"Naruto: Ice God"Chapter 192: Root Reorganization
Just as Hiruzen and Danzo were about to completely tear each other apart, Jiraiya hurriedly stepped forward to mediate:
"Both advisors, please calm down. How about we hear what the others think?"
Danzo, already so furious he had risen from his seat, couldn't be bothered to acknowledge Jiraiya and headed straight for the door, intending to leave the meeting entirely.
"Advisor Danzo, please wait. We also need to hear the other advisors' opinions on this matter."
Just as the situation was about to spiral out of control, Sakumo's voice stopped Danzo in his tracks.
Glancing back at Sakumo sitting in the head seat, Danzo remained expressionless. Knowing that Sakumo still planned to propose the Police Force reform agenda today, he said nothing more and returned to his seat.
However, he made sure to deliberately elbow Hiruzen as he sat down.
Hiruzen frowned at the petty retaliation, briefly considering whether unleashing a Five Nature Great Barrage in the Hokage Building's conference room might be inappropriate, before dismissing the thought of revenge against Danzo.
Just kidding—he'd get his revenge after the meeting.
Danzo: Strange, why does it feel like Tobirama-sensei's phantom keeps flickering in front of my face?
"From that prisoner's memories, I discovered even more important intelligence: Hidden Grass Village has descendants of the Uzumaki clan—a woman about Kushina's age, whom they call the 'Medicine Person.'"
Yamanaka Inoichi truthfully reported the intelligence he had gathered to everyone present.
"How cruel, to exploit the Uzumaki clan's constitution for such purposes."
Hiruzen's brow immediately furrowed deeply.
Danzo, meanwhile, was contemplating that the Uzumaki clan could actually be used this way—it was the first time he'd heard of such a thing.
"The Uzumaki clan are important allies of Konoha. Although Uzushio Village has been destroyed, Konoha still has an obligation to protect the Uzumaki clan's descendants. Therefore, I want to negotiate with Hidden Grass Village over this attack and secure custody of that Uzumaki descendant."
After Sakumo finished speaking, he began observing everyone's reactions.
Uzushio Village had been destroyed during Hiruzen's tenure as Hokage, so both emotionally and logically, he had to be the first to speak.
"The Fourth Hokage is absolutely right. The destruction of Uzushio Village was indeed a regrettable affair. At that time, Konoha was unable to provide timely assistance due to various reasons, but now we absolutely cannot stand by and do nothing."
Hiruzen, who had always been troubled by Uzushio Village's destruction, immediately agreed with Sakumo's proposal.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado also nodded in agreement.
Only Danzo voiced a different opinion: "Hidden Grass Village's border raid and the Uzumaki descendant are two separate matters. We can completely bring that Uzumaki woman away from Hidden Grass Village through other means, but Hidden Grass Village's attempt to attack Konoha absolutely cannot be let off lightly!"
"Danzo, do you want to start another Shinobi World War?!"
"Hiruzen, you're too weak!"
"Danzo, I am the—Sakumo is the Hokage!"
"You—"
Everyone: Damn it, is this a genjutsu? When did it start?!
"We can first question Hidden Grass Village about this matter and see if they're willing to hand over that Uzumaki clan member. If they refuse, we can then follow Danzo-sama's idea and rescue her."
At the critical moment, Shikaku stepped forward with a compromise solution that temporarily resolved the dispute between Danzo and Hiruzen.
"Shikaku's proposal is excellent. Konoha indeed needs an outstanding shinobi to negotiate with Hidden Grass Village. Can I entrust this matter to you?"
Sakumo had called Shikaku here specifically to have him go to Hidden Grass Village and negotiate with those Grass shinobi.
"Understood, but I hope the village can also dispatch an elite squad to accompany me, to put pressure on Hidden Grass Village."
Shikaku accepted the mission while also making some suggestions.
"Very well, I'll send excellent shinobi to accompany you. How about departing the day after tomorrow?"
With the Hidden Grass Village matter settled, Sakumo moved on to discuss the Police Force reorganization.
Although he heard Danzo's cold snort, during the final vote, he received no clear opposition, so the matter passed smoothly.
However, no one expected Sakumo to propose a bombshell plan at the last moment.
"Everyone, I hope to reorganize the ANBU Training Division."
The moment these words were spoken, Danzo's previously narrowed eyes widened completely. He hadn't expected Sakumo to set his sights on him as well, and he had received no advance warning whatsoever.
Hiruzen and the other two advisors were also shocked, staring at Sakumo with disbelief.
The ANBU Training Division's official duty should be to supply talent to ANBU, but with Hiruzen's tacit approval, Danzo had used this organization to weave a hidden network deep within Konoha, conducting various unsavory operations.
Sakumo felt he didn't need such an organization to take the blame for him, and he understood Hiruzen's feelings toward Danzo. That's why he had never brought up this matter before and had always allocated funding to Root on schedule.
So this was it—taking him down during the meeting?
Danzo once again scrutinized this Hokage who had no background whatsoever.
"What does the Fourth Hokage plan to do with the ANBU Training Division?"
Since it had already happened, further words were useless. Danzo could only clench his fists and ask about Sakumo's intentions with feigned calm.
"We will strip away the ANBU Training Division's other functions, keeping only its responsibility for training ANBU. As for the shinobi under your command, we will assess them and assign them to departments based on their performance."
"Of course, you will remain the head of the ANBU Training Division, but I will assign you a deputy to share the responsibilities with you."
As Sakumo's words fell, the atmosphere at the scene fell into deathly silence.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado's eyes were filled with confusion. They had received some rumors about the Police Force reform, but Root's reorganization...
Looking toward Hiruzen, they found his expression equally bewildered.
However, Hiruzen's confusion didn't last long. Soon, a flash of determination appeared in his eyes.
"I agree."
Hiruzen was the first to speak, declaring he would stand with Sakumo, while also making a new suggestion: "Additionally, I hope to serve as deputy head of the ANBU Training Division."
Root had been established with his tacit approval, so he had an obligation to help Sakumo handle the aftermath properly.
He also hoped that his willingness to serve under Danzo would somewhat ease the resentment in Danzo's heart.
As Hiruzen had anticipated, hearing that Hiruzen would voluntarily become his subordinate, much of the bitterness in Danzo's heart dissipated, though his expression remained grim.
"We agree as well."
The two advisors understood that Sakumo, having served as Hokage for a year now, was ready to cultivate his own team, and immediately voiced their support.
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