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Hiruzen Sarutobi also harbored doubts about Qianyu. The one who had appeared beside Minato Namikaze, Miyuki Uzumaki, and Naruto had undoubtedly been Qianyu's true body.
This was because Qianyu had used the Shadow Clone Technique, summoning four clones to erect the Four Violet Flames Formation.
And the issues Danzō had just raised… Hiruzen found them peculiar as well.
Qianyu's strength was undeniable. Yet, during the Nine-Tails' rampage, he had been seen by almost no one. It was only known that he fought against two invaders, battling from beginning to end.
If Qianyu had joined the fight against the Nine-Tails, the beast would have been no great threat.
The Sharingan was a natural counter to tailed beasts.
So yes, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but suspect him.
It wasn't just Qianyu. Right now, Hiruzen's suspicion extended to the entire Uchiha clan.
During the chaos, Hiruzen had considered deploying the Konoha Military Police Force against the Nine-Tails. But Danzō had stopped him. Danzō argued that if the rampaging Nine-Tails fell under the control of the Uchiha's Sharingan, the consequences would be unthinkable. He also suspected Uchiha involvement behind the scenes.
After careful consideration, Hiruzen accepted Danzō's advice. He refused to let the Uchiha participate.
Fugaku Uchiha had expressed no objection at the time, accepting the order to guard the villagers.
And because of this distrust, Fugaku Uchiha had not been called to this meeting.
Hiruzen also demanded an explanation. Qianyu let out a cold laugh. "Honestly, I wasn't going to bother. Explaining things to an idiot is a complete waste of time. But since the Third Hokage asks, I'll humor you."
Idiot. Danzō's eyes nearly spat fire.
Qianyu began. "First. Why were all those Anbu killed in one hit? Simple. They were too weak. My mission was to guard that cave, not to babysit weaklings."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly. This first answer alone displeased him greatly.
It meant Qianyu had stood by and watched as the Anbu were slaughtered. He'd done nothing.
Qianyu continued. "About the two enemies. I recognized one of them. A shinobi from Takigakure who once attempted to assassinate the First Hokage. Kakuzu."
Koharu Utatane gasped. "Him? He's still alive?"
Some present didn't know the name. Homura Mitokado provided context. "Kakuzu was once an elite of Takigakure. He attempted to assassinate the First Hokage and was nearly killed, but managed to escape. Later, under pressure from Konoha, Takigakure imprisoned him. He eventually broke out, stole a secret technique the village treasured, and used it to take the hearts of all its elders before defecting."
Qianyu said calmly, "An old monster who survived an encounter with the First Hokage and lived to this day is no simple foe. His secret technique is particularly troublesome. The other shinobi was skilled in Water Style, possessed astonishing chakra, and wielded Samehada, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen's blades. But the third one… his ability was the most problematic. It's how he entered the cave without triggering the barrier. He can phase through matter. Any attack passes right through him. He simply walked through the barrier. The two I fought were trying to breach the barrier by force. Miyuki was in labor. My judgment at the time was to hold off those two. The intangible one was for the Fourth Hokage to handle. As for summoning the Nine-Tails…"
Qianyu looked at Danzō, a mocking smile on his lips. "If I wanted to summon the Nine-Tails to destroy Konoha, I should have killed the Fourth Hokage then and there. Not helped him control the beast and complete the sealing."
He finished and turned to Hiruzen. "Well? Is the Third Hokage satisfied with my explanation?"
Hiruzen gave a silent nod.
Danzō said nothing more. For now, he could only needle Qianyu. This had also been a test of Hiruzen's stance. And it seemed the Third Hokage was suspicious too. Good.
Danzō was confident he could ruin Qianyu's reputation in Konoha in the days to come.
But Qianyu wasn't done. He turned the spear around. "Third Hokage, I fought with everything I had for Konoha. Yet, Advisor Danzō's baseless suspicions chill me to the bone. Can the Hokage's Advisor so casually doubt a shinobi who bled for the village? Where were he and his Root during the Nine-Tails' attack? Now he jumps out, accusing me of collusion? If the Third Hokage does not punish Advisor Danzō, I will not accept it!"
Danzō snapped, "What are you implying?!"
A surge of killing intent erupted from Qianyu, his gaze locked onto Danzō. "What am I implying? What were you implying? On mere suspicion, you publicly question and demand answers from a hero of Konoha in front of everyone. Shouldn't you pay a price for that? I now suspect Advisor Danzō of colluding with the enemy! Of leaking the intelligence about Miyuki Uzumaki's labor! Of helping the enemy bypass Konoha's barriers!"
Danzō shot to his feet. "Do you know what you're saying? This is slander!"
Qianyu's face was ice. "Slander? I'm just doing what you did."
Hiruzen said sternly, "Qianyu, you cannot make such accusations lightly."
Orochimaru chose that moment to speak, his tone languid. "Third Hokage, you seem to be playing favorites. Danzō questioned Qianyu, and you made Qianyu explain. Qianyu explains. Now Qianyu questions Danzō, and you say he's speaking recklessly?"
Danzō fumed. "Orochimaru! And what were you doing during the attack? What right do you have to speak?!"
Orochimaru replied with ease. "I was at my base. I hold no official position. I am but an ordinary shinobi. A shinobi follows orders. With no orders, we stand by. Since no one notified me, I could not act arbitrarily. That is the shinobi code, is it not?"
Hiruzen's gaze was heavy as it moved between Qianyu and Orochimaru. Finally, he announced, "Danzō, for groundlessly suspecting Qianyu, you are confined to Root headquarters for three days. You are not to leave."
Qianyu suddenly laughed. It was a sharp, humorless sound. "Third Hokage, your favoritism is blatant. Confined for three days? Everyone knows this old fool can hole up in Root for months without stepping outside."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed to slits. "Then what do you want?"
Qianyu spoke, each word a hammer blow. "Remove Danzō Shimura from the position of Hokage Advisor. And disband Root."
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