Naruto: Linked to Kaguya, Corrupting the Ninja World

"Lord Sarutobi, you've indulged yourself in political manipulation and even taken pride in it. This punishment suits you perfectly—I'll strip away everything you have," Tsunade declared.

"Tsunade, do you really call that indulgence just because I'm unwilling to hand power over to you?" Hiruzen scoffed.

"I'm not the only one who thinks so," Tsunade replied calmly.

Despite Hiruzen's refusal to cooperate, under Hizashi's relentless kicks, his legs gave way beneath him, forcing him humiliatingly to his knees on the ground.

Unable to bear such degradation, he kept shouting uncontrollably.

"Tsunade, you disobedient traitor!"

"So disrespectful! So heartless!"

"Just kill me already!"

Tsunade remained silent, letting him continue cursing.

His Hokage robe was gone, replaced by a kimono now smeared with dirt and footprints. His beard and hair were no longer neatly combed, but disheveled and wild, making him appear quite ragged.

Stripped of the prestige that came with the title of Hokage, he seemed nothing more than a frail old man.

Cursing bitterly now, he lacked any dignity.

Occasionally people passed by, hearing Hiruzen's angry shouts and seeing his completely unraveled state, which contrasted starkly with Tsunade and the others' composed demeanor. Even those who still believed this truly was the former Third Hokage struggled to accept that it could truly be the same leader they once revered.

He was once hailed as the strongest Hokage—how could he fall this far?

The villagers' gazes upon him carried pity, revulsion, and mockery alike.

Once revered above all, he was now forced to endure the mocking stares of the weaklings he loathed—as if he were a caged animal on display.

It was like he'd gone mad, trapped in a hate-fueled nightmare.

Tsunade, how could you shame me like this?

Jiraiya, why did you just abandon me?

You're all thankless traitors!

Nearby, Inoichi Yamanaka silently watched everything unfold.

"Phew, phew," Choza Akimichi exhaled in relief. "Tsunade-sama wouldn't go so far as to kill her own master."

He thought that since Tsunade hadn't turned out to be that ruthless, waiting patiently for a few years wouldn't be too bad after all. As long as they kept in line, Lady Tsunade would surely not bring shame to their families.

Shikaku sighed quietly, suddenly feeling a headache forming. "What she's doing is worse than killing him—it cuts straight to the heart."

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Glancing briefly at the slowly passing pedestrians who lingered deliberately nearby, Tsunade once again picked up the eulogy she hadn't finished reading earlier.

"...The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had extraordinary achievements during his lifetime. He was more devoted than anyone else—driven by an unshakable belief in giving his all for Konoha, tireless in his work day and night..."

At that moment, three ninja wearing the Sarutobi clan crest on their clothes angrily rushed over. Because of their rage, they didn't even address Tsunade with proper respect.

"Tsunade, the Third Hokage was not only the leader of the village but also your teacher. Why would you treat him this way?"

Tsunade had no choice but to put away the eulogy she was holding and replied calmly, "He is not Lord Sarutobi. The true Lord Sarutobi held firm beliefs and was always kind—to villagers, subordinates, comrades, juniors, and everyone else. He would never disregard anyone's life."

"Who could this man possibly be? He took Lord Sarutobi's identity and used it to commit countless crimes on purpose, even condoning Danzo Shimura's attacks against the village's ninja forces."

"I'm making this man kneel here precisely so he can atone to the late Lord Sarutobi and all those who lost their lives because of him."

"Nonsense! The Hokage is still the Hokage!" Unable to think of any specific counterarguments, the Sarutobi clan members could only shout back like this.

"Now that the truth has come out, your Sarutobi clan won't have to suffer criticism anymore for his mistakes. Isn't this actually good for you?"

"I've briefly looked through the records of the village's ninja files. Surprisingly, the number of registered ninja from the Sarutobi clan exceeds even that of the Uchiha Clan, once our village's largest family. His blatant favoritism towards his own clan is practically pushing the Sarutobi straight into the fire. Don't you understand this yet?"

The Sarutobi ninja turned red-faced, clearly wanting to say something but hesitating.

Tsunade, maintaining her usual composure, pointed toward where Shikaku and the rest were standing while raising her voice slightly, "Whether he's genuine or not—you can ask others yourselves."

"If only I said he's fake, maybe I could be wrong. But if all of them believe he's fake, how could I possibly be mistaken?"

Hearing Tsunade's words, Shikaku and the other two stiffened momentarily. Under the shifting gazes of the Sarutobi clan members, they felt even more awkward.

Eventually, Shikaku barely perceptibly nodded at his two companions beside him.

If they really asked questions, they'd just side with Lady Tsunade's account.

Hizashi, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up: "Lady Tsunade, under this man's destruction, the village has fallen into chaos. Konoha urgently needs a thorough investigation, and we cannot remain leaderless indefinitely..."

This last statement was naturally meant for outside ears.

Who else but Tsunade could take over now?

The three Sarutobi clan members inwardly fumed. After gauging Tsunade's strength carefully, they could do nothing but grit their teeth and leave.

In their hearts, doubts about their clan's future couldn't help but arise.

Nodding slightly, Tsunade once again brought along Hiruzen Sarutobi and Hizashi and headed toward the Hokage Building.

She decided it was time to have some formal proclamations written.

First, an article praising the true Third Hokage's great deeds, then a list detailing the false Third Hokage's crimes.

After that, she would contact the Daimyo and eventually set a formal date to assume power according to proper procedures.

What should be done about him...?

Tsunade glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had been visibly shaken and was muttering to himself continuously, her mind falling into deep thought.

Inside Shimura Danzo's residence.

At this moment, Danzo's mood was extremely uneasy.

Once Tsunade became Hokage, who would she go after next? Probably him.

If even Hiruzen and Jiraiya together couldn't beat Tsunade, what chance did he have?

It seemed he had no choice but to go find Koharu and Homura to discuss things—perhaps they could help restrain Tsunade and prevent her from doing as she pleased?

That's exactly what Danzo was thinking.

Before he even managed to step out of his house, he caught sight of a somewhat familiar figure.

"Jiraiya?" Danzo asked cautiously.

Jiraiya turned around, looking unusually subdued. "Danzo, we must save our teacher."

Danzo sighed inwardly. "Since you're fine, how did Hiruzen end up in Tsunade's hands?"

"You're perfectly okay now, without a single wound on you. But go outside and look—your teacher, that old man over sixty years of age, is enduring humiliation in front of everyone. Jiraiya, what an obedient and filial disciple you are!" His words dripped with sarcasm.

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