With Danzo's appearance, a large number of Root Ninja surrounded Tsunade and Kitazawa.
Tsunade merely glanced at them and then ignored them. Firstly, she was confident in her own strength. Secondly, she was certain that Danzo wouldn't dare make a move.
In fact, that was precisely the case.
Although Danzo desperately wanted to order them to kill on sight, he ultimately suppressed the impulse in his heart.
He couldn't bear the consequences of killing Tsunade. Most likely, he would have to pay with his life for hers. Even if he didn't pay with his life, he would permanently lose the chance to become Hokage.
"Tsunade!" Danzo's voice was sharp with dissatisfaction.
"Forcing your way into the Root base and injuring Root Ninja—do you still have any regard for Konoha Village's rules?" Although his expression was righteous, his heart was filled with unease.
It wasn't the first time Danzo had clashed with Tsunade since her return. She would never provoke him without reason.
Just like last time, she had forced her way into the Root base to rescue Aburame Torune.
And while she was at it, she reported him for recruiting members against the rules, causing him to lose a large number of Root Ninja.
So what now? This Root base, to put it plainly, was Shigaraki Tanuki's laboratory. And his Gozu Tennō experiment was related to Hashirama cells.
If Tsunade found out and brought it to Sarutobi Hiruzen's attention, he wouldn't escape punishment. Even Hiruzen didn't know about Shigaraki Tanuki's Gozu Tennō experiment.
"That's what I should be asking you!" Tsunade snorted coldly, raised her hand, and pointed toward the laboratory not far away. "What experiment are they conducting inside?"
"Whatever experiment it is, it has nothing to do with you." Danzo's heart skipped a beat, but he said it with a calm expression. "This is Root. You have no right to ask."
"Do I have the right to ask about my grandfather's cells?" Tsunade retorted.
"What cells? I don't know." Danzo subconsciously tightened his grip on his cane.
Had she already known in advance? A flicker of killing intent flashed in Danzo's heart, but it quickly extinguished.
Killing Tsunade in Konoha Village was insane—he couldn't do it.
Should he use Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami? Now might be the best time. After all, Tsunade was alone.
As for Kitazawa, he was automatically ignored by Danzo. In his opinion, a Special Jonin couldn't cause trouble.
"Still not admitting it?" Tsunade laughed angrily. "Since you don't know, let's find someone who does!"
"What do you mean?" Danzo's gaze narrowed.
Only two people knew most about the Gozu Tennō experiment—himself and Shigaraki Tanuki. Could it be that more than just Tsunade and Kitazawa had broken in?
Useless! Danzo wanted to curse the Root Ninja at that moment, not even caring how many had broken in. It was a disgrace to Root.
Just then, a commotion came from the laboratory. The sound of wind arose, and Uchiha Itachi appeared before everyone. He was holding an unconscious Shigaraki Tanuki in his hands.
"Anbu?" Danzo's face stiffened as he looked at Itachi's attire.
The appearance of an Anbu Ninja meant that Tsunade and Kitazawa's actions had Sarutobi Hiruzen's approval. After all, in his understanding, only Hiruzen could command Anbu Ninja.
Danzo couldn't help but feel trapped.
"What else do you have to say?" Tsunade looked at him with a sneer.
"He is my researcher." Danzo paused. "Although I don't know how he offended you, it is indeed due to my lax supervision. Kill him!"
At the end of his sentence, his tone shifted, brimming with killing intent.
"How dare you?!" Tsunade hadn't expected this, and she was instantly shocked and enraged.
But the Root Ninja obeyed Danzo's orders. The moment his words fell, they attacked Shigaraki Tanuki.
Itachi stood beside him, also dodging and blocking attacks with Ninjutsu. The Root Ninja didn't care about his life or death.
Itachi subconsciously activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan. As he grabbed Shigaraki Tanuki and prepared to dodge, he saw a rotating water wall rise around them.
"Sharingan?" Danzo's heart jolted; he already knew who this Anbu Ninja was.
After all, very few Uchiha joined Anbu. Danzo couldn't use Kotoamatsukami with Itachi present.
Frustrated, he recovered his composure. The ground in front of the water wall rose, forming an earth wall. Carved on it were two dog heads and Danzo's own portrait.
"Bastard!" Danzo slammed his cane, his face dark, and shouted, "You're looking for death!"
"What? You're not satisfied?" Tsunade laughed, her mood significantly improved. "This is a tribute to you; you should be happy."
Kitazawa glanced at her, thinking, When did she learn to blurt out answers?
"Tsunade, you're going too far!" Danzo trembled with anger.
If three portraits were carved, it might be a respect. But two dog heads and his portrait clearly implied he was a dog.
Kitazawa couldn't have done this—it must have been Tsunade's instigation.
"Stop!" Just then, a familiar voice came from afar to near.
Danzo's face turned ugly, a chill running down his spine. It belonged to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
His plan to seize the opportunity to kill Shigaraki Tanuki was immediately thwarted. No matter how bold Danzo was, he couldn't kill someone in front of Hiruzen—especially not a Konoha Ninja.
"What's going on here?" Sarutobi Hiruzen walked forward.
Behind him were Shizune and eight Anbu Ninja.
"Hokage-sama." Itachi immediately bowed in salute.
"You don't know what's going on?" Tsunade asked, dissatisfaction clear in her voice. "You, as Hokage, don't even know what experiments Root is conducting?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart jolted. Could it be that Danzo still hadn't given up on the Wood Release experiment?
Hiruzen had warned him not to conduct Wood Release experiments again after taking Yamato—the sole Wood Release survivor—back then.
After all, those experiments had an extremely high mortality rate.
Whether organized by Konoha Village or privately by Danzo and Orochimaru, many had died. The former involved willing Ninja; the latter was far more excessive, capturing people for experiments.
"Danzo!" Hiruzen's gaze pierced him. "What exactly have you done?"
A suffocating aura surged forth.
Danzo trembled. He seemed to see the spirited Ninja Hero of yesteryear before him.
The reason he had endured so many years was that he had always been under Hiruzen's suppression. As Hiruzen aged, that suppression gradually lessened—but at this moment, Danzo felt as if the past had returned.
"See for yourself." Seeing Danzo's silence, Tsunade casually threw a scroll to Hiruzen.
Hiruzen slowly opened it. It was the same scroll Itachi had delivered earlier, containing data on the Gozu Tennō experiment.
Seeing that it wasn't a Wood Release experiment, Hiruzen secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
If it had been, today would have been extremely difficult to resolve. But the Gozu Tennō experiment couldn't be brushed aside so easily.
"Danzo, I need an explanation." Hiruzen threw the scroll to Danzo.
Danzo opened it, examined the contents, and understood. No wonder Tsunade had been so forceful—she already had evidence.
"Hiruzen, everything I've done is for Konoha Village!" Danzo quickly said. "Once the Gozu Tennō experiment succeeds, Konoha Village will possess…"
"Shut up!" Hiruzen's voice was expressionless. "That's not what I want to hear!"
"…" Danzo hesitated. He understood Hiruzen well enough to know that no explanation would work now.
Most importantly, Tsunade was present. With irrefutable evidence, the current Hiruzen had to act as a just and fair Hokage.
"I did indeed violate Konoha Village's rules and am willing to accept punishment," Danzo spoke with great reluctance.
Since explanations were useless, he had no choice but to admit defeat. Fortunately, he knew Hiruzen's soft heart, so the punishment wouldn't be excessive.
"From today onwards, all Root experiments are canceled!" Hiruzen's expression was serious.
"What?" Danzo's eyes widened. "Hiruzen, no! These experiments can provide powerful assistance to Konoha Village!"
"For Konoha Village? I think they're all just for your Root!" Hiruzen said coldly. "There is no room for discussion on this matter!"
"Only this much punishment?" Tsunade interjected. "Old Man, the real culprit is Danzo."
"Tsunade! Don't go too far!" Danzo's expression shifted slightly.
"Tsunade actually has a point." Hiruzen took a deep breath. "Directly disband Root and remove Danzo from his position as Root's leader."
"Hiruzen!" Danzo's face was full of disbelief. "Are you crazy?!"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, unsure what more to say. Although she truly wanted Hiruzen to arrest—or even execute—Danzo, she knew it was impossible.
However, the disbandment of Root was a significant success. Without Root, Danzo would become a commander without an army.
Itachi clenched his fists in excitement. If it weren't for the inappropriate setting, he would have laughed out loud.
Danzo had been able to suppress the Uchiha Clan because of Root and his status as a Konoha elder. Now, having lost Root, he no longer had the manpower to do so.
Half of Shisui's revenge was already achieved. For the other half, Itachi estimated he would have to wait until Tsunade became Hokage.
"I think you're the one who's crazy! Don't you know what you've done?" Hiruzen looked at Danzo. "If it weren't for your past contributions to Konoha Village, it wouldn't be as simple as just disbanding Root!"
Although disbanding Root was a spur-of-the-moment decision, it was a very normal one. Since its establishment, Root had repeatedly violated Konoha's rules.
Hiruzen had tolerated it because he could suppress Danzo as Hokage. But if Tsunade became Hokage, her approach would be completely different.
It was foreseeable that she would clash with Danzo and Root. This could embarrass Konoha and create internal turmoil.
Between Tsunade and Danzo, Hiruzen would certainly choose the former. To avoid unnecessary trouble, disbanding Root first was the best course.
"You… you…" Danzo took half a step back, sensing a strong threat in Hiruzen's tone. Was this still the Sarutobi Hiruzen he knew?
"Haru, immediately mobilize all Anbu members in the village." Hiruzen gave no chance for objection. "First, seal Root, then clean it up."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Haru responded and disappeared from the spot.
"Hiruzen, you will regret this!" Danzo's eyes were bloodshot, filled with indescribable anger and grief.
He had labored most of his life, and now, having lost power, he was unwilling to accept it.
Most importantly, without Root, he was further removed from the position of Hokage. He could outlive Hiruzen—but could he outlive Tsunade? Impossible.
Once Tsunade became Hokage, there would be no opportunities left. No, it couldn't be like this! He had to stop Tsunade!
"You're old too; go home and rest." Sarutobi Hiruzen met his gaze, sighed inwardly, and said.
Danzo was stunned.
Old? Danzo turned and left without looking back.
If you are heartless, don't blame me for being unjust! He would never admit to being old.
Hiruzen watched his retreating figure and shook his head. He hoped his old friend would finally settle down.
Konoha Village was thriving now, and he could not allow Danzo to cause trouble.
"Tsunade." Hiruzen turned to her. "I promise no one will ever use the First Hokage-sama's cells for experiments again."
"It better be that way!" Tsunade snorted softly.
"I'll have the sealing squad reinforce the seal on the First Hokage-sama's tomb later," Hiruzen added after a moment's thought.
Kitazawa suddenly thought of Orochimaru. Would he still try to use Edo Tensei to summon Senju Hashirama?
But with Orochimaru's abilities, if he truly wanted to steal the cells, the sealing squad's efforts wouldn't stop him.
"Mhm." Tsunade's attitude softened at the news.
At least Hiruzen had done what he should, and she had nothing to complain about. Although Danzo's arrogance was largely fueled by favoritism.
"Old Man, I'll leave this to you; I'll take my leave first." Tsunade waved her hand.
The faint smell of blood in the air made her uneasy. Fortunately, she hadn't seen blood directly, and Yakumo's treatment had been effective, so she felt no real discomfort.
"After Root is dealt with, I will send Anbu to give you the specific results," Hiruzen said, understanding her personality, and refrained from adding more.
"Kitazawa," Tsunade called out and walked away.
"Please excuse me, Hokage-sama." Kitazawa quickly followed.
Shizune also left, feeling a twinge of resentment—had Tsunade not even called her anymore?
"Itachi." Hiruzen's tone became serious. "Tell me everything you know."
"Yes, Hokage-sama." Itachi recounted the entire story immediately.
Hiruzen fell into thought after listening.
This matter truly wasn't Tsunade's fault. Danzo had mishandled things, and Kitazawa had discovered critical clues. It was good that Root had been disbanded.
From this incident, Hiruzen saw Tsunade's change more clearly. The Fifth Generation Hokage would most likely be her—and could only be her.
After leaving the Anbu headquarters, the view brightened again.
"What do you think of all this?" Tsunade took a deep breath. "The air outside feels much fresher."
"Hokage-sama handled it very fairly," Kitazawa replied.
"And?" Tsunade glanced at him. "Tell me the truth while we're alone."
"Given Danzo's personality and his ambition for the Hokage position, you will be the person he most wants to eliminate," Kitazawa said quietly. "This is not the end, but the beginning."
"You're right." Tsunade clenched her fists. "I need to cure my hemophobia as soon as possible."
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow at the remark.
It seemed Tsunade's thoughts had truly shifted. But it was understandable—she had been drawn into the struggle with Danzo.
Even if she wanted to run, he wouldn't let her. She had repeatedly ruined his plans. This hadn't happened in the original story.
"As long as I stay in Konoha Village, he won't dare make a move." Tsunade suddenly thought of something. "It's you who needs to be careful when you go out."
"I understand." Kitazawa felt a headache coming on.
Although Root was disbanded, Danzo still had considerable power. Fortunately, Kitazawa's current strength was enough to handle Root Ninja without much trouble.
Even if Danzo personally acted, Kitazawa could escape if necessary.
"You can call me when you go out in the future." Tsunade paused for two seconds, then added, "If you're free this afternoon, have Yakumo come over to treat me."
"I'll go call her right away." Kitazawa immediately replied, eager for Tsunade to cure her hemophobia.
If she could deal with Danzo, even against her wishes, someone would want her to become Hokage.
---
The afternoon arrived.
As Kitazawa and Yakumo treated Tsunade, the entire Konoha Village high command and major ninja clans grew lively. The news had spread: Root had been disbanded.
In the Konoha Military Police Force, Uchiha Fugaku's hearty laughter rang out.
He had never imagined that Root, which had caused him so much trouble, would be disbanded without him lifting a finger.
"Clan Head," Uchiha Yashiro lightly coughed. "What should we Uchiha do?"
"Do nothing." Fugaku stopped laughing.
In his opinion, Tsunade had already become Konoha's true core. Danzo and Root were universally resented.
Now that Root was gone, many ninja and clans owed Tsunade an invisible favor. Coupled with her illustrious background, sidelining Hiruzen wasn't even a problem.
If the Uchiha Clan wanted to rebel, they would face a united Konoha Village with almost zero chance of success.
Fugaku thought carefully. The year Shisui Uchiha had been alive was the Uchiha Clan's most hopeful period. But Shisui's death had abruptly ended their chances for rebellion.