Konoha.
Hokage's Office.
After returning from Takigakure with the bodies of the Root shinobi, Aoshi and Nono arrived here together. Minato, who had also completed his assessment mission, was already present.
Taking a slow puff from his pipe, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the three of them and smiled.
"Excellent. All three of you have passed the assessment. From this moment on, you are officially Konoha jōnin!"
Hearing this, both Minato and Nono revealed expressions of undisguised joy.
After becoming jōnin, their status within Konoha would undergo a fundamental change. They had now truly entered the village's power structure and even possessed the right to vote in the selection of the Hokage.
Aoshi, however, remained calm.
If he had failed to be promoted to jōnin, that would have been surprising.
Without a word, Aoshi retrieved a sealing scroll and released the bodies of the Root shinobi in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Hokage-sama, during the mission, Nono was attacked by Root shinobi. The incident even involved the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki of Takigakure."
"Further investigation revealed that Root's true objective was to assassinate me."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression subtly shifted.
An attack by Root on a fellow Konoha ninja was already serious enough. The involvement of another village's Tailed Beast and Jinchūriki elevated the matter to an entirely different level.
That fool Danzō… scheming behind my back again.
"Being targeted is secondary," Aoshi continued, his voice steady. "But behavior like this—behavior that openly violates the Will of Fire—cannot be tolerated. Danzō must be dealt with severely."
As he spoke, Aoshi looked straight at Sarutobi Hiruzen, his gaze unwavering.
"Hokage-sama, if Aoshi-nii hadn't responded to the distress signal and arrived in time, I wouldn't have survived."
Nono stepped forward and added,
"Moreover, if Takigakure were to investigate this incident and uncover the truth, they would certainly demand an explanation from Konoha."
Now that all three of them were jōnin, Sarutobi Hiruzen could no longer treat their words lightly.
After a long moment of contemplation, he finally spoke.
"Aoshi, Nono, I understand that you've been wronged. However… Danzō has, after all, made great contributions to Konoha."
It was clear—Sarutobi Hiruzen intended to shield Danzō.
Not because he would refuse to punish him, but because he had no intention of dealing with him harshly.
After all, Danzō was a friend for several decades.
"Hokage-sama, I believe Aoshi-nii is right," Minato spoke up at this moment, his expression serious.
"For a Hokage advisor to actively attack a fellow village ninja—if this matter isn't handled strictly, it will undoubtedly discourage everyone in the village!"
As Jiraiya's student, Minato had naturally heard of Danzō before.
In the past, he'd had no direct dealings with him, only hearing Jiraiya-sensei describe him as a deeply dark individual. At the time, Minato hadn't taken those words too seriously.
Now, he finally understood just how unscrupulous Danzō truly was.
Seeing that even Minato was siding with Aoshi and Nono, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression grew increasingly grim.
Inwardly, he cursed Danzō yet again. The man would truly do anything for the title of Hokage.
Was that something he could really aspire to?
The leader of Root should act like the leader of Root—hidden in the shadows, not recklessly dragging the village into chaos.
Having known Danzō for decades, Sarutobi Hiruzen instantly understood his motives.
"I will relieve Danzō of his position as Root's leader," he finally said. "He will be confined to his residence and forbidden from leaving without a legitimate reason."
"Additionally, Nono, I will approve your formal request to leave Root."
Hearing this, Aoshi frowned. On the surface, it sounded like punishment—but in reality, it would change nothing.
Root had long been structured to obey only Danzō's orders. Stripping him of his title would not truly sever his control.
At that moment, a voice filled with dissatisfaction rang out from the doorway.
"Old man, haven't Aoshi and Nono also made tremendous contributions to Konoha? Your blatant protection of Danzō is truly unbecoming of a Hokage!"
Everyone turned toward the entrance.
Tsunade had arrived. Since Aoshi intended to confront Danzō, there was no way he would overlook Tsunade's presence.
If the three of them could still be dismissed as "insignificant," then Tsunade was not someone Sarutobi Hiruzen could ignore.
Not only was she one of the Legendary Sannin, but she was also his student—and the granddaughter of both the First and Second Hokage.
If Tsunade truly wished it, with her status and reputation, she could rally enough support to directly become the Fourth Hokage.
"Tsunade, this is different. Danzō, after all—" Sarutobi Hiruzen tried to explain, but the impatient Tsunade immediately cut him off.
"We are all Konoha ninja. So what's different? Or are you saying that in your heart, Danzō stands above the rest of us?"
At those words, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression changed completely.
"Tsunade, that is not what I meant!"
If such words were to spread, Konoha's morale would collapse.
"If that's truly the case," Tsunade pressed on coldly, "then you must treat everyone equally. You know exactly what Danzō has done. Even sentencing him to death would not be excessive."
"Given that he has indeed contributed to Konoha, the death penalty can be waived—but mere house arrest is far from sufficient."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression wavered, light and shadow flickering across his face.
At that moment, Aoshi spoke once more.
"Hokage-sama, Danzō has already taken this step. His intent is clear—he plans to engage me in a life-and-death struggle."
"If you protect him today, then when he strikes again in the future, I cannot guarantee what actions I may take."
Those words were not only a warning. They were a direct threat—aimed squarely at Sarutobi Hiruzen.
With his current status and strength, Aoshi was fully qualified to say such words.
When he was still weak, he needed the protection of Konoha's great tree to grow. But times had changed. If it truly came down to it, becoming a missing-nin was no longer an unthinkable option.
Though, of course, remaining within Konoha was still preferable.
Sarutobi Hiruzen clearly understood the meaning behind Aoshi's words.
At this moment, under the combined pressure of Aoshi and Tsunade, even his attachment to an old friendship could no longer shield Danzō. He had no choice but to impose a truly severe punishment.
To satisfy both of them, he didn't even consult Homura Mitokado or Koharu Utatane, issuing the order immediately.
"Effective today, Danzō is stripped of all his positions and will be confined to Konoha Prison under strict supervision. He is forbidden from meeting anyone without authorization!"
Danzō… why couldn't you just remain the leader of Root?
For the future of Konoha, you will stay in Konoha Prison and live out the rest of your days there.
Sarutobi Hiruzen muttered inwardly as the decision was made. This level of punishment was already the absolute limit he was willing to impose.
Aoshi and Tsunade both knew when to stop pressing. They also understood that completely overthrowing Danzō in a single move was impossible.
"Now that is how a Hokage should act."
At Tsunade's remark, Sarutobi Hiruzen shot her an irritated glare. You don't treat me like the Hokage at all!
"Thank you, Hokage-sama, for handling this matter impartially." Aoshi and Nono spoke in unison, finally improving Sarutobi Hiruzen's mood slightly.
"Now that the three of you are jōnin," he said, setting the Danzō issue aside, "do any of you intend to serve as squad leaders?"
The question eased the tension in the room considerably.
As for Hiruko—who had already been killed by Aoshi—no one paid him any attention at the moment.
Even Tsunade showed no concern.
"I won't be a squad leader," Nono replied first. "After leaving Root, I'll return to the orphanage and take over as its director."
Two years had passed, and the elderly director had long been preparing to step down.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, approving her decision.
Minato spoke next. "For now, I don't plan on becoming a squad leader jōnin."
In truth, after his promotion, Minato intended to take on more high-level missions, earn money, and save up for marriage and starting a family in the future. His relationship with Uzumaki Mai was progressing steadily.
Becoming a squad leader would require investing significant time and energy into training students, greatly reducing his efficiency in earning money.
"Very well." Sarutobi Hiruzen agreed once more, then turned his gaze toward Aoshi, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.
"I also have no plans to become a squad leader jōnin," Aoshi said calmly. "I will continue working at Konoha Hospital."
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a flicker of disappointment at those words. But he did not press the matter. He respected Aoshi's choice.
After the three newly promoted jōnin left, Sarutobi Hiruzen took one final puff from his pipe, then stood and walked out of the Hokage's Office.
---
Soon after, accompanied by Anbu, he arrived at Root headquarters.
"Hiruzen, what are you doing here?" Danzō, still simmering with anger, offered no pleasant expression.
Sarutobi Hiruzen ignored him completely, announcing the punishment with an indifferent tone.
"You intend to put me in prison?!" Danzō stared at him in utter disbelief.
In the past, no matter what he had done, the harshest punishment had only ever been house arrest.
Why had it changed this time?
Seeing Danzō's expression, Sarutobi Hiruzen had no intention of explaining. He simply gestured for the Anbu to step forward and seize him.
The Root shinobi immediately moved to block them.
At that moment, Danzō finally realized—
Hiruzen was not joking.
"Hiruzen, have you lost your mind?! I am the leader of Root and a Hokage advisor to Konoha!"
"From this moment on," Sarutobi Hiruzen replied coldly, "you are neither."
"Hiruzen, you—"
Unwilling to waste any more words, Sarutobi Hiruzen cut him off. "Surrender, Danzō. Or are you planning to betray Konoha?"
The Sarutobi Hiruzen of this era was not yet the frail old man of the future. He was still in his prime.
The imposing aura of the Ninjutsu Professor surged outward, causing everyone present to stiffen.
Even Danzō involuntarily broke into a cold sweat. In that instant, he recalled the terror of once being completely overshadowed by Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Hiruzen… you will regret this!"
Though Danzō had countless words he wanted to say, they ultimately condensed into that single sentence.
It also marked his decision. Since betraying Konoha was impossible, he could only accept the punishment handed down.
"Danzō," Sarutobi Hiruzen said firmly, "I am the Hokage."
As his words fell, the Anbu immediately stepped forward and restrained Danzō.
This time, the Root shinobi did not interfere.
Before long, news spread throughout the village that Danzō had been personally escorted to Konoha Prison by Sarutobi Hiruzen himself.
Those unfamiliar with Danzō were confused, wondering who this man was to warrant such treatment.
Meanwhile, those who knew exactly who Danzō was cheered openly. It was clear that the people of Konoha had suffered under him for many long years.