Chapter 68: Cursing Out the Third Hokage — Relics of a Bygone Era Should Stop Embarrassing Themselves!
"The Uchiha clan really is full of talents."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Sasuke standing on the arena, a hint of emotion in his voice.
When it came to the Uchiha, his feelings were mixed—love and hate. Love, because their strength added to Konoha's military might. Hate, because their strength was also a threat.
In recent years, no matter where they were—whether at the academy or on the battlefield—the Uchiha always stood at the top.
At first, Hiruzen hadn't been too worried. Before he retook the Hokage position, he believed he could suppress the Uchiha with his own power, especially with the likes of the Sannin, Danzo, and Minato supporting the village.
No matter how strong the Uchiha were, he hadn't feared them.
So back then, he had no thoughts of suppressing them.
Later, when he realized the Uchiha were becoming harder to control and noticed unrest among other clans, Hiruzen knew he had to step down. He handed the position to Minato Namikaze.
But the Nine-Tails' Attack changed everything.
Minato died, and the fact that the Sharingan could control tailed beasts was dragged back into the spotlight.
After retaking the Hokage seat, Hiruzen understood that if the Uchiha weren't reined in, he might eventually lose control.
Thus, he tacitly approved Danzo's various underhanded schemes against the Uchiha.
Yet now, looking back, the Uchiha hadn't weakened under their suppression. Instead, their geniuses only became more prominent.
Hiruzen still held great strength, but he feared their youth.
Deep down, he knew—if he just stepped down and let an Uchiha take the Hokage seat, all these problems would vanish.
But he couldn't.
Partly because of the influence of Tobirama Senju.
Partly because of his own deep-rooted bias.
The Uchiha weren't "his people."
There was no way he would hand over power to them.
"Konoha has always been the cradle of geniuses."
Renji said with a chuckle. Just as Hiruzen was about to agree politely, Renji's next words almost made him lose control of his expression.
"There was once the White Fang of Konoha, the Sannin, Minato Namikaze, Hiashi Hyuga... But sadly, they either died for the village, left due to disappointment, or were driven to death. Weren't they all from civilian or other clan backgrounds?"
Were the Uchiha talented?
Yes.
But Konoha had no shortage of other talents either.
Jiraiya might have been dead last at the academy, but after graduation, he showed astonishing talent—after all, he was the only one among the Sannin to master Sage Mode.
Goddammit.
What a lineup!
One Sannin was forced out, two left in disappointment. White Fang was driven to suicide. Minato died using the Reaper Death Seal. Hiashi Hyuga made compromises after enormous pressure.
Was Renji incapable of speaking normally!?
"Heh, the Fourth Hokage's death isn't unrelated to your Uchiha clan!"
Danzo suddenly interrupted coldly.
He knew, in truth, that he himself bore some responsibility.
But the Nine-Tails' Attack? He swore he wasn't involved.
Though Danzo had wished Minato dead, he hadn't orchestrated that disaster. To this day, he didn't know who leaked the information.
And when the masked man appeared and controlled the Nine-Tails with Sharingan, everyone—despite Fugaku's desperate explanations—refused to fully believe the Uchiha's innocence.
It was a fact Danzo constantly used to attack the Uchiha.
"Sharingan isn't something only the Uchiha possess, right, Danzo-dono?"
Renji turned his gaze toward Danzo's arm.
An arm full of stolen Uchiha eyes.
Seeing Renji's look, Danzo shivered slightly inside and began to panic.
Had Renji found out?
If this secret got exposed, it wouldn't just implicate the Uchiha. It would enrage the entire village, especially other clans with bloodline limits.
"Aside from Kakashi, who else?"
Danzo said blandly.
"Who knows?"
Renji's casual response made Danzo even more uneasy.
Renji must know something.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have said it this way.
He probably hadn't gathered enough evidence yet.
"Getting impatient to make a move?"
Renji glanced at Danzo and muttered inwardly.
He had deliberately provoked Danzo to force him into action.
But Renji wasn't worried.
Danzo's arm full of Sharingan was enough proof.
Even if Danzo didn't attack first, Renji could crush him later—and drag Hiruzen down with him.
He just wanted to maximize his gains first.
"Danzo, enough!"
Hiruzen quickly interrupted, stopping Danzo from spouting any more nonsense.
They weren't here to bicker.
Though displeased, Danzo fell silent, his hatred for the Uchiha deepening further.
Seeing Danzo quiet down, Hiruzen turned back to Renji and asked urgently, "Patriarch Renji, you said you're here to resolve the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha. What are your thoughts?"
Whether to stall or to uncover Renji's true intentions,
Hiruzen now desperately needed to talk.
"It's very simple. Why doesn't Hokage-sama abdicate and let someone from the Uchiha clan become Hokage? Wouldn't that resolve all the tension?"
"Impossible!!! How could the Uchiha become Hokage!!!"
Before Hiruzen could even speak, Danzo immediately exploded in rage.
Becoming Hokage had always been Danzo's lifelong ambition. After the Fourth Hokage died, he thought it would finally be his turn.
But instead, Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to power.
Danzo figured if he could just outlive Hiruzen, he might still have a shot.
However, if Renji from the Uchiha clan became Hokage, then Danzo could forget about ever achieving his dream.
Combined with his prejudice against the Uchiha, Danzo naturally would never allow an Uchiha to become Hokage.
"So, Hokage-sama, you think the same way?"
Renji ignored Danzo and focused on Hiruzen. At this point, he wasn't afraid of either of them anymore.
He simply needed a pretext to make a move.
He wasn't just aiming to solve the current crisis—he intended to become Hokage himself. Thus, it was necessary to polish his reputation a little.
Otherwise, if he just wanted to kill them, he could act immediately.
"Hokage is a title anyone can aspire to," Hiruzen said with his usual kind demeanor, "but if you wish to be Hokage, you must gain the recognition of the majority of the village."
His tone was polite, seemingly supportive, but his real meaning was obvious: even if Hiruzen agreed, it wouldn't matter without the village's approval.
It was his classic tactic.
"Funny, isn't it? Back then, didn't the Second Hokage appoint you directly? It's just a pity that some people spend their whole lives falling short by just a little."
Renji's words hit like a slap across Hiruzen and Danzo's faces.
Ignoring their sour expressions, Renji stood up and slowly walked toward the edge of the platform, speaking casually as he went:
"Whether you approve or not, I will step forward. The title of Hokage isn't anyone's private property. If you're incapable, step down while you can still enjoy some respect. You're old enough already."
Behind him, even the two old men, normally so composed, couldn't help but clench the arms of their chairs.
"Renji, why exactly did you invite us here?"
"Of course, to declare war."
Renji's voice was calm.
"The relationship between the Uchiha and you people has deteriorated to this point. Did you really think I would beg for peace like Fugaku?
The truth is, your era is already over. Relics of the past like you shouldn't embarrass yourselves any further."
Renji looked toward the arena where Sasuke had just defeated the examiner—a true Genin-level ninja.
Sasuke's face lit up with rare excitement as he looked up at the stands, his gaze seemingly asking, 'Sensei, did I make you proud?'
The pride of youth burst forth.
Renji smiled and nodded at Sasuke, clapping his hands.
"Third Hokage, it seems we've won."
Won?
Hiruzen felt a moment of daze, but then a rare killing intent flickered in his eyes.
Only now did he realize that he had always underestimated Renji.
Renji was never going to be another Fugaku, someone he could manipulate.
Now, two paths lay before them:
Either abdicate and hand over the Hokage seat to the Uchiha.
Or fight the Uchiha and annihilate them.
And it seemed the choice was no longer theirs to offer—it had been seized from their hands.
But even now, Hiruzen hesitated.
Was he truly just a relic of a bygone era?
"Konoha will not be threatened by the Uchiha! If you dare act against the village's interests, the other clans won't just stand by and watch!"
Danzo roared, unable to contain his fury.
There were no other ninja present, so both sides could speak freely.
Danzo could no longer endure Renji's arrogance.
As expected, the Uchiha needed to be wiped out!
"Danzo-dono, haven't you damaged Konoha's interests enough already?"
Renji turned and coldly stared at Danzo.
"You've collaborated with Orochimaru. You disobeyed the Hokage's orders during wartime and prevented us Uchiha from aiding the front lines. Your Shimura clan has exploited your position to gobble up Konoha's resources. And now, you have the gall to accuse the Uchiha of harming the village? Who's the real parasite of Konoha?"
Every word was a blade, stabbing into Danzo's heart.
Because everything Renji said was true.
He was merely recounting Danzo's sins, nothing more.
"Enough!"
Hiruzen finally spoke, his voice low and heavy.
"Renji, I just want to know—are these your personal opinions or the stance of the entire Uchiha clan? I believe we should discuss this calmly. Konoha must not fall into internal chaos."
He knew.
He finally realized that things had spun out of control.
The Uchiha clan was on the verge of open rebellion.
Hiruzen regretted not listening to Danzo earlier.
But even now, he hesitated. Because fighting the Uchiha meant weakening Konoha—and even more, it meant risking destruction at a vulnerable moment.
Yet he also remembered Danzo's words: the other villages were all embroiled in their own problems. No one had time to strike Konoha now.
This was the best opportunity.
So—should they fight or not?
"I've made it very clear," Renji said coolly. "There are only two choices.
This isn't just my will. It's the will of the entire Uchiha clan.
You've clung to your seat long enough. The roots of Konoha have already rotted, and this great tree will collapse sooner or later. You can't hold it up any longer."
If Hiruzen chose to step down, Renji could spare him.
But if he refused, then he would die alongside Danzo.
There was no room for fossils like them in the future Konoha.
And the two elders would be dealt with as well.
"I understand. I'll consider it."
Hiruzen nodded and forced himself to maintain composure.
Now was not the time to tear the facade apart.
He needed time—to gather allies and plot carefully.
"Congratulations. Your Uchiha have produced another genius."
Hiruzen smiled as if nothing had happened, standing up politely.
Such deep scheming—even Renji had to admit it.
"Isn't he also a genius of Konoha?"
"True. Well, I won't disturb you further. I have official duties to attend to."
"I won't see you out."
Renji nodded calmly, watching Hiruzen and Danzo leave.
His goal had been achieved.
When he glanced toward Hyuga Hiashi's position, Hiashi returned a firm nod.
While Danzo had been distracted arguing with Renji, Hiashi had activated the Byakugan and noticed abnormalities in Danzo's chakra flow—especially on his arm and near his eye.
Although he quickly deactivated his ability to avoid being detected,
Hiashi confirmed it:
Danzo had indeed transplanted Sharingan.
This discovery fully solidified his decision to join Renji's plan to overthrow Hiruzen.
(End of Chapter)
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