Chapter 297: Danzo, You’ve Gone Too Far
Danzo merely lost all his subordinates, but the ninja clan heads lost their clan’s younger relatives.
The ninja clan heads initially showed a momentary panic upon seeing Danzo, but then immediately recalled Danzo’s aggressiveness when demanding people, and they all frowned while looking at the Third Hokage, hoping the Hokage would stand up for them.
Hiruzen Sarutobi’s words freed the clan heads.
“Clan heads, I have some matters to discuss with Danzo Advisor. You all leave first. I will seriously consider what you said.”
The several clan heads left.
Danzo sat on the sofa, first glanced at Kiiroinu, and said: “Regarding Sarutobi Heinosuke, has your Sarutobi Clan not yet investigated internally and found results?”
Yoru thought to himself, the Sarutobi Clan wouldn’t really be self-investigating, would they? That was just a name he casually made up.
It would be better to investigate Sarutobi Yoru instead; who knows, they might actually find something.
Kiiroinu answered first: “Danzo Advisor, I carefully checked the ninjas of the Sarutobi Clan, and there is no information on any Sarutobi Heinosuke.
Perhaps this name was casually fabricated by the enemy to create internal conflict among us.”
“Casually fabricated? Can they casually fabricate a name and casually use your Sarutobi Clan’s S-rank forbidden jutsu Five Elemental Great Exploding Air Bullet?” Danzo asked:
“In the war, there were many missing Sarutobi ninjas. Have they been ruled out?
Sarutobi Heinosuke is between 20 and 25 years old. Sarutobi clansmen in this age group, the older ones even experienced the First Great Ninja War.
Have the missing Sarutobi clansmen been investigated?”
Kiiroinu answered: “We have considered this issue. At least 30 ninjas from the Sarutobi Clan in this age group went missing, making it impossible to investigate results.”
“Among these 30 people, how many had access to Five Elemental Great Exploding Air Bullet? Is the scope large? Are you unwilling to investigate, or did you find something and dare not say it?”
“Danzo!” Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted Danzo’s questioning and said:
“The person wearing the white swirl mask absolutely cannot be from my Sarutobi Clan.
If someone in the Sarutobi Clan could master the forbidden jutsu Five Elemental Great Exploding Air Bullet, I would spare no effort to train them, how could I let them become a traitor ninja.
The leak of Five Elemental Great Exploding Air Bullet is a secret jutsu leak incident.
I suspect more that Uchiha Madara obtained my secret jutsu and painstakingly replicated it.”
“Your brother Sarutobi Hihaku and Sarutobi Hiruzen Sarutobi’s son, your nephew Sarutobi Einosuke, your son Kiiroinu—just these few people have learned Five Elemental Great Exploding Air Bullet. Why not focus the investigation on them?”
“Enough! Danzo!” Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned:
“The matter of Sarutobi Heinosuke ends here. Do not waste time on baseless talk.”
Yoru thought to himself, back then when Shimura Tan and Hiruzen Sarutobi were killed by Fire Release, the Uchiha Clan had to self-prove for a month before being cleared by the high-ranking officials.
This time, Sarutobi Heinosuke was right in their faces, yet it was lightly glossed over.
“Let’s talk about another, more important matter.” Hiruzen Sarutobi said:
“Anbu reported that intelligence delays have been extremely severe recently.
Danzo, is Root’s current situation already unable to guarantee the operation of the spy system?”
Danzo glanced at Kiiroinu and asked: “What do you mean? Do you want Anbu to take over the spy system?”
“Take over part of the spy system, transferring the spy systems of two countries out of the four great countries to Anbu.” Hiruzen Sarutobi said:
“Long-term lack of contact with spy leaders is extremely irresponsible to those spies who sacrifice greatly.”
“Impossible! Give me just one more month, and I can rebuild the spy system’s contacts!” Danzo said:
“In this half month, I have already selected 12 civilian ninjas to enter Root for training. Just now, those few ninja clans—give me 8 more people, and I can form the next batch of Root training.
One month later, Root can regain control of the spy system.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the spy system has successfully operated in my hands for over a dozen years.
You don’t think that with a casual sentence transferring the spy system to Anbu, Anbu can take it over, do you?
If mishandled, the spies embedded in a country could all be uprooted because of Anbu!”
The spy system is one of the important powers in Danzo’s hands. Taking away the spy system is equivalent to taking away Danzo’s eyes.
Hiruzen Sarutobi’s attitude showed some hesitation.
Yoru thought to himself, Hiruzen Sarutobi is too soft. Scared by a few words from Danzo, he doesn’t dare to strip away the spy system.
He and Kiiroinu exchanged a glance and nodded simultaneously.
Yoru left the Hokage’s Office.
Both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo glanced at Fox, not knowing what order from Kiiroinu Fox was going to execute.
Soon, Kuroari and three Anbu ninjas entered the Hokage’s Office.
Kuroari was baffled, not knowing why Fox conveyed Vice Minister Kiiroinu’s order to bring his three subordinates into the Hokage’s Office.
Danzo saw the three’s masks, and his expression changed.
Kiiroinu said to the three: “Take off your masks and stick out your tongues!”
Hiruzen Sarutobi had just been arguing with Danzo, and seeing Kiiroinu pull this stunt, he didn’t know what Kiiroinu was up to.
The three Anbu ninjas simultaneously rolled their eyes toward Danzo.
These small movements were completely unhidden in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
“Do as Kiiroinu says!”
Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi’s order, the three Anbu ninjas hurriedly removed their masks and stuck out their tongues.
Their three minds trembled, constantly thinking not to expose Lord Danzo.
Yoru stepped forward, formed hand seals, and used a sealing jutsu.
“Five Elements Unsealing!”
The three Anbu ninjas sequentially fell under Fox’s sealing jutsu, revealing the curse marks of the Tongue-Cutting Flower Seal on their tongues!
Hiruzen Sarutobi abruptly stood up.
Kuroari gasped roughly and said: “You! How could you!”
Kiiroinu and Fox exchanged a glance; this was the critical period of vying for power with Danzo, and they absolutely could not yield.
Kiiroinu said: “Hokage! I have uncovered some important clues!
Root actually engraved the Tongue-Cutting Flower Seal on some of the new recruits sent to Anbu!”
After stating the facts, Kiiroinu said no more.
Next, let the Third Hokage fill in the blanks himself.
Under Kuroari’s mask, cold sweat kept dripping.
As the squad leader of the Hokage’s direct subordinate squad, he didn’t even know his subordinates were Root people.
For him, it was serious negligence.
Kuroari’s line of sight swept toward Kiiroinu. Why didn’t the Vice Minister discuss such a secretive matter with him first?
If he had been allowed to take down these three, his own blame would be much lighter.
Silence. The office was unusually silent.
After a long time, Hiruzen Sarutobi said: “Danzo, you have gone too far! You must give me an explanation!”
Danzo had a prepared response and said: “I suspect there are traitors in Anbu!
Root has suffered successive heavy blows; besides Orochimaru, batch after batch have died.
Root ninjas like Aburame Ryoma who made contact either died inexplicably or were killed by traitor ninjas.
How many Root ninjas’ souls are on just Sarutobi Heinosuke alone?
There must be a problem somewhere!
Someone knows Root extremely well and grasps the movements of all Root members.
The only ones who can do this are Anbu!
How can you expect me to trust Anbu?”
Danzo turned to stare at Kiiroinu: “Sarutobi Shinnosuke! I didn’t expect your growth to be this fast!
Your level of internal fighting is probably the strongest among the younger generation, right?
Don’t you have anything to explain?”
Kiiroinu lowered his eyes under the mask.
At such a time, he didn’t need to explain; he just needed to present the facts.
In fact, Danzo had planted people in Anbu to investigate his so-called traitors, even planting them in the Kuroari Squad.
The Kuroari Squad is the Hokage’s messenger ninjas, the Hokage’s guard ninjas, the squad the Hokage trusts most.
Seeing Kiiroinu so calm, Yoru breathed a sigh of relief.
The old thief Danzo’s intuition was still very accurate.
Coincidentally, Anbu really did have traitors.
Unfortunately, Fox was now the hero who exposed Danzo’s spies, and Kiiroinu would absolutely not suspect his own.
As for what Danzo said about Kiiroinu engaging in internal fighting… of course that was true too.
Who doesn’t want to rise quickly?
In front of Kiiroinu, besides the major advisors, there were Orochimaru, Sakumo Hatake, Tsunade, and others pressing down, making it hard for Kiiroinu to breathe.
Of course Kiiroinu wanted to overtake on a bend; he had some ambitions for Anbu Minister too.
Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted: “Danzo! Don’t shift the topic! Don’t talk about Kiiroinu engaging in internal fighting!
If you suspect Anbu, if Anbu and Root can no longer coexist, which one do you think should be disbanded!”
Danzo Shimura rarely did not retort.
This time, Hiruzen Sarutobi was truly angry.
He was willing to compromise because he hoped this colossal Konoha could satisfy as many people’s needs as possible.
His frequent compromises didn’t mean he had no temper.
How could he tolerate planting spies right by his side?
Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately made a decision:
“Danzo! Transfer the spy systems of the two great countries to Anbu!
Don’t play tricks, don’t betray those spies who live and die for us, don’t have any shenanigans in this matter!
I will check all the transfer reports!”
Danzo’s eye bags twitched; he wanted to say something but ultimately had to swallow this mute loss.
Seeing Danzo’s appearance, Kiiroinu suddenly felt much better.
The spy system and Root were the foundations of Danzo’s power. Taking away half the spy system was a huge blow to Danzo.
Yoru thought to himself, wondering if he could use this opportunity to transfer Yakushi Nonou away.
If he could transfer Yakushi Nonou, that would be great.
Little Seven ranked low, but she was one of his lovers.
As a man, he had to spread the rain and dew evenly; how could he be heartless?
The Third continued: “Kiiroinu! In the future, for new recruits sent by Root, Anbu must conduct assessments—not only of strength, but also of whether they possess the Will of Fire!”
The so-called assessment of possessing the Will of Fire was assessing loyalty, checking for the Tongue-Cutting Flower Seal.
“I understand! Hokage!” Kiiroinu said: “Hokage, our Anbu can undo the Tongue-Cutting Flower Seal.
Fox is skilled in Karma Seal of Retribution, skilled in Five Elements Seal; he can undo this jutsu.
For the Root spies we have identified now, we can all handle them properly.”
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi’s expression softened somewhat.
Kiiroinu’s abilities were growing stronger, which pleased him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Danzo; Danzo’s eyes were downcast. He knew Danzo—Danzo was unconvinced and plotting some backup plan again.
To thoroughly persuade Danzo to yield, the Third thought of another matter. He said:
“Fox, go invite Shikaku Squad Leader.”
Yoru hurriedly left, went to the second floor to invite Nara Shikaku upstairs.
He didn’t know what Nara Shikaku could provide, or why Hiruzen Sarutobi called Nara Shikaku at this time.
After Shikaku entered the office, he sat on the sofa opposite Danzo.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said: “Shikaku Squad Leader, tell them about the situation you just discovered.”
Nara Shikaku glanced around, knowing the atmosphere in the office was tense but not why, and said:
“In recent months, Anbu has been cleansing powerful ninjas from enemy villages according to the Assassination Manual.
The other great ninja villages reacted and followed Konoha Anbu’s practice, listing assassination targets for their own ninja villages.
When Konoha ninjas were on missions in the Land of Grass, Land of Rivers, Land of Waves, etc., they encountered assassinations by ninjas of unknown identity.
When the first jonin was assassinated, I focused the investigation.
When the second jonin was assassinated, I confirmed that the enemy village also has an Assassination Manual.
The enemy village will counterattack, will retaliate fiercely in kind.
I believe the current scheme for assassinations has problems.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Danzo:
“Danzo, the pressure on Anbu and the jonin class is very high now. I cannot sit idly by while Konoha’s spy system lies idle for months.
You say one month to rebuild the spy system—we both know that’s absolutely impossible.
Root’s duties are complex and secretive. For Root ninjas to fully familiarize themselves with their work, it takes at least three months or even half a year.
With the spy system vacant and Anbu’s assassinations stalled, as they grow stronger we weaken; without sufficient intensity countermeasures, the other ninja villages’ assassinations against us will only grow more frenzied.”
Facing simultaneous pressure from Hiruzen Sarutobi and Nara Shikaku, Danzo had to compromise.
Danzo thought for a moment and said: “The spy systems of the Land of Lightning and Land of Wind, I will temporarily transfer to Anbu.”
Kiiroinu was delighted inwardly; he finally controlled the spy system.
Temporarily transfer?
Danzo was overthinking it. Once transferred to his hands, with Kiiroinu controlling the spy leaders, the entire spy system could never be taken away again.
Everyone knew the importance of the spy system; it was Konoha’s eyes.
If Hidden Whirlpool Village had a mature spy system, it wouldn’t have been attacked to the village gates by Mist ninjas and Cloud ninjas before discovering it.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. Good, Danzo had finally yielded.
Nara Shikaku continued: “Hokage, I have another suggestion.”
“Oh? Let’s hear it.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi was in a great mood, wondering what new idea Nara Shikaku had.
Nara Shikaku said: “Assassinations targeting enemy village special jonin, jonin, even kage level ninjas are necessary.
The reciprocal retaliation provoked by Anbu’s assassination actions has some issues.
The cost we pay is not small either. I believe we can adopt some other means.”
Kiiroinu’s heart tightened; everyone’s opinions had to take Nara Shikaku’s seriously.
If Nara Shikaku said Anbu had problems, then Anbu definitely had problems.
Shikaku Nara continued:
“Konoha killed a jonin from Cloud Village, and Cloud Village will certainly try every means to assassinate back.
My meaning is, we can make it more covert, so they don’t know who did the assassination.
The daimyo of various countries established an underground exchange, using money to assassinate rogue ninjas who don’t obey their orders.
My idea is to combine the Assassination Manual cleansing with the underground exchange bounties, interleaving them.
When an enemy village jonin dies, go to the underground exchange afterward to claim the bounty, make the method more covert, and the enemy village’s retaliation won’t target Konoha.
This way, we can reduce the pressure of reciprocal retaliation.”
“Good idea.” Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded repeatedly: “Shikaku Squad Leader, Kiiroinu, you two study it and come up with a scheme.”
After Nara Shikaku agreed and rose to leave, he was stopped by the Third.
In front of Nara Shikaku, Hiruzen Sarutobi said:
“Root has suffered frequent blows, with heavy losses in high-end combat power. Rebuilding Root cannot be done in just a few months.
The great ninja clans have sent many talents to Root, with huge sacrifices.
My decision: For Root’s rebuilding, no ninja clan ninjas may be recruited within two years, giving the great ninja clans a chance to breathe and recuperate!”
Nara Shikaku was stunned; this was truly good news.
He hurriedly looked at Danzo Advisor, wondering if Danzo Advisor would retort.
