Chapter 665: Exposed Truths

Chapter 665: Exposed Truths

The Third Hokage grew increasingly furious. At first, he watched Orochimaru, hoping he could help clear his name. When Orochimaru took the blame upon himself, the Third Hokage thought things were improving.

However, things did not go as he hoped.

The Third Hokage realized he was gravely mistaken.

He hadn't anticipated that Orochimaru would use a self-destructive method to implicate them, essentially admitting their guilt together.

It felt bizarre, as if Orochimaru while confessing his crimes, was also confessing on his behalf. Who could handle that?

At this moment, the Third Hokage felt like strangling Orochimaru and wished he could climb to the Hokage Rock and drag him down.

But now, he couldn't do that.

The situation was straightforward...

Even if Orochimaru admitted to everything, the Third Hokage still had a chance to turn things around. He could shift the blame entirely onto Orochimaru, suggesting that Orochimaru's ambition to become Hokage drove him to mislead everyone.

But if he interrupted now, it would be akin to confirming to everyone in Konoha that Orochimaru was telling the truth.

Yet.

Was Orochimaru telling the truth? This was the most infuriating part for the Third Hokage.

The initial claims were events where he played no direct role—he had merely looked the other way. These could be explained away; he could claim ignorance, deceived by Danzo.

But the subsequent allegations were entirely different...

From Kagami Uchiha to the destruction of the Uzumaki clan, Orochimaru's statements made it seem like the Third Hokage had personally orchestrated these atrocities, nailing him to a pillar of disgrace, leaving him no room for explanation.

The Third Hokage knew that if he couldn't provide satisfactory answers, even false accusations would become accepted as truth.

He couldn't let that happen! Some of these allegations were not his doing.

Although Orochimaru (actually Aoba) mixed truth with fabrications based on memories and speculation, it lacked concrete evidence.

Initially, Aoba's storytelling seamlessly integrated actual events into the narrative, skillfully tarnishing the Third Hokage's reputation.

Having dealt with the Akatsuki trio and current events, Aoba felt he had the makings of a novelist, considering writing original stories someday. But first, he aimed to recount the memorable stories from his world.

As for the rest, there were two possible outcomes:

If Aoba's guesses were correct, then the Third Hokage wasn't wrongly accused.If his guesses were wrong, the fabrications could be seen as mere stories.

Thus, Aoba felt no guilt in his storytelling.

Aoba's goal was clear: taint the Third Hokage's image so irreversibly that he couldn't retain or reclaim the Hokage position, cementing the historical progression.

Aoba saw himself as the one setting the tone of history!

With each revelation, Aoba's voice grew louder, detailing more events and exciting the crowd. People gasped and whispered, astonished by Orochimaru's (Aoba's) claims, and discussed them fervently with their companions.

Standing atop the Hokage Rock, Aoba realized that human nature, regardless of world or race, tends toward a herd mentality and a love of drama.

Orochimaru smiled and adopted a mysterious tone.

"I don't know how these things got exposed."

"Since it's all out, there's nothing to hide."

"Let's have Lord Danzo explain what really happened."

Orochimaru's words caused an uproar, pushing the crowd's excitement to the peak.

"What!"

Everyone was stunned, not expecting Danzo to be brought into this, especially to confess rather than deny.

Under the bewildered gazes, a figure appeared beside Orochimaru on the Hokage Rock.

It was Danzo.

However, this wasn't the real Danzo, but another of Aoba's Paper Clones.

Using a Tendo clone would have been awkward; the paper clone suited the task perfectly.

"I'm here to clarify what Orochimaru just said."

Danzo's voice, carrying a weight of authority, silenced the crowd, drawing their full attention.

They realized they were witnessing the climax of the drama, an unparalleled drama's climax being repeated.

Everyone held their breath, eyes fixed on Danzo.

"???"

The Third Hokage watched Danzo's appearance, his mind flooded with questions. What was happening? How had Danzo joined in?

Was this a conspiracy? Was Orochimaru alone not enough, so Danzo had to join too?

Were these two so desperate for the Hokage position that they'd go to such lengths?

The Third Hokage was stunned by their desperation, never having seen them so frantic. He hadlizing the uation was slipping further out of his control.

"Since it's all exposed!"

Danzo's voice rang clearly, capturing the crowd's attention.

"No need to hide anything. I'll explain everything I did."

"The rumors have some inaccuracies."

"As Danzo Shimura, I don't hide my actions. If I did it, I'll admit it. If not, I won't take the blame."

"I'll clarify what I did."

Aoba, mimicking Danzo's voice, began recounting the events, admitting his actions while also point. He admittedose directed by the Third Hokage, refusing to take full blame.