Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 268: Forcing the Hokage's Abdication

Following recent events, under Tonari's directive, the detained Root members cooperated fully with the ANBU's interrogations and investigations.

Since most of them were simply following orders rather than acting out of personal intent, the ANBU found no substantial evidence to convict them. One by one, they were released.

Meanwhile, under Hiruzen Sarutobi's orders, a thorough investigation of the original Root base was conducted.

What they found was shocking.

The sheer volume of evidence uncovered regarding Danzo's crimes was overwhelming, further discrediting his reputation. But at the same time, it dealt a severe blow to Hiruzen and his administration.

The people of Konoha, already disillusioned, began to question their leadership more than ever.

When Hiruzen read the reports, his face darkened.

He had always known that Danzo operated in the shadows, conducting morally questionable actions under the pretext of "protecting the village."

But even he had not imagined the extent of Danzo's depravity.

Among the files were records of illicit intelligence exchanges between Root and foreign nations, including confidential data traded with enemy villages.

There were hundreds of classified mission dossiers, so numerous they filled entire bookshelves.

The most damning of all—evidence that Danzo had deliberately leaked information about Tonari to the Third Raikage, leading to the failed assassination attempt at the Hot Spring Country battlefield.

This revelation completely absolved Tonari of any suspicion and solidified his reputation among the people.

To capitalize on this, Tonari had Root operatives spread rumors that the Sharingan in his possession was forced upon him by Danzo as part of an inhumane experiment.

Hiruzen did not believe these claims—if Danzo had truly forced this upon Tonari, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths to frame him.

But whether Hiruzen believed it or not no longer mattered.

The people of Konoha believed it.

With public opinion overwhelmingly on his side, Tonari had not only cemented his position as a hero, but had also completely eliminated any doubt about his legitimacy.

At this point, whenever an issue arose, Konoha's citizens simply blamed Danzo—the perfect scapegoat.

And Hiruzen could do nothing about it.

Danzo himself had wielded public manipulation as a tool for years, and now, that same strategy was being used against him.

With Danzo's fall, Tonari's reputation had soared to new heights. He was no longer just the Masked Cat of Konoha—he was now known as Tonari of the Wood Release, a potential successor to the First Hokage.

The people rallied behind him.

But Hiruzen was not ready to give up.

For days, he wrestled with doubt, uncertainty, and increasing pressure from within the village.

Encouraged by Koharu and Homura, he resolved to block Tonari's path to the Hokage position at all costs.

They feared what would happen if Tonari gained absolute power.

Would he send them to the front lines out of revenge?

Would he purge the old administration entirely?

They had seen what happened to Danzo.

They could not allow it to happen to them.

For the sake of Konoha, they needed to prevent Tonari from becoming Hokage.

They placed their hopes on Minato Namikaze—a shinobi with both immense talent and a kind heart, someone easy to control.

But reality was cruel.

While Konoha's internal strife intensified, the outside world was erupting into chaos.

And Tonari had been watching closely.

From atop a distant cliff, Tonari observed the battlefield unfold.

He had anticipated this moment.

The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, led over 10,000 Iwagakure ninja in a surprise attack on the Cloud Village's forces.

They caught the Cloud ninja completely off guard.

Danzo's actions—sending false intelligence to the Raikage—had played a critical role in ensuring Iwagakure's betrayal.

While the Third Raikage had boasted of an alliance with Iwagakure, Ōnoki had secretly been negotiating his own terms.

Faced with a crippling economic burden from prolonged warfare, Iwagakure had sought a way out.

And Danzo's deal with them had provided the perfect excuse.

What followed was a legendary battle.

The Third Raikage stood alone, blocking 10,000 Iwagakure shinobi to buy time for his forces to retreat.

For three days and three nights, he fought without rest—his impenetrable body enduring countless attacks.

Ultimately, his legendary endurance ran out. He fell, but not before inflicting devastating losses on the Iwagakure army.

By the time the newly appointed Fourth Raikage, A, arrived at the battlefield, the Iwagakure forces had already suffered catastrophic casualties.

Still, Ōnoki, recognizing the tactical blunder, ordered a full retreat.

The new Fourth Raikage, standing before his father's lifeless body, had grown up overnight.

He had gained wisdom through tragedy.

He had learned the harsh lessons of war.

Instead of recklessly pursuing revenge, he called back his forces and fortified his borders.

Tonari, watching from a distance, sighed in mild disappointment.

He had hoped A would let his emotions cloud his judgment, leading to an all-out battle between the two weakened factions.

Instead, the Fourth Raikage had chosen restraint.

"Well… that just means Iwagakure is officially out of the war," Tonari murmured.

With Iwagakure withdrawing, the war was now between Konoha, the weakened Cloud Village, and Sunagakure.

"And now…"

His eyes glowed ominously.

"…Sarutobi has to explain to the people why he signed an alliance with Iwagakure."

With a flicker, Tonari vanished, teleporting back to Konoha.

Tonari walked directly into Hiruzen's office.

Koharu and Homura's faces twisted in hatred at his arrival.

But Tonari ignored them.

The only person in the room who mattered was Hiruzen.

The old Hokage looked tired—his once-firm posture slightly slumped, his hands trembling slightly as he put down a mission scroll.

The weight of the past few days had aged him further.

Hiruzen slowly raised his head, his weathered eyes locking onto Tonari's.

For a moment, the office was silent.

Finally, the Third Hokage spoke.

"You already know, don't you?"

Tonari nodded calmly.

"You signed a peace treaty with Iwagakure," he said matter-of-factly.

Hiruzen sighed.

"Yes."

There was no point denying it.

Tonari took a seat—completely unbothered by the seething stares of Koharu and Homura.

Then, with a tone of finality, he said:

"Hiruzen Sarutobi… your time is over."

Koharu shot up from her chair.

"INSOLENT CHILD! Do you have any idea—"

"Silence," Tonari said, not even sparing her a glance.

Koharu froze, her body trembling in rage and fear.

Tonari turned back to Hiruzen.

"The people want an explanation," he continued, "but more than that—they want a change."

"Step down, Hiruzen."

Hiruzen took a deep, slow breath.

He looked at Tonari for a long time.

Finally, he exhaled.

And then…

He smiled—a tired, bitter smile.

"So this is how it ends…"

Tonari's lips curled upward.

"Yes."

"For Konoha's future… it must."

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