Even from Li Anshi's perspective, he couldn't say that Danzo's actions were wrong.
As his students, Sagawa and his friends had learned the throwing techniques of his secret art.
Therefore, they also had an obligation to protect the secret from being stolen by ninjas from other villages, which could cause serious harm to Konoha.
If the three of them had the strength to protect themselves, no one would say anything.
Or, if they stayed by Li Anshi's side at all times, with his protection, no one could abduct them.
But the current situation was that Li Anshi and they all had their own lives, and it was impossible for them to always remain within a hundred-meter radius of him.
Under these circumstances, for the sake of secrecy, placing a seal in their minds was an important means of protecting the flying dagger art.
Similarly, spreading the news that the three of them had a seal in their minds was also a form of protection.
However, such protection could only deter those who wanted to seize the secret art; it could not stop those who wanted to prevent the appearance of a second "Little Li Flying Dagger."
Think about it. Konoha having one Little Li Flying Dagger was enough to suppress the Cloud Village, one of the five great ninja villages.
If three more were to appear, would the other three great villages also be forced to beg for surrender from Konoha, just like the Cloud?
Therefore, although the Land of Earth, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Lightning had all signed truce or alliance agreements with Konoha, their policy of striking at Konoha's vital forces would not change.
"Anshi, what do you think?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Li Anshi.
Although, from his and Konoha's perspective, placing a seal in the minds of the three boys was a necessity, they were Li Anshi's subordinates.
If a seal was placed on them without his consent, it would undoubtedly be a provocation.
The faces of the three boys turned pale.
Although they were still children under the age of ten, they were "ninjas" who had experienced war.
The Third Hokage hadn't answered their question directly, but had instead asked for Master Li's opinion.
Undoubtedly, this meant they had not passed the test.
In the previous genjutsu, they had already leaked the training method for the secret art.
"Lord Hokage, it was my fault for recklessly leaking the secret art."
Li Anshi sighed and looked at the three boys.
"Sagawa, Kondo, Sakamoto…"
"I'm sorry. I'm the one who put you at such great risk."
"Now, you have two choices."
"The first is that until you have completely mastered the secret art, you cannot leave my side by more than a hundred meters."
As his subordinates, and because they had encountered this situation because of him, Li Anshi felt he had a duty to protect them.
However, he would not chain himself to their side for this reason.
Thus, he could only put the choice to the three of them.
It was up to them to see if they were willing to stay within a hundred meters of him for their own safety.
"No, Master Li, this isn't your fault."
Before Li Anshi could state the second choice, the three boys spoke up hurriedly.
"It's because our strength is too weak that we couldn't protect your secret art."
After a year as ninjas, the three of them had long since shed the naivety of their academy days.
Back then, they thought the gap between themselves and the children of the ninja clans wasn't very large.
Even as the dead-lasts, they could still see the back of the top student.
Only after truly leaving the academy did they realize how vast the gap was.
Even the most ordinary child of a ninja clan would possess the strength of at least a Chunin upon reaching adulthood.
And not just an ordinary Chunin.
This was the lower limit for ninjas from the clans.
And what about commoner ninjas?
Besides the Three Basic Jutsu they learned at the academy, whether they could learn more ninjutsu after graduation depended on what kind of squad-leading Chunin they followed.
A good one would teach them some ninjutsu and improve their strength.
A worse one would just treat them as consumables, not only failing to guide their training but also using their subordinates as bait in dangerous missions to attack the enemy or escape themselves.
The children of the ninja clans were cultivated by their families from a young age. They only needed to grow up step by step, and their strength would take a leap.
Commoner ninjas, on the other hand, had to risk their lives, treading through countless thorns. Only after the age of twenty might they reach the level of a Chunin.
Even in their peak years for decades to come, they could not cross the gulf between Chunin and Jonin.
In fact, they might never even reach the level of an "Elite Chunin" in their entire lives.
Under normal circumstances, Master Li's secret flying dagger art was a profound technique that the three of them would never have been able to come into contact with in their entire lives.
Never mind them; even those from the ninja clans, and even Lord Hokage himself, who coveted the art, would not have been able to obtain it from Li Anshi.
This was probably the only chance in their lives to come into contact with a technique of this level.
As long as they fully grasped the first stage of the secret art that Master Li had taught them, they would be practically invincible among Elite Chunin.
How could they blame the master who had taught them such a technique for the dangers they might face in the future?
The three of them exchanged glances, then bowed to Hiruzen Sarutobi in unison.
"Lord Hokage, we are willing to accept the seal on our minds."
"You three…"
"Master Li."
Sagawa raised his head and smiled at Li Anshi. "In this life, it is our honor to be your subordinates."
"As your subordinates, we cannot bring shame to your name."
"That's right, Master Li."
Kondo Kazuya and Sakamoto Toshio also nodded. "Please understand."
"Sigh…"
Seeing the three of them like this, Li Anshi sighed.
Everyone has their own choices.
To make the three of them stay within a hundred meters of him would also be to kill their futures.
"Alright."
"Lord Hokage, I'll leave them to you then."
"As the Hokage of Konoha, it is my duty to protect the ninjas and villagers of the Leaf."
Seeing Li Anshi's decision, Hiruzen Sarutobi also breathed a sigh of relief.
"Furthermore, although Danzo's previous motives were not pure, I still approve of his arrangements for these three."
"For this period of time, Sagawa, Kondo, and Sakamoto, you three will begin training with the Anbu."
"When you pass the Anbu's assessment, you will officially be able to join."