https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-255-The-Betrayal-of-the-Fire-Shadow-/12932156/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-257-Ninekane-s-Life-Countdown-Begins-/12932158/
Chapter 256: The Truth Behind Sarutobi's Death!
Chapter 256: The Truth Behind Sarutobi's Death!
If looks could kill, the clan leaders of the major ninja clans would have stabbed Sarutobi Hashirama to death countless times.
All because he had treated them with such disdain.
He had made various promises to them, asking for their private armies and resources.
But now, when it came time to divide the spoils, he had completely ignored them. How could they not be furious?
While they were loyal to Konoha, it didn't mean they wouldn't be angry if their clans suffered heavy casualties and their resources were exhausted without any recompense.
"If we cannot reach a peace agreement soon, the Ninja World War will continue, and more people will die. Therefore, no matter how great the crime, I will take full responsibility, and afterwards, I will relinquish the Hokage position. Please!"
Sarutobi Hashirama's tone was sincere, and his expression was solemn as he bowed deeply in apology.
The gazes of the clan leaders grew even colder.
After all, if even the Hokage was apologizing with such righteousness, they would be seen as obstructing peace if they didn't let go of the peace agreement.
The problem was, when you, Sarutobi Hashirama, were coaxing us to contribute our people and resources, you didn't say it would be like this, did you?
We've been played!
The Third Hokage was supposed to step down after the Ninja World War, but now he's using this upcoming event to atone for breaking his previous promises.
How shameless.
No wonder during the future Chunin Exams, Orochimaru was able to single-handedly kill the Hokage in the heart of Konoha without any interference.
It was as if all the major ninja clans had a tacit agreement to turn a blind eye.
Didn't they immediately take action after the Third Hokage's death, easily driving out Orochimaru and the Sand Ninja?
Even Jiraiya had arrived early, but he just watched as his teacher died, revealing the depth of the conspiracy.
Nevertheless, Sarutobi Hashirama's move was truly ingenious.
He used the Hokage position, which he was going to lose anyway, to give the ninja clans a sense of closure.
By weakening these clans, he indirectly enhanced the authority of the Hokage, making it a profitable move.
Of course, playing this way would naturally tarnish his reputation among the major ninja clans.
But it didn't matter; he was about to step down from the Hokage position, so his reputation wasn't as important as before.
"This is the peace agreement!"
Mizuharumon Flame presented the already-reached agreement for everyone to read.
Each person who finished reading silently and calmly passed it to the next person.
As for those who weren't sitting at the conference table but leaning against the wall, they, of course, had no right to see this document.
Finally.
When the scroll reached Dohei's hands, he curiously examined it.
Agreements between ninjas were naturally less complex than those between nations, being straightforward and simple.
In summary.
The Cloud and Stone Ninja admitted that Konoha was the victor and symbolically offered compensation as a price for their invasion, returning everything to the state before the Ninja World War.
Indeed, after reading this agreement, Dohei truly admired Sarutobi Hashirama.
To agree to such terms, was he too comfortable in the Hokage position?
With the village suffering such heavy losses, they were counting on compensation to make up for it.
But you only brought back a ceasefire agreement?
What about the ninjas who died and the resources lost?
So, it was no wonder everyone remained silent.
If it weren't for the presence of so many powerful ninjas, someone might have thought that their Hokage had fallen under the illusion of the two great ninja villages.
This agreement clearly rendered all their sacrifices meaningless.
After everyone had finished reading the agreement.
Bang!!
Someone slammed their hand on the table and stood up.
Countless eyes turned to the person, curious to know who was so bold.
"No, Hashirama, I disagree with this agreement!"
Danzo's face showed his reluctance to accept.
Indeed, he had great ambitions for the Hokage position, but he never thought of being weak in the face of external threats.
He was the village's martial arts expert and would never compromise.
In his view, in this Ninja World War, Konoha, as the victor, should demand compensation from the defeated to make up for their losses.
If they lost and suffered heavy losses, and then won but still suffered heavy losses, wouldn't it be a pointless victory?
It's no wonder that Root had so many die-hard fans, at least when it came to external affairs, Danzo was truly resolute.
"Danzo, for the sake of peace, we have no choice but to compromise!"
Saimon could only appease Danzo, precisely because he knew Danzo would never agree, which was why he hadn't informed him during the negotiations.
He was well aware of the consequences of his actions.
But he was even more certain of one thing.
The Leaf Village couldn't continue fighting.
If the terms offered were too harsh, neither the Stone Village nor the Cloud Village would accept them, and the flames of war would ignite once more.
Even if he knew that the Leaf Village might not be the first to falter, he wasn't willing to take that risk.
It could be said that both men were justified in their respective positions.
"No one will be willing to accept this peace agreement!"
Danzo clenched his teeth in response.
Even though he was the leader of Root, he dared to privately confront the other party, but this was a public occasion, and the pressure he endured was unimaginable.
"Danzo, I am the Hokage!"
Saimon placed his hands on the table and delivered a classic statement, silencing Danzo's subsequent words.
Yes, the Hokage held the highest authority in the village.
Therefore, no matter how many reasons Danzo had or how reasonable his arguments were, he couldn't defy the Hokage's orders.
Perhaps this was also why he was so obsessed with the Hokage position.
He dreamed of becoming the Hokage and saying to his friend, 'Saimon, I am the Hokage.'
And this statement was less directed at Danzo and more towards the various ninja clans present.
Regardless of their dissatisfaction and anger, since Saimon, as the Hokage, had made a decision, they had no choice but to obey.
It could be said that from this moment on, he, as the Third Hokage, had alienated the various ninja clans.
No wonder they wanted Naruto Uzumaki to take the stage.
If Orochimaru had become Hokage, their Hokage lineage would have surely suffered, especially the families behind the F4.
Orochimaru didn't care about relationships; he only valued contributions and abilities.
Next, none of the ninja clans spoke up, expressing their anger and dissatisfaction through silence.
"After we reach a peace agreement with the Sand Village and the Mist Village, I will step down from the Hokage position!"
Saimon ended the meeting with these words.
In summary, this meeting only had two outcomes: the peace agreement and the Hokage election.
In the eyes of the various ninja clans, Saimon had betrayed them by not acting in their interests.
But from the perspective of others, Saimon was willing to give up the Hokage position to suppress the ninja clans.
It was truly in line with the 'Flame Will.'
If they didn't know the truth about the Saimon clan.
Damn!
The ones who profited the most were the few elder advisors and the Saimon clan.
But during the Ninja World War, these private ninja forces used the excuse of 'protecting the Leaf Village' to serve as the final reserve team.
Even if the common ninjas, villagers, and minor ninja clans weren't aware of this, the major ninja clans certainly were.
The major ninja clans' dissatisfaction and anger stemmed not only from the unfulfilled promises but also from Saimon's 'double standards.'
After leaving the Hokage Tower.
"This is truly interesting!"
Dong Ping reflected on the meeting, finding it genuinely amusing.
Watching Saimon outmaneuver the various ninja clans, he now understood why the future Chunin Exam would lead to the Hokage's untimely death.
"Indeed, it's very interesting!"
Hyuga Cangyue nodded in agreement.
Yes, nothing could be more absurd and entertaining than this.
For her, this dark and hopeless village could become whatever it wanted.
"It's bound to get even more interesting!"
Dong Ping knew that today was just the beginning; there would be more developments regarding the Hokage election, and that's when things would get truly fascinating.
Currently, Orochimaru wasn't in a state where he would sacrifice everything for his research.
At this moment, he genuinely wanted to become the Hokage and transform into the wind that would drive the Leaf Village forward.
Knowing what was about to unfold in the village, Dong Ping naturally had no rush to return.
After all, he would be researching either way, so he might as well stay in the Leaf Village and enjoy the show.
(End of Chapter)
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