The next day, early in the morning.
A refreshed Hiruzen Sarutobi once again sat upon his Hokage throne.
However... looking at the reports detailing the increasingly poor reputation of the Anbu and the Police Force's continued negligence, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
Truly—it's difficult!
But for the trust of Teacher Tobirama, he had to persevere and shoulder the burden of Konoha.
Although Uchiha Jin was troublesome, he believed that with his abilities, the Uchiha threat would eventually be resolved!
As for now, he would wait and see.
For the time being, he would stabilize the Uchiha situation and await the return of Jiraiya and Tsunade.
That would be the time for him to fully realize his ambitions!
Perhaps Tsunade and Jiraiya each had their flaws and didn't follow the orders of him, their teacher, but the critical point was that they both loved the Village, and this was the opportunity he would use to control them.
"Sigh, just endure it!"
"Let the Uchiha run wild for a little longer; only those who laugh last are the true kings!"
"Slowly but surely."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was faint.
After speaking.
He skillfully lit a flame and picked up his thirteenth new pipe.
There was nothing he could do!
Recently, his frequency of getting angry had been too high, and he had smashed a large pile of pipes.
But thinking about it now? It was completely unnecessary!
So, don't get angry.
If anger makes you sick, no one can replace you!
When you're a person, you must remain calm.
As he thought of this, a slight smile appeared on his face.
The Police Force's inaction, the Anbu's declining reputation, Danzo's failed attempt to overturn the situation... he just needed to smile slightly; after all, he was the Shinobi Hero!
Creak.
Just then, Nara Shikaku walked in: "Hokage-sama!"
"What bad thing has happened now?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with a slight smile.
In response to this.
Nara Shikaku was somewhat startled. Had Hokage-sama been driven mad by anger? Was he mentally unstable?
However.
Although he couldn't help but inwardly complain, he said outwardly, "The Uchiha helped Kakashi submit a letter of resignation."
"What?" Hiruzen Sarutobi froze.
He knew all the characters, but why, when strung together, did they feel so unfamiliar?
Kakashi—resigning?
And the letter was submitted by the Uchiha?
Almost instantly.
He had a terrible premonition, quickly snatched the letter from Nara Shikaku's hand, and immediately his face turned ashen.
After a long while.
He spoke coldly: "I understand!"
"Understood." Nara Shikaku immediately said, "Then I shall take my leave!"
After speaking.
Sensing that Hiruzen Sarutobi's mood was off, he immediately left the Hokage Office without a word.
Yes!
Recently, due to Uchiha Jin, Hiruzen Sarutobi's emotions had been highly unstable. If it weren't for urgent matters requiring his presence at the Hokage Office, Nara Shikaku truly wouldn't want to come!
Since the current matter was concluded, he naturally didn't feel like staying any longer.
Regarding this.
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not stop him.
Only after Nara Shikaku left did he furiously slam the new pipe heavily onto the desk.
Bang!
The new pipe, deceased!
"Anbu!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke coldly.
Immediately after.
An Anbu member wearing a mask respectfully knelt on one knee.
"Hokage-sama!"
"What exactly happened last night? Why did Kakashi suddenly submit his resignation? And why did he have the Uchiha deliver the letter?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi got straight to the point.
He immediately voiced his confusion, as he truly couldn't understand why Kakashi would associate with the Uchiha.
Was it merely because of yesterday's rumors?
In response to this.
The kneeling Anbu member replied respectfully, "Last night, Kakashi failed in his assassination attempt on Elder Danzo. Just as Elder Danzo was about to kill him, Might Guy intervened and saved Kakashi's life. Following that, the two of them immediately defected to the Uchiha overnight."
Hiss!
As the Anbu member spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi instantly trembled.
How could this be?
At this moment, he truly couldn't comprehend it!
Kakashi was no longer the youth he once was. Having spent years in the Anbu, he should have long ago realized the truth behind his father's suicide. In Hiruzen's view, Kakashi's lack of action over the years meant he had truly let go of his hatred.
This was the achievement he was most proud of in his life!
Because it proved the success of his Will of Fire. This was also why, even after Minato Namikaze's death, he was still willing to treat Kakashi as a trusted subordinate.
To put it bluntly, it was prestige!
As long as Kakashi remained by his side, everyone would understand how successful his Hiruzen Sarutobi's Will of Fire truly was.
Why?
Just because of that absurd rumor, his desire for revenge had been reawakened?
Kakashi, Might Guy!
These were two of the Village's few strong shinobi. Now they had simply defected to the Uchiha for free?
Pfft!
Thinking of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi was so enraged that he spat out a mouthful of old blood.
"Hokage-sama!"
"I will take you to the hospital immediately!"
The kneeling Anbu member was now panicking.
He hurriedly stood up, his face filled with alarm.
Good heavens!
If Hiruzen Sarutobi actually passed out from anger, he wouldn't be able to explain himself, no matter how many mouths he had.
If others thought he had murdered the Hokage, he would definitely be doomed!
In response to this.
Hiruzen Sarutobi gently waved his hand.
"Don't worry, I'm fine!"
"There's no need to go to the hospital; my body isn't that fragile."
"Immediately send out a notification: search for Jiraiya and Tsunade with all speed, and ensure they return as soon as possible!"
Yes.
He could not faint!
If this matter were to spread, who knew what chaos would erupt in the Village.
Therefore.
Even though he was furious right now, he had to endure it.
"Yes, sir!"
Hearing this, the Anbu bowed and accepted the order.
Immediately after.
He left the Hokage Office without hesitation, deciding that he needed to change positions as soon as possible. He would rather go to the border and fight deadly battles against enemy Villages than stay near Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Damn it, that was terrifying!
It was just that close!
If Hiruzen Sarutobi had actually fainted from anger, his fate would have been absolutely miserable.
"Damn those—Uchiha!"
"And that Kakashi and Might Guy, I truly misjudged you both."
"Was the Will of Fire fed to the dogs?"
"How could you assassinate Elder Danzo? Even if he truly did something wrong back then, you should magnanimously forgive Danzo!"
"In a person's life, who hasn't made a few mistakes?"
"As long as one corrects themselves in time, we are all working for the Village. Is there anything that can't be discussed properly?"
"And even if you committed a mistake, you should have sought me out, the Hokage, to help you handle it!"
"How could you..."
"How could you defect to the Uchiha?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi muttered to himself.
His face was terrifyingly pale, and a dreadful killing intent gathered around him.
Clearly.
At this moment, he was truly enraged!