Yellow Dog had gathered scrolls for two weeks, using evidence to prove that Root's intelligence system had problems.
The missions of several squads to eliminate targets from the Assassination Manual had stalled.
He brought Fox into the Hokage's office.
Yellow Dog said, "Lord Third, after Root's collapse, the intelligence system can no longer function.
Progress on the Assassination Manual has stalled; various squads have gone to carry out assassinations but returned empty-handed several times.
The spy network is controlled by Root. The spy handlers from the major villages only recognize orders from Advisor Danzo.
But Lord Danzo cannot possibly contact so many spy handlers personally. Contacting spy handlers is very covert; sometimes, verifying a handler's loyalty requires meeting in person for confirmation.
The spy system's inability to relay intelligence not only hinders the Anbu's continued efforts to clear Assassination Manual targets but is also a waste of the spies themselves.
The intelligence that spies risk their lives to obtain in other villages cannot be utilized by the village, which is a disservice to their sacrifice.
At the same time, instances of other villages assassinating our Konoha ninja are increasing.
Back and forth, our Konoha is suffering heavy losses.
For Root to train nine new members with outstanding abilities, it would take at least three months, maybe even half a year.
Lord Hokage, I hope the Anbu can take over the spy system and get it operational again."
Sarutobi Hiruzen pretended to take the scrolls Yellow Dog handed over, looking at the records of several squads returning empty-handed after failed operations.
Intelligence delayed by a single day meant the target had long since completed their task and escaped.
However, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't bring himself to further weaken Danzo.
Danzo and Root were already in a pitiful state.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Yellow Dog, I will consider this matter."
Just as Yellow Dog was about to say more, a knock sounded at the door.
An assistant entered the office and said urgently:
"Lord Hokage, the heads of the Hyūga clan, the Yamanaka clan, the Aburame clan, the Akimichi clan, the Inuzuka clan, and others have arrived downstairs together and wish to see you.
From their expressions, they don't seem to be in a good mood."
The Third Hokage said: "Let them come up."
Yellow Dog was about to leave but was asked by the Third to stay and observe. Yōkō also benefited from this; it was going to be a good show.
The five clan heads entered the Hokage's office.
The Third Hokage didn't need to ask; the five clan heads were filled with indignation, their faces showing anger.
The head of the Inuzuka clan, Inuzuka Kari, was the first to speak:
"Lord Third, you are aware that a major part of our Inuzuka clan's strength lies with our ninja hounds.
Last time, to cooperate with Lord Danzo, our Inuzuka clan provided two Special Jōnin to Root.
Wouldn't taking ninja hounds on assassination missions immediately give us away and expose our identities?
Therefore, those two Special Jōnin had to forego their hounds and fight relying on taijutsu and their sense of smell.
This was already the greatest support our Inuzuka clan could offer to Root.
The two Inuzuka ninja sacrificed their lives successively on Root missions, and we have no complaints.
Last night, Advisor Danzo came to our clan compound and demanded that the Inuzuka clan provide three more Special Jōnin to Root.
Lord Hokage, the Inuzuka clan is truly unsuited for the role of assassination ninja; we are too reliant on our hounds.
We hope the village can understand our difficulties."
Even Sarutobi Hiruzen's face showed a rare hint of apology.
Having the Inuzuka clan join the Anbu was indeed somewhat unfair to them.
The Anbu primarily uses taijutsu and explosive tags; even if they know some ninjutsu, they use common ones.
This way, it's hard for the enemy to identify them based on ninjutsu.
But an Anbu member bringing a ninja hound is equivalent to writing "I am a Konoha Inuzuka clan ninja" on their mask.
Danzo going to the Inuzuka clan to demand personnel was indeed problematic.
But Danzo was also backed into a corner; he didn't even have trainees left, relying on the Lynx Squad to temporarily fill the gap.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Clan Head Kari, I understand. I will inform Advisor Danzo to refrain from recruiting Inuzuka ninja into Root."
The Yamanaka clan head, Yamanaka Inson, was the second to speak:
"Lord Hokage, the casualty rate in Root is too high.
The Yamanaka ninja we have sent to Root over the past few years have not survived for more than six months.
The Yamanaka clan absolutely supports Konoha, but could our clansmen join the Anbu directly instead of Root?
This is my small request. We are willing to sacrifice for the village, but we hope it can be in the Anbu. Please consider this, Lord Hokage."
The Ino–Shika–Chō trio were one of Sarutobi Hiruzen's core support bases.
The joint appearance of Yamanaka Inson and Akimichi Yamashiro here indicated that the Ino–Shika–Chō alliance was on the verge of breaking down over this.
It wasn't that they were unwilling to sacrifice for the village, but they wanted the sacrifice to be meaningful.
They didn't resist sending clansmen to the Anbu, but sending them to Root was practically no different from sending them to their deaths.
Akimichi Yamashiro, missing an arm, gestured with his remaining arm and said bluntly:
"Lord Third, I believe Advisor Danzo's command is problematic.
Even when performing dangerous missions, the current casualty rate in the Anbu is completely acceptable to us.
But Root's is somewhat excessively high.
Even during the most difficult periods of the Second Great Shinobi War, when our Konoha was simultaneously challenging Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure, the casualty rate wasn't this exaggerated."
A simple mind could also be a protective coloring.
If others were here criticizing Danzo, it might be seen as ill-intentioned, but Akimichi Yamashiro's character was that of an obedient, straightforward man.
If Akimichi Yamashiro thought Danzo's command was problematic, others could only say he was being rash.
Among the Ino–Shika–Chō clan heads, Nara Rokaku wasn't present. Yamanaka Inson played the role of mediator, quickly saying:
"Yamashiro! How can you doubt Lord Danzo? Stop talking nonsense."
Yamanaka Inson pretended to pull Akimichi Yamashiro back, but in reality, he thought the same: Danzo's command was problematic.
Danzo had gone to various clan compounds last night demanding personnel, his attitude aggressive, desperate, and arrogant.
The Aburame clan head, Aburame Kazuma, also spoke up:
"Lord Hokage! The Aburame clan population is small to begin with. Over the past two years, ten members have joined Root or the Anbu.
Of those, seven have died.
The Aburame clan wishes to recuperate for a few years. After the war, shouldn't we be recuperating?
Producing offspring is difficult for us; outsiders are not willing to marry into the Aburame clan."
Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly said: "The Aburame clan's contributions to the village are clear for all to see. I will speak to Danzo and tell him not to recruit Aburame ninja into Root this time."
Finally, the Hyūga clan head, Hyūga Tengaku, also said:
"Lord Hokage, during peacetime, Hyūga clan ninja are among the hardest working.
Providing security for the village, for the various Daimyō, for outposts and fortresses.
For this recruitment of Special Jōnin into Root, I truly cannot select any personnel.
The Hyūga Special Jōnin of comparable skill all have heavy guard duties or missions; they are either with the Daimyō or at border outposts and fortresses. Please understand, Lord Hokage."
Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a long breath of thick smoke.
This time, he really couldn't blame the clan heads for refusing the village's demands; the sacrifices made by each clan had been enormous.
Yōkō thought to himself, after his persistent efforts, Danzo's political credibility had finally collapsed.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "I will instruct Danzo to focus on training civilian ninja and try not to recruit from the shinobi clans for the next few years. What do you think?"
The clan heads repeatedly agreed.
While the clan heads were airing their grievances, the door to the Hokage's office was suddenly pushed open.
Entering without announcement meant the visitor was no ordinary person.
Seeing it was Danzo, the clan heads quickly stood up from the sofa.
Danzo swept his gaze over the clan heads; none met his eyes.
Everyone knew Danzo had suffered a heavy blow. Opposing him now would invite his retaliation.
***
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(End of Chapter)