flstandardbreds Chapter 12, Mission 1 Completed
Chapter 12, Mission 1 Completed
Fugaku Uchiha arrived late with his security team, but he was there to comfort the evacuated civilians, so it was normal for him to be late.
"Clan Chief Fugaku, do you know..." Upon meeting, Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Fugaku with a meaningful look and asked.
Fugaku Uchiha hurriedly protested his innocence: "Third Hokage, you've really misunderstood! I was just following the Fourth Hokage's orders. He told me there would be attackers tonight, and the guards also received special intelligence that the attackers might be of Uchiha blood and were plotting to control the Nine-Tails!"
"Look! You see, the Nine-Tails is still under control. Those huge Mangekyou Sharingan pupils are no joke! I'm more panicked than anyone else! What if the First Hokage misunderstands? I swear to God, I didn't know the First Hokage was here before this!"
"You have to trust us! The Uchiha clan and Konoha are absolutely of one mind! We are utterly loyal to the village!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips twitched wildly, but he didn't make things difficult for Fugaku Uchiha. Even if he could see that Fugaku Uchiha was hiding some information, he had no reason to do anything now, because the Uchiha clan had contributed and made contributions tonight by evacuating civilians in time and preventing large-scale losses.
On the contrary, he was like a headless fly, running around everywhere, and finally arrived here, only to be late.
"I never expected... that Minato would actually bring out the First Hokage." Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, shook his head, and stopped thinking about it. Well, he wasn't really greedy for power anyway; he was just worried that Minato was too young and wouldn't be able to manage Konoha. Now, it was a perfectly reasonable reason for him to retire!
Wait, speaking of which, what about Minato?
Just as he was thinking this, Minato Namikaze teleported and appeared in front of him.
"Third Hokage, I'm sorry, the mastermind has escaped." Minato Namikaze said with a wry smile, "That guy's Mangekyou Sharingan is a space-time ninjutsu, so we still couldn't catch him."
"It's alright, Minato, you've worked hard! Biwako told me about your experiences, and you did a great job. Also, you're the Hokage now, so you don't need to report to me anymore!" Hiruzen Sarutobi comforted him earnestly.
"Ah? Yes!" Minato Namikaze naturally understood Hiruzen Sarutobi's implication, but now that it had actually happened, he couldn't help but feel a little melancholy. After thinking for a moment, he explained, "I'm sorry, Third Hokage, but the First Hokage forbade me from telling anyone about the First Hokage's return. Also, the news about the attackers came from him, and there's no legitimate source of information, so..."
"It's nothing." Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand and shook his head, saying, "These things are no longer important. What's important is the reconstruction of Konoha after this incident, and its subsequent impact!"
"Although I am indeed old, if there is still a chance for me to do my part for Konoha, then come find me!"
“…I understand.” Minato Namikaze was silent for a moment, then nodded in agreement. He then went to visit Kushina, as he had various tasks waiting for him afterward.
Staring in the direction where Minato Namikaze disappeared, Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a long time before finally laughing out loud: "Heh, looks like I'm really getting old. My old arms and legs aren't as nimble as they used to be!"
On the other hand, the sealing team encountered quite a bit of trouble!
Although Runtu was defeated and the control of the Mangekyou Sharingan was released, the problem is that such a large Nine-Tails can no longer be put back into Kushina's body.
Enraged, the First Hokage raised his foot at the Nine-Tails: "Can't you shrink yourself a little?"
"Hashirama Senju! Don't push your luck!" The Nine-Tails, bound into a ball with only its head showing, gritted its teeth and said, "If I weren't weaker than you, I would have shown you why flowers are so red! You can't bully people like this!"
Before the First Hokage could say anything more, Minato Namikaze arrived and calmed him down. After learning the whole story, he discussed it with Kushina and decided to split the Nine-Tails in two. One half was resealed into Kushina's body, and the other half was sealed into his son, Naruto.
Well, it's fairly close to the original work.
Li Muyang watched the whole thing from the sidelines. He had already given Kushina enough life force, and when he had nothing else to do, he would just check where there were injured people and give them a little healing.
Even so, the Night of the Nine-Tailed Fox ended in a disappointing way.
Afterwards, the changes in Konoha's leadership had little to do with Li Muyang. In any case, he considered himself a passerby, and he would return after the mission was over. At most, he could stay for another two days.
Anyway, no one knew that this series of changes was related to him. Those in the know were all in sync and concealed Li Muyang's existence even without consulting each other.
During this time period, no one paid any attention to him.
Even though the First Hokage repeatedly stated that he was just a dead man who had only returned for a few days and would soon return to the Pure Land, it was clear to everyone in Konoha that the First Hokage was on the Fourth Hokage's side.
Therefore, in just one day, the Konoha leadership could be said to have completed the transfer of power.
The First Hokage's reputation in Konoha was simply too great! No one dared to disobey his command.
Even though he didn't want to use his status to intimidate people, the two advisors wisely retired on their own initiative. Danzo, after hesitating for a while and seeing the First Hokage in person, was persuaded by Hiruzen Sarutobi and obediently retired.
We're getting old, it's time to step aside. If you keep holding us back like this, the First Generation Master might really have to talk to you!
According to Li Muyang's conversation with the Fourth Hokage, even without the First Hokage's interference, as long as he survived this time, he would have been able to regain the Hokage's power in no time. This was because during this period, he had been secretly searching for evidence of the elders' abuse of power, embezzlement, and bribery.
And the results are considerable!
Importantly, both consultants were aware of this!
That's why they withdrew so cleanly—they were afraid! They were afraid that Minato Namikaze would really expose them! In that case, they would not only have to withdraw, but also suffer a bad reputation.
As for Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi, they used their power for personal gain, but they didn't actually embezzle or accept bribes. The resources they used for personal gain were basically transferred to their subordinates and confidants, which can be considered as being used for the core strength of Konoha. Even within their clans, neither of them ever opened any back doors.
If it weren't for the fact that many of Danzo's Root activities were too shameful to be seen, Danzo wouldn't have retreated so decisively. He was also afraid that if the First Hokage saw what he had done, he would be so angry that he would kill his own family member in a fit of rage!
Well, they don't seem to have much of a relationship. Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others were both disciples of the Second Hokage, and were considered his juniors to the First Hokage.
Ahem, it's not that Danzo was clean, it's just that this guy really went astray in his pursuit of becoming Hokage! Fortunately, it's not too serious yet. The First Hokage was like a bucket of water, extinguishing the flames of his newly ignited Hokage dream.
Actually, Li Muyang was quite happy to be able to kill him. The problem was that he couldn't kill him now, and he didn't care too much. After all, Li Muyang wasn't a local. Being too obsessed with killing Danzo was really meddling in other people's business. Besides, it would be unbelievable if Danzo could really retire and live a quiet life!
This time, we're giving face to the Third Hokage. If he gets caught again next time, who will be able to save Danzo? This time, even Root has been disbanded, and the seal that Danzo placed on the Root ninjas has also been erased. Even if he still has some confidants, there are only a few left, and they can't cause any big trouble!
With three high-ranking positions vacant, the various clans of Konoha were quite excited, except for the Uchiha clan, which remained relatively calm.
This incident made many arrogant members of the Uchiha clan much more obedient. They no longer dared to be arrogant or talk about splitting the village. The First Hokage's Top Transformation Buddha had completely woken them up. In front of the God of Shinobi, what are you?! You all have to bow your heads!
Especially this time, with the Nine-Tails still being controlled by the Mangekyou Sharingan and causing trouble, the entire Uchiha clan, except for Fugaku Uchiha who remained relatively calm, were in a panic! They were terrified that Hashirama Senju and the village would settle scores later.
But to everyone's surprise, Minato Namikaze and Hashirama Senju, despite their busy schedules, personally visited the Uchiha clan and highly praised Fugaku Uchiha, the clan head! Fugaku is a good comrade! He keeps up with the Hokage's pace! He follows orders diligently! He completed the mission perfectly! Excellent!
The first generation leader, in particular, bluntly stated, "I think the Fugaku clan leader has the bearing of an elder!"
The Uchiha clan was ecstatic! Could it be... that they were finally going to be part of the village's upper echelons?!
Clearly, this is conditional.
After a heated debate, the Uchiha clan opened up the selection process for the security force. In short, the security force was no longer limited to members of the Uchiha clan!
Conversely, the Uchiha clan also had the opportunity to join other departments in Konoha, and Fugaku Uchiha became one of the three new advisor elders.
While it may seem that the Uchiha clan has gained more influence in Konoha, it has actually divided the Uchiha clan. Originally, the Uchiha clan was surprisingly united in resisting the village and its unequal treaties, but now the Uchiha clan's composition has been instantly divided!
When there is a common enemy, it is easy to stand on the same front. But when that enemy is transformed or disappears, internal strife begins.
Overall, however, it was a relatively peaceful and satisfactory situation.
The remaining two advisory positions were given to Hyuga Hiashi and Nara Shikaku, one of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.
It has to be said that young people are efficient. Before Li Muyang even left, the appointment of the elders was already finalized. This is probably the fastest order ever issued by Konoha Village! It didn't give anyone else a chance to react!
Since Li Muyang had agreed with the Fourth and First Hokage not to get involved in these matters, he said goodbye. There was always a chance to meet again in the future. Li Muyang added Minato Namikaze and Hashirama Senju as friends. The Bureau's built-in chat system—now I understand why the artificial intelligence is called "Goose Boss"—it's really stingy!
Therefore, when Li Muyang returned home, only Kakashi, Might Guy, and Kushina, who was holding little Naruto, came to see him off. The little guy even waved and greeted Li Muyang.
Yes, Naruto was quite cute when he was little!