Naruto: Growing Stronger Through Healing

All the clan heads were utterly shocked when they learned of this matter.

Clearly, no one had expected Sarutobi Hiruzen—who had tolerated Danzō's countless transgressions for so many years—to finally show absolutely no mercy.

Their intense reaction was not without reason.

The truth was that over the past several decades, Danzō had committed major mistakes time and time again.

Yet on every occasion, Sarutobi Hiruzen would put on a stern display of punishment, only to let the matter end lightly in the end.

Those so-called punishments were, more often than not, nothing more than hollow gestures—warnings without teeth.

This time, however, everything was different. After the initial shock came something else entirely—excitement.

Konoha had endured Danzō's shadow for far too long.

Now that Danzō had been branded a rogue ninja, many felt as though the heavy clouds hanging over the village had finally been swept away.

If not for the fact that they were required to attend a Hokage conference immediately, some of the clan heads might have gone straight home to host a grand banquet.

Such a moment deserved celebration.

Inside the conference room.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sat at the seat of honor, his expression solemn and dignified.

Below him sat Tsunade and Hirakawa Aoshi.

Given their strength, reputation, and contributions, not a single person raised any objection to their placement.

Further down were the heads of the various ninja clans.

At the very front sat Uchiha Fugaku and Hyūga Hiashi.

As the leaders of clans recognized as noble families throughout Konoha—and even the entire shinobi world—their status among the assembled clan heads was unquestionably the highest.

Following them were the heads of the Ino–Shika–Chō trio, as well as representatives from other prominent clans such as the Inuzuka and Aburame.

After that came the heads of smaller clans, including the Kurama clan. Finally, there were the jōnin who had managed to return in time to attend.

Uchiha Mikoto and Nonō were notably among them.

Everyone present held influence capable of shaping the future direction of the Village Hidden in the Leaves.

"I believe all of you understand why I have gathered everyone here today."

Once he confirmed that all attendees were present, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke in a low, grave tone.

"This incident is one of the most unforgivable events since Konoha's founding decades ago, and its impact on the village is extremely severe."

Hearing this, the expressions of everyone in the room grew serious.

They could all sense the restrained fury hidden beneath Sarutobi Hiruzen's calm words.

"Danzō has been designated an S-rank rogue ninja. I have already dispatched Sakumo to pursue him." Hiruzen's voice hardened.

"If any of you encounter Danzō in the future, you are authorized—and obligated—to kill him on sight as a warning to others."

The fact that he could issue such an order made one thing clear. Sarutobi Hiruzen no longer held even the slightest mercy for Danzō.

A kill order from the Hokage was never issued lightly.

"Additionally, with the deaths of the two Hokage Advisors, we must promptly appoint new ones to ensure the village's continued operation."

"You may now nominate suitable candidates."

The room immediately erupted into discussion.

The position of Hokage Advisor was no trivial matter—it was a core role responsible for overseeing the village's administration and decision-making.

If becoming a jōnin meant stepping into Konoha's power structure, then becoming a Hokage Advisor meant standing at its very summit.

Second only to the Hokage himself.

Above tens of thousands.

Although the authority was tempting, everyone present understood that this was not a role that could be filled casually.

Without sufficient prestige, strength, seniority, and reputation, no one could command obedience in such a position.

After lengthy discussion, the final decision was made. Akimichi Torifu and Tsunade would assume the roles of Hokage Advisors.

Tsunade required no introduction.

As one of the "Legendary Sannin" and the granddaughter of the First Hokage, she possessed unparalleled qualifications.

As for Akimichi Torifu, he was the current head of the Akimichi clan and—like Sarutobi Hiruzen himself—a former student of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.

His status and standing were universally acknowledged.

Tsunade desperately wanted to refuse.

Although Aoshi had dragged her out of her long-standing lethargy, that did not mean she enjoyed dealing with endless piles of paperwork and administrative duties.

Unfortunately, refusal was not an option.

That hateful Jiraiya must have foreseen today's developments and fled in advance.

Thinking this, Tsunade could only accept reality in silence.

Akimichi Torifu, on the other hand, harbored no such complicated feelings.

He was merely grieved by the sudden loss of two old friends and filled with righteous anger over Danzō's betrayal.

Next, Nonō was promoted to Head of the Medical Department.

With Tsunade becoming a Hokage Advisor, the Medical Department naturally required a new leader.

Given Nonō's medical ninjutsu proficiency, no one questioned her suitability.

Fukada Minako, the deputy head, raised no objections either. She knew better than anyone that her skills fell short of Nonō's.

As for why Aoshi was not appointed Head of the Medical Department, the reason was simple.

He had been promoted to Hokage Guard.

As the title suggested, this position existed solely to protect the Hokage. But its deeper meaning was even more significant.

It was a clear and unmistakable signal—Aoshi had been chosen as the next Hokage.

This was an unwritten rule in Konoha.

The Second Hokage had once served as the First Hokage's guard. The Third Hokage had served as the Second's.

Now, the Third Hokage had selected his own guard.

Everyone present understood the implication instantly.

Before today, Aoshi had merely been seen as someone with the potential to become Hokage. After today, it was all but confirmed.

Tsunade, Mikoto, and Nonō were all genuinely happy for him. Uchiha Fugaku felt the same.

He firmly believed that as long as the Uchiha clan firmly aligned themselves with Aoshi, they would finally be able to change their increasingly precarious position within Konoha.

As for the Uchiha clan's future, Aoshi already had plans. However, the conditions were not yet ripe.

The Uchiha were infamous for being difficult to deal with. It was not that they were entirely unreasonable.

Rather, they were excessively arrogant—bordering on conceited.

When dealing with outsiders, they instinctively adopted a condescending attitude.

Worse still, the hawkish faction within the clan was utterly uncompromising.

They constantly preached about seizing the Hokage position and relentlessly indoctrinated the younger generation.

Yet they failed to realize that they themselves were the greatest parasites eroding the Uchiha's future.

It was precisely because of these hawks that Sarutobi Hiruzen had never dared to place full trust in the Uchiha clan.

In Aoshi's view, if the Uchiha were to be truly reformed, those hawks had to be dealt with first—at the right time, and in the right way.

He gave Uchiha Fugaku a subtle nod, silently indicating that they would discuss this matter later.

In addition, Mikoto also received a promotion, becoming Deputy Head of the Police Force.

Since Tomoki and Sasaki Ayame had been promoted to chūnin, Mikoto had rarely led a squad in recent times.

In truth, because the Uchiha Police Force was entirely controlled by the Uchiha clan, internal promotions did not strictly require Hokage approval.

Fugaku raised the matter here as a gesture of goodwill toward both Aoshi and the Hokage faction.

Given Mikoto's strength and standing, she was more than qualified for the position.

After that, other promotions were announced in succession. There was no need to list each one in detail.

Finally, Sarutobi Hiruzen scanned the room and spoke once more. "Does anyone have any other matters to raise? If not, today's meeting will conclude here."

Meetings of this scale were rare. When they occurred, they inevitably involved major decisions.

"Old— Hokage-sama…" Tsunade nearly addressed him as "old man" out of habit, quickly correcting herself in this formal setting.

"What do you intend to do about Root?"