Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura found it ridiculous that Sarutobi Ryo, a younger ninja, dared to suggest Danzo should step down from his position.
But it was undeniable: Danzo had plotted against the Uchiha clan.
Now that his actions were public knowledge, there was nothing they could do to defend him. The truth was out.
Even if they wanted to protect him, it was impossible. The damage was done.
It was Danzo's own fault for being sloppy. Why did he have to mess up at this crucial moment? they wondered.
In Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's eyes, eliminating the "evil" Uchiha wasn't wrong.
Danzo's mistake was failing to completely cover his tracks.
"Does anyone object?" Sarutobi Ryo asked, looking around the conference room.
Everyone nodded in agreement. They all thought Danzo's removal was a good thing.
Orochimaru smirked, eager to take Danzo's place as the leader of Root.
Before, he'd had to struggle, performing experiments in secret and setting up hidden bases.
But things were different now.
He could carry out all his experiments openly, without fear.
Becoming the leader of Root meant embracing the dark side of Konoha.
Moving forward in the darkness, human experiments were essential.
This is practically an official endorsement, Orochimaru thought, granting me almost unlimited power! He was extremely pleased with his promotion.
The leader of Root was second only to the Hokage, above everyone else.
In terms of status, he was equal to the two advisors, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.
Within Konoha, only the Hokage and the two advisors could challenge him.
As long as I'm careful, he mused, I can stay in this position and continue to expand my influence.
With his new position, Orochimaru believed his quest for eternal life would soon be complete.
---
After the meeting, guards escorted Danzo away.
"Congratulations, congratulations…" everyone said to the new leader, Orochimaru.
Orochimaru grinned, clearly delighted.
He knew he shouldn't forget who helped him get there.
Sarutobi Ryo, who pushed him up, was the real star.
Sarutobi Ryo had single-handedly defeated Danzo, a veteran powerhouse. That proved everything.
The Eight Gates Formation was undeniably powerful.
However, it was a Body Art that relied on a young body.
Sarutobi Ryo, like his father, would eventually grow old.
The Eight Gates Formation also took a heavy toll on the body, causing one to age faster.
Orochimaru believed Sarutobi Ryo's strength was temporary.
In the time I have, he thought, I need to be wary of Sarutobi Ryo and listen to his advice. But as time passes, who knows who will have the final say?
Having obtained the position of Leader of Root, Orochimaru believed that his Eternal Life technique would soon be completed.
---
In the hallway…
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Hatake Sakumo, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and others walked with Sarutobi Ryo.
They arrived at the prison beneath the Anbu headquarters.
The Anbu held some political prisoners separately.
Now, Danzo was receiving this special treatment.
Inside the dark cell, candlelight flickered.
Sarutobi Hiruzen watched Danzo being thrown into the cage, his expression filled with conflicting emotions.
"Hiruzen, are you satisfied now?" Utatane Koharu asked, subtly scolding him and feeling a sense of shared misfortune.
If Danzo could fall today, she and Mitokado Homura could be brought down tomorrow.
"A clear conscience fears no accusation," Sarutobi Ryo said casually, his words stinging Utatane Koharu.
"Hmph!" she snorted coldly. Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura quickly left.
They didn't realize Sarutobi Ryo intended to get rid of them as well.
With them gone, he thought, it will be easier to carry out certain things.
Danzo, stripped of his power, looked disheveled, but his eyes still held a spark.
Clearly, he still had something to rely on.
But no matter what he's planning, Sarutobi Ryo thought, I'll pry it out of his brain later!
"Danzo… reflect on your actions here…" Hatake Sakumo's expression was also stern.
Danzo had crossed his bottom line.
Attacking the villagers was something he couldn't tolerate.
Afterward, Hatake Sakumo and Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke quietly, then instructed the Anbu to watch Danzo closely.
Then, he left with Sarutobi Ryo.
After they left, Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, watched the Anbu close the cell door, and began a heartfelt conversation with his old friend.
---
Outside the prison, Hatake Sakumo stood for a long time, watching the clouds float by. Finally, he turned and nodded to Sarutobi Ryo.
He had to admit his student's judgments were correct.
The Konoha leadership was corrupt.
These corrupt old men should be eliminated one by one.
From the day he was framed, Danzo's fate was sealed.
Those who attack their own people are not true Konoha ninja.
"Ryo, what do you think should be done with Danzo?" Hatake Sakumo asked.
He knew Danzo was high-ranking and powerful, even if he wasn't well-liked.
His disposal would affect Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's attitude.
The problem wasn't Danzo himself, but the class he represented.
"Although Danzo is in a sorry state, he still seems to have something to rely on…" Sarutobi Ryo said, "I'm afraid delays will cause problems, so he should be interrogated immediately…"
Danzo had done countless bad things.
If he was hiding another shocking conspiracy, it could harm the village.
Sarutobi Ryo couldn't be soft-hearted. He had to act swiftly and get all the information from Danzo's brain.
"…" Hatake Sakumo took a deep breath and nodded.
"That's the only way…" he agreed.
For the sake of the village and everyone's safety, it was the only option.
Hatake Sakumo appointed Sarutobi Ryo as the interrogator.
After he left, Sarutobi Ryo, now in control, turned to Uchiha Shisui, who was waiting anxiously.
"Shisui, I might need your help with this interrogation…" Sarutobi Ryo said, patting Uchiha Shisui's shoulder. Suddenly, he had an idea.
---
Soon, the two entered the prison.
Yamanaka Hui, summoned earlier, rushed over.
She was excited to learn Danzo had fallen.
Does this mean good times are coming? she wondered.
"Ryo…" Hiruzen looked at his eldest son, hesitant to speak.
Defeating Danzo was gratifying, showing his eldest son's strength had surpassed the older generation.
But Danzo's path ultimately broke his heart.
So…
"Don't worry, Father, Danzo deserves worse than death…" Sarutobi Ryo said with a smile.
"Ugh…" Sarutobi Hiruzen's breathing hitched.
That's not what I meant …
"Sigh…" he sighed.
Forget it.
Danzo's actions were his own fault.
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head and sighed repeatedly, leaving the prison with his hands behind his back.
He looked hunched over as he walked away.
The way things were developing exhausted him. He couldn't help but lament how unpredictable life was.
*
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[T/N:
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