Konoha:Live Comparison: Naruto

Chapter 11: One step late

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The tit-for-tat exchange between Danzo and Hiruzen immediately caused an uproar throughout the entire ninja world.

Could this really be the dynamic among the top leaders of Konoha Village?

How could such a relationship even be described?

It felt… absurd.

At least in other ninja villages, when faced with major issues, the high-ranking officials would gather for a meeting.

The purpose of such meetings would always revolve around assisting their leader, the "Kage," in resolving pressing matters.

Even if there were disagreements, these would typically lead to extensive discussions, followed by compromises aimed at achieving the best solution for the village.

But here? This was the first time they had seen someone like Danzo openly challenge his own "Kage" so directly.

Ohnoki: "I must say, getting old has its perks. Watching the drama between these two is truly entertaining."

Uchiha Obito: "Does it even matter? Can't people still witness such things even after they're dead?"

Hatake Kakashi: "Obito, you're still the same—always spouting nonsense without understanding a thing."

- I can't believe this guy!

Obito, in his hidden cave, felt an overwhelming urge to choke Kakashi with sheer frustration.

- Elite Jonin, huh?

- If it weren't for my disguise, wouldn't I understand things better than you?

- The "Game" I'm playing now is thousand times more complex than anything you've ever seen, Hatake Kakashi.

Black Zetsu: "..."

- This guy is way into it

Senju Tobirama: "Ah! Monkey, Danzo, Koharu, and Homura—in our world, are they the same as the versions over there?"

Mitokado Homura: "..."

Utatane Koharu: "No, teacher. Danzo and Hiruzen here have a very good relationship."

Orochimaru: "Oh, yes. So good, in fact, that Danzo tried to assassinate Sarutobi-sensei. Isn't that right, Sarutobi-sensei? Truly tragic."

Sarutobi Hiruzen: Gritting his teeth. "Tobirama-sensei, don't listen to the nonsense of this traitor."

Shimura Danzo: "Yes, Orochimaru is nothing but a traitor to Konoha Village. Speaking of which..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Huh?"

Shimura Danzo: "...No, nothing."

Uchiha Madara: "So, what's this about Danzo claiming he was one step too late? Is he suggesting he'd have been Hokage if he had been one step earlier?"

Senju Tobirama: "..."

- Of course not.

In the Pure Land, Senju Tobirama raised a hand to his forehead in frustration.

He had never anticipated that his decision to appoint Hiruzen and leave Danzo as his assistant would lead to such chaos.

- If I had known, it might have been better to bring Danzo along with me during the pursuit of the Gold and Silver Brothers.

On the high platform, Orochimaru couldn't help but chuckle maliciously.

Orochimaru: "It must be exhausting to maintain Konoha's reputation, isn't it, Sarutobi-sensei?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen: His expression darkened. "Orochimaru, if it weren't for the mysterious force suppressing the ninja world right now, I would've finished you off already."

"You also know that we can't act on it, so stop saying useless things."

"There's another piece of good news I want to share with you."

"This time, it's about the war against Konoha. Not only do I want you dead, but there are also people who want you dead even more than I do."

Sarutobi Hiruzen ignored Orochimaru's taunting words.

He was well aware of what Danzo was like. As long as Sarutobi encountered any problems, few could compete with Danzo for the position of Hokage, given his qualifications.

Thankfully, Sarutobi had curtailed Danzo's authority a few years ago.

Even if something were to happen to him, Danzo's chances of becoming Hokage were slim.

Meanwhile, Naruto and the other young Genin watched the conversation unfold, their expressions a mix of confusion and curiosity.

Apart from Sasuke's visibly angry face, most of the others didn't fully grasp the intricacies of the power struggle at play.

Sasuke's anger stemmed from Itachi. He seemed to sense that there was more to this situation than he currently understood.

Even though they didn't fully comprehend the political maneuvering, the Genin were able to pick up on an important detail from the exchange between Hiruzen and Danzo.

The battle over Naruto was intense.

This fact alone highlighted how important Naruto was to both Hiruzen and Konoha's leadership.

Even Danzo, despite his usual self-serving nature, had expressed a desire to provide Naruto with spiritual support to help him grow stronger.

Nara Shikamaru: "It seems like our Naruto is missing something crucial."

Yamanaka Ino: "Yeah! At the very least, the Naruto in that world looks much more mature than ours."

Haruno Sakura: "The Naruto over there seems more focused on becoming stronger."

Inuzuka Kiba: "Our Naruto is obsessed with pranks! He's painted half of Konoha and wasted resources in the process."

Aburame Shino: "In truth, Naruto has already performed exceptionally well among our group of Genin. He even defeated Neji. If..."

Tenten: "If the Naruto in that world devoted himself to training from a young age and had favorable conditions…"

At that moment, all the Genin collectively covered their mouths in shock.

The realization hit them: after all this time, how extraordinary might the Naruto from the other world have become?

Uzumaki Naruto: "But I just play pranks because I want people to acknowledge my existence. Does that mean the me from the other world truly doesn't care at all?"

Sasuke frowned, his eyes fixed on Naruto.

He compared the Naruto he knew with the one on the screen.

The answer was clear.

The Naruto from the other world didn't care about what the people of Konoha Village thought of him.

He didn't even seem to care what his classmates thought of him.