The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor.
Uchiha Fugaku appeared with several members of the Uchiha Guard in tow. When their eyes landed on the scene before them, they froze — Danzo and Koharu lay sprawled on the ground, battered beyond recognition.
That's Elder Danzo… and Advisor Koharu?!
Who could have beaten them into such a state?
Fugaku turned toward Hiruzen, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief.
"Naruto-sama… did you summon us here?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was momentarily speechless. Has Koharu been in a high position so long that she's lost her mind? Why would I call the Uchiha Guard just to witness my humiliation?
"It's fine, Fugaku," Hiruzen said at last, forcing composure. "Continue maintaining order around the area."
"Yes, Naruto-sama."
Fugaku gave a small nod and motioned for his men to leave, though his gaze lingered on Ryoma before departing.
Nearby, Minato Namikaze's blond hair fluttered lightly in the wind, his face frozen in confusion. Ryoma actually attacked the senior advisors? These were the two most powerful figures after the Hokage — and yet both had been struck down. Even Danzo, the shadowy elder, had been beaten right in front of Naruto-sama.
It was madness.
Kushina, tense and alert, gripped Ryoma's arm tightly. He felt her soft, warm touch as her fingers curled around him — and noted, not without a trace of distraction, that young Kushina's figure was already well-developed.
"Monkey (Hiruzen) Sarutobi!"
Mitokado Homura stepped forward, glaring at Hiruzen. "Regardless of anything else, Ryoma is highly suspicious. He killed many of Konoha's elite shinobi during this incident. He must return with us for questioning. This procedure was agreed upon by the Administration Department and Root — it just hasn't been made public."
This was no longer just about protocol; it was a battle for face.
If Ryoma refused to return for investigation, they would be mocked by the entire village. If they couldn't arrest him, and instead ended up being beaten themselves, what would that say about them?
But Ryoma clearly had no intention of giving them that face.
"Advisor," Ryoma said coolly, "let me be direct. This group you brought openly attacked me and Kushina inside Konoha, without presenting any official warrant or authorization."
"What exactly do you mean by claiming to 'suspect' me? Are you targeting your own comrades in Konoha Village?"
"Or did you accept bribes from Kumogakure? Did you betray the village and become their spy?"
"Did I interfere with your shady dealings with the Cloud, and now you're so furious you decided to attack me in broad daylight?"
His words sent a visible ripple through the crowd.
"Ryoma!"
"You're spouting nonsense!"
Uzumaki Mito's chakra surged violently, and the faint, oppressive aura of the Nine-Tails filled the air.
"The more I think about it," Mito said coldly, "the more something feels wrong, Homura. I've respected you as senior advisors for years. I've been retired a long time and have no wish to meddle in Konoha's internal politics — those should be your affairs to manage."
"But if you've truly betrayed Konoha… then I will not hesitate to destroy my own kin for the sake of righteousness."
Homura paled under the suffocating presence of the Nine-Tails, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Old lady, you misunderstand. Everything we've done is entirely for the good of the village!"
Mito ignored him and turned to Hiruzen. "Sarutobi, this time you must investigate. Thoroughly."
"Of course," Hiruzen said gravely. "I'll get to the bottom of this — without favoritism."
Uzumaki Mito gave a firm nod.
"Alright… I still trust you."
With that, she turned to Ryoma and Kushina.
"Ryoma, Kushina — let's go."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in agreement, casting a sharp glance at Homura Mitokado as a silent warning to hold his tongue.
If Homura kept talking, Konoha's leadership would lose all face. After all, Danzo and his group were clearly in the wrong today — and now they were trying to turn the blame back on Ryoma.
Ryoma took Kushina by the hand and followed Mito.
But just as they were about to disappear around the corner, Ryoma suddenly paused and looked back.
"Oh, right… Hokage-sama, there's something I should mention. Among the Root members, I saw someone from the Uchiha clan — and he was using the Sharingan. I was under the impression that Uchiha were only allowed to serve in the Police Force. So… why would one of them be in Danzo's Root?"
Hiruzen's expression shifted instantly.
Ryoma's words weren't really for him — they were for the Uchiha Guard still lingering outside.
He was deliberately stirring the pot.
A Uchiha with an active Sharingan was no ordinary shinobi; such a person would normally be a clan prodigy. And yet Danzo had one serving in Root?
Why was Danzo recruiting from the Uchiha? What was he planning?
Hiruzen's gaze swept over the corpses scattered across the ground. Sure enough, one of them had the distinctive eyes of the Sharingan. His face darkened.
Beside him, Homura's expression remained carefully neutral, but inside he was seething. That damn Ryoma… causing trouble for me even as he leaves!
Just wait. If I find a single weakness in you, I'll make you pay.
While Homura plotted, Hiruzen's voice broke the tension.
"Homura, you and Koharu have worked hard these past years and made many contributions to Konoha. But you've also been under a lot of strain."
"I'm giving you both a month's leave. Take the time to rest, and delegate your duties to the younger generation."
His gaze then shifted toward Danzo's prone figure.
"And you, Danzo — stop pretending to be dead. This incident has caused too much damage. Root will be put under full investigation, and you should be prepared for it to be disbanded at any time…"