But Konoha's high-ranking officials knew Danzo far too well. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that the old rogue was effectively the village's second-in-command.
And now, this individual was dead?
Even more perplexing, they didn't know how or where Danzo had died!
If it weren't for the Tongue-Cursed Seal of Silence, they wouldn't even have known he was dead! Amaterasu had incinerated Danzo completely, leaving no trace.
The silent elimination of such a powerful figure sent a chill down the spines of Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others. Whoever was responsible possessed the ability to eliminate Danzo without leaving a trace.
This raised serious questions about their own safety. How much chance did they have against this unseen enemy?
"Could it be him?" Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, a long-held suspicion surfacing in his mind. A figure who had haunted his thoughts for a considerable time.
If it were that person, they certainly possessed the capability. However, Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't certain.
But the situation demanded action. With Danzo's death shrouded in mystery, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't keep the secret any longer. If he were to suffer a similar fate, the truth would die with him.
"There is something I need to tell you all," Sarutobi Hiruzen addressed the high-ranking officials gathered in his office, his expression grave.
"A powerful, mysterious individual has been secretly operating within Konoha."
"This individual first appeared during a mission led by Uchiha Shisui to recover Obito's body. They encountered Han, the Five-Tails Jinchuriki."
"This mysterious individual secretly intervened, sealing the partially-transformed Five-Tails Jinchuriki. Minato and Kushina are aware of this incident."
"The second time was half a year ago, when Ohnoki launched a surprise attack on Konoha. Someone intervened to subdue Ohnoki."
"The third time was today, during Kirigakure's invasion. I didn't tell you this, but five of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were killed by this mysterious individual!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's words stunned everyone present.
Sealing a partially-transformed Jinchuriki, subduing Ohnoki, and killing five of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen—the power required was breathtaking. Even Sarutobi Hiruzen himself couldn't accomplish such feats. Even Minato Namikaze, Konoha's strongest shinobi, couldn't manage it.
"Konoha harbors such a powerful individual? Hokage-sama, you haven't identified this person all this time?" Nara Shikaku asked incredulously.
Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen shake his head, he pressed further. "Then, Hokage-sama, do you have any suspects?"
"No. This individual always operates in secret, leaving no trace."
A heavy atmosphere hung over the Hokage's office. Danzo's death was already a complex puzzle, and Sarutobi Hiruzen's revelation of a mysterious individual only added to the confusion.
The connection between Danzo's death and the mysterious individual remained unknown.
However, from that moment on, Konoha would intensify its investigation into both Danzo's death and the identity of this mysterious individual.
Beneath the surface of a peaceful Konoha, undercurrents of suspicion and investigation were already swirling.
In light of these significant events, Rin Nohara's capture by Kirigakure seemed less pressing.
No one noticed Kakashi leaving the village secretly.
…
After eliminating Danzo, Kouki's life returned to its usual calm. Thanks to his control over the Root members who knew his secret, no information had leaked.
Konoha's thorough investigation yielded no clues related to Kouki.
However, other actions of Root were quickly exposed during Konoha's investigation, including the collusion between Danzo and Orochimaru!
Orochimaru's secret laboratory was also discovered.
The Konoha leadership was shocked by this discovery and further stunned to find that Orochimaru had also disappeared!
Orochimaru's disappearance coincided precisely with Danzo's. According to confessions from Root members, this coincided with Danzo and Orochimaru's secret meeting.
The specifics of their conspiracy remained unknown due to Kouki's genjutsu control over the Root members, preventing any disclosure of the plot to capture him.
The situation was simultaneously clearer and more confusing. Clearer because Danzo and Orochimaru's disappearances provided a possible explanation for the events, suggesting a link between their conspiracy and Danzo's death.
It was highly probable that Orochimaru had killed Danzo and then fled.
More confusing because new mysteries emerged: what exactly were Danzo and Orochimaru plotting? The suspicion surrounding the mysterious individual had significantly decreased.
"Excellent. This mess hasn't led anyone to suspect me," Kouki observed the investigation via the Telescope Technique, relieved that the focus had shifted to Orochimaru, whose fate remained unknown.
Kouki resumed his patrol duties, overhearing various discussions about Danzo's death. The events within Root were impossible to conceal.
However, Orochimaru's disappearance was temporarily kept secret to prevent further upheaval in Konoha. Orochimaru's influence within Konoha far outweighed that of the hidden Root organization. He was, after all, one of the legendary Sannin.
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