Chapter 296: Spy System
Kiiroinu compiled scrolls over two weeks, using evidence to prove that Root’s information system had a problem.
Several squads’ missions to cleanse Assassination Manual targets had stalled.
He brought Fox into the Hokage’s Office.
Kiiroinu said: “Third Hokage, after Root’s collapse, the information system can no longer function.
Access to the Assassination Manual has stalled, and various squads have gone to execute assassinations, missing multiple times.
The spy system is controlled by Root, and spy leaders from the great ninja villages only recognize orders from Danzo Advisor.
But Lord Danzo cannot personally contact so many spy leaders; contacting spy leaders is very secretive, and sometimes verifying a spy leader’s loyalty requires meeting in person.
If the spy system cannot pass on information, it is not only unfavorable for Anbu to continue cleansing Assassination Manual targets, but also a waste for the spies.
Intelligence obtained by spies at risk of death in other ninja villages cannot be used by the village, which is sorry for the spies’ sacrifices.
At the same time, other ninja villages’ assassination cases against our Konoha ninjas are increasing.
Back and forth, our Konoha has suffered heavy losses.
Training 9 outstanding new recruits for Root takes at least three months, or even half a year.
Hokage, I hope Anbu takes over the spy system to get it running.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi pretended to take the scroll handed over by Kiiroinu and looked at the records on the scroll of several squads missing and gaining nothing.
One day late in intelligence, and the target completes the mission and runs early.
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi could not make up his mind to continue weakening Danzo.
Danzo and Root were already in very bad shape.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said: “Kiiroinu, I will consider this matter.”
Kiiroinu wanted to say more when a knock sounded outside the door.
The assistant walked into the office and said urgently:
“Hokage, Hyuga Clan Head, Yamanaka Clan Head, Aburame Clan Head, Akimichi Clan Head, Inuzuka Clan Head and others have come downstairs together and want to see you.
I saw their expressions, and they didn’t seem very good.”
Third Hokage said: “Let them come up.”
Kiiroinu was about to leave but was kept by Third Hokage to listen in, and Yoru also benefited; this was a good show.
The five clan heads entered the Hokage’s Office.
Third Hokage did not ask first, and the five clan heads were indignant, their faces full of anger.
Inuzuka Clan Head Inuzuka Ryō spoke first:
“Third Hokage, as you know, half of our Inuzuka Clan’s strength is in the ninja dogs.
Last time to cooperate with Lord Danzo, our Inuzuka Clan sent two special jonin to Root.
Executing assassination missions with ninja dogs would expose us immediately and reveal identities?
So, those two special jonin had to abandon their ninja dogs and fight with taijutsu and scent.
This is already the greatest support our Inuzuka Clan has given to Root.
Two Inuzuka Clan ninjas sacrificed successively in Root’s missions, and we had no complaints.
Last night, Danzo Advisor came to our clan compound and asked our Inuzuka Clan to send 3 more special jonin to Root.
Hokage, the Inuzuka Clan really is not suited to serve as assassination ninjas; we rely too much on ninja dogs.
I hope the village can understand our difficulties.”
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi’s face showed rare apology.
Sending the Inuzuka Clan into Anbu was indeed somewhat bullying.
Anbu mainly uses taijutsu and exploding tags; even if they use some ninjutsu, it’s common stuff.
This way, enemies find it hard to judge identities from ninjutsu.
But an Anbu with a ninja dog is like writing “I am a Konoha Village Inuzuka Clan ninja” on the mask.
Danzo going to the Inuzuka Clan for people did have a problem.
It was also Danzo being pushed to desperation; even his trainee new recruits were gone, and he was relying on Lynx Squad to fill in temporarily.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said: “Ryō Clan Head, I understand. I will inform Danzo Advisor not to conscript Inuzuka Clan ninjas into Root.”
Yamanaka Clan Head Yamanaka Inoichi spoke second:
“Hokage, Root’s casualty rate is too high.
Our Yamanaka ninjas sent to Root over these years have not survived more than half a year.
The Yamanaka Clan absolutely supports Konoha, but can my clansmen go directly to Anbu instead of Root?
This is my small request; we are willing to sacrifice for the village, but hope to go to Anbu. Please consider it, Hokage.”
The Ino-Shika-Cho three clans are one of Hiruzen Sarutobi’s bases.
Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Yamashiro joining forces here proves the Ino-Shika-Cho Clan is on the verge of collapse.
It is not unwillingness to sacrifice for the village, but the sacrifices must be meaningful.
They do not resist clansmen entering Anbu, but entering Root is almost the same as sending them to die.
Akimichi Yamashiro had lost one arm; he waved his arm and said directly:
“Third Hokage, I think Danzo Advisor’s command has a problem.
The same dangerous missions, Anbu’s casualty rate is completely acceptable to us.
But Root is a bit too exaggerated.
Even in the most difficult period of the Second Ninja War, when our Konoha Village challenged Hidden Stone Village, Hidden Sand Village, and Hidden Mist Village at the same time, the casualty rate was not this exaggerated.”
Simple-mindedness is also a form of protective coloration.
If others criticized Danzo here, it would be ill-intentioned, but Akimichi Yamashiro’s persona is the obedient big guy.
If Akimichi Yamashiro thinks Danzo’s command has a problem, others can only say he is reckless.
Among the Ino-Shika-Cho three clan heads, Nara Shikaku did not come here; Yamanaka Inoichi played the role of putting out the fire and hurriedly said:
“Yamashiro! How can you doubt Lord Danzo? Stop talking nonsense.”
Yamanaka Inoichi pretended to pull Akimichi Yamashiro back, but he actually thought the same: Danzo’s command had a problem.
Danzo went to various clan compounds last night demanding people, with a forceful attitude, furious and arrogant.
Aburame Clan Head Aburame Iruka spoke even more:
“Hokage! The Aburame Clan’s population is already small; in the past two years, 10 have entered Root or Anbu.
Seven of them sacrificed.
The Aburame Clan wants to rest for several years; after the war ends, we should rest, right?
Producing offspring is very difficult for us; outsiders do not marry with our Aburame Clan.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi hurriedly said: “The Aburame Clan’s contributions to the village are obvious to all. I will tell Danzo not to conscript Aburame ninjas into Root this time.”
Finally, Hyuga Clan Head Hyuga Tianyue also said:
“Hokage, in peacetime, Hyuga Clan ninjas are the most overworked ninjas.
Alerting for the village, alerting for the daimyo, alerting for stronghold fortresses.
This conscription of special jonin into Root, I really cannot select manpower.
Hyuga special jonin of comparable strength all have heavy alert duties or missions; they are either by the daimyo’s side or in border outpost fortresses. Please understand, Hokage.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled thick smoke slowly.
This time, he really could not blame the various clan heads for refusing the village’s requests; the sacrifices made by each clan were huge.
Yoru thought to himself that after his persistent strikes, Danzo’s political credibility had finally gone bankrupt.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said: “I will have Danzo focus on training civilian ninjas; these years, try not to conscript ninja clan ninjas. What do you say?”
The several clan heads repeatedly said it was good.
While the clan heads were venting, the door to the Hokage’s Office was suddenly pushed open.
Entering without announcement meant the person’s identity was extraordinary.
Seeing it was Danzo, the clan heads hurriedly stood up from the sofa.
Danzo glanced at each clan head; none of the clan heads met Danzo’s gaze.
Everyone knew Danzo had suffered heavy damage; confronting Danzo at this time would invite his retaliation.
