Politics is fundamentally about mutual compromise and the art of problem-solving. However, for ninjas, it often turns into a brute game of eliminating those who cause problems.
Yoruha sighed, "Lord Third, if Sasuke finds out the truth, how do you think I should handle it?" The Third Hokage gave a wry smile, "As long as it doesn't threaten the safety of Konoha, I'll support whatever solution you choose."
Minato remained silent, deeply doubting the Third's capabilities after the Uchiha clan massacre. It wasn't just the massacre itself, but the fact that there should have been a better solution.
The Third could have handled it, but his indulgence towards Danzo, or rather the Konoha leadership, led to the worst outcome. Minato had previously trusted the Third's governance skills.
He never expected him to do something so thoughtless. Naturally, the Third realized this issue too, but now that he's gone, it can only be left to the successors to deal with. Yoruha was speechless upon hearing the Third's words.
"If I were you, I would have dealt with it back then. But since it's already happened, there's no way to resolve it now." "We can only push someone to take the blame. If I'm not mistaken, Lord Third, you want Danzo to bear it, right?" The Third remained silent. Although he still had some camaraderie with Danzo, he knew that Danzo had to face the consequences for this matter.
As Yoruha once said, the Hokage must not have too many blemishes. The villagers shouldn't have excessive doubts about the Hokage. Minato didn't speak, but he agreed with Yoruha.
The blame could only be placed on Danzo. After all, he was the one who ordered the Uchiha clan's massacre. Although the Third didn't stop it and had some responsibility for oversight, it wasn't enough to severely damage his image.
Even if Sasuke found out, as long as Danzo was dealt with, he might hold some resentment towards the Third, but the Third is already dead. If Sasuke becomes the Sixth Hokage, for the sake of the previous Hokage's image, he would choose not to mention the Third's mistakes.
This was the best way to handle it. Yoruha thought so too. Once Sasuke learns the truth about the Uchiha massacre, Yoruha would definitely push Danzo forward.
Tsunade likely wouldn't have any objections. Even if the two Hokage advisors had opinions, they always stood with the Hokage, so they wouldn't say much.
The Third and Minato remained silent, and Yoruha understood their thoughts, saying, "Then let's do it this way. Fortunately, the main responsibility lies with Danzo and Itachi Uchiha, otherwise, it would be difficult to handle."
Although other Konoha leaders had issues, their mistakes weren't unforgivable. At that time, they could clear the Uchiha clan's name. Danzo would be the scapegoat.
For this reason, Sasuke was destined to become the Sixth Hokage as compensation. Fortunately, even without knowing about the Uchiha incident, Tsunade had already decided to let Sasuke succeed her. As for Naruto, unfortunately, he wasn't suited to be Hokage.
Yoruha continued, "Naruto has always wanted to become Hokage, but I'm afraid he won't have the chance."
Having been Hokage, he naturally understood the exchanges involved. "If Sasuke is more suitable, then it's only right for him to become Hokage. If Naruto wants to change this outcome, he can only work hard for it."
Yoruha nodded and said, "If Sasuke doesn't have the ability, I wouldn't support him. If Naruto has the ability, I would support him." The Third Hokage and Minato both nodded in agreement. However, the Third Hokage was well aware that Naruto had very little chance.
Minato didn't know Naruto very well, but the Third did. Given Naruto's personality, the gap between him and Sasuke was just too vast.
Previously, their potential was about the same, but now Sasuke's strength surpassed Naruto's. In fact, apart from Yoruha, Sasuke was currently the strongest.
Whether it was strength, ability, prestige, or the support of various factions within the village, Naruto couldn't compete with Sasuke, not even qualifying to do so. However, after hearing Yoruha's evaluation of the handling of the Uchiha clan back then, the Third realized just how wrong he had been.
Naturally, he felt a great sense of guilt towards Sasuke. If Sasuke had the ability but couldn't become the Sixth Hokage, he would feel ashamed even in the afterlife. But the Third looked at Yoruha and said, "It would be a pity for you, Yoruha, since you are more qualified than anyone to be Hokage."
Yoruha was momentarily surprised, then smiled and said, "I never intended to become Hokage. Even if I didn't know the truth about the Uchiha clan's massacre, I would still support Sasuke as Hokage. Now that I know the truth, I support him even more." Indeed, if Sasuke knew the truth and chose not to seek revenge against Konoha because of Yoruha, how could Yoruha not support him as Hokage?
He didn't want to deceive Sasuke into abandoning revenge; he hoped Sasuke would act according to his own thoughts.
Encouraging him to seek revenge was too cruel, but if eliminating Danzo alone could resolve the tragedy of the Uchiha clan's massacre, Yoruha would be more than willing to do it. Moreover, Danzo had indeed done many dirty deeds. His so-called actions for the sake of Konoha often harmed the village.
He wasn't acting for Konoha; he was acting for his own ambition to become Hokage. Even if it meant sacrificing many lives in Konoha, as long as he could become Hokage, he wouldn't care about others' lives. Could someone like that be absolved just by claiming it was for Konoha?
Yoruha believed that anyone with a sound mind wouldn't accept that. The Third Hokage also felt guilty, and with Yoruha around, Konoha wouldn't face any danger. It was Yoruha's evaluation of the Uchiha clan's massacre that made the Third fully trust that Yoruha would protect Konoha. Because Yoruha was rational.
Just as he had previously assessed Yoruha, Yoruha was a rational person. He believed that if Yoruha were Hokage, he would do a better job than he ever did. Precisely because Yoruha was rational, even knowing Sasuke harbored resentment towards Konoha, he would never allow Sasuke to destroy it.
Justice should be served where it's due; the Uchiha clan wasn't massacred by the rest of Konoha. Even if there were to be a reckoning, it wouldn't involve them. And because the Uchiha clan was massacred by Itachi Uchiha, the scope of revenge could be limited to just a few individuals.
This was the best way to handle that past mistake. Naturally, the Third Hokage was very supportive of Yoruha, but he still hoped Yoruha could become Hokage. In his view, Yoruha's abilities were exceptional, and his unmatched strength would be a great asset to Konoha as Hokage.
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