Naruto: Thousand Hands of Glory

At Konoha's sixth training ground, the moonlight became brighter and brighter, and Mito's figure gradually disappeared in the moonlight.

Sarutobi Hiruzen turned around and faced the bound Danzo, his voice carrying a hint of heaviness and reluctance.

"Danzo, since Lord Mito has arranged it this way, you should take a break for a while." The Third Hokage's words revealed a hint of helplessness, but more of it was care and understanding for his old friend.

Danzo's body swayed gently in the air, and he still did not react, as if he was immersed in his own thoughts. But Sarutobi Hiruzen knew that his old friend had not lost consciousness, but at this moment, he chose to remain silent.

"Alright, I know you're still awake," Sarutobi Hiruzen continued, his voice becoming softer, "That's fine too, Mito-sama is right, dealing with the darkness of Konoha for so long has made you and I forget our former selves."

He approached Danzo, his eyes filled with deep thought and emotion, "We were all young men with dreams, determined to protect this village. But now, we need to find our original aspirations and re-examine our path."

"I will announce the news publicly tomorrow."

Although Danzo did not respond, Sarutobi Hiruzen could feel his presence, a silent weight weighing on both of their hearts.

"I know you want to say that I will regret it, but this time, I will never regret it. I am the Hokage of Konoha, and I can only be the Hokage of Konoha."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Danzo who didn't want to pay any attention to him, and a feeling of sadness surged in Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart. He knew what was hidden behind Danzo's silence.

Mito-sama's words echoed in his heart like a morning bell and an evening drum: "I should first be the Hokage of Konoha, and then Sarutobi Hiruzen."

He reflected on how much they had changed in the vortex of power. Every time he looked back, he seemed to see another self, the young man who had once been a stranger under the reflection of power.

He hurriedly took over the position of Hokage from his teacher, and with the help of Mito-sama and old friends, he made Konoha stronger. Even after death, he should have a clear conscience when facing his teacher.

But why, when faced with the question of Mito's soul, he still felt afraid.

At Konoha's sixth training ground, as the moonlight gradually grew brighter, Sarutobi Hiruzen's words echoed in the empty space, carrying with them a hint of helplessness and relief.

"Perhaps it's time to give up our position to the younger generation. We are all getting old after all, Danzo."

His voice revealed a sense of the alternation of times, as if announcing the end of one era and the beginning of a new one.

After saying this, Sarutobi Hiruzen did not look back. His figure slowly faded away under the shadow of Danzo, and he left the training ground under the faint moonlight. Although his steps were heavy, each one seemed firm and calm.

After Sarutobi Hiruzen left, Danzo slowly opened his eyes. There was no trace of confusion in his eyes, only deep resentment and indomitable spirit. He looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen's receding back, his heart filled with complicated emotions.

"I have changed? No, you have changed, Hiruzen. You have failed to live up to your teacher's expectations."

Danzo's voice was low and powerful, his heart filled with disappointment and anger towards Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Uzumaki Mito is wrong. Yanagishita's talent will sooner or later lead him to pursue the path of Hokage. This goes against the will of the teacher!"

Danzo continued, his voice filled with a persistence and conviction, as if he was sticking to his beliefs and path.

"I am right! Only I can bear the responsibility of being the Dark Lord of Konoha! Sooner or later you will return all your position and power to me!"

.......

The next morning, the sun shone through the windows of the Konoha Hokage's office building onto the desk. Hiruzen Sarutobi, exhausted from a sleepless night, had just stepped into the office when he was surrounded by two elders, Koharu Utatane and Enmi Mitokado. Their eyes were filled with anxiety and confusion, and the air was filled with a tense atmosphere.

"Huruzen! What is going on?" There was a hint of accusation in Utane Koharu's voice. Her brows were furrowed, and she was obviously confused and dissatisfied with this sudden change.

"Why did you suddenly remove all of Danzo's power? This is against Konoha's rules!" Mito Kado En asked immediately.

"Why did you make this decision without notifying any of our elders?" Their questions came like a string of cannonballs, making Sarutobi Hiruzen feel unprecedented pressure.

Facing the repeated questioning from the two elders, Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath. He knew that this moment would come sooner or later, and he was already prepared for his answer.

"I understand your concerns, but this decision was made after careful consideration." Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice was calm and firm, and his eyes revealed a hint of determination. "You are also aware of Danzo's situation. He has been in the darkness for too long. He needs some time to adjust himself."

He paused, then continued, "I have not ignored the rules of Konoha, nor have I ignored the opinions of the Council of Elders. But as Hokage, sometimes I need to make some immediate decisions for the long-term benefit of the village."

In the office of the Konoha Hokage's office building, the tense atmosphere became increasingly solemn. Facing Sarutobi Hiruzen's explanation, Utane Koharu and Mito Kado En were obviously still unable to accept this sudden change.

"But this..."

There was a hint of hesitation and confusion in Utane Koharu's voice. Her brows were furrowed, and it was obvious that she was full of doubts.

Sarutobi Hiruzen just sighed softly. He knew that in order to make the elders understand this decision, he had to give more convincing reasons.

"Besides, this is an order from Lord Mito himself!"

There was a hint of helplessness in his words, but at the same time there was also an irresistible sense of authority. Lady Mito's name had a very high prestige in Konoha, and her orders were never to be questioned.

"How could that be? Mito-sama has never interfered with the operations of Konoha!"

Mito Kadokō En retorted in surprise, with shock evident in his voice. Mito-sama's intervention was an unprecedented situation for them.

In the office of the Konoha Hokage's office building, Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze was firm and deep. He looked directly at the two elders in front of him, Utane Koharu and Mito Kado En.

"I know this is hard to understand, but Lord Mito did this out of consideration for Konoha." Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice was calm, but every word seemed heavy, revealing his inner helplessness and persistence, "The specific reason is still the highest level of confidentiality!"

"Even our elders are not allowed to know?!"

There was a hint of disbelief in Utane Koharu's voice, and her eyes flashed with confusion about this sudden secret.

"Yes, no!" Sarutobi Hiruzen's answer left no room for maneuver. His firm attitude showed the importance and urgency of this decision.

He continued, his tone dark, "This is for the protection of Konoha and for greater strategic considerations. I understand your concerns, but please believe that Lord Mito and I have carefully considered every decision we make."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze lingered on the two elders, knowing that these were the last things he could do for Danzo.

Although there was no conclusive evidence, the only person in Konoha who was capable of knowing this and quickly reaching an agreement with the Kazekage could be Danzo, whom he had always been reluctant to suspect.

"But Danzo has also devoted his life to Konoha. He just went astray temporarily. I believe that after you calm down for a while, you will understand the painstaking efforts of yourself and Mito-sama. Danzo!"

A complex emotion flashed in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes. His understanding and trust in Danzo made him believe that this old friend had just lost his way for a moment.

In the Hokage's office building in Konoha Village, the tense atmosphere was broken by a sudden action. An Anbu ninja appeared at the door of the office like a ghost, holding a piece of intelligence document marked with the highest level in his hand.

"Hokage, this is the latest intelligence from the Rain Village! It's of the highest level!" The Anbu ninja's voice was low and rapid, with a sense of urgency flashing in his eyes. Obviously, the importance of this information was self-evident.

The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned slightly. He could feel the weight of the information. He reached out and took the heavy document. What his fingertips touched was not only the paper, but also the unknown challenge that Konoha Village was facing at the moment.

The members of the Elders Council, Utane Koharu and Mito Kado En, also temporarily put aside their doubts about the Danzo incident. They focused their attention on the information in Sarutobi Hiruzen's hands, knowing that this might be important news related to the safety of Konoha.

"Ok?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes were as sharp as a knife. He quickly browsed the contents of the document, and his expression gradually became solemn. The information revealed by this intelligence was undoubtedly a severe test for Konoha Village.

The air in the office seemed to freeze at this moment, and everyone's heartbeat accelerated under the influence of this information.

This is the highest level of Konoha intelligence, all of which are the most important and urgent information. Its arrival indicates that Konoha Village is about to face a new storm.

At this critical moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Elders must respond quickly, as their decisions will directly affect the future of Konoha.

After completing his mission, the Anbu ninja retreated silently like a shadow, leaving the three leaders facing this important responsibility and choice.

In the Hokage's office, the tense atmosphere reached its peak. Sarutobi Hiruzen tightly grasped the information in his hand, frowning.

"What on earth is going on? It actually caused Orochimaru and the others to use the most urgent intelligence level!"

The Third Hokage put down the information in his hand and signaled Utatane Koharu and Mitomon En to pass it to him for inspection. This document was like a heavy bomb, passing from one member of the elders to another, and everyone who saw it could feel its urgency.

"This looks like trouble." There was a hint of worry in Utatane Koharu's voice. After she quickly glanced over the intelligence, her expression became serious. "Hanzo the Salamander is not an easy guy to deal with. And there's also that old woman Chiyo."

After reading the information, Mitomon En couldn't help but sigh, "We need Danzo! Hiruzen."

Hihiruzen was silent for a moment. He knew Danzo's ability and understood that when facing such a difficult problem, more strength meant more chances of winning. But he also knew that Danzo's current state was not suitable for participating in such a crisis.

"I know Danzo's value, but right now he needs time to calm down and think."

"What about this way?"

A gleam of determination flashed in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes.

"Let the Anbu and the Root strengthen their infiltration into the Rain Country. Since Hanzo wants war, then grant him war!"

"Pass my order to formally declare war on the Rain Village!"