Chapter 94: Chapter 95: A Hokage Meeting Is Held! Shimura Danzō Is Confused!
At that moment—
Just as Kakashi finished speaking—
The entire examination hall fell into utter silence.
And then, like a sudden thunderclap, the silence shattered.
A wave of uproar surged through the crowd.
No one had expected something like this to happen now of all times.
Kakashi Hatake and Uzumaki Naruto—
They were actually challenging the authority of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi!
The Third Hokage!
The same Lord Sarutobi who had long earned the deep respect and admiration of Konoha Village!
Why would Kakashi and Naruto—both of them shinobi of Konoha—do something like this?
Most of the younger ninja were dumbfounded.
Hinata, Shikamaru, Ino, Chōji, Neji, and the rest of the Konoha 12 stared in shock.
They couldn't believe what they were hearing.
Naruto and Kakashi were trying to impeach the Third Hokage!?
This revelation was even more shocking than Naruto's recently revealed parentage.
But then they noticed something odd…
Sasuke and Sakura—both members of Team 7, Naruto's team—
They weren't surprised at all.
Yamanaka Ino, puzzled and tense, looked at her best friend Haruno Sakura and asked:
"Wait… Sakura, don't tell me—you and Sasuke knew about this ahead of time? You're part of it too?!"
Her question mirrored the silent thoughts of the others—
Shikamaru, Hinata, Neji, Rock Lee, and the rest turned their attention toward Sakura and Sasuke.
Sakura met their eyes and nodded slightly.
Sasuke followed up in his usual blunt manner.
"Yeah," he said.
"We knew."
"And we're involved."
There was no attempt to hide it. The moment the plan went into motion, there was no point in pretending anymore.
Sakura stood beside Sasuke with quiet conviction.
They were part of this—start to finish.
Ino, Shikamaru, Neji, and the others watched in stunned silence.
This... this was something huge.
Up until a few moments ago, they were still in the middle of the Chūnin Exams—
Still caught up in the trials of Genin life, focused on personal growth and the threat of Orochimaru's invasion.
But this?
This wasn't just about a villain or a war.
Naruto and Team 7 were aiming to overthrow the Hokage.
It was a different kind of shock—one that hit deeper.
It was like watching a classmate who'd just graduated suddenly announce they were running for president while you were still studying for midterms.
The Genin were shaken.
And it wasn't just them.
The major clan heads—the leaders of the Hyūga, Nara, Yamanaka, and others—were equally blindsided.
The son of the Fourth Hokage…
Uzumaki Naruto himself...
Was now trying to impeach and remove the Third Hokage from power?
Even more unsettling—this clearly wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision.
Which meant—
Naruto and his allies had likely been preparing for this… for a long time.
The Decision to Impeach the Third Hokage!
The Hyūga clan head, the Nara patriarch, the Yamanaka leader—
Each of the major clan heads exchanged glances in silence.
None of them made a move.
For now, they would wait and see how things unfolded.
Meanwhile, the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, stood observing in silence.
They had been revived through the Impure World Reincarnation not long ago, called forth by descendants of the very village they had built.
But neither had expected this—
To witness the son of the Fourth Hokage, Uzumaki Naruto, standing publicly and calling for the impeachment of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, right in front of their eyes.
They didn't know the details of the relationship between Naruto and Hiruzen—
Didn't know what history or pain lay behind Naruto's actions.
But one thing was clear:
Something serious must have happened in Konoha.
So, the First and Second Hokage exchanged no words, only glances of quiet understanding.
As dead men, revived only temporarily, they would not interfere in the politics of the living.
The shinobi from Sunagakure were utterly blindsided.
None of them—least of all the elite jōnin Maki—had expected this.
Uzumaki Naruto, the child of the Yellow Flash himself,
Had chosen this exact moment, in front of so many foreign dignitaries and daimyō, to try and impeach the Third Hokage.
The Daimyō of the Land of Fire, the Daimyō of the Wind Country, and even the nobles of smaller allied nations were all present.
This wasn't just a local scandal.
What was happening today in Konoha would shake the entire shinobi world to its core.
And the one watching most intently?
Orochimaru.
Though still wounded by Naruto's Rasengan, he was alive—and very much entertained.
He watched Naruto, Kakashi, and their allies from the side of the arena, an eager grin spreading across his face.
He had assumed they were here to fight back against him.
But their true goal… was to bring down Sarutobi Hiruzen?
How deliciously unexpected.
"Well then, Sarutobi-sensei," Orochimaru muttered to himself, his tongue flicking slightly.
"Let's see how you handle this…"
He didn't know Naruto well—
Had no grasp of the boy's temperament or long-term plans.
But what Orochimaru did know were the people now standing behind Naruto.
Jiraiya. Tsunade. And even Namikaze Minato.
That's right—Orochimaru had spotted them in the stands.
Not just Tsunade and Jiraiya, his fellow Sannin, but the unmistakable figure of Minato as well, revived or returned somehow.
From their expressions, it was clear—they weren't just bystanders.
They had been brought back, assembled... by Naruto.
In other words...
His three former comrades had all turned against him.
And Minato—Minato was also part of this plan.
This impeachment of their old master.
This wasn't a spontaneous rebellion.
It had been carefully prepared.
Orochimaru's grin widened.
"Looks like this is more fun than just killing you outright… Sarutobi-sensei."
As for the daimyō of the Fire Country—
He looked on with a grim expression, barely concealing his growing unease.
To witness such discord in Konoha, his nation's pride and military cornerstone—
And in front of foreign powers, no less…
It was deeply shameful.
Even worse, the very notion that the internal affairs of the Fire Nation's most powerful village were being exposed like this…
He hadn't expected to be pulled into a power struggle for the title of Hokage.
But the one person feeling the most emotion…
Was Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage himself.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stared in disbelief—first at Kakashi, then up at Naruto, who hovered in the sky.
Even now, even with everything unfolding before his eyes, he still struggled to believe it.
Kakashi. Naruto. Minato. Kushina.
All of them…
They had come here not just to challenge him—
But to impeach him. To strip him of the title of Hokage.
And in front of the entire village, no less.
In front of the Fire Daimyō, foreign leaders, clan heads, and hundreds of onlookers.
This wasn't just a rebellion.
This was a public, irreversible break.
"There's no going back from this…" he muttered internally, shaken.
Out loud, he finally spoke:
"Kakashi… Naruto… Minato… Are you all truly serious about this?!"
His voice trembled, his tone filled with disbelief.
He looked again from Kakashi to Naruto, and then to Minato—his former student, now returned.
His aged face, lined with countless wrinkles, was etched with confusion and rising dread.
The unease he'd felt earlier…
It had come true.
But he never expected this would be how it happened.
He had anticipated retaliation, perhaps anger.
But impeachment?
A direct challenge to his authority and legacy?
And yet…
The looks on their faces—Naruto, Kakashi, Minato, Kushina—were cold and resolute.
There was no hesitation.
No pity.
No second thoughts.
They all knew the truth:
The expression Hiruzen wore now—shocked, wounded—was just another mask.
If he truly didn't understand why this was happening, perhaps he needed to start by examining himself.
Still, Naruto remained silent.
Minato and Kushina, too, said nothing.
Only Kakashi stepped forward to speak.
His voice was calm. Steady.
"Sandaime-sama… yes, we are serious."
"I am Hatake Kakashi, jōnin of Konohagakure. I speak on behalf of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato-sama."
"We request that a Hokage Council be convened immediately."
"We ask that Danzō, Koharu, Homura, and all other members of the advisory council be summoned."
"And we request that all residents of Konoha be permitted to witness the proceedings."
When Kakashi finished speaking, the weight of his words seemed to settle over the entire arena like a storm cloud.
There could be no doubt anymore.
Kakashi and Naruto weren't bluffing.
This was real.
And they had already taken official steps—in the name of the Fourth Hokage—to initiate the impeachment.
There was nothing the Third Hokage could do to stop it.
Not even the Daimyō of the Land of Fire, watching from the stands, could interfere at this point.
The moment the Hokage Council was called, it became a formal matter of governance.
The outcome of the impeachment would be decided by majority vote.
And at the same time, the successor—the Fifth Hokage—would be nominated and approved.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood frozen as Kakashi's words echoed in his ears.
He knew—
The only way to halt the process now…
Was if Minato and the others revoked their demand.
But judging from their expressions…
That wasn't going to happen.
So, Sarutobi tried something else.
He softened his expression, lowered his voice, and looked up at Naruto and Minato with a pained, remorseful gaze.
"Minato… Naruto…"
"If I've made mistakes… if I've done wrong—then tell me. We can talk."
His voice trembled. He cast his eyes around, trying to evoke sympathy—not just from them, but from the crowd as well.
"I've always had great hopes for you, Naruto."
"You're talented. You've performed exceptionally on your missions."
"In my heart, I always saw you as a promising candidate for the next Fifth Hokage."
"If that's your dream… I believe you could achieve it."
He spoke with the tone of a caring elder, a teacher trying to reach out one last time to a beloved student.
But for Naruto and the others—
It was too late for words.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood like a frail old man—
His voice gentle, his tone full of regret and warmth.
Like a kind and caring grandfather.
To the villagers watching from the audience, the sight was deeply affecting.
He spoke to Naruto with what seemed like genuine affection and sorrow, and many in the crowd felt their hearts stir.
They looked at Uzumaki Naruto, the one they had long whispered about—the "demon fox," the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails.
Now, that same boy was standing in open defiance of the Third Hokage.
And yet…
Hadn't the Third Hokage given Naruto everything?
Hadn't he allowed the boy to grow up safely in Konoha despite what he carried?
Shouts began to rise from the crowd:
"We support you, Lord Third!"
"The Hokage is the heart of Konoha!"
"Sandaime-sama, we're with you!"
Wave after wave of cheering rolled through the stadium.
Even though they had just learned the shocking truth—
That Naruto was the son of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato—
To them, that changed nothing.
In their minds, the Third Hokage was just as ignorant as they had been.
He too hadn't known Naruto's identity.
And even without that knowledge, he had still allowed Naruto to live and grow.
Wasn't that proof enough of his virtue?
None of the villagers paused to reflect on how they themselves had treated Naruto all these years.
The bullying. The isolation. The silent hatred.
In their hearts, they excused themselves with a single thought:
"We didn't know."
And in their eyes, ignorance… was not a crime.
They comforted themselves with that belief.
The Sandaime Hokage stood quietly amid the noise, basking in the public's support.
Though he still wore a sorrowful expression, inside, he felt pride.
This—this was the trust and reputation he had cultivated over decades as Hokage.
Even if Naruto and his team had taken him by surprise…
He still had the will of the people behind him.
As long as the villagers and the loyal shinobi of Konoha stood with him,
Even Danzō, his old rival for power, couldn't defeat him—let alone a boy like Naruto.
Naruto Uzumaki?
Hiruzen admitted that Naruto's display of strength had been impressive.
Far beyond the norm—even for someone his age.
But strength alone did not make a Hokage.
Not everyone powerful could lead.
Even Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of Konoha—a man whose strength surpassed even the Legendary Sannin—
Had never become Hokage.
So, to Hiruzen, Naruto's attempt to impeach him was not only brash…
It was naïve. Foolish.
Among the younger generation watching—Hinata, Shikamaru, Chōji, Neji, Ino, Kiba, Lee—
There was a growing tension.
They could feel it.
This situation was turning against Naruto.
The crowd was with the Third.
But Shikamaru, the sharpest among them, noticed something.
Despite the backlash, Naruto, Kakashi, and Minato remained calm.
Too calm.
There wasn't a flicker of doubt on their faces.
That could only mean one thing:
They were prepared.
This wasn't a reckless stunt or a heat-of-the-moment rebellion.
It was planned. Carefully. Deliberately.
But even Shikamaru couldn't help but think:
They're trying to impeach the Third Hokage…
The "Professor." The "God of Shinobi." The man known as the Hero of the Hidden Leaf.
He's respected not just in Konoha, but across the entire ninja world.
What could Naruto possibly have prepared to challenge someone like that?
In the stands, the shinobi of Sunagakure watched with uneasy curiosity.
Even after the initial shock faded, they still couldn't understand—
How could Uzumaki Naruto possibly succeed?
To them, Sarutobi Hiruzen was legendary.
A shinobi known across nations as a master of every jutsu in Konoha's arsenal.
A veteran of multiple wars.
To impeach someone like that…
It sounded ridiculous.
Sunagakure jōnin Maki stared from the sidelines, struggling to wrap her head around it.
How are they planning to pull this off?
Orochimaru, meanwhile, watched with wicked anticipation.
He leaned forward slightly, licking his lips with interest.
Surely, they wouldn't call for a Hokage Council unless they had something ready.
Something that could turn the entire village against Sarutobi.
Let's see it, Orochimaru thought.
Show me what you've prepared… Naruto-kun.
In the arena, Naruto could feel the collective thoughts of the villagers pressing in on him.
Their judgment. Their hostility. Their ignorance.
He heard their cheers for the man who had stood by and let him suffer.
But Naruto… didn't flinch.
He didn't care.
Not anymore.
In Naruto's eyes, the villagers of Konoha… had stopped existing a long time ago.
They were just shadows—remnants of a past he had already buried.
He wasn't doing this for their approval.
He wasn't here to earn their understanding.
The reason he chose to impeach the Third Hokage in front of all of them—
Was simple.
He wanted to bring down their beloved "Third Hokage"—Sarutobi Hiruzen—
Openly.
Decisively.
Righteously.
Right here, in front of the entire village that had turned its back on him.
And when it was over...
He would never again allow these people—these hypocritical villagers—to step into his life.
Naruto's gaze locked onto Hiruzen.
His voice was flat, devoid of emotion:
"There's no need to say anything more."
"You can't stop this, Third Hokage."
That last sentence landed like a hammer.
There was no hesitation in Naruto's tone. No room left for discussion.
Minato, standing beside his son, smiled faintly and continued:
"Third Hokage… deliver the message."
Sarutobi looked at them—Naruto, Kakashi, Minato, Kushina…
All standing before him in perfect unity.
There was no malice in their expressions.
Only finality.
He knew.
There was no escaping this anymore.
This wasn't a rebellion.
This was judgment.
The Third Hokage closed his eyes briefly and let out a heavy sigh.
Then, slowly, solemnly, he said:
"…Very well. So be it."
Even now, he kept up appearances—
Putting on a show of understanding, of regret.
Still trying to wear the mask of the benevolent elder.
He turned to the ANBU at his side.
"Go. Summon Danzō, Koharu, and Homura."
The masked ANBU hesitated for just a moment—but nodded, then vanished.
Orders were dispatched. The message spread quickly.
Some were sent to Root Headquarters, deep underground beneath Konoha.
Others went to the Hokage's Tower, where the advisors resided.
The instructions were clear:
Assemble the Konoha Council.
The Hokage Meeting would begin.
Root Headquarters — Deep Underground
The news reached Shimura Danzō in his secret base.
A pale-faced ANBU, bearing the Third Hokage's seal, relayed the message directly.
Danzō, who had been reviewing intelligence reports, stood frozen for a beat.
And then—
"What!?"
He slammed his hand down on the table.
"Naruto Uzumaki and Kakashi Hatake… are trying to impeach the Third Hokage!?"
The ANBU nodded silently.
Danzō's eye twitched.
"And Minato Namikaze… the Fourth Hokage has been revived?"
"Kushina Uzumaki, too?!"
"And… the First and Second Hokage are here as well!?"
The weight of the information was staggering.
Too many revelations.
Too quickly.
Too dangerous.
Even someone like Danzō—who had planned decades' worth of manipulation—
Felt disoriented.
His sharp mind worked rapidly to piece together the implications.
The Fourth Hokage is alive.
The original Hokage—Hashirama and Tobirama—are back.
Kushina, the Red-Hot-Blooded Habanero, is standing beside her son.
And they're all united behind one goal—removing Hiruzen.
Even for Danzō Shimura...
This was far more than he had anticipated.
...
TN:
If Tobirama realized that Hiruzen was going around calling himself the "God of Shinobi" and saw the current state of the Senju clan, he'd probably drop everything and try to kill him with his own hands.
...
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