Danzo still attempted to feign confusion, but Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't going to let him slip away so easily this time.
After a moment of silence, Danzo finally spoke. "It seems there was a miscommunication. I only just learned of the summons you mentioned."
Sarutobi Hiruzen shifted his gaze and said, "Then let this matter end here. But I summoned you for what I'm about to discuss next—another exceptional shinobi in the village. You should know that a Wood Style user is what Konoha has dreamed of for generations."
His voice grew firmer. "In the past, the village didn't hesitate to conduct high-risk experiments just to obtain this power. Yet now a Wood Style user clearly exists, but you've hidden him within Root. What is the meaning of this?"
Danzo's fingernails dug into his palms.
Just as he feared, Sarutobi Hiruzen had come for agent 'A.'
Judging by the Third Hokage's battle preparations, it seemed he wouldn't leave without getting what he came for today.
Danzo had hidden 'A' in a secret chamber deep within the Root base. If Sarutobi Hiruzen was determined to search, Danzo could let him look.
But...
Danzo hadn't expected Sarutobi would bring Kakashi for assistance.
There were still Root operatives who knew where 'A' was hidden.
Even with the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal, it only prevented them from revealing secrets about Danzo himself—not necessarily about other Root matters.
Danzo had vaguely guessed he might lose everything today, but he still wanted to resist. What if there was a way out?
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Danzo protested. "What Wood Style user? What hidden operatives in Root? I know nothing about this!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to Kakashi. "Kakashi, use your Sharingan to cast genjutsu on these operatives. Ask them about the whereabouts of a Root shinobi codenamed 'Ka.'"
Danzo's pupils contracted.
Sarutobi Hiruzen even knew 'A's' codename.
Just as Kakashi prepared to cast the genjutsu, Danzo interrupted. "Enough!"
He regarded Sarutobi Hiruzen with complicated eyes.
Danzo had thought he knew Sarutobi Hiruzen well, but it seemed... he didn't know him as well as he believed.
"Let's talk privately," Danzo suggested.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded.
"Everyone, stand by," the Third ordered the ANBU forces.
Danzo led Sarutobi Hiruzen into his office.
After they were seated, Danzo admitted, "I did happen to find a shinobi who can use Wood Style jutsu. I've been protecting and training him. I had no intention of hiding this fact, but simply didn't think it necessary to report it."
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head helplessly.
After denying everything moments ago, Danzo now admitted the truth yet claimed he had no hidden motives. Typical Danzo.
"Hiruzen," Danzo said, his eyes serious, "I wish to propose a deal. I possess evidence regarding Sora and Orochimaru's involvement in the deaths of Konoha shinobi."
He leaned forward. "During the Third Shinobi World War, Sora deliberately killed Uchiha shinobi engaged in battle and delivered their bodies to Orochimaru for research. Meanwhile, Orochimaru conducted forbidden experiments."
"Not only that, I have substantial evidence of their many other crimes. If you allow 'A' to remain with Root, I can provide you with all this evidence."
"Hiruzen, Sora is now beyond control and will eventually become a greater threat than the entire Uchiha clan. With this evidence, you could order the capture or elimination of both Sora and Orochimaru."
"This would secure your position as Hokage. Otherwise, your authority will continue to be undermined. Surely you've heard the whispers throughout Konoha?"
"'The Third Hokage is jealous of talented shinobi. He deliberately targeted Sora by forcing Namikaze Minato to take office. Now he's reclaimed the Hokage position just to prevent Sora from becoming the Fifth Hokage.'"
"Consider how arrogant Sora was during the council meeting, with Orochimaru speaking on his behalf. They showed no respect for our authority."
"The reputation of Sora and Orochimaru exceeds everyone else's. You're already old, Hiruzen. How long can you suppress them? If Konoha falls under their control, our village has no future!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes darkened as he remained silent.
Danzo allowed himself a flicker of hope at this reaction.
As long as Hiruzen was considering the proposal, there was a chance.
Danzo had always wanted to deal with Sora and Orochimaru. He had collected this evidence intending to convince Sarutobi Hiruzen to move against them together.
But if he could use this evidence to keep 'A' within Root, it would be an unexpected victory.
Sarutobi Hiruzen reached for the evidence on the table, and Danzo smiled.
It seemed the deal was done.
However, Sarutobi's next words shattered that hope: "I'll take this evidence... and I'll take 'A' as well."
Danzo stood abruptly, staring at Sarutobi Hiruzen in disbelief.
Was this still the Sarutobi Hiruzen he knew? He was acting like a true bandit—wanting everything!
"Danzo," Sarutobi Hiruzen said firmly, "there are now two Jinchūriki in Konoha."
"The Uchiha clan and Sora, who can suppress the Nine-Tails, cannot be fully trusted."
"Minato remains in a coma."
"Wood Style sealing techniques are becoming increasingly vital for the village."
"Therefore, I must take him away and incorporate him directly into the ANBU under the Hokage's command."
Danzo began to protest, but Sarutobi Hiruzen cut him off: "For Konoha's sake, transfer him from Root. This is not a negotiation. In exchange, I can overlook everything—not just your assassination attempts against me."
"Sora was once your subordinate. I imagine you ordered him to perform many unsavory tasks. I can dismiss all of this as well."
Danzo's chest swelled with indignation.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had made it clear this wasn't a negotiation. He had no choice.
Danzo could sense Hiruzen's determination to take 'A' today.
He believed that if he continued to refuse, while he himself might remain unharmed, Root would likely be disbanded entirely.
Taking a deep breath, Danzo said, "To prevent Root operatives from leaking secrets, I've placed a cursed seal on them. The curse cannot be broken."
He felt a twinge of guilt saying this.
But Danzo wasn't lying. He truly couldn't remove it. When the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal was developed, no corresponding method to remove it was created—though Sora could undo it.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. "That's not important."
"One more thing," the Third continued. "Don't move against Sora and Orochimaru for now."
"Konoha still needs them."
"Minato is already incapacitated."
"If anything were to happen to Konoha's Blood-Eyed Shura and one of the Legendary Sannin, it would be a devastating blow to the village."
"Let's wait for the right moment."
Danzo almost couldn't catch his breath. Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't even intend to touch Sora and Orochimaru.
But upon careful consideration, given Konoha's current situation, what Sarutobi Hiruzen said made sense. It wasn't yet time to move against Sora and Orochimaru.
"What about the Uchiha clan?" Danzo asked solemnly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't speak, merely lowering his Hokage hat.
Seeing this gesture, Danzo understood—Sarutobi Hiruzen had agreed to his plans regarding the Uchiha.
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