What was the Akatsuki doing at this point in the original timeline?
Recruiting.
The only member with a clear inclination toward stirring chaos—Obito—was still keeping a watchful eye on the Uchiha within Konoha.
There was no intelligence indicating activity from Sunagakure.
Roshi knew that Rasa would eventually participate in Orochimaru's Konoha Crush plan—but that was later, and only under very specific circumstances. The present situation didn't support such a move.
Tsunade answered Roshi's question with a slow shake of her head.
Roshi considered the map again. "Only one outpost in the Land of Rivers shows abnormal activity. That alone isn't enough to form a conclusion…"
"Kakashi has already stationed surveillance teams at all four outposts," Tsunade replied. "I've also ordered the border forces to remain on alert. The real issue now is how we proceed."
Because this no longer concerned internal dissent alone.
It potentially involved two Great Ninja Villages.
This was no longer a simple investigation by the Hokage into rogue elements within Konoha. Whether it became a prolonged observation or a baited trap, the risks were steadily escalating.
The Fifth Hokage made her decision.
"We interrogate Danzo directly," Tsunade said firmly. "Whatever his intentions, his actions have already crossed the line."
Danzo Shimura was retired—but he was still an elder of the advisory council and the current head of the Shimura clan.
As a result, the retired Third Hokage and the two remaining advisors were summoned to the Hokage Office, seated in silence along the sofa.
Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his pipe and placed it between his lips.
Kakashi and Roshi stood opposite them.
Moments later, Danzo arrived, escorted by two ANBU. He wore a dark kimono, his posture unhurried, his expression unreadable.
His gaze settled calmly on Tsunade in the Hokage's seat.
"Hokage-sama," he said evenly, "you've urgently summoned this retired old man. May I ask the reason?"
"Danzo," Tsunade replied without preamble, "regarding Yakushi Nono, former captain of the medical corps—I require an explanation."
"Our investigation shows that after her retirement, you reactivated her for a covert mission. Why was this never recorded in the village archives?"
Danzo's tone remained placid, as if discussing an inconsequential matter.
"At the time, the situation was dire. The village required a spy of exceptional resolve and capability to acquire critical intelligence."
"Yakushi Nono met those requirements. Since she was already retired, I employed necessary measures. To minimize impact, her file was not updated; instead, her activities were incorporated directly into Root."
He admitted his involvement without hesitation—then added, almost casually, "Her adopted son, Yakushi Kabuto, was dispatched for the same reason. He possessed both the aptitude and the will to become an outstanding spy."
Danzo understood perfectly: the fates of Nono and Kabuto were intertwined. Exposing one inevitably exposed the other. Under such circumstances, denial was pointless.
His blunt candor made Tsunade's brow crease slightly. She had expected evasions—deflections, half-truths—not this open acknowledgment.
On the sofa, Hiruzen continued to smoke in silence, eyes lowered.
Koharu and Homura remained impassive.
Tsunade drew a steadying breath. "If they were part of Root, then why was there no transfer of authority after Kakashi took over Root's affairs?"
"Where are they now? And what exactly were their mission objectives?"
Danzo gave a soft scoff. "Tsunade, espionage isn't that straightforward."
"Even the most capable spy can only obtain information when opportunity—and fortune—allow."
"As for Yakushi Nono and Yakushi Kabuto, I issued only broad directives: gather intelligence in accordance with the village's potential needs. They were provided with a logistical network for rendezvous and communication."
He raised an eyebrow calmly.
"Their precise locations, the intelligence they acquired, and the timing of any reports… were all left to their own judgment."
"These two haven't provided any valuable intelligence for far too long," Danzo continued coolly. "The logistics team assigned to them is merely following standard procedures—maintaining a line of contact that may have already lost its meaning."
"Handling such a volume of classified material alone, I've lost contact with many networks deployed in the past." He sneered faintly. "If you hadn't raised the issue today, I might have forgotten they even existed."
Then, with a thin smile, he added, "If the Fifth Hokage believes this constitutes dereliction of duty—or an overreach of authority—I am prepared to accept whatever punishment is deemed appropriate."
A troublesome man, Tsunade thought.
She was just about to press further when Hiruzen set his pipe aside.
"Danzo," the Third Hokage said evenly, "stop posturing."
"Koharu, Homura, and I are present because this matter is anything but trivial."
Danzo openly opposed the current Hokage's policies, and all three elders believed someone like him should no longer retain influence over Root. Still, as head of the Shimura clan—and once the village's true second-in-command—it was understandable that some residual authority had remained.
Tsunade had found that unacceptable and insisted Kakashi conduct a full investigation. If Kakashi uncovered something, it would be his achievement alone; the elders would not interfere.
But once the issue involved the allied Hidden Sand Village, it ceased to be an internal dispute.
"Hmph… I did uncover some information," Danzo said at last. Seeing that neither Koharu nor Homura objected—silently aligning with Hiruzen—his tone eased slightly. "There has been frequent exchange of envoys between Sunagakure and Iwagakure, which prompted increased investment in covert personnel."
"I do not subscribe to the fantasy that a few chūnin exams will turn Sunagakure into a loyal ally of Konoha."
"Now that Kumogakure has become our most active de facto ally, it's time to apply pressure on Sunagakure—force them into complete submission."
"And stop them from hedging their bets."
"Hiruzen!" Danzo snapped, his voice rising. "You don't honestly believe that a few favors and shallow exchanges with genin can sway a man like Rasa, do you?!"
He spoke as if Tsunade weren't even in the room—as though he'd returned to the era when he commanded Root and Hiruzen sat in the Hokage's seat.
Tsunade's temper finally snapped. She slammed her palm against the desk, ready to explode—
"Excuse me, Hokage-sama. Sandaime. Honored Advisors."
A calm voice cut cleanly through the tension.
Roshi stepped forward half a pace and bowed politely.
"Please allow me to ask former Advisor Danzo Shimura a few questions."
Hiruzen glanced at Roshi, then nodded slowly. Koharu and Homura followed suit with small inclinations of the head.
As for Tsunade, there was no need to ask—she clearly wasn't going to object.
"Since you've acknowledged continued investment in covert operatives," Roshi said evenly, "then I assume you are still aware of the current whereabouts of Yakushi Nono and Yakushi Kabuto."
He deliberately ignored Danzo's tirade regarding Sunagakure.
"Given that you no longer hold an official position, and in the interest of maintaining unified intelligence and coordinating our next steps…"
"Please transfer all information pertaining to these two agents to Kakashi-senpai, effective immediately."
"As for your report regarding diplomatic exchanges between Sunagakure and Iwagakure—thank you for the intelligence. The village will factor it into our assessment and make appropriate decisions."
The room fell silent.
And for the first time since he arrived, Danzo had nothing ready to say.
Koharu spoke first. "Danzo. Do as Roshi has instructed."
Homura followed with a nod. "Return home and rest."
The two silent advisors had finally stated their position. With that, the stance of Konoha's highest authority was unified—the matter was effectively settled.
Danzo's hand tightened around his cane.
Then, slowly, he released it.
"Since the Village has reached a decision," he said coldly, "I will, of course, comply."
"Kakashi," Tsunade said at once.
The silver-haired jōnin stepped forward in silence and gestured politely toward the door. Danzo spared no one else a glance. Leaning on his cane, he followed Kakashi out with measured, steady steps.
Hiruzen let out a quiet sigh. He tapped the ash from his pipe, stored it away, and rose to his feet. With a slight nod to Tsunade, he departed alongside Koharu and Homura.
In the Hokage Office, only two people remained.
Tsunade finally released the breath she had been holding. Her gaze swept the room before settling on Roshi.
Roshi discreetly stepped half a pace back and offered, with utmost sincerity, "I can personally fund a new punching bag for your office."
"I'm furious!" Tsunade spat, slamming the desk again. "Tell me—do you really think he'll hand them over honestly?"
Roshi glanced at the fresh crack in the desk and replied calmly, "Whether he does or doesn't will give us new intelligence."
"If Danzo refuses, delays, or attempts to substitute irrelevant personnel, it confirms one thing: the core of his plan is tied directly to Yakushi Nono and Yakushi Kabuto."
He met Tsunade's eyes. "As for you—please be mindful of your own safety."
Tsunade snorted. "If his goal is to kill me, then I'd very much like to see how prepared Danzo thinks he is."
She began pacing behind the desk, the sharp rhythm of her heels echoing through the room.
Finally, impatience won out.
"Replace all personnel stationed at the abnormal outposts immediately!" she ordered. "At the same time, deploy additional ANBU. I want twenty-four-hour surveillance on Danzo Shimura."
She paused, teeth clenched. "Follow him everywhere. Even to the restroom."
Consider it the Village assigning two full-time caretakers to a retired advisor who had 'sacrificed' his mobility for Konoha.
The Senju Princess simmered, unable to sit still.
Then her gaze snapped back to Roshi.
Roshi didn't hesitate. He opened the door and stepped out.
"Notify me if there are further instructions. I still have matters to attend to at the Ninja Academy."
The door closed softly behind him.
------------------
AN: Check out my P@treon For +100 extra chapters.
Thank You For your Support!!
[email protected]/noviceauthor777
-----------------------
To keep the chapters coming - Support with POWER STONES.
For Every 100 power stones - 1 BONUS chapter.