**Talking at the top, while the ones below run ragged.**
This saying applies in every world.
In the Shinobi World...
In the Village Hidden in Fire...
Itsuki casually made plans for the future of the Hidden Fire Village.
And then!
The entire village became bustling with activity.
The initial plans were completely scrapped, and everything had to be replanned.
This process consumed a massive amount of resources, manpower, and money.
Itachi confronted Itsuki to confirm whether he was serious.
If it were anyone else, this wouldn't be necessary.
But with Itsuki, you have to check!
This guy has a habit of causing chaos!
If he's in the mood, he'd even start a shinobi war.
Itsuki clearly told Itachi that after ensuring the village's regular operations, all available funds should be directed towards the Jinchūriki Project.
This was the most important matter for the Hidden Fire Village.
Itachi understood and began offering his full support.
The sudden changes did create some confusion, but fortunately, it was during the early stages of the village's formation.
Every shinobi village experiences its most chaotic period when it's first established, but also its most unified.
Especially with Itsuki as the first Hokage; his orders held absolute authority.
Just like Hashirama Senju.
As the First Hokage, even though many Uchiha were discontent, they didn't dare act out in front of him.
After redirecting the village's efforts, the Hidden Fire Village demonstrated impressive research capabilities.
It was at this point that people realized Itsuki had long been scouring the world for researchers.
These researchers weren't like powerful shinobi, who received attention and praise.
Many of them were considered low-status.
They were often rejected by nobility.
In many countries, researchers were actively suppressed.
The nobles didn't want development.
What they wanted was loyalty.
Loyalty from the common people.
In this environment, Itsuki found it much easier to recruit them.
In a short amount of time, he had brought in researchers from all corners of the shinobi world.
So…
In terms of pure scientific strength, the Hidden Fire Village ranked first among the six great shinobi villages.
Therefore...
When Itsuki introduced the idea of Jinchūriki, the researchers immediately dove into this field of study. Within a short time, they had already made significant progress.
...
**Konoha.**
The entire village was filled with an air of gloom.
The First and Second Hokage were sealed.
Orochimaru tried to use the Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation to bring them back.
But he failed.
Orochimaru was stunned.
Turns out, once sealed, they couldn't be summoned again.
No one had told him that.
In reality, he had been experimenting with this jutsu, and now he understood it a bit more.
Still, he didn't care much.
It's just the First and Second Hokage—he had much stronger pieces in his hand.
In fact, even if all the resurrected shinobi were sealed, Orochimaru wouldn't care.
His only interest was in immortality!
But now...
Did their sealing mean he could finally leave Konoha?
He had long wanted to leave this familiar yet foreign village and return to his research.
That's where he truly belonged!
But…
As soon as he turned around, there stood Hiruzen Sarutobi, holding a sword to his neck, staring stubbornly into his eyes.
Orochimaru: "..."
Teacher, what are you doing?
I'm telling you, this is too much, you know that?
Just to keep me here, you're really going all out.
For the first time, I feel like I'm actually important.
Tears welled up in Orochimaru's eyes, leaving him speechless.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was also at his wit's end.
He was almost going mad.
The Nine-Tails was gone.
The First and Second Hokage were gone.
How many jonin had died?
How many shinobi were dead?
Kakashi and Shikaku Nara were gravely injured.
Jiraiya had shut himself off.
A grown man, staying in his room all day, wrapped in a blanket, crying.
Hiruzen felt like he was about to lose his mind.
Konoha was a complete mess.
The once greatest shinobi village had fallen apart!
Even the Daimyō of the Land of Fire felt like he was losing it.
A village and a country, naturally, the country is the Land of Fire, and the village is Konoha.
The two are meant to complement each other.
With Konoha in this state, the Daimyō felt like his heart was about to explode.
You shinobi are killing me here.
He personally wrote to Hiruzen Sarutobi, demanding that he immediately restore order in Konoha. If he couldn't, he'd be replaced by someone who could.
It didn't matter who—it just needed to save Konoha.
Originally…
Shinobi weren't supposed to harm nobility, let alone a Daimyō. Even defeated nations would treat them with respect, never daring to insult them.
Only rogue ninjas, mad with rage, would dare attack nobility.
Shinobi were the tools of the nobility and Daimyō.
So...
The Daimyō and nobles were often guarded by shinobi.
Sarutobi Asuma once served as part of the Guardian Shinobi Twelve, tasked with protecting the Daimyō.
But...
Because of Itsuki Uchiha, who had attacked and slaughtered nobles like cutting through vegetables, the fear shinobi had for nobility began to fade.
So what if they have divine blood?
If they can be killed, they'll still die.
This led to a serious problem—nobles and Daimyōs were no longer safe.
The Hidden Fire Village had set a dangerous precedent.
Thus...
While they had previously treated Konoha as a tool, the Daimyō and nobility now realized they had a genuine need for the shinobi.
In this situation, they couldn't allow Konoha to continue its decline.
It had to be revitalized!
But…
Hiruzen Sarutobi was helpless.
Did he not want that?
Of course, he wanted everything!
But he simply couldn't do it—what could he possibly do?
Hiruzen even pulled out the map of Konoha, hoping to find some hidden powerhouse in the village.
Anyone useful would do.
Aside from the sulking Danzo, he actually found someone.
"Torifu!"
A sharp scream pierced the air.
Torifu Akimichi, who had been enjoying a leg of lamb, nearly choked to death as he rolled his eyes.
"What do you want?"
Torifu roared and kicked open the door. But when he saw what was happening outside, he froze.
Tears filled Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes as he clasped his hands together and stared at Torifu.
Seeing him appear, Hiruzen pounced like a monkey, throwing himself onto Torifu, hugging him tightly.
"What are you doing? Get off me!"
Torifu nearly screamed.
Together, they were over 130 years old. What kind of game was this?
"I'm not leaving!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen sobbed, "Unless you agree to do something for me."
"Get lost, hurry up and leave!"
Would Torifu Akimichi agree?
With that attitude, there's no way he'd dare agree.
Besides!
He's retired!
Do you even know what retirement means?
Not long ago, Tobirama Senju was resurrected, and that was the only reason he left his clan to meet him. Aside from that, he hasn't agreed to any requests.
He's disappointed with Konoha.
He's done with it! He's just going to eat and wait for the end! And more than that!
Who do you think Sarutobi Hiruzen is? Does Torifu not know?
When you ask for something at a time like this, how could he possibly agree? He's been wary of Hiruzen and Danzo Shimura from the start.
You two are rotten to the core!
"Torifu, we've been through thick and thin…"
"Get lost!"
Torifu Akimichi roared, using the Expansion Jutsu to break free from Sarutobi Hiruzen's grasp, then turned and ran straight home.
"Thick and thin my foot! As soon as you said that, I knew you were trying to set me up."
"Dream on!"
"Torifu!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen followed him all the way to his house, but the door slammed shut in his face.
"If you don't agree, I'm staying right here!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen shouted and plopped down on the ground, staring intently at Torifu's front door.
As for the business in Konoha, Kakashi could handle it.
Today, no matter what, he was going to force Torifu Akimichi out of retirement to help him.
This old fat guy was already incredibly strong back in the day. After being in seclusion for so long, his strength must've only increased.
What's that? He's old?
Ha, the Akimichi clan specializes in taijutsu. Their prime lasts much longer than that of regular ninja. Even though Torifu is over sixty, he should still be in his prime.
That's for sure!
With this old guy on my side, it's practically like having another Tailed Beast.
Except he can't use Tailed Beast Bombs.
But still!
This old guy, when under control, is a rational "Tailed Beast."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's determination grew even stronger.
Meanwhile, Torifu Akimichi peeked out from hiding and saw Hiruzen sitting at his doorstep, clearly not planning to leave. He cursed under his breath.
This old monkey's got issues! And serious ones at that! What did I do to deserve this? Why is he camping outside my house?
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat by the door, acting as though he hadn't heard anything.
He ignored it all, letting things be!
"Uncle!"
Shikaku Nara came out, looking at Torifu Akimichi with a smile. "Looks like Hiruzen's really desperate this time."
"Desperate?" Torifu Akimichi scoffed, "Not even close."
Shikaku thought for a moment, then asked, "Uncle, do you want to be Hokage?"
Torifu's eyebrow twitched as he looked at Shikaku. "Why, are you interested?"
"There's no way Sarutobi Hiruzen can stay Hokage now," Shikaku said frankly. "I'd like for the Ino-Shika-Cho trio to have our own Hokage. This is our best chance."
"That's a huge mistake!"
Torifu Akimichi replied coldly. "You think Hiruzen will just give up power?"
Shikaku was stunned. "At this point? He's still holding onto power? Has he lost his mind? This, this…"
As long as Sarutobi Hiruzen has even a shred of pride left, he wouldn't cling to the Hokage title.
"Shikaku!"
Torifu Akimichi said seriously, "You're a smart guy, even smarter than your father, but let me tell you, sometimes you're too naïve. You always try to see the shinobi world through a rational lens. But I have to tell you, there are a lot of lunatics in this world, and their actions can't be understood through rational thought."
"Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo Shimura are two such people. In some ways, Hiruzen is even more extreme than Danzo."
Shikaku fell silent.
He had spent quite a bit of time around Sarutobi Hiruzen.
As the leader of the jōnin, he was definitely considered part of Konoha's higher-ups.
But Hiruzen had hoarded power, taking away much of what should've been the jōnin leader's authority.
Shikaku thought he knew Hiruzen, but from Torifu's words, he was seeing a completely different side of the Third Hokage.
"The Third Hokage…"
Shikaku muttered to himself.
"Hmph, I watched him change bit by bit."
Torifu Akimichi said indifferently, "The Sarutobi Hiruzen of the past was trustworthy. But after he became Hokage, he changed. He became someone no one recognized, someone who let everyone down."
Torifu gazed silently out the window.
Many of the people they had once known had died with anger and confusion in their hearts.
"Lady Mito…"
Torifu sighed quietly.
The person who had first shaken his faith was Mito Uzumaki.
The First Hokage's widow!
Even the Second Hokage had shown her great respect.
Not just because she was a Jinchuriki with immense personal power, but because of her enormous contributions to Konoha.
Put simply, as long as she was around, Konoha was stable.
She was the strongest Jinchuriki to ever control the Nine Tails.
And she had no interest in the power struggles. After Hashirama Senju died, she quietly retired.
But after the Second Hokage died, she came out of retirement to help Sarutobi Hiruzen, stabilizing Konoha and securing his position as Hokage.
But.
Such a woman openly banned Sarutobi Hiruzen from entering the Senju clan's territory.
It was clear how disappointed she must have been.
The reason? The destruction of the Uzumaki clan.
The Uzumaki clan and Konoha were allies.
But when the Uzumaki clan was under attack, Mito asked Hiruzen for help, hoping he would send aid to protect them.
At the very least, to save some of the Uzumaki.
Hiruzen did send people.
But they only brought back one person, Kushina Uzumaki, as a Jinchuriki candidate.
And a bunch of sealing scrolls.
Not a single other Uzumaki was saved!
What a joke!
When Torifu Akimichi heard the news, he was dumbfounded.
Impressive! You take a team of ninjas to save people, and all you bring back is a Jinchuriki and some books.
Great job! It's honestly lucky that Lady Mito didn't slap you across the face.
From that point on.
Mito Uzumaki completely severed ties with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
And from that incident, Torifu lost all hope in him too.
Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't be trusted!
Now, with Hiruzen coming to beg him for help, how could Torifu possibly agree?
Back then, Mito trusted you, helped you, and asked you to save her clan. And what did you do? Nothing! If I help you now, who knows what might happen to the Ino-Shika-Cho trio?
Torifu told Shikaku all of this, word for word.
Shikaku was in disbelief. "That can't be true, can it? The Third Hokage would never do something like that, right? Couldn't there be some misunderstanding?"
"Mito Uzumaki was a very wise woman!"
Torifu said gravely. "She had no ambition for power. Otherwise, the Second Hokage position would've likely gone to her. She was the only one who could fully control the Nine Tails' power. Even Tobirama Senju deeply respected her."
"Do you really think someone like her could have misunderstood Sarutobi Hiruzen?"
Shikaku was speechless.
(End of chapter)