At this moment, the Third Hokage is still unaware of Aoba's plans and the events unfolding in Konoha, believing everything is as usual.
Inside the Hokage's office.
The Third Hokage is busily reviewing scrolls.
He isn't just looking at the scrolls; he's contemplating matters related to the Hokage's position.
In essence.
The Third Hokage isn't inherently evil.
Unlike Danzo, his behavior is more about hypocrisy and pretense. He can disregard Danzo's actions but wouldn't personally engage in such deeds, using Danzo as his dark agent while still holding on to his moral boundaries.
The Third Hokage wishes to continue as the Hokage; thus, his maneuvers concerning potential candidates are merely tactics, not schemes. Many plots are Danzo's methods to eliminate internal and external threats, with the Third Hokage's tacit approval.
This represents a complex relationship.
The Third Hokage and Danzo are two peas in a pod, with the Third Hokage facilitating these actions, yet he doesn't embody such traits at his core. Despite his many ambitions tied to the role of Hokage, he genuinely doesn't wish these schemes to fall back on him.
Many actions.
If Danzo wouldn't do them, neither would the Third Hokage.
However, if Danzo acts, the Third Hokage won't truly blame him as long as it secures his position as Hokage. Deep inside, he forgets these deeds and believes nothing serious happened.
It could be seen as self-deception.
Konoha is about to welcome back Minato, who played a significant role in the Third Great Ninja War. The Third Hokage is well aware that given the current transition period in the village and Minato's accomplishments, it is indeed an appropriate time to hand over the Hokage title.
However, the Third Hokage isn't willing to let this happen!
He still needs to have his fill of being Hokage!
Oddly enough.
Even in later historical contexts, the Third Hokage remained the longest-serving Hokage.
Yet, the longest-serving individual feels he hasn't done enough as Hokage, almost wanting to equate his name with the title. He has even promoted himself as the strongest Hokage ever at the Ninja School!
It must be said.
The Third Hokage's greed for power has reached an appalling level!
And he's aware of this issue.
Yet, he's unwilling to face, confront, and resolve it.
This is why, when Konoha's previous Hokages are resurrected through Reanimation, the Third Hokage seems somewhat guilty towards the other Hokages.
After all, during his tenure, Konoha experienced its darkest times and stagnated in its development. Many young talents were underutilized, including incidents involving the Hyuga and Uchiha clans, which negatively impacted the village.
The Third Hokage was looking at the scrolls in his hand, but in his mind, he was contemplating how to retain his position as Hokage.
Namikaze Minato.
Hatake Sakumo.
These two names continually swirl in his mind, lingering because they are potential successors to his position as Hokage, posing a constant threat to him.
Of course.
Compared to the original historical trajectory.
The current Third Hokage hasn't exhibited such misconduct and hasn't lost many people in the Third Great Ninja War. He hasn't sent students to war, avoiding severe losses even when at a disadvantage in the war, maintaining basic dignity without substantial losses.
Under such conditions.
The current Third Hokage won't resign to take the blame.
Because the Third Hokage has no misdeeds, Minato's achievements alone aren't enough to guarantee his succession as Hokage.
This makes the Third Hokage believe there's still a chance to turn things around!
Knock, knock, knock...
At that moment, a series of crisp knocks sound.
Creak!
Before the Third Hokage can respond, the door to the Hokage's office is pushed open. Accompanied by the friction of the door frame, an older-looking woman walks in.
This woman is Konoha's advisor, Utatane Koharu!
"Hiruzen, I have something to tell you..."
Koharu looks serious, her eyes fixed on the Third Hokage, her complex expression suggesting a great internal struggle as if she's been wrestling with something for a long time and has just gathered the courage to speak.
"What is it?"
The Third Hokage's mood is similar to Koharu's. He closes the scroll he's holding and looks up at her without noticing her troubled expression, his mind still preoccupied with the Hokage's position.
After all.
For him...
The position of Hokage is the real issue!
If the issue of the Hokage position still needs to be resolved, solving other people's problems seems futile.
For a moment.
In the Third Hokage's mind, Koharu is merely an interlude, not causing much of a ripple in his heart.
And his thoughts are always on the Hokage position.
As long as the position isn't as secure as his, he can't fully relax; his anxious heart always considers methods to neutralize the threats from Minato and Sakumo.
"The matter is this: I've noticed something odd about Danzo recently; it seems like there's a problem..."
Koharu gathers the courage to say.
Actually.
She doesn't really want to discuss Danzo with Hiruzen.
They are all disciples of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, who grew up together and are very familiar with each other's temperaments; they all know who gets along with whom.
Once, both Hiruzen and Danzo sought to lead their group, neither yielding to the other, competing fiercely.
Even when Tobirama decided to pass the Hokage title to Hiruzen, Danzo was still sullen and frustrated, and their relationship remained antagonistic.
However.
When everyone thought the relationship between Hiruzen and Danzo was irreparable.
Everything changed.
They don't know what happened, but they know Hiruzen sought out Danzo, and Danzo became Hiruzen's advisor, becoming as close as if they were wearing the same pants.
With Danzo's help, Hiruzen, even before becoming Hokage, defeated Uchiha Kagami, a competitor for the Hokage position, and smoothly became the Third Hokage of Konoha!
Of course.
They understand that defeating Uchiha Kagami was not as clean as it seemed.
But no one had proof.
Plus, it's a case of the victor defining history.
At that time, Konoha couldn't be without a Hokage, and after Hiruzen became the Third Hokage, he focused on rebuilding Konoha. Although his popularity wasn't the highest initially, his ostensibly honorable image gradually increased his approval ratings, and gradually, any criticism faded.
However, Koharu and Homura stood by Hiruzen then, aligning themselves successfully and reaping the benefits of victory, becoming the Konoha's advisors. At the same time, Akimichi Torifu guarded the outskirts of Konoha.
Such changes were too obvious!
Even if Koharu doesn't understand the details, she can guess the gist, especially since she's not a fool. Having served as an advisor in Konoha for years, she's privy to many secrets and has long guessed that these were Danzo's deeds on behalf of Hiruzen!
This is just one of countless issues.
Koharu knows many more.
Thus.
Koharu is aware of Danzo's relationship with Hiruzen. When she mentions Danzo to Hiruzen, her tone is cautious. Although she cares about both Danzo and Hiruzen, it's easy for her to appear to be stirring up trouble between them.
She must handle this delicately!
"Danzo is acting strange?"
Hiruzen repeats the words blankly, his mind not catching up, so he shakes his head and waves it off, "Don't worry about it!"
"Huh?"
Koharu is stunned.
She has yet to speak!
She merely cautiously mentioned that there's a problem with Danzo!
But before she could specify the issue, Hiruzen had already dismissed it with a wave, saying, "Don't worry about it."
Such a quick response was completely unexpected to her.
Koharu had heard about Hiruzen's protection of Danzo, reaching a terrifying level, but today, she truly saw how blind this protection was; even without listening, he simply said, "Don't worry about it," demonstrating complete trust.
"Well..."
Just as Koharu was about to say more, Hiruzen interrupted her.
"Koharu."
"Is what you want to say only about Danzo?"
"If there's nothing else..."
"Let's discuss this matter later!"
"I have many other things to do!"
"These matters are even more important than Danzo's!"
"Do you understand?"
Hiruzen spoke one sentence after another, now having no intention of dealing with Danzo's issues. As far as he knew, Danzo occasionally acting abnormally was normal, especially when it involved the Hokage position.
And just a short while ago, he had just met with Danzo.
Although Danzo seemed vague while speaking, Hiruzen could still see that Danzo was still coveting the Hokage position, but since Danzo hadn't acted against him, he would just turn a blind eye to it.
Hiruzen knows all too well that Danzo is a double-edged sword.
This sword can kill enemies for him but also potentially harm himself.
Yet.
It is still a divine weapon!
Hiruzen can't give up the help Danzo offers!
Actually.
When Hiruzen last saw Danzo, he felt Danzo was already scheming for his Hokage position.
But this issue isn't too significant.
Hiruzen knows Danzo well; if Danzo wants to become Hokage, the best plan is to take over the position directly from him. Otherwise, if he dies, the Hokage position won't go to Danzo, especially with the threats from Minato and Sakumo. Danzo would remain his ally, not his enemy.
This is why.
Hiruzen isn't entirely concerned about Danzo's maneuvers.
These are concerns after retaining the Hokage position.
As long as he keeps the Hokage position, he will still have the chance to continue discussions with Danzo. But if he loses the position, he and Danzo will lose the chance at the Hokage position.
He believes Danzo understands this.
He doesn't need to hear what Koharu says; Hiruzen has already guessed that Danzo's actions must have surprised her.
But now, if any conflict arises with Danzo, it's unnecessary internal friction, likely allowing Minato or Sakumo a cheap victory, ultimately securing the Hokage position.
Almost instantly.
Hiruzen has judged what Koharu is about to say, which is easy for him because he has a mental list of threats to his position as Hokage, with Minato and Sakumo as the top priorities.
"This, this, this..."
Koharu clearly didn't expect Hiruzen to react this way.
After Hiruzencontinuously spoke these words.
Her mind went blank.
She never imagined that she would be dismissed before she could even speak.
"Sigh..."
Koharu sighs helplessly, instinctively shaking her head, indicating she has nothing to discuss.
Then.
She felt Hiruzen's dismissive gesture, suddenly realizing that the issues she discovered might not be necessary to discuss with Hiruzen.
After all, she felt that Danzo seemed like a dead man from his appearance, which was very unusual, a look that Danzo hadn't shown even when injured.
Koharu is, after all, a medical ninja!
With her judgment in mind, she had intended to inform Hiruzen of these issues, but the response was alienation.
Now, she doesn't want to talk anymore!