Danzo's accusation weighed heavily on both Namikaze Minato and Sarutobi Hiruzen, forcing them to reconsider his proposal.
After all, the Uchiha clan couldn't be fully trusted yet.
Namikaze Minato and Sarutobi Hiruzen intended to give the Uchiha clan a chance because they had begun to show signs of change, and Konoha needed a period of peaceful development.
But no one could guarantee that the Uchiha clan would truly reform themselves—it was just a possibility at this point.
If this possibility vanished and the Uchiha returned to being the arrogant, domineering presence that threatened Konoha's stability, Minato and Hiruzen would indeed become the village's sinners.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had retired, so this potential blame might not fall directly on him.
But it would most likely fall on Namikaze Minato for failing to take preventive measures against the Uchiha clan, leading to disaster.
And knowing Danzo's character, he would certainly publicize this failure to remove Minato from the Hokage position if such a crisis occurred.
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Namikaze Minato beside him. Seeing Minato's troubled expression, he guessed they were thinking along the same lines.
Opportunities could be given, but not without preparation.
Looking at it from this perspective, Danzo's proposal seemed reasonable.
Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to Namikaze Minato and said, "Minato, what do you think about establishing this new department?"
Namikaze Minato thought for a moment and then asked, "If a new department is established, what about the shinobi who would staff it?"
Danzo replied, "Konoha is currently short-staffed in all departments, so I will assign some Root shinobi to serve in the new department initially, and then they can train newly recruited shinobi in proper law enforcement."
Namikaze Minato gave Danzo a penetrating look, then said, "A new department can be established, but it shouldn't be staffed only with Root shinobi. Anbu members should join as well."
Danzo had already anticipated that Namikaze Minato wouldn't agree to having only Root shinobi in the new department.
If the department were filled exclusively with Root operatives, it would essentially become a subsidiary of Root itself.
Danzo understood he couldn't push this point, so he conceded, "You are the Hokage. Naturally, such decisions are yours to make."
After seeing that Danzo and Namikaze Minato had reached a consensus, Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, "So, do you have anyone in mind to lead this new department?"
Danzo immediately responded, "I propose that Sora be appointed as the leader of the new department!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Namikaze Minato both frowned upon hearing Danzo suggest Sora.
It wasn't that Sora lacked qualifications, but rather that this department was intended to check and balance the Uchiha clan.
If Sora, who had openly targeted the Uchiha clan during the war, became the department's leader, the Uchiha shinobi would quickly realize that this new organization was specifically designed to target them.
Namikaze Minato said firmly, "Sora is not suitable. He was openly hostile toward the Uchiha clan before. If he becomes the leader, the Uchiha aren't fools—they'll see right through our intentions."
Danzo crossed his arms over his chest, leaned back in his chair, and looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen and Namikaze Minato with a sneer. "In this war, ask yourselves: whose contribution was greater—Orochimaru's or Sora's?
After the war ended, I personally allocated funds as rewards for Orochimaru and Sora in recognition of their contributions.
What about you? Have you given them any awards? Any substantive rewards beyond mere verbal recognition?
Orochimaru, who is Sora's master, has been rejected due to some 'unavoidable circumstances.' Now you're unwilling to let Sora become the leader of a new department.
Does this mean the leader of the new department must be someone who obediently follows your orders?
That said, Sora has been obedient enough. He completed all assigned tasks flawlessly without a single complaint. Doesn't your rejection suggest you don't trust him?
Is it because Sora is at heart a Root shinobi? If that's the case, you might as well replace me as Root leader—that would accomplish exactly what you want!"
Namikaze Minato replied awkwardly, "That's not what I meant."
Minato knew he wasn't the Hokage because of superior qualifications.
In terms of achievements and experience, he couldn't compare to Orochimaru.
Namikaze Minato had once believed that Orochimaru would become the next Hokage.
After all, Orochimaru's record and accomplishments were truly impressive.
Even compared to Sora, Namikaze Minato felt somewhat lacking.
It was Sarutobi Hiruzen who had pushed for his appointment as Hokage against opposition.
In truth, it wasn't against everyone's opinion—just Danzo's.
That's why, since becoming Hokage, Namikaze Minato hadn't dared to slack off and had been working diligently in office.
Now that Danzo was speaking so bluntly, Minato could only awkwardly claim that wasn't his intention.
Sarutobi Hiruzen interjected, "Danzo, don't talk nonsense.
Everything Minato has done has been for Konoha's benefit. It's not that we don't want to reward Sora.
It's just that Konoha has been short of funds recently and doesn't have money available for rewards.
When Konoha becomes more prosperous, Minato will naturally reward Sora appropriately."
Danzo snorted coldly, "Isn't Konoha short of money because of your policies? Master Third Hokage, you truly are generous—you chose to aid shinobi from other villages who invaded our Konoha, while neglecting those who risked their lives fighting for us.
Is this how you plan to treat Orochimaru and Sora, the master and disciple who served Konoha so well? If you don't trust them, then let them become full members of Root.
Since you hold them in such disdain, let Root make proper use of their talents."
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Namikaze Minato exclaimed in unison, "No!"
Currently, although Orochimaru and Sora were technically Root shinobi, they were so in name only.
They still performed missions assigned by the Hokage rather than Root.
If they fully joined Root, Orochimaru and Sora would answer only to Danzo's orders, not theirs.
How could they allow two such powerful shinobi to fall completely under Root's control?
Sarutobi Hiruzen began to understand Danzo's true purpose.
Establishing the new department was Danzo's primary goal, but if that failed or if Sora wasn't appointed as its leader, Danzo's fallback plan was to claim Sora and Orochimaru for Root.
He wanted them to work exclusively for him.
The strength of Sora and Orochimaru was obvious to everyone. If they completely joined Root, it would be an extremely significant loss for Namikaze Minato's administration.
They had already alienated Orochimaru. If Sora was denied leadership of the new department, he too might become disillusioned with them.
But since the new department was meant to check and balance the Uchiha clan, Sora was truly unsuitable as its leader.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Namikaze Minato found themselves in a difficult dilemma.