Konoha's Genius is a bit Ordinary?

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado felt a chill run down their spines.

After all, if they could investigate Danzō so thoroughly, it meant they could just as easily dig into their own affairs.

Fortunately, they hadn't crossed too many lines and had remained within a reasonable scope, so there wasn't much to worry about.

"Have you all finished reading?" Natsuro asked, noticing that Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado had put down the scroll.

"What do you intend to do with Danzō?" Koharu broke the silence after a brief pause.

"How to deal with him, huh?" Natsuro pondered for a moment before responding with a question of his own. "As advisors, shouldn't you have a clearer idea?"

As he spoke, Natsuro began counting on his fingers.

"First, Danzō attempted to harm members of the village. And not just any member, he targeted a future Hokage candidate. That's number one."

"Second, Danzō took nearly half of the village's reserve resources without authorization from the Hokage. That's number two."

"Third, Danzō defied a direct order from the Hokage to cease wood-style experiments. He secretly colluded with Orochimaru to continue these experiments and provided infants from both the village and surrounding areas for this purpose. That's number three."

"Lastly, I'm sure Danzō's transgressions don't stop there. So, by the laws of Konoha, how should Danzō be judged?" Natsuro concluded with a smile, tossing the question back to the three advisors.

The advisors fell silent again, while Tsunade leisurely sat nearby, sipping tea and enjoying the show.

Eventually, Koharu broke the silence. "Each one of these is punishable by death."

"Alright, then let's sentence Danzō to death," Natsuro said, glancing at Koharu and Homura.

Hearing this, both advisors turned their gaze to the Third Hokage. They had assumed he would intervene, but all they saw was him sitting with his eyes closed, his spirit seemingly drained.

Finally, Homura spoke up, pleading for leniency. "By the rules, his actions indeed warrant death. But Danzō has dedicated his life to Konoha. If nothing else, he has worked tirelessly. Couldn't we spare him the death penalty, seal his chakra completely, and imprison him in the high-security wing instead?"

"Hmm, that's a fair point," Natsuro nodded. Just as Koharu and Homura began to feel hopeful, Natsuro continued, "But what exactly are his contributions? Care to elaborate?"

His words were accompanied by a cold smile.

"Don't mention duties that come with his position, those count only as hard work, not merits. And hard work can offset, at most, one death penalty. Danzō, however, has committed three offenses."

Seeing the advisors fall silent again, Natsuro smirked. He had anticipated their pleas for Danzō.

Though Koharu and Homura, as shown in the original work, often approached problems rigidly, their decisions generally prioritized Konoha's well-being.

Even their decision to keep Naruto from returning during his sage training on Mount Myōboku might not have been entirely wrong.

From an omniscient perspective, Naruto was bound to defeat Pain. But from their standpoint, or even an ordinary person's perspective, their decision was not unreasonable. Unlike Danzō, who acted purely for his own interests.

However, their nostalgic attachment to Danzō was undeniable. Both age and sentimentality played a role. The same could be said for the Third Hokage.

As for Danzō? Well, considering he once attempted to assassinate the Third Hokage, nostalgia likely wasn't mutual…

This was why Natsuro had prepared so much evidence, to silence the advisors.

Glancing at the Third Hokage, who sat silently with his eyes closed, Natsuro wondered about his lack of intervention. Although the Third had assured Natsuro of his stance in private, Natsuro had still expected him to plead for Danzō publicly.

But since the Third remained silent, that was all the better, it would be less trouble for Natsuro.

"Any further objections?" Natsuro asked, breaking the silence in the meeting room once more.

"Hiruzen!" Koharu called out, addressing the Third Hokage directly.

Though he was now an advisor, his former position as Hokage and his closer relationships with both Tsunade and Natsuro gave his words greater weight.

Natsuro simply smiled, showing no urgency.

Finally, the Third Hokage opened his eyes, removed his pipe, and exhaled a puff of smoke.

Tsunade, nearby, waved her hand in irritation. "Old man, you really should quit smoking. Your health can't take this anymore."

"Haha, it's my only indulgence. Besides, what's the point of living longer?" the Third said with a bitter smile, then turned to Koharu and Homura.

What he said next stunned the two advisors.

"As for Danzō, let him be punished according to the rules. And don't ask me, I'm no longer the one to decide. You should ask the Fifth Hokage."

This declaration shocked not only the advisors but also Tsunade. The old man wasn't standing up for Danzō this time?

Tsunade glanced at Natsuro, who smiled knowingly. It seemed he had put considerable effort into ensuring this outcome.

Koharu and Homura were at a loss for words.

In the past, they had often urged the Third Hokage to discipline Danzō more harshly, only for him to show leniency. But now, faced with a life-and-death decision, the Third was more resolute than they were?

"Is there anything else you'd like to say? If you miss this chance, you may never get another opportunity to speak for Danzō," Natsuro prompted again.

The advisors exchanged glances, feeling a pang of sadness, as if witnessing their own impending irrelevance. Yet they remained silent.

"Alright, then it's decided. The sentencing for Danzō will take place the day after tomorrow. That day will also mark my inauguration as Hokage. I intend to announce Danzō's crimes during the ceremony," Natsuro said with a smile, seeing no further objections.

Because this meeting turned out to be even easier than he had anticipated. The evidence was irrefutable, leaving no room for anyone to question its authenticity.

"What?!!" At this moment, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado widened their eyes in shock and turned to Natsuro.

Even the Third Hokage couldn't help but look at Natsuro.

"Oh, I forgot to mention, my apologies. After the investigation was concluded, I had already discussed with Lady Tsunade about taking over as Hokage. And during this meeting, word of this has already spread throughout Konoha," Natsuro said with a smile.

"That's correct, and I've agreed to it," Tsunade finally set her cup down and spoke.

Tsunade herself felt a bit emotional. Just earlier in her office, she hadn't expected Natsuro to bring up the matter of succeeding as Hokage at that moment.

Although surprised, Tsunade had made a promise when she first assumed the Hokage position. She was not one to go back on her word, so she agreed on the spot. She even instructed Shizune to start spreading the news throughout Konoha that Natsuro would officially succeed her as Hokage in two days.

As Tsunade calculated the time, she realized she had been Hokage for less than three years, about two and a half. A rather short term...

Of course, not the shortest. That title belonged to the Fourth Hokage.

At this point, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado's expressions turned dark. They naturally didn't believe Natsuro had truly forgotten to mention this detail, it was deliberate.

They also realized one crucial fact: Natsuro had already prepared a fallback plan.

Even if they continued to oppose, it wouldn't change Danzō's fate in the slightest.

Revealing Danzō's crimes during Natsuro's inauguration would leave the public to decide his fate.

Considering Danzō's actions, there was no doubt that the villagers would demand his death.

When that time came, even they wouldn't be able to plead for Danzō without putting themselves at odds with all of Konoha's citizens.

If that happened, their positions would become untenable.

In hindsight, their earlier attempts to plead for Danzō were laughable!

Moreover, if they had continued to press the issue, they would have undoubtedly, no, certainly offended Natsuro.

Koharu and Homura exchanged another glance. Luckily, they hadn't forcefully argued on Danzō's behalf. Otherwise, they would have been in serious trouble.

At this moment, they looked at Natsuro again and couldn't shake the feeling that once he became Hokage, he would be far more difficult to deal with than Tsunade.

"Oh, one more thing. In the next two days, it would be best if no one informs Danzō about this. I can assure you, if anyone does, he'll only die faster," Natsuro said pointedly.

The Third Hokage simply sighed and said nothing.

"Understood. As long as everything proceeds according to Konoha's rules, we have no objections," Homura finally relented.

Although it was a shame to see an old friend reach the end of his life, the crimes he committed were simply too great.

At the same time, they couldn't help but feel some resentment toward Danzō. Was the Hokage position really that important? Why provoke Natsuro?

"Then this meeting is adjourned," Natsuro said, breathing a sigh of relief.

Finally, it was over, and the outcome was much better than his worst-case scenario!

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