Start with the Mangekyo Sharingan: Follow Lord Madara out of Konoha

Konohagakure.

When Sarutobi Hiruzen was dug out of the mountain by everyone, he had already lost consciousness. Peeling back his eyelids revealed only unfocused eyes.

His finger bones were completely shattered, both shoulders were dislocated, his internal organs were injured to varying degrees, his breathing was extremely disordered, the situation was critical, and he was in danger.

An emergency meeting was immediately convened in the Hokage Building, and all senior officials except for the Uchiha clan attended.

After confirmation, in addition to Uchiha Nian's defection, there were three other major events that could not be ignored in Konoha, waiting to be resolved:

The Third Hokage's disciples, Princess Tsunade and Jiraiya, had left, chasing after the evil Uchiha Kamihane, attempting to avenge the dead Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju!

Also a direct disciple of the Third Hokage, Orochimaru and the genin Hiruko were missing. According to the guards at the West Gate who were attacked, it was confirmed that they had defected without a doubt!

The underground laboratory left by the Second Hokage was invaded. The staff and ninjas on duty that night were knocked unconscious by Orochimaru and Hiruko, and the laboratory lost valuable experimental samples and data!

"This... this isn't right, is it?"

"Orochimaru is the Third Hokage's direct disciple, how could he do such a thing? Is there... some misunderstanding here?"

Mitokado Homura pushed his glasses. "Are you saying that he was bewitched by someone? Like that Hiruko?"

Danzō Shimura snorted coldly. "Stop deceiving yourself. If he was really bewitched, how could he have been so ruthless? My subordinates were poisoned to death by his snakes!"

"Alas... this... I really didn't expect it. Orochimaru was the most mature and stable disciple under the Hokage's command, and now he has defected like Uchiha Nian." Koharu Utatane sighed slightly.

At this time, an elder from the Nara clan said thoughtfully: "What I'm wondering is, how could Orochimaru and Hiruko find the Second Hokage's secret laboratory? This is the biggest secret. Even we have signed confidentiality agreements and must not disclose it to anyone outside the high-level."

"Hmph, don't forget whose disciple he is." Danzō said in a sinister tone, "Those data and samples are the result of our hard work for many years. If they are leaked out, we can't afford the price!"

"Actually, there are traces to follow. Don't forget that Orochimaru and that Uchiha Nian have always been on good terms. I don't believe that there's no connection between these two things!"

"In my opinion, their purpose from the beginning might have been the laboratory..."

"Hiss, don't say it, don't say it..."

The senior officials discussed, no one expected that within a mere day, the Third Hokage's disciples had left or defected. Everyone spoke at once, and after arguing to the end, there was no result, and everyone was in a cloud of gloom.

Just as Shimura Danzō was full of regret and about to announce that he would succeed the Fourth Hokage to save the situation, encouraging news came from Konoha Hospital.

Under the efforts of the medical ninjas, the Third Hokage-sama woke up!!!

The door to the conference room was pushed open, and Sarutobi Hiruzen appeared in everyone's view, supported by his confidants.

"You now... should heal properly... that's right..." Danzō said almost through gritted teeth.

"For the village, I can't give up fighting yet." Hiruzen replied with a smile, and sat back in the main seat of the conference table in a triumphant posture.

"I already know all the problems facing the village now. What countermeasures have you been discussing until now?"

The senior officials looked at each other, and no one could say anything, and in the end, they could only cast their embarrassed gazes on Shimura Danzō.

Hiruzen immediately followed everyone's gaze and looked over with a smile.

Under the conference table, Danzō clenched his fists suddenly, and his sinister face turned pale.

'Hmph! A bunch of incompetent people who occupy their positions without doing anything!'

He did not answer Hiruzen's question directly, but immediately changed into a questioning tone:

"Hiruzen, Orochimaru is your disciple, and you should be primarily responsible for the theft of the laboratory!"

Hiruzen sighed, and in front of everyone, his eyes were full of shame. "I am responsible for this matter. I am attending the meeting with injuries in order to deal with this problem!"

Next, he roughly summarized everyone's questions, pondered for a moment, and then proposed his response decisively.

"First of all, while maintaining the minimum defense in the village, immediately send out all high-level combat power to pursue Tsunade and Jiraiya. Both of them are pillars of the village's future, especially Tsunade who is even more honorable in status, and they must be brought back to Konoha without fail!"

"Secondly, send out all squads, with the chunin members temporarily taking over as captains, departing from the West Gate, to find the rogue ninja Orochimaru and Hiruko, and be sure to bring them back to Konoha!"

"Finally, temporarily close the underground research institute, suspend secret experiments to prevent leaks, and wait for the rogue ninja Orochimaru to be captured before discussing further!"

With the backbone back, the senior officials all took orders, but seeing that the meeting was about to be announced and everyone was about to issue orders, Danzō could not sit still.

"Hiruzen, is this what you call being responsible?"

He pressed his hands on the table, slowly getting up in front of all the high-level officials, and looking at Hiruzen with cold eyes.

"As the Third Hokage, not only do you have no way to deal with Uchiha Nian's defection or Uchiha Kamihane's lawlessness, but you also have no achievements in the construction of the village over the years, and even your teaching is not good, causing the laboratory to be stolen and putting the title of Hokage to shame..."

He listed a large number of Hiruzen's "crimes" in a low tone, like an accusation, and finally said slowly:

"I think... you, Sarutobi Hiruzen, no longer have the capacity to be the Hokage. For the sake of Konoha, for the safety of everyone, you should retire as soon as possible... and give way to someone more capable and virtuous to take office!"

Hiruzen's face was solemn, and he raised his eyes to meet his aggressive gaze.

Dead silence.

The entire conference room instantly became so quiet that a needle could be heard, as if an invisible big hand in the air had strangled everyone's necks.

At this moment, no one dared to say a word, because the atmosphere between the two at this moment was no different from the two opposing commanders on the battlefield, with swords drawn and bows ready, about to erupt. Even Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, who were also direct disciples of the Second Hokage, had troubled faces.

After a moment of silence, Hiruzen said, "The so-called more capable and virtuous person, should be you, Shimura Danzō."

When he said this, he kept staring into Danzō's eyes. Since the other party took the lead in losing his composure, he might as well speak his mind.

Danzō's mouth twitched, and he nodded as expected. "That's right, in today's village, apart from me, there really isn't a more suitable candidate!"

"Good, good." Hiruzen suddenly laughed, and in the astonished eyes of everyone, he slowly stood up. "As a colleague, I recognize your talent. As an old friend, I also... recognize your capacity. This crisis has caused so much damage to the village. Naturally, it's the responsibility of the Hokage. If everyone also likes Danzō and thinks that he can lead everyone into a bright future, then I am willing to abdicate!"

"You!" Danzō vaguely sensed something bad, but before he could speak, he was interrupted by Hiruzen.

"However, replacing the Hokage midway is not in line with the rules. Since Danzō you want to sit in this position, you always have to show some results." Hiruzen tapped the table. "How about this, the task of retrieving Tsunade and Jiraiya will be handed over to you. What do you all think?"

Everyone thought for a moment and felt that what Hiruzen said made sense. After all, he was indeed starting from the perspective of solving the problem, so no one raised any objections or dissenting opinions.

"Alas, it's just that I was seriously injured by Uchiha Kamihane and unable to participate in this operation. I can only use this injured body to guard the gate..." Hiruzen shook his head and sighed.

Danzō's face turned black. Hiruzen's approach was tantamount to putting him on the fire to roast. After all, he had just "ambitiously" proposed to compete for the Hokage position. If he retreated at this moment, someone would probably immediately disagree!

Under everyone's scrutiny, he could only nod stiffly.

"Good." Hiruzen nodded. "Then, in the name of the Hokage, I announce that if Danzō can successfully complete the mission and bring my two useless disciples back to the village, I will immediately send a letter to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, and actively resign from the position of Hokage!"

"Good ah..." Danzō's voice was a little hoarse.

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