Chapter 362: Danzo: Hiruzen, I can sacrifice my life for you!
When Tsunade and Kato Dan returned to Konoha, the Village's atmosphere immediately became tense.
"Nawaki... Seito..."
Senju Clan Grounds.
When Tsunade placed the remains of Senju Nawaki, Senju Seito, and others before several Senju Clan elders, some of the older elders, unable to bear the shock, fainted on the spot.
"Tsunade... This time, the Old fellow and Danzo must give our Senju Clan an explanation."
"That child Nawaki cannot die so inexplicably..."
Inside the room, two elders, thanks to Tsunade's emergency aid, finally caught their breath and stood up shakily, gripping Tsunade's shoulders tightly.
"Grandpa Pillar, don't worry... This matter will not be settled so easily."
Looking at the scattered Senju Clan members in the room, a hint of sorrow flickered in Tsunade's eyes.
To protect Konoha, the First Ninja World War, and the current war, had already drained the blood of the Senju Clan.
Aside from her and the few elders present... the current Senju Clan, even forming an elite squad, had become a luxury.
"Hoo~~~"
"Where is Danzo? Has Lord Danzo not returned yet?"
Inside the Hokage Office.
After learning that Tsunade had gone to the Land of Rivers, Hiruzen Sarutobi had not stepped out of the Hokage Building for several days.
His right hand continuously flipped his pipe, and the swirling smoke rings almost never ceased.
It wasn't until news of the great victory in the Land of Rivers arrived that he finally exhaled... However, the subsequent news of Orochimaru's severe injuries and the Konoha front-line forces in the Land of Rain being more than halved made Hiruzen Sarutobi's mood heavy again.
It wasn't just because his disciple was injured and the forces suffered heavy losses, but also because... he understood Orochimaru's stance from Orochimaru's actions.
Orochimaru... stood with Tsunade, with the Senju Clan.
On one side were his two disciples, on the other was his good friend... and on yet another side was Konoha's former most powerful Shinobi Clan, his teacher's Shinobi Clan.
The difficulty of resolving this matter perfectly was imaginable.
"Hokage-sama, Lord Danzo has already arrived at the outer perimeter of the Village..."
"Send more people, tell Danzo and them to hurry up."
"Also, go call Utatane Koharu for me..."
...When Danzo entered the Hokage Office, Utatane Koharu had already arrived... Under Utatane Koharu's scolding, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally put down the scorching pipe in his hand.
"Hiruzen..."
"Boom~~~"
No sooner had Danzo's voice fallen than Hiruzen Sarutobi's hands slammed heavily onto the table in front of him.
A terrifying aura, like an ocean, surged towards Danzo.
Only at this moment did Danzo realize... his good friend was truly, genuinely angry.
"Hiruzen, calm down, now is not the time for you to vent your emotions."
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi was targeting Danzo, the scattered aura still made Utatane Koharu feel suffocated.
"Danzo, you must give me a reasonable explanation for this matter."
Hearing Utatane Koharu's reminder, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and sat back down.
"Explanation?"
"Hiruzen, do even you not believe me anymore?"
"I dispatched a squad only to protect that brat Nawaki, so he wouldn't die on the battlefield so early, that's all."
Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi's cold expression, Danzo knew in his heart that this matter... would definitely not be easy to gloss over.
If he were to foolishly reveal everything... then his political career would be completely over.
Let alone the position of Hokage, he wouldn't even be able to touch an inch of Root's power.
At present, the only way out was to push everything away... and deny it to the death.
As for the rest, he could only take it one step at a time... Seeing that familiar expression still on Danzo's face.
The anger that Hiruzen Sarutobi had just suppressed flared up again.
"Danzo, do you understand the current situation?"
"I want to hear the truth, the truth!"
"Don't force me... Danzo!"
"Hiruzen! It's not me who's forcing you, but you who's forcing me, it has been from the start."
"I can swear on the honor of the Shimura Clan, swear on my Ninja career as Danzo Shimura... I dispatched a Root squad to secretly lurk beside Senju Nawaki, only to protect him..."
"If you don't believe me, you can totally have the intelligence unit read my memories..."
"Of course, if you're just looking for a suitable outlet for Tsunade... for the Senju Clan, Hiruzen... then just tell me directly."
"For the Village, I will not bow my head, but for you... I am willing to play this villainous role, to bear all of this... even if it costs me my life!"
Listening to Danzo's roar, and seeing Danzo's resolute expression... Hiruzen Sarutobi and Utatane Koharu showed some hesitation.
Recalling all the past events, a hint of guilt even appeared in their eyes...
"Danzo... you."
In Hiruzen Sarutobi's view, what Danzo had just said was indeed the deepest sentiment buried in his heart.
That kind of emotion and bond moved him, leaving him at a loss for how to face or respond.
"Hoo~~~"
"Danzo, I'm sorry, I lost my composure just now."
"I didn't mean to deny you, it's just that this matter... is far-reaching, leaving me at a loss for a moment."
"Everything you've done for the Village, for me... I remember it all."
Facing Danzo's manipulation, Hiruzen Sarutobi was ultimately passively triggered and couldn't escape the pattern.
"Since you've returned from the Land of Rain, rest for a while, and then return to the Land of Rain after some time."
"As for the Senju Clan, I will handle it properly."
..."Hiruzen, if there's nothing else, then I'll be leaving too."
Seeing Danzo leave, Utatane Koharu didn't want to stay there for another minute.
What was all that about 'you for me, me for you'... even if it were true, shouldn't she be the protagonist on the other side?
Moreover... the matter of Senju Nawaki, with the shrewdness of those Old fellows in the Senju Clan.
How could it be so easily brushed aside?
To stay here and be the focal point of attack?
"Utatane Koharu..."
Utatane Koharu didn't give Hiruzen Sarutobi time to react; the moment her words fell, she pushed the door open and left directly.
Only a bewildered Hiruzen Sarutobi remained... sitting there alone, seemingly waiting for Tsunade and the Senju Clan to arrive.
Facts proved that Utatane Koharu's decision was extremely wise.
Soon after she left, Tsunade and several elders of the Senju Clan... after receiving news of Danzo's return to Konoha, furiously arrived at the Hokage Building.
"Clang~~~"
Accompanied by a rough sound of the door opening, Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a smoke ring and slowly stood up.
Danzo could retreat, Utatane Koharu could retreat... everyone could retreat.
Only he had no retreat.
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