Chapter 129: Shameless Double Standards

"It's quite possible," the assistant nodded. "Judging by the available data, the next Fourth Hokage is most likely going to be Uchiha Gin."

"Although in recent years the reputation of the Uchiha clan in Konoha has improved significantly—thanks to advancements like the nutritional pills and police reform—there are surely many who still do not want to see a Hokage from the Uchiha."

"Especially after the Third Hokage was removed and arrested through the joint efforts of the Uchiha, Senju, and Uzumaki clans. Their current concern is understandable, and so is their desire to resurrect Hashirama and Madara to stabilize the transfer of power."

"However," the assistant continued, "a forbidden act like resurrection should be protested and condemned. We should align with other great and minor ninja villages to apply pressure on Konoha—force them to revoke this technique and seal it away, so that it can never be abused again."

"Regardless of Konoha's cooperation, we must protest first. If the pressure works, all the better. If not, it will still damage Konoha's reputation in the eyes of the other villages."

"Good," the Third Raikage agreed after a moment of thought. "Handle it. Send letters in my name to the other great villages and small hidden villages. Let's observe their reactions."

"If we reach an agreement, we'll convene the Five Kage Summit and invite Konoha's Hokage," he added. "We'll pressure them to outlaw the technique of Edo Tensei—Reanimation!"

"At the same time, I want to personally assess whether this so-called genius from the Uchiha clan lives up to his reputation—or if he's merely inflated by the favorable conditions in the war against Amegakure."

"If it turns out that Uchiha Gin and Konoha only appear strong on the surface, we'll declare war. Attack the Land of Fire and carve out a chunk for ourselves."

"Kumogakure is fully prepared for war. Our people thirst for battle. Until Konoha proves they're not to be trifled with, our ambitions will remain unchanged."

"Yes, Lord Raikage!" the assistant responded without hesitation.

In Konoha.

Gin stood again in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen—the former Third Hokage—imprisoned deep within the Uchiha Clan's detainment facility. Sealed inside a cell, without access to chakra, the once-feared Hokage looked small and defeated.

"Well, we meet again—this time under different circumstances," Gin smiled, gazing at the fallen elder. "How are you holding up?"

"It's you…" Hiruzen raised his head. His pupils contracted. A bitter heaviness settled in his chest. It was this boy—this child—who had shattered all his plans with Danzō. He regretted not eliminating Gin when he had the chance.

Too late for regrets now.

"Why are you here?" Hiruzen exhaled slowly, trying to maintain composure.

"Hah! That too," Gin replied casually. "If you and Danzō hadn't tried to kill me—hadn't plotted to exterminate three Uchiha clans—maybe you wouldn't be in this position. Maybe you wouldn't have lost your power so disgracefully. But greed, Hiruzen… greed blinds even the wise."

"Oh, by the way," Gin added lightly, "in a few days, I'll become the Fourth Hokage. I will lead Konoha to new glory. Sadly, there's no room on this ship for relics like you. You and the four clans you propped up—including the Sarutobi—will be swept away by the tides of a new era."

"What?!" Hiruzen's pupils shrank with disbelief. "You? Hokage? Has Uzumaki Mito gone mad? You're only ten! You'll destroy Konoha!"

"Tsk, tsk…" Gin clicked his tongue disdainfully. "Always the double standards."

"Whether I become Hokage or not doesn't matter," he said, eyes narrowing. "You—who drained Konoha's resources for your clan, oppressed other clans and even civilians, trying to turn the village into a personal fiefdom of the Sarutobi—have the audacity to accuse me of destroying it?"

"It's laughable. Your ego, your hypocrisy—it's truly astonishing."

Hiruzen's face twisted in anger. "I... I only took what was appropriate for a Hokage! I didn't oppress the clans—I maintained balance! Besides, the Sarutobi are a civilian clan!"

"Enough! That's enough out of you," Gin snapped.

"You—!" Hiruzen tried to speak, but Gin's presence erupted like a wave.

Boom!

A terrifying aura surged from Gin, mingled with a trace of Haoshoku Haki—the Conqueror's Spirit—pressing down on the Third Hokage with invisible weight.

Gin held back the majority of the force, not wanting to knock the old man unconscious—or kill him. Not yet.

Boom!

The pressure crushed Hiruzen to the ground. His face flushed with humiliation. He looked up at Gin with venomous hatred.

"You... shameless hypocrite," Gin said coldly. "Even now, you justify yourself. Even now, you try to whitewash the years of corruption. It's useless."

"When I become Hokage, I will gather the entire village in the square outside the Hokage Residence for a public trial. You, Danzō, and your allies will be exposed for everything."

"You won't die easily. After the trial, I'll seal your chakra and force you to sweep the streets and clean public toilets—so you can witness firsthand Konoha's rebirth under my rule."

"Oh, and the good news," Gin smirked. "I'll use Edo Tensei to bring back your 'friend' Danzō. He'll face trial beside you. I'll tie him to a post in the village square, where everyone with a grudge can kill him over and over again. Let them vent their hatred. Let him taste their fury."

"That's all for now. I'll be seeing you."

With a faint smile, Gin withdrew his aura and walked calmly toward the exit.

Hiruzen remained on the floor, face pale and eyes wide with despair. He couldn't move. One single thought echoed in his mind:

"It's over. My freedom is truly over."

The realization that Gin would publicly expose them, shatter their names for eternity, left him hollow. Even the Sarutobi clan wouldn't survive the fallout. Their fall from grace would be worse than the Uchiha's ever was.

Even if Gin didn't wipe out the Sarutobi completely, their prestige would be gone. Oblivion was a matter of time.

"You devil… you're merciless…"

Later, Gin returned home. Hikari was in the kitchen, preparing dinner.

"You went to see Sarutobi Hiruzen in prison, didn't you?" she asked with a knowing smile.

"Yes," Gin leaned against the kitchen doorframe. "How'd you know? Observation Haki?"

"Mm-hmm," Hikari nodded while stirring the pot. "I sensed you heading there. What, went to annoy him?"

"Something like that," Gin chuckled. "Had to give the old man a little preview of his future."

"We should go together next time," Hikari laughed. "Just to spite him."

Gin retold the entire conversation, just as Mikoto, Kushina, and Minato returned from their training in the Pirate World.

"What a shameless old man!" Kushina growled. "He still dares to defend his actions? Draining the village for his clan was his right?! I should just kill him!"

Minato shook his head. "Unbelievable. I never thought the Third was that kind of person. You see a man's face, but never his heart."

"Killing him is too easy," he continued. "What Gin said is right—seal his power, make him clean toilets and watch Konoha thrive while the Sarutobi fall. That's real punishment. You don't kill the body. You destroy the soul."

Minato, as a commoner, knew that feeling all too well. After his parents died serving the village, he received almost no aid. No pension. No support. Clearly, Hiruzen had redirected those funds to prop up his own power. No wonder Minato harbored resentment.

"What about breakfast and lunch?" Hikari asked, changing the subject.

Due to their busy schedules and the abundance of skilled chefs stationed in the Pirate World bases, she had scaled back to preparing just dinner. But she insisted on it—for family bonding.

She already considered Kushina and Mikoto as future daughters-in-law, and Minato as a second son.

"By the way—where's the triumphant army? When are they arriving in Konoha?" she asked Gin as they sat down for dinner.

She had been too preoccupied lately to keep track. Preparations were underway for Gin's inauguration as Hokage, the public trial, and sweeping reforms.

Gin's responsibilities had lightened slightly—he spent most of his time training. A shadow clone handled his office duties and monitored reform progress. Even Hikari and Uzumaki Mito made time daily to train, not wanting to fall behind.

Powerful opponents awaited them.

"I think three or four more days until their return," Gin said. "No rush. The more time we have, the better we prepare."

"True," Hikari nodded with approval.

At the same time, somewhere near Konoha—

On a massive tree, Black Zetsu emerged from the bark. Beside him, White Zetsu followed. They scanned the chakra flows across Konoha.

Although the Uchiha, Senju, Uzumaki, and other critical areas were protected by advanced barriers, the rest of the village could still be probed.

"Tch… Damn it. It really is Madara-sama," Black Zetsu muttered. "Konoha beat us to it—they've resurrected him! And they've placed heavy seals on him too."

"What should we do?" White Zetsu asked. "Should we rescue Madara-sama?"

"Of course," Black Zetsu responded firmly. "If we're to execute our long-term plans—and oppose Uchiha Hikari and the others—we need Madara's power. Without him, we can't proceed."

"But," he added, "I suspect this freedom they've given Madara is a trap."

"We can't act rashly. We need a precise plan. I'll need more White Zetsus stationed to monitor Konoha constantly. Gather every bit of intelligence. Only then will we act."

Truthfully, had it not been for the terrifying strength of Uchiha Hikari and Uzumaki Mito—both well beyond Kage level—Black Zetsu would have avoided reviving Madara. He complicated things.

But now… they were out of options.

"Ugh… More than a thousand years have passed," Black Zetsu growled, "and trouble still arises at the worst possible time!"

"Could this be the work of that damn Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo?"

It was a valid suspicion.

Just when the plan was about to succeed, unforeseen variables appeared—Uzumaki Mito regaining her youth and power, Hikari transcending the limits of shinobi. No one else but the Sage of Six Paths could have interfered.

After all, very few ever surpassed the limits of a Kage.

To be continued....