Uzumaki Mito and the others felt that Sarutobi Ryo was leading Konoha down a dangerous path with every decision he made.
They believed that the Uchiha clan's open involvement would have terrible consequences for Konoha.
After all, the previous Hokages had warned them that the Uchiha clan was an evil clan.
The stronger their special eye abilities became, the more evil and extreme they would be. This was a truth they firmly believed.
Now, Sarutobi Ryo's extensive changes to Konoha were starting to threaten their own positions.
Looking back, the older leaders realized that Sarutobi Ryo, who they thought was one of them, was actually going against everything they stood for.
Now... Hatake Sakumo was the Fourth Hokage.
Sarutobi Ryo, being his student, was also the person Hatake Sakumo trusted the most.
It was Sarutobi Ryo who had encouraged Hatake Sakumo to become Hokage.
Thinking about this, Utatane Koharu and the others felt that Sarutobi Ryo was much more calculating and clever than Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was so simple and straightforward.
Through careful planning, he was changing Konoha completely.
One day, Konoha will become unrecognizable to us... then, what will happen to us?
"Lord Mito, we can't let this kid destroy the foundation of Konoha! We have to stop him!" Utatane Koharu said angrily.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was retired, so complaining to him wouldn't do any good.
His son was an adult now, acting independently and without any restrictions.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had always let his son do whatever he wanted, so he didn't have any control over him.
Sarutobi Hiruzen always seemed like a kind and easy-going person in front of others.
He always took a hands-off approach, letting things be.
Also, Sarutobi Ryo respected his father, so Sarutobi Hiruzen would never criticize his son.
And Sarutobi Biwako... She had always been strict with her children.
Sarutobi Ryo had been raised to be serious, just like her.
Because of this, he was very cunning, and his emotionless face made it impossible to know what he was thinking.
He would make huge changes, and they would only find out about them later.
Even Biwako couldn't have imagined the path her eldest son was taking, the direction of his changes to Konoha.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was retired and powerless, so Biwako, who relied on his authority, had also lost her influence.
So... even if they complained to Biwako, she didn't seem to have the power to control her son anymore.
Sarutobi Ryo had become the Jonin Commander, above everyone in Konoha except the Hokage and the Elder Council.
As the Hokage's most trusted advisor, he had a lot of influence.
And Hatake Sakumo, who always agreed with everything, let his student do whatever he wanted, as if he wasn't involved at all.
This made it seem like Sarutobi Ryo was the real Hokage of Konoha now.
Hatake Sakumo was just a figurehead, relaxing all day.
Nara Shikaku and Sarutobi Ryo handled most of the official duties.
Nara Shikaku's work had to be reviewed by Sarutobi Ryo, the Jonin Commander, before it was sent to Hatake Sakumo.
After hearing this, Uzumaki Mito's face became even more serious.
"Alas..." she sighed deeply.
She had long sensed the darkness in Sarutobi Ryo's heart and had expected something like this to happen.
But she never thought it would actually come to this.
In fact... Uzumaki Mito had always been confused.
How could Sarutobi Ryo, who used to follow Nawaki around like a child, have so much darkness in his heart?
He was too young to have developed such deep and pure evil.
This could only mean one thing... Sarutobi Ryo was born evil!
He was like the Uchiha clan.
But Sarutobi Ryo's innate evil was even worse than theirs.
The Uchiha clan only became evil after losing something and awakening their Sharingan, as their eye abilities grew stronger.
Sarutobi Ryo didn't have the Sharingan or the Byakugan, but he had as much evil intent as Uchiha Madara since he was a child.
It was true that some people were born good, like her late grandson Nawaki.
Some people were born evil, like Sarutobi Ryo and the Uchiha clan.
So... it was natural that Sarutobi Ryo, who was so extremely evil, would become involved with the equally evil Uchiha clan.
"I thought I was retired and didn't need to worry about the Village's affairs anymore, I didn't have a reason to get involved..."
Uzumaki Mito had handed over all political matters to Tobirama and the others after her husband, the First Hokage Senju Hashirama, passed away.
A wife should follow her husband's lead.
When her husband was in power, she helped him with political matters.
Now that he was gone, she didn't have a reason to interfere in the Village's affairs.
She had been peacefully waiting for death.
But now, Tobirama was also gone, and Sarutobi Hiruzen had stepped down. A reckless kid was about to turn Konoha upside down, and she couldn't allow it.
Konoha was built by her and Hashirama, and she couldn't let it be destroyed because of this.
Hearing Uzumaki Mito talk about the past, Utatane Koharu and the others were happy.
It seemed that Lord Mito was going to take control of everything.
No one was higher than her in terms of authority.
Even Tsunade had to be respectful and control her temper in front of Lord Mito.
Sarutobi had to show her respect because of her seniority.
"Lord Mito, it's wonderful that you're willing to intervene..." Utatane Koharu smiled.
So, the question was, what should they do to change things?
"..."
Namikaze Minato, who had been listening quietly, didn't seem surprised or disbelieving like Kushina.
He had become more quiet and calculating after failing to become Hokage.
My moment of test has arrived.
Uzumaki Mito looked at him.
Kushina had become her adopted granddaughter, so Namikaze Minato was her adopted grandson.
Uzumaki Mito, who loved everyone, was happy to have two grandchildren in her later years.
She wanted to help Namikaze Minato succeed.
She wanted to support him to become the Fifth Hokage.
"Minato, what do you think..."
Namikaze Minato looked at Lord Mito's expectant face and nodded. "Lord Mito, in difficult times, we must take difficult measures..."
The world had become twisted and chaotic.
To fix this chaotic world, they had to be strong and take unusual paths.
One of those paths was...
"I remember seeing a technique in the Sealing Scroll, created by the Second Hokage, called... Impure World Reincarnation..."
Namikaze Minato's voice faded as he spoke.
Uzumaki Mito and the others looked at him intently.
Bringing the dead back to life was a big deal.
"I think... we can bring back the Second Hokage... because in this situation, only the Second Hokage has the ability to handle it..."
"..."
Shimura Danzo's expression changed for the first time.
*
**
***
[T/N:
Final Total Power Stone Collection : 292 PS
Goal : Reach +50 Total PS = +2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
Want to support my work and get early access to chapters? Check out my Patreon! 👇
➡️ patreon.com/Boundless_Beacon
]