With a loud bang, the door to the Hokage's Office was kicked open.
Shimura Danzō strode inside with his head held high. He swept his gaze across the three people who had clearly been waiting for him for quite some time—
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, along with the two village elders, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.
Without hesitation, Danzō walked straight to his seat and sat down.
Whether he was in the right or not, this display immediately seized the initiative. At the very least, when the confrontation began, he wouldn't appear to lack confidence.
The Third Hokage raised his pipe and took a slow puff, quietly observing Danzō without saying a word.
In just a moment, Danzō's attempt to seize the momentum was completely dissolved.
"I heard that Root suffered heavy losses this time…" Homura Mitokado said, glancing at Danzō's missing arm. "It seems the damage is even worse than I expected."
Koharu Utatane frowned and added,
"Danzō, you owe us an explanation. What exactly did you do in the Land of Rain?"
After escaping from Hanzo of the Salamander, Danzō had gone directly to the Konoha military camp stationed in the Land of Rain, where he received extensive medical treatment.
Because of that, it was impossible for him to hide what had happened.
In fact, Hiruzen Sarutobi had already suspected that the sudden escalation of conflicts between Konoha and Iwagakure on the Land of Rain battlefield had likely been caused by his old friend—Shimura Danzō.
What puzzled Hiruzen was something else.
What exactly had Danzō experienced over there that left him in such a miserable state?
Given Danzō's cautious nature and the strength of Root's operatives, even encountering someone like Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, or Hanzo of the Salamander shouldn't have resulted in such disastrous losses.
Ignoring Homura and Koharu completely, Danzō turned directly toward Hiruzen.
"Hiruzen. There's a major problem in the Land of Rain."
"I agree to proceed with the peace negotiations with Iwagakure—but we must seize control of the Land of Rain as soon as possible."
"Your reason?" Hiruzen blew out a ring of smoke and spoke calmly.
"One matter at a time. Your unauthorized operation already crossed the line—let alone the enormous losses you caused."
"You will be held accountable. Don't try to change the subject."
Hiruzen knew Danzō extremely well.
He understood that Danzō was attempting to shift the focus of the discussion, so he blocked the maneuver immediately.
Danzō's expression darkened.
"Everything I did was for Konoha. My conscience is clear."
"That still doesn't justify acting without authorization."
Hiruzen's brow furrowed slightly, irritation creeping into his voice.
"The recent escalation of clashes between Konoha and Iwagakure—that was your doing, wasn't it?"
"Despite my explicit rejection, you still attempted to sabotage the peace negotiations."
"So tell me, Danzō—who exactly is the Hokage here? You, or me?"
"Danzō, I am officially notifying you: you are temporarily removed from your position as Konoha Elder."
"From now on, regarding village affairs, you may only offer suggestions—you will have no decision-making authority."
"Furthermore, all Root operations are to be suspended immediately, except for missions already underway."
"Root will remain in Konoha and recuperate until I issue further orders."
Danzō slammed the table in fury.
"You can't do this! You know how important Root is!"
"We absolutely cannot stop now!"
Hiruzen replied calmly,
"This is not a discussion. It is a notification."
"You should understand that if your actions were fully investigated, this punishment would already be considered lenient."
"Danzō," Koharu Utatane added at the right moment, "Hiruzen is correct. What you did this time was far too excessive."
"You're also seriously injured. This is a good opportunity for you to take some time to recover."
Of course, Hiruzen understood the importance of Root.
After all, most of Root's operations had been conducted with his tacit approval.
But that did not mean Danzō could use it as an excuse to act recklessly.
In recent years, Hiruzen had increasingly felt that Root's expansion was slipping beyond his control.
It was time to reassert authority.
Fortunately, the war was nearing its end.
A period of relative peace and reconstruction would soon follow.
During such a time, Root going quiet would not cause any real harm.
Hiruzen had already discussed this matter with Homura and Koharu beforehand.
Danzō had no room to object.
"You… you…"
Danzō glanced at the stern-faced Hiruzen, then at Koharu—who was playing the conciliatory role—and finally at the composed Homura.
In an instant, he understood.
The three of them had already reached a consensus.
Arguing would accomplish nothing.
Danzō simply closed his mouth and silently fumed.
"Then this matter is settled," Hiruzen said, finalizing the punishment.
"But you still need to explain something."
"How did your losses become so severe?"
"With your abilities, what exactly happened?"
"And why do you insist that Konoha must take military action against the Land of Rain?"
Danzō's expression shifted repeatedly.
He hesitated, uncertain whether to reveal the truth.
After a long moment of deliberation, he finally made his decision.
"You all remember," he said slowly, "that a few years ago Jiraiya took in three war orphans in the Land of Rain, don't you?"
Hiruzen was slightly startled.
Of course he remembered.
At the end of the Second Great Ninja War, Jiraiya had remained in the Land of Rain for several years to teach those three children.
Meanwhile, Konoha—devastated by war and desperately in need of manpower—was forced to manage without him.
Hiruzen had been furious.
It was precisely because of that incident that he removed Jiraiya from consideration as a candidate for the Fourth Hokage.
Someone who placed personal sentiment above the interests of the village could never become Hokage.
Before Hiruzen could respond, Danzō continued.
"You should also have heard the recent news."
"Hanzo of the Salamander has accepted three personal disciples."
Hiruzen frowned slightly.
But a moment later his expression changed with sudden realization.
"You're saying… those three disciples are the same people Jiraiya trained in the Land of Rain?"
Hiruzen was no fool.
Once Danzō placed the two events side by side, he immediately understood the implication.
Danzō nodded.
"That's right."
"And Hanzo is grooming them as his successors."
"If nothing unexpected happens, they will become the future rulers of the Land of Rain."
Hiruzen suddenly smiled.
"What an unexpected turn of events."
"Unexpected success from an unintended action."
"I never thought Jiraiya would accomplish something beneficial entirely by accident."
Homura Mitokado nodded in agreement.
"With Jiraiya's connection there, future relations between Konoha and Amegakure should become much easier to manage."
"If the Hidden Rain Village firmly stands on our side, we would gain a clear advantage against both Iwagakure and Sunagakure."
But Danzō merely sneered.
"You're overthinking it."
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