taking over as captains, departing from the west gate to search for the Rogue Ninja Orochimaru and Hiruko. They must be captured and brought back to Hidden Leaf Village!"
"Finally, temporarily close the underground Laboratory, suspend secret experiments to prevent leaks, and discuss the situation further after capturing the Rogue Ninja Orochimaru!"
With their pillar of support back, the high-level officials all accepted their orders. However, just as the meeting was about to conclude and orders were about to be issued, Danzo couldn't sit still any longer.
"Hiruzen, is this what you call taking responsibility?"
He placed his hands on the table, slowly rising in front of all the high-level officials, his eyes filled with coldness as he looked at Hiruzen.
"As the Third Hokage, you have not only been helpless in the face of Uchiha Nen's defection and Uchiha Shin'yu's lawlessness, but you have also made no progress in the village's construction over the years. You have even failed in your teaching, leading to the theft of the Laboratory and bringing shame to the title of Hokage..."
In a low voice, he enumerated a long list of Hiruzen's "crimes" in an accusatory manner, finally saying slowly:
"I believe... you, Sarutobi Hiruzen, no longer possess the qualities of a Hokage. For the sake of Hidden Leaf Village, for the safety of everyone, you should... retire as soon as possible and yield your position to someone more capable and virtuous!"
Hiruzen's expression was solemn as he raised his eyes to meet Danzo's aggressive gaze.
Deathly silence.
The entire conference room instantly became so quiet that a pin could be heard dropping, as if an invisible Big Hand in the air had forcefully grabbed everyone's necks.
At this critical moment, no one dared to say a word, because the atmosphere between the two was no different from that of two opposing commanders facing each other on the battlefield, with swords drawn and ready to strike. Even Torifu Akimichi and Mitokado Homura, who were also personally taught by the Second Hokage, looked embarrassed.
After a moment of silence, Hiruzen spoke, "The more capable and virtuous person you speak of should be you, Shimura Danzo, right?"
As he said this, he kept his eyes fixed on Danzo's. Since the other party couldn't hold back, he might as well speak his mind.
Danzo's mouth twitched, and he nodded as expected. "That's right. In the current village, besides me, there really isn't a more suitable candidate!"
"Good, good," Hiruzen suddenly laughed. To everyone's surprise, he slowly stood up. "As a colleague, I acknowledge your talent. As an old friend, I also... recognize your capabilities. This crisis has caused such great losses to the village, and it is naturally the responsibility of me, the Hokage. If everyone also favors Danzo and believes that he can lead everyone into a bright future, then I am willing to retire and yield my position!"
"You!" Danzo vaguely sensed something was amiss, but before he could speak, Hiruzen interrupted him.
"However, replacing the Hokage midway is not in line with the rules. Since you, Danzo, want to sit in this position, you must show some results." Hiruzen tapped the table. "How about this? The task of retrieving Tsunade and Jiraiya will be entrusted to you. What does everyone think?"
Everyone pondered for a moment and felt that Hiruzen's words made sense. After all, he was indeed approaching the issue from the perspective of solving the problem. Therefore, no one raised any questions or objections.
"Alas, I can only blame myself for being seriously injured by Uchiha Shin'yu, making me unable to participate in this operation. I can only guard the gate with this injured body..." Hiruzen shook his head and sighed.
Danzo's face turned "black." Hiruzen's actions were no different from roasting him over a fire. After all, he had just "ambitiously" proposed to compete for the Hokage position. If he retreated at this moment, someone would probably immediately refuse to accept it!
Under everyone's scrutinizing gaze, he could only nod stiffly.
"Good," Hiruzen nodded. "Then, in the name of the Hokage, I announce that if Danzo can successfully complete the mission and bring my two good-for-nothing disciples back to the village, I will immediately write a letter to the Daimyo's Residence of the Land of Fire, proactively resigning from the position of Hokage!"
"Good..." Danzo's voice was a little hoarse.
-----------
This high quality machine translation is powered by: https:// randomtranslator.com/
To read the full translation, as well as more than 555+ fanfic and original translations or request new translations, check out: https:// randomtranslator.com/
You can also join the RandomTranslator community on Discord to connect with other readers: https:// discord.gg/NSWvfN7vua
-----------