The next day, a piece of news spread quietly in Konoha, and by noon, there were people discussing in most of the streets in Konoha.
"Have you heard that Sakumo Hatake was actually forced to death by the Third Hokage and Danzo!?"
"I knew it a long time ago. I've been talking about it all morning. But it's really a pity. That's the one who messed with Sunagakure so hard that they didn't dare to fight back. Even the legendary "Sannin" respected him quite a bit!"
"Who would dare to disagree? After all, he was the most likely to be Hokage back then."
"Let me tell you a little secret. It is rumored that Sakumo Hatake-sama possessed immense power and wielded significant influence within the village, so he was conspired by the Third Hokage and Danzo which compelled him to take his own life. Their motive? Simply to secure their hold on the position of Hokage!"
"What!? Is that true!? Wasn't it just an accident during his mission?!"
"Hehehe, an accident? If it was really an accident, then why would the ninja who was saved by Sakumo-sama, instead of standing up for him, accuse him instead?"
"Wasn't it because the mission failed? He cared about the mission!"
"You are wrong again, what is the strength of Sakumo-sama? What is the strength of that ninja? If he did not deliberately drag back and force Sakumo-sama to give up the task, do you think Sakumo-sama couldn't have completed the task alone? In the end, he even blamed Sakumo-sama. Don't you think there is something wrong with it?"
"Allow me to enlighten you. The truth is, that particular ninja was strategically placed by Danzo with the intention of causing Sakumo-sama to commit a mistake, which was then exploited to manipulate public opinion, forcing him to give up his aspirations for the Hokage position. Through internal and external collaboration with the Third Hokage, Danzo seized the opportunity to eliminate their biggest enemy!"
"I understand the truth, but who is this Danzo?"
Although Danzo is in the center of power and is a high level member of Konoha. Since Hiruzen had become Hokage, he voluntarily became the shadow of the Third Hokage, established Root, like the root of the big tree(Konoha), he protected the big tree(Konoha) from the shadow.
Only the patriarchs of some big ninja clans or Anbu and Elite Jōnin will know the existence of Danzo. A normal villager really doesn't know who Danzo is.
In the original story, Danzo stood on the bright side for the first time after Pain attacked Konoha.
When Tsunade fell into a coma because she used her Strength of a Hundred Seal and consumed a lot of Chakra, Danzo took the opportunity to seize power and became the Sixth Hokage. He also participated in the Five Kage meeting and finally died in the hands of Sasuke.
Therefore, at present, while the village's discussions revolve mainly around the Third Hokage and Danzo, the focus primarily rests on the former. The matter concerning Danzo, on the other hand, has only been briefly mentioned and has not stirred up significant trouble or controversy.
Maybe someone will be very interested in the article about Danzo colluding with Hanzō, the Salamander, from the Land of Rain to wipe out the Akatsuki organization together.
On a roof, Kakashi squatted expressionlessly, listening to the chatter of the people below.
Having just completed his assigned task, he prepared to return and rest after the shift change. Although he was given the task of monitoring the Fourth Kazekage, he was the main person in charge so he was in Konoha at this time. Therefore, other ninjas will still be responsible for monitoring during the day, otherwise he will not be able to bear it.
It was just that on the way back, he vaguely heard someone talking about his father, so he deliberately stopped to listen to what they were saying.
As a result, he heard the above words.
Despite being aware of the rumors surrounding the Third Hokage, as an Elite Jōnin and a loyal subordinate, Kakashi couldn't allow himself to entertain such talk. However, being the son of Sakumo Hatake, he found himself inevitably drawn into the discussions and unable to resist immersing himself in the arguments put forth by those around him.
Then, the more he listened, the more suspicious he became. And he felt more and more that there was something wrong with the Third Hokage.
Then he remembered the question Naruto asked him when he was in the Land of Waves.
"Why is there no ongoing project to select the Fifth Hokage in the village? Could it be due to a lack of suitable successors? I recall that the Third Hokage had three students, so why haven't they returned to assume the role of Hokage?"
"Why are there not many young and powerful ninjas in the village now, instead they are only old people?"
"If the students of the Third Hokage have no desire to return and become Hokage, why hasn't the Third Hokage chosen to train a new successor? Personally, I believe you, Kakashi-sensei would be a suitable candidate. Alternatively, is it possible that the Third Hokage already has a specific individual in mind but they are simply not of age yet?"
"I've heard stories about your father's formidable power. He was called "Konoha's White Fang" and his mere presence struck fear into the hearts of Sunagakure's ninjas, who dared not challenge him. It is said that he received support from the Hokage before his death and he was Hokage's right hand. With such powers and connections, wasn't he considered the prime candidate for the position of the Fourth Hokage back then?"
Naruto's voice kept echoing in Kakashi's mind, intertwined with what the villagers had just said.
He wanted to go to the Hokage building to confront the Third Hokage right away, but he stopped just as he stood up.
"This is just a rumor. As a ninja, I shouldn't doubt Hokage-sama... If this matter is really false, then the Third Hokage will explain it to me, instead of me going to him for questioning."
"Moreover, this matter has no evidence..."
Kakashi thought about it and left in an instant.
…
Hokage building.
"Those bastards! Asshole!!"
Hiruzen smashed the table furiously and all the neatly placed documents flew about.
He didn't smoke any more. The calm and steady temperament he used to have completely disappeared.
"...Who did this?! Immediately arrange for someone to find out! Go! Search for the culprit!"
Hiruzen snapped at the only three people in the office.
"Hiruzen, calm down. The one who should clean this up, will clean this himself. No one can slander you for what you haven't done!"
Koharu Utatane persuaded.
"Yeah, Hiruzen. The top priority is to issue a ban first. Prohibiting discussion of this matter so that it doesn't get out of control."
Homura Mitokado suggested.
"Danzo, don't tell me that you're the one behind this incident?"
With a suspicious gaze, Hiruzen turned his attention towards Danzo. Apart from the mysterious individual lurking in the shadows, Danzo became the primary suspect in the current circumstances. After all, Danzo had harbored a long-standing desire for the position of Hokage.
As now is a critical moment before the Konoha and Sunagakure's war, Hiruzen believes that if Danzo did this, then he must have something to back it up!
Hiruzen had managed to withstand the impact of various dark incidents, including the records of the Senju clan's extermination and the destruction of the Uzumaki clan. However, this particular incident had pushed him to his limits. The thought of whether the opposing party possessed knowledge of further secrets weighed heavily on his mind. Could they be preparing for an even greater surprise, lying in wait to unleash it upon him?
So he dare not bet.
"Are you stupid? Didn't you hear that I did it with you? Didn't you hear that they said that I colluded with the Rain Village to persecute that Akatsuki Organization?"
Danzo cursed with an ugly face.
Hiruzen felt a sense of suffocation. It was clear to him that Danzo would not willingly tarnish his own reputation to bring him down, as doing so would not guarantee recognition for Danzo even if he were to step down.
So, who the hell is behind the scenes???
… …