Chapter 299:
In the Hokage Conference Room of Konoha, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen, convened a meeting with Koharu and Homura to discuss the succession of the Fourth Hokage.
Danzo was notably absent.
Everyone knew Danzo's ambitions, and his views often clashed with Hiruzen's. Naturally, Hiruzen would not involve him in discussions about the next Hokage.
Following the retreat of enemy forces at the Suna and Kumo defense lines, Hiruzen returned to Konoha from the front lines of the Kannabi Bridge battle.
Once back in the village, he began contemplating the various problems Konoha faced.
During the First Hokage's reign, the ninja world feared Konoha's strength and dared not act recklessly. After Hashirama's death, the Second Hokage, Tobirama, succeeded him, but conflict soon followed.
Even so, during that war, Konoha's only significant clash was with the Kumo-nin, and they even formed an alliance afterward.
But everything changed after Tobirama's death and Hiruzen's ascension. The Uzumaki clan's destruction, the Second Shinobi World War, the Third Shinobi World War, and even Orochimaru's eventual defection—these events all stemmed from what could only be described as poor decisions under his leadership.
Hiruzen couldn't deny it. Compared to his predecessors, his reign had seen far too many failures.