"Lady Tsunade, please calm down!"
"We can discuss this properly! Please don't resort to violence!"
At this moment, several nearby Root ninja spoke up one after another, attempting to calm the situation with words.
Meanwhile, as Danzō hurriedly dodged, he also tried to suppress Tsunade using his seniority and make her stop this act of "disrespecting an elder."
But Tsunade treated their words like the chanting of turtles and ignored them completely. Driven by rage, she relentlessly pursued Danzō with a storm of attacks.
Every punch carried enough force to split mountains and shatter stone, compressing the air into piercing explosions.
Finally…
Whoosh—!!
One punch grazed past Danzō's cheek.
The violent wind pressure from the strike slammed into his cheekbone like an iron hammer.
"Ugh!"
Danzō groaned. Half his face instantly went numb, followed by burning pain and a dizzying sensation that made the world spin!
His entire body flew away like a struck spinning top, rotating through the air before crashing into a nearby metal wall with a dull boom.
When he struggled to raise his head again, his nose was crooked and blood poured from his mouth and nostrils. Half his face swelled visibly, leaving him in an extremely miserable state.
Seeing Tsunade charge again,
Danzō endured the dizziness and formed seals at the fastest speed of his life.
"…Wind Release: Vacuum Bullets!!"
Several highly compressed bullets of wind pressure screamed toward Tsunade!
Faced with the oppressive force rushing directly at her, Tsunade paused and threw a powerful punch!
Bang—!!!
The wind bullets collided with her fist and struggled against it briefly before exploding apart!
Violent currents scattered in every direction, cutting deep marks into the metal walls and floor and producing ear-piercing scraping sounds!
Then…
a tiny spark of crimson appeared within the dispersed currents.
In the blink of an eye, it expanded with the wind into a massive ball of flames that swept backward toward its source!
Danzō's eyes widened abruptly. Before he could rise and dodge, the surging flames swallowed him, transforming him into a human-shaped mass of fire!
"Hmm?"
Tsunade glanced back at Yuu.
Naturally, the Fire Release that had appeared from nowhere was Yuu's doing.
The moment he intervened,
the remaining Root ninja could no longer restrain themselves.
Tsunade was the First Hokage's granddaughter and one of the renowned Sannin. They could hardly interfere with whatever she chose to do.
But surely they could deal with the child of ordinary civilians beside her?
Although Yuu's title as the "White Reaper" had gained some fame within Konoha, the ninja capable of entering Root and remaining at Danzō's side all possessed a few special abilities.
They did not believe themselves much weaker than the white-haired brat before them.
At once,
a Water Release ninja attacked first. The water he spat out transformed into a long whip and coiled toward Yuu.
"Water Release: Water Whip!"
Beside him, another ninja interlocked all ten fingers.
"Ninja Art: Mind Body Switch Technique!"
Buzz—!
Yuu's movements paused as he felt a sharp, cold current pierce into his mind.
But immediately afterward…
"Gah!!"
Before the Root ninja who had used the Mind Body Switch Technique could celebrate, his pupils trembled.
It looked as though he had witnessed something terrifying, and his entire body began shaking uncontrollably.
Ultimately, the Mind Body Switch series of ninjutsu involved a contest between spiritual powers.
If the difference in mental strength was too great, even if the first stage of the technique succeeded, the user might still fail to complete the subsequent control.
As a transmigrator, Yuu naturally possessed twice the spiritual power of an ordinary person.
Afterward, through his own efforts and a tiny, "insignificant" amount of help from the galgame system, his mental strength had gradually risen to the Kage level.
Even though the Yuu standing here was only a shadow clone, his spiritual power was still far beyond that Root ninja's.
Their confrontation lasted less than a second before the outcome was decided.
However, Tsunade did not know this.
Believing that Yuu had been struck by the technique, she rushed forward and punched the Root ninja using the Mind Body Switch Technique away.
Then she turned and glared fiercely at the others, intimidating them into stopping.
At this moment,
Danzō had already escaped from the flames.
Ignoring the burns across his body and clothing, he immediately drew a kunai, opened his mouth, and coated it with the Vacuum Blade technique.
Then he raised his head toward Tsunade and Yuu, preparing for close combat.
Just as both sides were on the verge of clashing again,
several urgent sounds of air being torn apart rang out one after another.
A group of figures wearing animal masks appeared atop the nearby pipes with repeated whooshes and looked down at them.
The large man leading them removed his mask, revealing Sarutobi Shinnosuke.
"Stop!"
"Lord Hokage has issued an order! Shimura Danzō is to proceed immediately to the Sarutobi compound and answer for the leaking of intelligence concerning the southeastern defensive line!
"Since Lady Tsunade is also present, please come with us!"
"…"
Tsunade pursed her lips and looked toward Yuu, seemingly asking for his opinion.
Yuu pondered briefly, then nodded.
How should one put it…
If they continued fighting, he and Tsunade together might be capable of killing Danzō.
But doing so would mean openly turning against both ANBU and Root at the same time.
Although it was possible, it would undoubtedly create considerable trouble for both Yuu and Tsunade afterward.
Furthermore, Danzō probably knew about Tsunade's hemophobia.
If he exploited that weakness, he might directly remove Tsunade from the battle.
In that case, Yuu alone might not be able to finish Danzō, especially since his current body was only a shadow clone.
Therefore…
they should first observe Sarutobi Hiruzen's attitude before deciding what to do.
Logically speaking, even in the worst-case scenario, Hiruzen would have to temporarily suspend Danzō from his position.
As long as Yuu could gain one or two months, he would have a relatively high chance of killing him.
So allowing Danzō to live for a few more days would not matter.
He would simply need to arrange some protection for Mikami Tajima and his wife afterward, preventing Root from taking revenge against them during those two months.
At once,
Tsunade withdrew her gaze from Yuu's face and snorted coldly.
"Fine. Since this is the old man's decision, we'll stop here for now.
"But… if he dares protect this bastard, I won't let the matter end so easily."
"…"
Sarutobi Shinnosuke opened his mouth but could not say much.
He offered a few vague responses, then gestured for his subordinates to take custody of Danzō.
Seeing this, the Root ninja instinctively tightened their grips on their kunai and short swords, adopting guarded stances.
Danzō, however, waved one hand and spoke indistinctly through his swollen face.
"Everyone, put away your weapons…
"Shinnosuke, lead the way. I will explain everything that happened here to Hiruzen."
Sarutobi Shinnosuke nodded.
"Please."
A short while later,
after leaving part of ANBU behind to guard the remaining Root members, Shinnosuke led the group—including Tsunade and Yuu—through Konoha's streets and into Sarutobi Hiruzen's residence within the Sarutobi compound.
At this moment,
the room was already brightly illuminated.
The three members of Konoha's leadership—Sarutobi Hiruzen, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura—were all present.
Yamanaka Shingen and Asuma had not left either. They stood silently to one side with their hands lowered.
On the low table in the center of the room lay a newly compiled intelligence scroll detailing Otsu's sale of military information.
The two newly arrived advisors had already read it.
With Danzō, the central figure in the case, arriving,
the meeting officially began.
"…Danzō, you went too far! Selling the defensive map of the southeastern front to the black market and causing Kirigakure's surprise attack… How could you do such a thing?!"
Mitokado Homura spoke with deep pain.
"That's right. Root has always employed extraordinary methods, and sometimes special measures are necessary for the village's safety, but you went too far this time!
"You must accept responsibility for the deaths of those excellent Konoha ninja!"
Utatane Koharu also reprimanded him.
Then her tone suddenly shifted.
"However, Konoha ultimately defeated Kirigakure's advance force along the southeastern border, achieving a glorious victory. Three members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were also captured or killed, so the final result was at least favorable.
"Danzō is Lord Tobirama's disciple and has led Root for many years, resolving numerous troublesome matters for the village. He has worked hard and made many contributions.
"I imagine he merely acted too aggressively and lost his sense of proportion. It probably should not be elevated to the level of betraying the village…
"Hiruzen, Homura, what do you think?"
"…Heh."
Tsunade laughed.
"You're already beginning to clear this bastard's name?
"And you still have the nerve to invoke Granduncle Tobirama's name… Did the Second Hokage ever collude with a foreign nation?
"Also, what do you mean by saying the result was favorable?
"Konoha defeated Kirigakure because Yuu, Asuma, Fugaku, and the others fought and bled for it!
"What does that have to do with this piece of trash who hid in the shadows, betrayed his comrades, and experimented on orphans?
"Does Konoha need to thank him?"
"…"
Utatane Koharu's expression became ugly after being rebuked.
Mitokado Homura coughed.
"Tsunade, you shouldn't put it that way. Danzō truly made great contributions to Konoha in the past. He was only confused for a moment.
"Isn't what you're saying a little too hurtful toward him…?"
"Hurt my ass!"
Tsunade cursed loudly.
Seeing the atmosphere suddenly grow tense, Sarutobi Hiruzen coughed and interrupted.
"Cough, cough. This gathering is meant to discuss official matters. Everyone, calm down…
"Tsunade, you mentioned 'experimenting on orphans.' What happened?"
"So none of you know yet?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
Then, with a disdainful expression, she described what she had seen inside Root's base.
This time,
even Utatane Koharu, who had just spoken in Danzō's defense, widened her eyes in shock at the previously unknown information.
"This…"
"The Wood Release experiments that were stopped many years ago were still continuing… How could this be?"
Amid the atmosphere of astonishment,
Sarutobi Hiruzen turned toward Danzō.
His cloudy eyes contained complicated emotions—shock, disappointment, and regret.
Finally, he spoke with difficulty.
"Danzō… Do you have anything to say?"
The muscles on Danzō's face twitched several times.
He swept a dark gaze around the room, especially toward Tsunade and Yuu, before meeting Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes.
"Hiruzen, everything I have done was for Konoha's future.
"These juniors do not understand. But surely you understand?"
"…"
Good grief.
Yuu could only call it incredible.
Although he had long known that Hiruzen and Danzō's relationship was unusual, he had not expected to witness an actual scene between a pair of star-crossed lovers.
Next,
Yuu, Sarutobi Shinnosuke, and the others remained at the side as spectators, listening to the senior members of Konoha's leadership and Tsunade fiercely exchange opinions.
Overall…
the two advisors believed Danzō was at fault but did not deserve death. A minor punishment and a serious warning would be enough.
Tsunade insisted that Danzō had to answer for the Konoha ninja and children who had died.
Even if he was not executed, he had to be removed from office and investigated, his crimes properly settled, and the truth publicly announced.
The two sides argued most fiercely over that final point.
After all, removal from office could later be reversed.
But public disclosure was different.
Once Danzō's "betrayal of the village" became officially established, returning to power in the future would be extremely difficult.
Furthermore, Konoha had no tradition of publicly revealing matters involving decisions by its highest leadership for everyone to see.
Doing so would negatively affect the leadership's authority.
Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated.
Seeing the situation turning against him, Danzō gritted his teeth and decided to sacrifice a pawn to save the chariot.
"Hiruzen, there is something I never told you.
"That Wood Release experiment… actually succeeded.
"One child survived the experiment and obtained the power of Wood Release."
"Oh?"
Everyone's attention immediately returned to him.
Sarutobi Hiruzen asked several questions, then immediately ordered Shinnosuke to verify the matter.
A short while later,
Yamato, with long brown hair and a weak, delicate appearance almost like that of a young girl, was brought back from Root's base by ANBU.
He appeared timid and shrank beneath everyone's gazes, too frightened to speak.
Sarutobi Hiruzen gently reassured him and encouraged him to try using Wood Release.
When Yamato formed seals on the spot and caused the low table in the middle of the room to begin "growing," the atmosphere inside the room quietly changed.
"Cough, cough… Tsunade."
Sarutobi Hiruzen softened his voice and spoke in a negotiating tone.
"You see, since the Wood Release experiment ultimately succeeded, what Danzō did cannot be described purely as recklessly disregarding human lives.
"His methods were simply somewhat excessive…
"Of course, I will absolutely not tolerate the crime of leaking intelligence.
"How about this?
"Effective immediately, Danzō will be removed from his position as leader of Root. Root will be placed under ANBU's temporary administration.
"Danzō himself will be confined to his residence and forbidden from leaving his estate for the next six months.
"Additionally, Danzō and Root's assets will be used to compensate and apologize to those who died on the southeastern front. Each family will receive between one and two million ryō.
"When their children reach the appropriate age, they may directly enter the Ninja Academy as the children of heroes.
"The village will also hold a unified memorial ceremony for the fallen…
"Furthermore, all ninja who performed exceptionally during this campaign will receive rewards.
"Mikami Yuu and the others may each select one high-level ninjutsu to study…
"What do all of you think of this arrangement?"
"It's passable."
Tsunade curled her lip.
"What about Yuu and Asuma?"
"…Acceptable."
Yuu paused before adding,
"However, I would like to propose two additional conditions.
"First, I ask Lord Third to dispatch ANBU to guarantee my parents' safety. They are ordinary civilians inside the village, and I'm concerned they may face retaliation from certain parties.
"Second, Danzō and Root must issue a formal apology to every Konoha ninja on the southeastern front who was affected by this incident."
"…"
The corner of Sarutobi Hiruzen's mouth twitched slightly.
He glanced toward Danzō before saying,
"Protecting the village's civilians is the Hokage's responsibility.
"I can guarantee that neither you nor the parents and relatives of the other children will suffer any accidents.
"As for the apology… I will arrange it."
"That's good."
~~~
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