The Residence of Sarutobi Hiruzen
The afternoon sun cast long shadows over the quiet streets of Konoha Village as Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, paced nervously in his study. The heavy weight of the village's fate pressed down on him. Outside, the rustling leaves whispered of uncertainty and unrest.
Suddenly, the sliding door opened, and the Great Elder stepped inside, his face lined with worry.
"Hiruzen, have you managed to collect the money?" the Great Elder asked, his voice barely concealing his anxiety.
Sarutobi Hiruzen paused for a moment, then forced a smile. "Don't worry. The Great Elder has been dealt with."
The words rang out confidently, but inside, Hiruzen felt drained. He had only half a day to secure a staggering sum—five hundred million ryo. It seemed impossible, even to him.
Several elders, who had gathered in the large room, exchanged incredulous glances. Their eyes betrayed disbelief. None had expected Hiruzen to raise such an enormous amount in such a short time.
They had all assumed that, should the village face financial ruin, the only option would be to mortgage every inch of clan property and ancestral land.
"Hiruzen… how on earth did you do it?" one elder finally asked, stepping forward.
Others nodded, curiosity sparking in their eyes. The feat was simply incredible—and suspicious.
Sarutobi Hiruzen cleared his throat and recounted his efforts. He spoke of difficult negotiations, harsh deals, and the ruthless pressure he had placed on the influential clans of Konoha.
As he spoke, the elders' faces grew more and more confused. Some exchanged uneasy looks. Finally, one elder said, "Your prestige in the village will suffer greatly…"
Hiruzen sighed deeply. "It's better to lose some prestige than to lose the position of Hokage," he said quietly.
The room fell silent. Everyone knew the truth in his words. As long as the title of Hokage remained in his hands, there was hope the village could weather this storm.
"I'm exhausted," Hiruzen admitted, rubbing his temples. "I'm going to rest for a while."
That day, he had run tirelessly from one influential family to another, bargaining, pleading, and sometimes threatening. His body ached, and his mind was on the verge of collapse.
Finally, when he entered his private chambers, he sank onto the soft bed, closing his eyes with a brief sigh of relief.
But just as his muscles began to loosen, he caught a faint sound—like a whisper—echoing from somewhere in the house.
"Who's there?" Hiruzen opened his eyes instantly, sitting upright with alertness. His sharp gaze scanned the dimly lit room.
From the shadows, a dark figure slowly rose from the floor.
"Hehehe… Hokage-sama, no need to be so tense. I'm here to collect the money," the figure said in a chilling, mocking tone.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face darkened. He had not expected Black Zetsu to come immediately after he had just raised the funds. Clearly, the enemy had kept close watch over him all day.
Hiruzen reached inside his robe and pulled out a tightly rolled scroll. "The money is all in here. Give me the photo stone."
Black Zetsu's thin lips curled into a sly smile, clearly unmoved. "Give me the money first, and then I'll give you the photo stone. Otherwise… forget it."
He was no fool. Black Zetsu knew if he handed over the stone first, Hiruzen might have second thoughts and back out.
The Third Hokage's face hardened, knowing that very thought had crossed his mind. But the clever enemy had seen through him.
With a reluctant sigh, Hiruzen threw the scroll across the room. Black Zetsu examined it carefully. After confirming everything was in order, he placed the photo stone on the ground.
"You are quite straightforward, Lord Hokage," Black Zetsu sneered. "I will look forward to doing business with you again."
With that, the shadowy figure dove into the floor and disappeared.
Hiruzen's mouth twitched involuntarily. It would be a long day if he had to deal with Black Zetsu again.
---
The Land of the Hyuga Clan
Meanwhile, tension hung thick in the air of the Hyuga clan compound. Dozens of clan leaders from Konoha's major families had gathered, faces tight with irritation and discontent.
"This is madness," Hyuga Hiashi muttered, his fists clenched tightly. "Hiruzen's desperation is driving him to insanity."
Another elder slammed his fist on the table. "He actually demanded ten million taels from my family alone! Do you know what that means for us?"
"And he resorted to coercion and threats!" a third said through gritted teeth.
All eyes turned to Nara Shikaku, sitting quietly in the corner. The Nara clan was famed for its wisdom and cunning strategy, and everyone wanted his counsel.
Ino-Shika-Chō clans had always supported Hiruzen, but his recent behavior had pushed them to the brink of rebellion.
"I think the Third Hokage is too old to lead anymore," Shikaku said softly, eyes scanning the group. "Konoha needs a young, energetic leader who can bring new hope and direction."
"Exactly!" Yamanaka Haiyi nodded in agreement. "We cannot afford to let the village falter under outdated leadership."
"What should we do?" Akamichi Choza asked, his voice heavy with concern.
Shikaku's eyes gleamed with cunning. A slow smile spread across his face. "Since the Third Hokage has proven unfit and unkind, we have no choice but to act. We cannot be blamed for pursuing justice."
He detailed a plan to the gathered clan leaders—one that would force Hiruzen to abdicate his position peacefully or otherwise.
As the group listened, nods of approval spread quickly, and murmurs of agreement filled the room.
"Indeed, a brilliant strategy," said one patriarch. "This could be the change Konoha desperately needs."
Shikaku then reminded everyone, "We must inform the Uchiha clan. Their support is crucial. The Uchiha have been displeased with the Third Hokage for a long time."
"Without the Uchiha, our efforts will fail," Hyashi agreed grimly.
With urgency, the group departed the Hyuga compound, heading straight toward the Uchiha clan's domain.
---
The Land of the Uchiha Clan
When Uchiha Fugaku saw the approaching clan leaders, his heart pounded in his chest.
Had the Third Hokage somehow learned of the Uchiha's secret plans to rebel?
His mind raced, panic rising.
But as Hyuga Hiashi began to explain the purpose of the visit, Fugaku's tension dissolved into shocked surprise.
The clan leaders did not come to expose the Uchiha—they had come with a shared goal: to force the Third Hokage to step down.
Yesterday, they had talked in secret about a coup. Today, they were uniting publicly to remove Hiruzen.
"In that case," Fugaku said, his voice resolute, "the Uchiha clan will give full support. We cannot afford delay. The village's future depends on it."
---
The Next Day at the Hokage Building
Rumors had spread like wildfire across Konoha. Word reached every ninja and villager: the major clan leaders had gathered outside the Hokage's office, claiming an important announcement.
Crowds surged toward the Hokage building. People whispered excitedly, eager to learn the cause of the commotion.
The building was soon surrounded, three layers of people pressing in from every side, their eyes fixed on the leaders assembled atop the steps.
Nara Shikaku glanced at the others. "It's almost time."
Hyuga Hiashi stepped forward, holding his forehead protector high above his head. The crowd fell silent.
Confusion rippled through the mass of onlookers.
What was this man about to do?
"I, Hyuga Hiashi, hereby report to the Fire Country's Konoha Village that the Third Hokage has abused his position and authority for personal gain," he announced loudly.
He paused to let the words sink in.
"Just yesterday, the Third Hokage demanded fifty million ryo from me. When I was unable to pay, he seized several stores belonging to the Hyuga clan in the commercial district."
Gasps and murmurs spread like wildfire.
"What? Is this true?"
"I never thought the Third Hokage would stoop so low!"
"Konoha's sky has truly darkened…"
One by one, the clan leaders stood and revealed their grievances.
"I am Nara Shikaku…"
"I am Akamichi Choza…"
"I am Yamanaka Haiyi…"
Each recounted stories of extortion, threats, and betrayal at Hiruzen's hands. The normally respected Third Hokage was painted in a new, shameful light.
The crowd was stunned. None could have imagined the man they revered would fall so far.