The Road to the Throne of White Eyes

Chapter 149 Ward Night

With the death or surrender of the Sand and Sound Ninjas, the Konoha collapse plan was completely terminated.

This battle made Jiraiya and the ninjas of the major families famous throughout Konoha. The villagers admired their strength and thanked them for their achievements in defending their homes and saving themselves.

As for Sarutobi Hiruzen, what did he do?

He didn't notice the enemy's conspiracy in advance, and didn't command Konoha to resist the invasion. Instead, he struggled with the traitor he taught in the barrier for a long time, and ended up being seriously injured and falling to the ground?

If Sarutobi Hiruzen had died a heroic death, the villagers might have appreciated his achievements. However, his dying appearance not only failed to inspire admiration, but also made the villagers doubt his strength and worry about whether he could defend Konoha.

What's more, the tragedy of the Sarutobi family was finally spread a few hours later. The bodies of ninjas and civilians that were cleared out once again confirmed some of the previous rumors, making everyone realize how powerful the Hokage family was, and also made the villagers completely lose confidence in Sarutobi Hiruzen's ability to protect Konoha.

How can someone who can't even protect his own family protect everyone else?!

But this suspicion could not dampen the villagers' interest in watching the show. Everyone still liked to watch the drama of the fall of wealthy aristocrats. When they saw the remaining Sarutobi people wailing and crying at the gate of the tribe, they actually felt a little relieved in secret, and the depression of having to live in tents temporarily because their houses were destroyed was relieved a lot.

Compared to Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzo felt that he was even more miserable.

When he led the Root team to rush back to the village, the Sand and Sound Ninja prisoners had been taken prisoner. He did not even have time to clean up the enemy bodies or gather intelligence. In the end, he could only retreat to the Root's secret base in disgrace, plotting how to seize the opportunity to ascend to the throne of Hokage.

But before he could get comfortable in his chair, news came that the Sarutobi and Shimura clans were massacred in their clan territories. After suffering two consecutive blows in such a short period of time, Danzo Shimura's eyes went dark and he almost fainted from anger. He only woke up slowly after emergency treatment by the Root medical ninja.

The tragedy of the Sarutobi clan, also nearly annihilated, spread throughout Konoha, becoming a common topic of conversation among the villagers. However, the Shimura clan remained largely untouched. Few in the village were willing to discuss the incident, save for the Root ninjas who, under Danzo's cold gaze, trembled as they cleaned up the bodies, meticulously recording every scrap of information.

夜晚

Inside the Konoha Hospital ward, Sarutobi Hiruzen stared blankly at the pale ceiling, his mind completely devoid of thought. After emergency treatment, his injuries were no longer in danger of death. He had only temporarily lost the ability to move, with only his head still able to function. Even going to the toilet required assistance, leaving him practically a cripple.

From being the Hokage who dominated the whole village to being a useless person lying in bed waiting to be fed and helped to urinate, how could Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had been high and mighty for decades, bear this?

He already knew about the tragedy of the Sarutobi clan. His son and grandson were beheaded on the same day. The Sarutobi ninjas who were resisting the enemy in the village plus the clan members who had retreated to the shelter before and those who had escaped from the clan territory, the Sarutobi clan still had about 200 people, including 1 Jonin, 6 Chunins and 5 Genin. It could be considered a small ninja clan in Konoha.

But what does this mean to him?

His own lineage was completely extinct. Unless he used some special forbidden methods, it was impossible for him to have descendants at his age.

The pain of having no children and grandchildren made Sarutobi Hiruzen truly feel that he was an old man in his twilight years who needed his children to surround him and enjoy the happiness of family.

"old man"

Jiraiya pushed open the door of the ward, looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen's old and tired body, and called out cautiously.

Hearing the voice of his beloved disciple, Sarutobi Hiruzen rolled his eyes a few times but still did not respond.

"Hiruzen, are you feeling better now?"

Utane Koharu and Mito Kado En followed Jiraiya into the ward. When they saw Sarutobi Hiruzen's decadent and lifeless appearance, they couldn't help but feel anxious.

The power of the two of them is tied to Sarutobi Hiruzen. Given Hiruzen's current condition, it would be difficult for him to assume the responsibility of Hokage. Once the position of Hokage is replaced, even with their status as seniors, it would be difficult for the two of them to maintain their current transcendent status.

Before coming to see their old partner, the two had already had a brief discussion. If Hiruzen's body could not be cured, then they would do their best to push Jiraiya or Tsunade to become the Fifth Hokage.

Even though their status and power would certainly be much different, they could still maintain considerable influence based on their identities.

Under the repeated calls of his apprentice and old friend, Sarutobi Hiruzen reluctantly turned his head and said in a blank tone, "I won't die for the time being.

You should have understood my situation before you came. If you have anything to say, just say it directly. I may not be able to hold on for too long!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen had actually guessed most of the purpose of Mito Kado En's visit.

Except for the high-end combat power that did not suffer too much loss, the damage caused to Konoha by this battle is almost catching up with the Nine-tailed Rebellion.

The one-tailed beast Shukaku suddenly revived in the center of the village without any warning. Even though Naruto attracted Shukaku's attention in time, Shukaku, the raging sand, and the tailed beast balls that he spewed out along the way caused a lot of damage to Konoha.

The unprecedented foreign invasion made the people of Konoha even more uneasy. In such a situation, how could a nearly disabled person continue to be Hokage?

Even lying on the hospital bed, Sarutobi Hiruzen could vaguely hear the discussions outside about who could take over the duties of Hokage. Occasionally, there were a few sentences cursing himself for teaching a traitor to harm Konoha and for not being able to protect the village.

Mitomonen and Utane Koharu exchanged a glance and said, "Huruzen, your current physical condition is no longer suitable for being Hokage. Konoha now needs a young and strong leader who can give everyone confidence."

Even though he had expected this, Sarutobi Hiruzen still felt a surge of anger and even had difficulty breathing when he heard what Mito Kado En said.

"How could you do this? Although the teacher's injury is serious, it can still be treated!"

Jiraiya saw them discussing the issue of changing Hokage directly in front of their teacher's bedside, and couldn't help but speak out to stop them, and even winked at the two elders.

"No one in Konoha has this kind of medical ninjutsu right now!"

Mitomon En exposed Jiraiya's cover with a stern face.

Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed to have regained his composure. He forced his head up and looked at Mito Kado En. "Who do you want to succeed Hokage?"

Koharu Tatene, who was standing nearby, chimed in, "Jiraiya has made a great contribution this time, and the villagers are very grateful to him."

Before Sarutobi Hiruzen could say anything after hearing this, Jiraiya shook his head.

"No, no, my personality is not suitable for being a Hokage."

Just as Mitomon En and the others were about to speak, they heard the sound of a door opening.

Danzo Shimura pushed the door open forcefully and walked in with a cold look on his face.

"You irresponsible fellow, you really can't be Hokage with that kind of mentality!"