After Sora left Root headquarters, Danzo stood frozen for a long time, unable to recover.
After a lengthy pause, Danzo finally came back to his senses.
His face twisted with rage as he slammed his fist onto the table, shattering it to pieces.
"Ryoma!" Danzo roared ferociously.
A figure emerged from the shadows behind him.
It was Aburame Ryoma, Danzo's confidant and an elite core member of Root.
With bloodshot eyes, Danzo turned to look at Aburame Ryoma and asked angrily, "Answer me truthfully. If I give you a team of our most elite Root shinobi, could you kill Sora?"
Aburame Ryoma's face remained expressionless as he replied calmly, "I apologize, Danzo-sama, but I have no confidence in such a mission. He was aware of my presence the entire time I was hidden. My insects are terrified of him and won't even approach him.
With all due respect, Danzo-sama, considering the power he just displayed, all of us together might not be enough to defeat him."
"What use are you people?!" Danzo roared in anger.
Aburame Ryoma said nothing, standing silently.
After venting his fury, Danzo gradually calmed himself.
However, his eyes remained filled with malice. "Sora, I will make you understand how foolish it is to be my enemy. Your position in Konoha was granted by me. Without my support, it would be easy for me to take it all away. You'll never gain any favor from Namikaze Minato. Let's see if I can't bring you down!"
...
Sora's mood remained completely unchanged after leaving Root.
To him, Danzo was merely a tool.
Moreover, Sora wouldn't be able to gain much benefit from Danzo in the future anyway, so it was no great loss.
Sora went directly to the Konoha Defense Force headquarters to find Kakashi.
Seeing Sora arrive, Kakashi said with surprise, "Sora-sensei, what brings you here?"
Kakashi was extremely surprised. Sora had been practically inseparable from Uzumaki Kushina lately, so it was unexpected that he would find time to come here.
Sora said to Kakashi, "Kakashi, your role as acting captain ends today."
Kakashi looked puzzled. "Huh? Are you taking over again, Sora-sensei?"
Sora shook his head. "No, I won't be taking the position either. From now on, the Konoha Defense Force will have nothing to do with us."
Now Kakashi was completely confused. "What happened?"
"Danzo and I have parted ways," Sora stated concisely.
Kakashi understood immediately.
So that was it—Sora had fallen out with Danzo.
The Konoha Defense Force had been established at Danzo's request, so now that Sora and Danzo had severed ties, Sora would certainly not be permitted to serve as captain again.
Sora asked, "Is the bail money still there?"
Kakashi replied, "Yes, it's all been saved. We've collected more than 40 million ryō over the past few months."
Sora nodded. "More than 40 million ryō... less than I expected, but it's sufficient."
Sora had been at Ryūchi Cave training for about four months. Earning more than 40 million ryō in that time meant an average of over 300,000 ryō per day.
Kakashi led Sora to the room where the money was kept. Sora took out a scroll and sealed all the funds directly into it.
After collecting all the money, Sora left the Konoha Defense Force with Kakashi.
As they were departing, they happened to encounter Uchiha Shisui.
Shisui was stunned when he saw Sora, and his expression suddenly became serious.
He was one of the first people to learn of Sora's return to Konoha.
Shisui had been very anxious these past days.
Although Kakashi had implemented Sora's policies, he wasn't as extreme as Sora.
Shisui had been relieved to know that Kakashi would continue serving as acting captain of the Konoha Defense Force.
Now, seeing Sora here, Shisui thought that Sora might be resuming his position as captain, and he instantly became nervous.
Sora smiled at Uchiha Shisui and said, "Don't worry. Or rather, you won't need to worry anymore in the future. So, goodbye."
Sora and Kakashi then left the Konoha Defense Force headquarters.
Uchiha Shisui was confused by Sora's words.
What did he mean by "won't need to worry anymore"?
After they had departed from the headquarters, Sora said to Kakashi, "Kakashi, go to my house and wait for me there. I need to visit the Hokage building. I should inform Namikaze Minato about my resignation, and I want to make sure Danzo suffers a setback."
Kakashi nodded. "Understood, Sora-sensei. I'll go ahead."
After watching Kakashi leave, Sora walked toward the Hokage building.
Once he notified Namikaze Minato, there should be nothing to bother him until Uzumaki Miyuki gave birth, allowing him to accompany Uzumaki Kushina with peace of mind.
Sora arrived at the Hokage building and knocked on the door of the Hokage's office.
"Come in," called a voice from inside.
After Sora pushed the door open and entered, he found not only Namikaze Minato but also Sarutobi Hiruzen in the office.
Minato looked surprised. "Sora? What brings you here?"
Sora addressed Minato, "Lord Fourth, I am resigning from my position as captain of the Konoha Defense Force effective today. You may choose someone else to take over the role."
Both Namikaze Minato and Sarutobi Hiruzen widened their eyes in surprise. "What? Why this sudden resignation?"
"Kushina is pregnant, and I need to take care of her. I believe this reason should be sufficient.
As for the real reason, Lord Fourth and Lord Third will discover it soon enough.
I came to tell you first, before he does. The difference in outcome will be significant.
Consider this a favor from me. So unless there's something urgent, please don't bother me.
That's all. I'll take my leave now."
After speaking, Sora turned and left the Hokage building.
Namikaze Minato and Sarutobi Hiruzen exchanged glances. Sora's cryptic words left them somewhat confused.
But they soon learned the reason.
Not long after Sora departed, Danzo rushed into the Hokage's office.
Originally, Danzo had intended to find Sarutobi Hiruzen, but upon learning he wasn't at home and was instead at the Hokage building, Danzo went there directly.
After entering the office, Danzo said bluntly, "Lord Fourth, Hiruzen, Sora has been behaving inappropriately.
I propose removing him from his position as captain of the Konoha Defense Force and dismissing him from the organization entirely! I will recommend a qualified shinobi to take over as captain."
Danzo came with great confidence that Namikaze Minato and Sarutobi Hiruzen would agree to his proposal.
He believed that since Namikaze Minato was now on favorable terms with the Uchiha clan, having Sora removed as captain of the Konoha Defense Force would prevent him from targeting the Uchiha. This outcome would surely be what Namikaze Minato wanted to see.
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