Chapter 31: Hiruzen Sarutobi's Protection
Just as a civilian Ninja was about to speak, Kakashigave him a subtle look.
The civilian Ninja paused, then redirected the spearhead that was originally aimed at Hiruzen Sarutobi, instead following Uchiha Fugaku's lead.
"What the Uchiha Clan Head said sounds a bit strange. I understand it, yet I don't seem to. Clan Head Fugaku, why don't you speak more plainly, so that we civilian Ninja can understand exactly what happened."
The representative of the civilian Ninja asked this quite well. He neither offended Hiruzen Sarutobinor went against the Uchiha Clan's words, so he could be said to have offended neither party.
However, this statement from the civilian Ninjaunintentionally offended Danzo. Everyone knew that today's incident involved Danzo, and Danzowas backed by Hiruzen Sarutobi. If Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't pursue the matter of forcibly taking the Jinchuriki, then whoever exposed it would offend Konoha's two great giants. In the current situation, no one wanted to offend Danzo, and even less so Hiruzen Sarutobi.
And the civilian Ninja had now started, only considering Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Uchiha Clan, but not Danzo Shimura.
Uchiha Fugaku was overjoyed internally, but on the surface, he still feigned helplessness and said, "I really want to answer your questions, but as I said before, the Uchiha Clan has been excluded from the core of the Village. I don't know exactly what happened, so let the Anbu explain!"
Uchiha Fugaku had all but spelled it out, so Hiruzen Sarutobi could no longer pretend not to hear. After glancing at Danzo Shimura, he said, "The protection of the Jinchuriki has always been carried out by Kakashi. Let Kakashi explain exactly what happened."
Kakashi heard Hiruzen Sarutobi speak, so he recounted in detail what had happened today.
He emphasized that someone had impersonated an Anbu and falsely conveyed the Hokage's order, telling the Jinchuriki to go see the Hokage.
After Uchiha Fugaku finished listening, he angrily slammed the table and looked at everyone, saying, "How audacious! To dare to falsely convey the Hokage's order, this matter must be thoroughly investigated. Otherwise, can anyone just put on a mask and falsely convey the Hokage's order? Then can anyone give orders in the Hokage's name?"
Uchiha Fugaku had already set the stage, so how could the Great Clans not seize the opportunity to make trouble? After all, Danzo Shimura had a notorious reputation!
First was Shibi Aburame, the Clan Head of the Aburame Clan. Many geniuses from their clan had been forcibly taken by Danzo Shimura.
"Indeed! How many Hokage does Konoha truly have? This matter must be resolved quickly."
Inoichi Yamanaka, seeing Shikaku's wink, immediately followed suit, saying, "Clan Head Fugaku is right, this matter must be investigated thoroughly, otherwise anyone could wear a mask and convey the Hokage's orders."
Although Inoichi Yamanaka echoed Uchiha Fugaku's words, he was also indirectly protecting Shibi Aburame. They were just following Uchiha Fugaku's lead, not intending to target Danzo Shimura and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The other clan heads also understood Inoichi Yamanaka's meaning, all using Uchiha Fugaku as a pretext to challenge Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura.
In fact, Uchiha Fugaku also hoped that the Great Clans would follow his lead, as this would demonstrate the prestige of the Uchiha Clan.
However, Uchiha Fugaku didn't know that between clans, there was only an exchange of interests, not who followed whom.
Challenging Danzo Shimura and Hiruzen Sarutobiwas in the interest of the Great Clans, which is why they pushed the Uchiha Clan to the forefront.
Hiruzen Sarutobi saw that all the Great Clans were following the Uchiha Clan's lead and knew he couldn't protect Danzo Shimura.
"Effective immediately! Danzo Shimura's position as Advisor is abolished, Root is disbanded, and Danzo Shimura is confined to the Shimura clan land and not permitted to leave. Now, what should we do about the Jinchuriki?"
The Great Clans frowned slightly upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's handling of Danzo Shimura. Hiruzen Sarutobi had still largely protected Danzo Shimura.
This disheartened the Great Clans, especially the Yamanaka Clan and the Aburame Clan, as both had been greatly harmed by Danzo Shimura.
Now Hiruzen Sarutobi had changed the subject again, bringing the problem back to the Jinchuriki. Even if the Great Clans had solutions, they wouldn't say another word, because no matter what they said, it would only benefit others, and they would be doing thankless work. Why bother with such effort?
Hiruzen Sarutobi saw that the clan heads of the Great Clans were all silent and knew that his light handling of Danzo Shimura had displeased them. However, completely getting rid of Danzo Shimurawas not in Hiruzen Sarutobi's interest, and now the situation had fallen into a stalemate again.
Homura Mitokado also knew that Hiruzen Sarutobihad tried his best to protect Danzo Shimura. If he were to force the Great Clans further, they would surely only feign compliance on the surface and absolutely not execute any orders secretly. In the future, the Hokage would truly just be a figurehead.
Homura Mitokado sighed and said, "Now that the Nine-Tailed has lost its seal, the Jinchuriki has become a dangerous individual. I suggest the Jinchuriki no longer go to the Ninja Academy. Since he has already moved to the outskirts of the Village, just send more people to monitor him."
The clan heads of the Great Clans acted as if they hadn't heard Homura Mitokado's words, all sitting silently, eyes downcast, not saying a word.
Hiruzen Sarutobi saw this situation and sighed softly. If the Jinchuriki didn't go to the Ninja Academy, he wouldn't be able to form bonds with the people of the Village. If a Jinchuriki had no bonds, would he still be Konoha Village's Jinchuriki?
However, what Homura Mitokado said was also true. Without the Nine-Tailed's seal, the Jinchurikiwould be extremely dangerous. Allowing Narutoto walk freely in the Village was undoubtedly gambling with the lives of the villagers, and no one would dare to bet the lives of the entire Village.
The only people who could now help Naruto form bonds with the Village were the young clan heads of the Great Clans.
But would the Great Clans agree to let their young clan heads form bonds with Naruto?
After all, Naruto could now be confirmed to be excluded from the core of the Village, offering no benefit to the Great Clans whatsoever. Instead, it would arouse suspicion from the Hokage faction. With more disadvantages than advantages, no one would do such thankless work.
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought of this, waved his hand, and said, "Let's do as Advisor Homura said! It's getting late, you should all go back and rest early!"
The clan heads of the Great Clans left the Hokage Building without a moment's delay.
However, after leaving the Hokage Building, their walking speed slowed down, and they secretly exchanged glances.
Finally, their gazes fell on Kakashi, who looked at Inoichi Yamanaka somewhat awkwardly.