"Naruto: Ice God"Chapter 115: Decay and Rebirth
Danzō acted swiftly.
Just as he had arranged for Feng Bai and the others to return to Konoha's position, that very night a noble family in a certain town—one possessing mining rights—was raided by mountain bandits.
A vast clan of several hundred was slaughtered to the last, leaving only an infant in swaddling clothes as the sole survivor.
As for the samurai who served as the nobles' personal guards—
They were reduced to ash along with the grand estate.
The only fortunate thing was that the common people surrounding the estate suffered no real harm; the fire was conveniently controlled by Konoha ninja before it could spread to the civilian quarters.
In the end, with a steward's assistance, the family's sole survivor successfully inherited the clan's authority and immediately dispatched a mining expedition to the Land of Rain.
Not a single person found this suspicious.
In these chaotic times, nobles' lives were indeed frequently threatened, and against the unpredictable methods of ninja, the samurai who had served noble families for generations seemed so fragile.
Apart from the daimyō himself, who enjoyed free protection from Konoha, all other nobles had to hire ninja bodyguards at their own expense.
Of course, Feng Bai remained unaware of these developments. After delivering Yahiko and the others' letters and contact information to Jiraiya, he set out with his squad on the journey back to Konoha.
Danzō also withdrew Root from the Land of Rain, abandoning his plans to move against Akatsuki.
However, when he returned to Konoha ahead of Feng Bai, filled with joy at discovering his son shared his ideals, he quickly received another piece of "good news" from Hiruzen.
Hiruzen had successfully persuaded Ōnoki, securing unconditional peace between both sides in exchange for not pursuing Iwagakure's responsibility.
The war with Iwagakure had officially ended.
"This is an insult to those who sacrificed their lives, Hiruzen! I absolutely cannot accept these terms!"
Slamming his palm on the desk, Danzō once again expressed his dissatisfaction with Hiruzen's decision.
His outburst quickly drew the displeasure of the other two advisors.
"Danzō, regardless of anything else, Hiruzen is the Hokage. You're being far too disrespectful!"
The two repeatedly emphasized that while they didn't oppose Danzō questioning Hiruzen's decisions, they absolutely would not tolerate his discourteous attitude.
But Danzō completely ignored the two advisors expressing their displeasure, his gaze fixed directly on Hiruzen.
"Continuing the war would be fatal for an exhausted Konoha as well. This compromise is necessary for peace."
Hiruzen's expression remained calm, clearly having anticipated Danzō's challenge. "Moreover, I will take responsibility for this matter."
He had already made all preparations; what remained was letting events unfold according to his plan.
"How do you intend to take responsibility?"
Danzō maintained his aggressive stance.
"I will resign from the position of Third Hokage and yield it to the Fourth."
Hiruzen's words struck everyone present like lightning.
The room fell into stunned silence.
...
"I see. So you recalled Sakumo to the village for this purpose?"
After the two advisors departed, Danzō, though still somewhat indignant, spoke in a much gentler tone than before.
"That's correct. I've already spoken with him—he'll assume the Fourth Hokage position. I trust you won't object?"
Holding his pipe, Hiruzen gazed at his seat in the distance, feeling no attachment whatsoever.
"Hmph, your departure will bring new life to Konoha's decay. How could I possibly object?"
Danzō closed his eyes, lifted the teacup from the desk, inhaled the tea's aroma, and spoke quietly.
"That's perfect then." Seeing Danzō's reaction fall within expectations, Hiruzen finally relaxed. What he needed to do next was gradually guide the old generation away from the center of power.
The most difficult among them would be the man before him.
Though Root was officially listed as having sixteen members, Hiruzen had long confirmed through various channels that his old friend controlled far more power than the limits he'd been assigned.
Yet for the village's sake, he had refrained from intervening all these years.
Now, with power about to transition to the new generation of Hokage, he had to find ways to limit Danzō's strength.
His only bargaining chip was naturally his youngest disciple.
After finishing his tea, Danzō left the room without looking back.
"Next comes Kumogakure and Kirigakure."
Having resolved the most troublesome Iwagakure, Hiruzen's next task was to completely drive out the Kirigakure ninja entrenched at the borders.
Meanwhile, at Konoha's gates.
Feng Bai and his group finally returned to the village.
"Sakumo-uncle?"
Before even entering the village, he spotted a familiar figure standing at the gate.
"Dad?"
Kakashi also noticed the figure and hurried after Feng Bai.
"It's been so long, Feng Bai. Many years have passed since we last met." Sakumo smiled as he reached out to pat the now-taller Feng Bai's head.
Still that same gentle smile and familiar touch—Feng Bai showed a genuine smile in return.
Seeing his father focus entirely on Feng Bai while ignoring him, Kakashi felt somewhat disgruntled but couldn't show it, standing there dumbly, true to his name.
"Oh right, Sakumo-uncle, look—I've taken excellent care of Kakashi! I didn't disappoint you!"
Suddenly remembering Sakumo's biological son behind him, Feng Bai proudly pulled Kakashi forward.
"Who's taking care of whom?"
Kakashi's face darkened as he muttered, stepping up to Sakumo.
"You've worked hard during this time, Kakashi."
Even after years of separation, Sakumo managed to control his emotions well, though his slightly reddened eyes betrayed his true feelings.
"Hmph, it was indeed hard work—having to look after two idiots."
Kakashi put on a smug expression. Even with his mask, Feng Bai could discern his true thoughts. Not caring that Sakumo was right there, Feng Bai threw a punch.
"Smug Kakashi, what are you saying! I'm your captain!"
"Damn you, Feng Bai, stop right there!"
"Nyah nyah, I won't stop—catch me if you can!"
Watching their playful banter, Sakumo chuckled, dispelling some of the melancholy in his heart.
"Sakumo-uncle, now that you're back, you won't have to leave again, right?"
After freezing every part of Kakashi except his head, Feng Bai finally remembered to ask about Sakumo's return.
"That's right."
Recalling Hiruzen's instructions, Sakumo nodded. Indeed, barring unforeseen circumstances, he wouldn't be leaving the village for quite some time.
Provided he could get past the daimyō's scrutiny.
After all, his previous mission's failure might very well have made the daimyō remember him.
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