Dimensional Chat Group: Speed-o'-Light

The returning Konoha ninjas from the frontlines, the oppressed clans, Orochimaru, the Uchiha clan…

Danzo had never considered any of them a threat. Even Orochimaru, whose influence was nearing that of the Third Hokage, was nothing more than a pawn in Danzo's eyes—a young upstart to be exploited.

With a bit of scheming, Danzo believed he could ruin Orochimaru's reputation and even orchestrate his death at Hiruzen Sarutobi's hands.

But what Danzo never expected was that Orochimaru would take the initiative, connecting these seemingly unrelated factions into a unified force against him.

[Fubuki]: "It looks… like Orochimaru won, didn't he?"

[Haibara Ai]: "As expected."

[Kobayashi]: "Ninjas are amazing! Did you see that pineapple-haired ninja? He shot something at the bandaged man's shadow, and it froze him in place!"

[Random Bystander Who Wants to Hug Luo Feng's Leg]: "What the heck! How did Orochimaru manage this? He convinced the Nara, Akimichi, Aburame, and even the Uchiha?"

[Kizaru]: "Hmm, quite the impressive coup. On the surface, the target seems to be that one-eyed bandaged man, but the real aim was always the Hokage."

[Kobayashi]: "Huh? A coup? Kizaru-san, you're joking, right?"

[Random Bystander]: "Holy crap! Is Orochimaru planning to overthrow the Third Hokage and make himself Hokage?"

In the live broadcast, Danzo's loyalists clashed with dozens of Uchiha clan members wielding three-tomoe Sharingan. Within minutes, all of Danzo's supporters were subdued.

Unless there was a significant power gap, it was no easy task to defeat an Uchiha one-on-one. And with the Uchiha clan outnumbering Danzo's loyalists, resistance was futile.

Danzo himself, attempting a last stand, was quickly captured. The furious ninjas from the other clans almost beat him to death. Surprisingly, the Uchiha—known for their fiery tempers—showed the most restraint.

"Orochimaru… the leader of Root, Shimura Danzo, is guilty of attacking and killing his fellow villagers, assassinating the Hokage, and coercing ninjas into joining Root…"

Standing before a crowd of ninjas and villagers, Orochimaru began to list Danzo's crimes one by one. Each charge was met with gasps and curses from the crowd.

When ninjas forced into Root stepped forward to share their stories and reveal the cursed marks on their tongues, the evidence was irrefutable. Danzo's fate was sealed, his reputation forever tied to the betrayal and harm of his fellow Konoha ninjas.

From start to finish, the Third Hokage could only stand at the side, his face grim.

As the saying goes, if this were a private matter, no matter what crimes Danzo had committed, as long as the Hokage didn't give the nod, no one would be able to do anything to him.

But Orochimaru's mistake was making everything public!

And doing so just as the Konoha ninjas were returning from the battlefield, full of pride and triumph, only to learn that such a poisonous tumor was hidden within their own village.

The recently returned ninjas didn't care about Danzo's position. If the village didn't give them a satisfactory answer, they wouldn't hesitate to take matters into their own hands and demand justice.

"Third Hokage, we can't let Orochimaru continue. If he does, Danzo won't have a future!"

The Konoha advisor, Tenkai Koharu, approached the Third Hokage from behind, speaking with deep concern.

"Danzo's committed plenty of wrongs, but his merits are even greater. Orochimaru bastard hasn't mentioned a word about those!"

Mitokade En, another Konoha advisor, was also furious. His anger wasn't directed at Danzo, who had committed numerous heinous acts, but at Orochimaru, who had taken it upon himself to try Danzo.

Even if Danzo deserved to die, it wasn't for someone like Orochimaru to decide. If Orochimaru could judge Danzo now, could he also judge the other advisors and elders in the future?

"Orochimaru..."

The Third Hokage's emotions were complicated. He was furious that Danzo had committed so many heinous crimes behind his back, but equally angry that Orochimaru had taken matters into his own hands and publicly judged Danzo without consulting him.

But as the Hokage, he could do nothing at that moment. Even if he wanted to join in and judge Danzo, people would question why he hadn't stopped Danzo before.

[Kobayashi]: "Hey, hey, hey! Look at those old men in the corner, whispering together. Are they planning something?"

[Haibara Ai]: "Hmph, it looks like the so-called high-ups of Konoha aren't as clean as they seem. They've probably done the same things Danzo did, or else they wouldn't be in such a panic."

[Random Bystander Who Wants to Hug Luo Feng's Leg]: "Doesn't this make Orochimaru in danger? He might not be able to beat the Third Hokage right now!"

[Fubuki]: "Honestly, with his age, why not just retire and be done with it?"

[Kizaru]: "Wait, why does being a bit older mean you have to retire? I... cough, I mean, if someone's health is fine, they can absolutely continue to shine and make an impact in their position."

[Kobayashi]: "Speaking of which, Kizaru-san seems to be a Marine Admiral. He must be getting up there in age too, right?"

[Haibara Ai]: "So, the person we've been chatting with is actually an old man in his sixties or seventies?"

[Fubuki]: "That really is terrible..."

[Random Bystander Who Wants to Hug Luo Feng's Leg]: "I wouldn't go that far... Admiral Kizaru should still be considered middle-aged, right?"

[Kizaru]: "....Wait, why is this suddenly about me? And what's this about being middle-aged? I'm a famous... undefeated Admiral in the Navy!"

[Haibara Ai]: "Middle-aged? Like Kogoro Mouri kind of middle-aged?"

Haibara Ai then uploaded two photos, one of Kogoro Mouri drunk and the other of him trying to hit on a woman, only to be slapped in the face and labeled a pervert.

The person who took the pictures must have been very short and probably had a grudge against Mouri, capturing the greasy, awkward side of Mouri's middle-aged personality in all its glory.

[Fubuki]: "That looks so disgusting..."

[Kobayashi]: "Well, that kind of resembles our section chief..."

[Random Bystander Who Wants to Hug Luo Feng's Leg]: "Ah... this... although they look completely different, there are indeed some similarities in a certain sense..."

[Kizaru]: "Slander! This is blatant slander! There's no way I look that ugly!"

To save his image, Kizaru quickly climbed out of the oversized couch, grabbed the clothes that had been tossed on the carpet, and started putting them on.

"... I remember putting it in the drawer..."

Kizaru opened a drawer that had likely not been used in a long time, rummaging through old items he had placed there.

"Ugh... what are you looking for?"

Nami, disturbed by Kizaru's movements, groggily sat up. She was only wearing an oversized justice coat, and from Kizaru's perspective, her beautiful, youthful figure was fully exposed.

Still 'hungry,' Kizaru nearly couldn't hold back and almost lunged at her.

His hungry, wolf-like gaze scared Nami, causing her to quickly pull the coat tighter around herself, as though it could somehow protect her.

°°°

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