Forced by the situation, Danzo reluctantly backed down: "I... I misspoke. Hokage-sama, may I ask who those people are?"
Only then did Uchiha En deactivate his Sharingan. Minato Namikaze spoke with a serious tone: "During the three years between the end of the Second Ninja World War and the start of the Third Great Ninja War, Master Jiraiya never returned to the Village.
At that time, Master Jiraiya stayed in the Land of Rain and taught three disciples. Those three people are the very ones you, Senior Danzo, and Hanzou besieged. They are all Master Jiraiya's disciples."
The Third Hokage's face instantly changed, and he quickly confirmed with Minato Namikaze: "Minato, is what you're saying true?"
Uchiha En said with a cold laugh, "Of course Hokage-sama is telling the truth. The three are named Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato. They are all Lord Jiraiya's disciples. Lord Orochimaru should know them too, right?"
Orochimaru nodded: "Jiraiya did stay in the Land of Rain for a long time because of those three people."
Hearing this, the Third Hokage turned and glared at Danzo.
Danzo was also startled by this news, and his expression grew even gloomier. He had no idea of Nagato's group's identities.
The Third Hokage was also confused, clearly never expecting that the person Danzo killed would turn out to be Jiraiya's disciple—his own grand-disciple.
"I knew nothing about this matter! Furthermore, the one who killed him was Hanzou!"
Danzo's defense seemed so weak. The Third Hokage glanced at him and sighed: "Alas! Danzo, you truly went too far this time. I can't help you now!
As their grand-master, I can't let my grand-disciple, who died before I ever met him, rest uneasy! You must deal with the consequences yourself!" Having said this, the Third Hokage stood up and left.
Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu also knew they couldn't stay and get dragged into this mess, so they followed suit and left.
Orochimaru was busy with experiments and didn't want to stick around, so he also left.
Now, only three people remained in the conference room.
Minato Namikaze and Uchiha En exchanged glances, neither speaking first.
A few minutes later, Danzo couldn't sit still any longer. He said with a cold face, "Things have come to this. I won't say anything more. Hokage-sama, state your terms!"
Minato Namikaze thought for a moment and stated his conditions: "Danzo, I need you to agree to two things. First, Root is to be disbanded starting today. Only a single squad's worth of personnel may remain to guard Root's documents.
Second, Danzo, I ask that you voluntarily resign from the position of Hokage Advisor!"
Hearing this, Danzo immediately stood up and said, "What? That's impossible! Don't push your luck—"
"Lord Danzo, I advise you to think carefully. If you refuse, I will immediately make the contents of the scroll public, and Lord Jiraiya will instantly know that his disciples died by your hand. Can you handle the consequences then?" Uchiha En interrupted Danzo.
Danzo's face grew even gloomier upon hearing this. Finally, he sighed and said, "I'll do as you say. This time, I lose! However, you must destroy that scroll in front of me."
Hearing this, a flash of lightning appeared in Uchiha En's hand, and the scroll was instantly destroyed.
Danzo snorted coldly and left the conference room with a dark expression.
Seeing this, Minato Namikaze breathed a sigh of relief. The matter concerning Root had been perfectly resolved, hadn't it?
"En, I owe you a lot for this."
"Hokage-sama, there's no need to be polite. We are allies now, and mutual assistance is only natural."
"That may be true, but you helped me so much this time. I feel uncomfortable if I don't show my appreciation somehow."
"Then, Hokage-sama, teach me a couple of Sealing Jutsu! I happen to be quite interested in Sealing Jutsu lately."
It was the last day of the first month. I was surprised that I hadn't missed a single day during the entire month of the New Year holiday.
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