[Tobirama - Senju]: So I do know your character, Kakashi.
[Tobirama - Senju]: Previously, when I mentioned Kitahara Kaede becoming the Fifth Hokage and you acting as his secretary, that assessment was also based on how I see you.
[Tobirama - Senju]: When it comes to judging people...
Tobirama seemed to chuckle at himself.
[Tobirama - Senju]: I was never good at judging character in the past. But… I really hope this time I'm not wrong.
[Tobirama - Senju]: Kakashi, I'm entrusting my hopes to you all. If you harbor resentment or hatred toward Hiruzen, then go through with it.
[Tobirama - Senju]: But know this—I'm entrusting Konoha to you. Please don't let me down again.
[Kakashi Hatake]: Lord Second…
[Tobirama - Senju]: So, after the Chūnin Exams—assassinate Hiruzen.
[Tobirama - Senju]: Unlike Hiruzen, I'm decisive.
[Tobirama - Senju]: Cut through the mess with a swift blade. In troubled times, we need harsh measures. The great tree of Konoha has already begun to topple.
[Tobirama - Senju]: It's time for a change of leadership.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Hey… can you two quiet down? I can't hear what Danzo and Hiruzen are talking about.
"..."
[Tobirama - Senju]: Alright, Anija (big brother).
Indeed, it wasn't appropriate to discuss an assassination during a live broadcast.
Besides, if Kakashi were the one to kill Hiruzen, then Kitahara Kaede wouldn't be able to ascend to the Hokage position smoothly.
Thinking about it that way, they really did need to plan more carefully.
Back in the livestream:
Kitahara Kaede had followed Hiruzen and the others to the Valley of the End.
At the Valley stood two massive stone statues—one of the First Hokage and one of Uchiha Madara.
"This is where the First Hokage fought the ancestor of the Uchiha, Uchiha Madara," said Hiruzen.
"The First used Wood Release to defeat Madara."
"And Kitahara-kun…"
"I know your sense of belonging to Konoha isn't that strong…" Hiruzen continued.
[Descendant Chat Group (^_-)]
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: …
[Tobirama - Senju]: …
[Minato Namikaze]: …
[Future Mizukage - Mei Terumi]: Hahahahaha…
She had only meant to watch the drama unfold, but Mei couldn't help bursting out laughing.
Because…
While the Second Hokage was openly assigning Kakashi to assassinate Hiruzen, what was Hiruzen himself doing?
Saying things that would only push Kitahara Kaede away!
Let's be honest—Kitahara Kaede had resisted Mei's own flirtation. Yet Hiruzen, that idiot, was actively driving him away?
As expected…
The man who couldn't bring anything good to the village—or at least never succeeded in doing so—was the first to create enemies within it.
Tobirama was beginning to think that if Hiruzen stayed Hokage for two more years, Konoha might fall completely.
[Tobirama - Senju]: I nearly drew my Flying Thunder God Blade again.
[Tobirama Achievement - Izuna]: Don't mention those names.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Huh? What did Izuna say?
[Tobirama Achievement - Izuna]: When Tobirama killed me, it was with that technique.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Ah… that…
At this moment, Hiruzen was still talking.
"I know your loyalty to Konoha isn't strong…"
"But I watched you grow up."
"I know you wouldn't bring harm to Konoha."
"I trust in your power."
"Once, my teacher the Second Hokage entrusted Konoha to me."
"And now…"
"I hope to entrust the village to your generation."
"I've received intel—this time, the three children of the Kazekage and even the Kazekage himself are coming with hostile intent."
"They might pose a serious threat to Konoha."
"And as for the Sound Village… that's the village of my disloyal student, Orochimaru. He probably holds a grudge against me, and he might try to take my life during the Chūnin Exams."
"So…"
"If I die during this Chūnin Exam…"
"Then…"
"The village will be in your hands," Hiruzen said. "I believe in you. I believe in Naruto. I believe in Sasuke."
[Tobirama - Senju]: Fine. I'll sheath my blade for now.
[Cowardly - Ōnoki]: What's this Third Hokage up to?
[Cowardly - Ōnoki]: Playing the emotion card?
[Kakashi Hatake]: It's probably because I reported some things about Kitahara-kun. Then, after fighting with Danzo, Hiruzen learned more from him.
[Kakashi Hatake]: At the very least, he should now know that Kitahara-kun possesses the Rinnegan.
[Kakashi Hatake]: Even if he didn't guess that, Naruto and Sasuke reaching jōnin-level strength in just a few days is still insane.
[Kakashi Hatake]: No matter how you look at it, Kitahara-kun is from Konoha, so the Third is trying to win him over.
[Tobirama - Senju]: …
[Tobirama - Senju]: Hmph…
[Tobirama - Senju]: Looks like Hiruzen just saved his own life.
[Tobirama - Senju]: Kakashi, as I said—you still have every right to seek your own justice with Hiruzen.
[Tobirama - Senju]: But as for the assassination… let's postpone it.
[Tobirama - Senju]: Wait until…
[Kakashi Hatake]: You mean… after he steps down?
[Tobirama - Senju]: Exactly.
[Tobirama - Senju]: …Minato… are you planning… to attack Konoha?
[Minato Namikaze]: …
[Minato Namikaze]: …
[Minato Namikaze]: I'm not sure.
[Minato Namikaze]: But I want Naruto to live well.
[Minato Namikaze]: I've already failed him too much.
So… is he planning to attack Konoha just to make up for how he failed his son?
Even Tobirama, who had once given the green light to assassinate Hiruzen, couldn't remain indifferent about Naruto's mistreatment.
Though he had never married or had a lover, he did have a granddaughter—his brother's granddaughter, Tsunade.
If Tsunade had been treated like that…
Then to hell with the village—he'd plaster Explosive Tags on every house.
"I gave my life for this village, and that's how you treat my kin?"
[Tobirama - Senju]: Honestly… Hiruzen really is a fool.
[Man Who Kicked Madara with Eight Gates]: Why do you say that?
Might Guy joined the chat.
He had remained silent earlier, knowing how serious things got when the Second Hokage brought up Kakashi's past.
[Tobirama - Senju]: When I appointed Hiruzen as the Third Hokage, I told him this:
[Tobirama - Senju]: [Hiruzen, starting tomorrow, you'll be the Third Hokage.]
[Tobirama - Senju]: [Protect and guard those who believe in you.]
[Tobirama - Senju]: [Then, raise the next generation you can entrust the future to.]
[Tobirama - Senju]: The key words were to protect and guard those who believe in you.
[Tobirama - Senju]: What does that say?
[Tobirama - Senju]: It means I never meant for him to suck up to those who don't trust him.
[Tobirama - Senju]: So…
[Tobirama - Senju]: I protected the Konoha that believed in its Hokage, the one that wanted to build peace together. Not some nonsense version of Konoha.
[Tobirama - Senju]: Hiruzen was far too soft as Hokage!
[Tobirama - Senju]: If we can't change the leadership, then maybe it's time to change the villagers.
·····
Meanwhile…
On Black Zetsu's side.
He had arrived at his destination.
Wearing Anbu attire, and with Danzo summoned elsewhere, the Root members wouldn't be mobilized.
He had assumed he'd have to fight—which wasn't his strength—but it turned out unnecessary. Black Zetsu made it to Kitahara Kaede's apartment without trouble.
He landed silently on the windowsill.
Peering inside, he saw someone had previously staked out here for a long time—probably Yamato.
He had planned to come last night, but some idiot Anbu had been guarding the place non-stop, so he had to retreat.
Now, he had his chance.
With Kitahara Kaede taken away by Hiruzen and the others, this might be his only opportunity to meet his mother!
Black Zetsu quietly opened the window and leapt inside.
His eyes landed on a ninja rabbit beneath the table—judging by its posture, it had just hopped down to retrieve a book that had fallen.
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Chapter 100+ on patreon.com/dzeref887