Chapter 144: The Split Sarutobi Clan

Except for a few direct executors, few people knew that the reckoning was a real reckoning, but the focus was on the Sarutobi clan.

There is no way. Even with Aoba's eyes, he can see that this ninja clan is too fat.

Sarutobi Hiruzen is a mortal after all, not a saint like the first generation. It is understandable that he takes care of his own people. But for the rest of Konoha, this operation is really a bit too unfair.

The Sarutobi clan also noticed this purge.

Because of the strategy of the Third Generation, the entire Sarutobi clan has always believed in making a fortune in silence. Unless there is a direct order from the Third Generation, they will not interfere in the major events of Konoha.

But this time was different. The Third Generation was gone, and their grasp of Konoha's information could no longer be the same as before.

At this time, the Sarutobi clan had split into two factions. One faction believed that they did not need to pay attention to the outside world. They just needed to keep everything unchanged. The Fifth Hokage could not have attacked the Sarutobi clan so quickly.

The other faction was aware of the crisis. They realized that the Hokage was coming with such force this time that they were afraid he would not stop easily.

But there is no way, this part of the Sarutobi tribe is a young lineage. Although there are not a small number of them, it is a pity that most of them have not yet taken power in the family. Their words really do not carry enough weight.

According to the younger generation's inference, Tsunade is now integrating the resources of the village, taking advantage of this opportunity to rebuild Konoha and re-customize a new order.

Haven't you seen that all the major ninja clans in Konoha have expressed their opinions? Even the Hyuga clan has publicly expressed their support for the Hokage's work.

Now the Sarutobi clan is the only one left in Konoha that has not yet expressed its stance. Many smart people even guessed that this reckoning was essentially aimed at the Sarutobi clan.

However, Tsunade did not take direct action for the sake of her own reputation. Instead, she took a roundabout way to carry out this reckoning, so as to avoid being labeled as ungrateful.

Even further, Sarutobi Hiruzen's decision to accept Tsunade as his disciple was a farsighted decision. As long as the Hokage's position was inherited by the same lineage, theoretically there would be no problem for the Sarutobi clan. Because everyone was a family, they would not take action for his sake.

But unexpectedly, Aoba, a troublemaker, appeared in the middle, causing earth-shaking changes in the rules of Konoha.

The liquidation will take a considerable amount of time to complete. In addition to the four major ninja clans that took the lead, many small and medium-sized ninja clans have already begun to enjoy the coverage of the liquidation.

The basis for liquidation is very simple. All transactions of various stores and industries in Konoha over the years have been recorded. Those without records are violations. Those who have not paid enough money are also violations. If both of the above are met, there is another ultimate basis. That is whether these transactions have the signatures and approval of the parties involved.

In response, Tsunade said, "I must have signed a few when I was drunk." Uchiha Sasuke said, "What signature?"

Most of the ninja clans were very dissatisfied with this liquidation, but no one resisted, at least no one resisted openly.

You have to know that this is the ninja world, not the real world. In the real world, everyone is an ordinary person, and using your brain is a stumbling block or something. It can disgust people in any way.

But the ninja world is a world where strength is respected. The fact that there is such a joke-like order now is already the result of the emergence of a saint.

But Senju Hashirama is a saint, Tsunade is not. Moreover, she has the support of Kamikawa Aoba, the best master of Konoha. The four most powerful ninja clans have also clearly expressed their support.

Under such circumstances, there is really no one so blind as to dare to openly resist this wave of liquidation.

Of course, the Sarutobi clan was an exception. They did not resist, but they did not cooperate either. Although the Hokage's office had issued a formal document requiring the Sarutobi clan to send a representative to the Konoha office to cooperate with the investigation.

But they didn't move.

Little did they know that their operation perfectly met Qingye's expectations. Because in this way, they had a legitimate reason to target this family, and they were sure that no one would say no.

Look, all the families in Konoha have been investigated. You are the only one who refuses to cooperate. What do you want to do?

The arrogant attitude of the Sarutobi clan caused them to lose their last bit of initiative.

But just when Qingye was about to take action, a special guest came to the house.

"Asuma? Please come in, you are a rare guest."

Asuma had a normal relationship with Sarutobi back then. As the eldest son of the Hokage, he was naturally aware of some of the things Sarutobi Hiruzen did.

The young and energetic Asuma disagreed with some of his father's decisions, so he left Konoha and became one of the Twelve Guardians.

When he grew up, he returned to Konoha, but his relationship with Sarutobi Hiruzen was still average, and he had little contact with the Sarutobi clan.

It was not until after Sarutobi Hiruzen's death that he began to try to return to the family, but at that time, there was no place for him in the Sarutobi family.

Asuma was in this awkward position before. He had less time to meet with colleagues like Aoba.

His sudden arrival this time was unexpected to Qingye. He originally thought that Asuma would not get involved in this matter.

"I didn't want to get involved in this matter. But someone came to me. The Sarutobi clan is currently divided into two factions. The younger faction came to me. They expressed their willingness to cooperate with the Hokage's investigation."

Asuma finished speaking and looked at Qingye with some expectation. But Qingye did not make any statement. Instead, he looked at Asuma quietly, as if he knew that he had not finished speaking yet.

As expected, Asuma soon felt uncomfortable with Aoba's gaze.

"Well, they, or we, also hope to get Konoha's support at the same time."

"What support do you want?" Qingye seemed to have guessed something. He poured a cup of tea for Asuma and pushed it in front of him.

Asuma drank the tea in one gulp, then wiped his mouth and said.

"Support the Sarutobi clan."

Qingye also picked up the teacup in front of him and took a sip.

"Like you said before. The Sarutobi clan is now divided into two factions. Which side do you want Konoha to support?"

Asuma hesitated and was silent for a while before speaking with some difficulty.

"There is only one Sarutobi clan in Konoha."

"Very good, Asuma. You made a wise decision."

Asuma's surrender was not in Aoba's plan. But the result was good. It can only be said that there are still smart people among the young people of the Sarutobi clan.

The conservatives' stubbornness made them sense the coming of the crisis. In order to save themselves, they decisively chose to surrender to the village and sold out the conservatives completely.

At the same time, contacting Asuma as the spokesperson for his side was a stroke of genius, because Asuma was the most famous Sarutobi clan in the entire Konoha. He was also the son of the Third Hokage.

The conservative elders of the Sarutobi clan were too low-key, resulting in few people in Konoha knowing them.

In this way, the young faction not only saved themselves but also cleaned out the conservatives, which was a win-win situation.