Hiruzen was left battered and bruised, it was humiliating and even those who weren't fond of him felt pity. Katsuro, who was immensely satisfied, finally stopped so that Hiruzen wouldn't die. As much as he didn't like him, Katsuro didn't think he deserved that. He was power hungry, let Danzo get away with anything and was even complicit to many things. He could even be directly blamed for the deaths and injury of people Katsuro cared about, like his Sensei, even if that was not what they had intended, but Hiruzen was still a man who put his life on the line for the Hidden Leaf. He saved countless lives on the battlefield, which included his own clan members.
If he dies, no one else can be Hokage. Sensei won't take the role, especially not now and I still haven't even married Tsuna. Katsuro smiled though - it wasn't as if this was a complete loss.
Time to extract the benefits…
Every Anbu, clan member, shinobi and clan leader looked at the sight of Katsuro standing over the utterly defeated Hiruzen Sarutobi, smiling. It signalled for the face off that was happening to dissolve - it was clear who had won. Those that had tried to save the Hokage when he was in trouble during the fight were dealt with immediately by the Senju and Uchiha forces, and with the Senju clan's chakra suppressing seals were left on the ground captured - a sign for anyone else wanting to get involved.
Even now I underestimated him! How much chakra does he even have? I can't win, I could've died countless times over already and my chakra is running low. That idiot Danzo! It's all his fault!
Danzo looked over in shock, his wound now tied over with medical cloth to stop the bleeding.
Sarutobi, you weak, insolent fool! You should have listened to me to begin with! Now look, everyone has seen how brutally and easily you were dealt with by a mere brat!
"Hokage, I have enjoyed our fight!," Katsuro said light heartedly, treating it like a mere spar and not like the life and death battle Hiruzen saw it as.
"Katsuro," Hiruzen grunted, blood dripping from his forehead as he tried to prop himself up, "It seems like you have defeated me…"
Katsuro smiled even wider at the admission. "Yes, yes I have. Strength rules in this world, it is a law we all know well. It is well within my right as the superior to do as I wish. I could kill Danzo right now, or even you and there's nothing anyone can do to stop it."
Hiruzen opened his mouth to deny instinct, but realised it was true. Katsuro held both their lives, if he didn't care for the consequence they were done for. He strongly doubted he would kill him, as it would turn him completely against the village, but Danzo was another matter entirely. But still, he couldn't admit it that, he needed to reason with him, "Wai-"
But Katsuro interrupted him without even looking, "But I am a reasonable person. I can let you live, both of you. But it comes with certain conditions." Katsuro said with a smile, both talking to Hiruzen and those watching.
Hiruzen grunted looking over at Danzo, who shot back a look of anger knowing whatever these conditions would contain would not be good for him. "Katsuro, let's not have any needless bloodshed today. Tell me your conditions, I will do my best to fulfill them."
"Oh, straight to the point for once, Lord Hokage." Katsuro smiled, seething at Hiruzen's sly phrasing, "Firstly, Elder Shimura Danzo and the Root will be investigated by the Senju, all wrongdoings will be exposed." But what Katsuro didn't say was, And we'll keep anything useful. I'm sure Danzo's hidden away hordes of money and Jutsus - his Wind Jutsus will be a nice addition.
Hiruzen contemplated Katsuro's words, but Danzo immediately looked scared, he tried to signal for any Root shinobi, ordering them to make sure they weren't exposed and to get rid of any evidence. But Katsuro expected it and immediately noticed it, he too signalled for his people who moved and secured some of the Root shinobi who tried to slip away. Their heads were crushed against the floor as they were in binds; there was some commotion but since they were already injured the task was easy enough for Kaito and the Senju.
Seeing them give him the all okay, he nodded and then flashed a smile at Danzo who was visibly seething at the provocation.
"Careful now, I might just mishandle my sword and take another arm y'know. We don't want any accidents, do we?" Katsuro's words immediately brought him back to reality as he had a flash of phantom pain at the thought. Katsuro himself contemplated how Kushina was affecting his vocabulary in such a serious moment before Hiruzen sighed, bringing him back to the conversation.
The Hokage realised he could not protect Danzo today, even though he knew he was clearly hiding something but blatantly trying to cover it up just now exposed it to everyone clearly. "Go ahead." He said, while praying that what they found wouldn't be anything of significance.
Katsuro ordered the Senju and Uzumaki clan members to investigate the Root headquarters, telling them to take care of any traps that could harm evidence of them. Almost everyone was more than happy for them to do it, since the Senju and Katsuro were on good terms with most of the clans. Their grievances with Danzo and the Root also assured them that everything would be revealed. And with the Uzumaki clan in the fold, any seals were easily broken.
With the fairly large mobilisation, soon in just 30 minutes, evidence was brought out as Kaito and a couple others gave Katsuro a rough report. But even with the limited evidence that the onlookers could see was already making them call for blood - because among the pile, was a pair of Sharingan.
The Uchiha were outraged, with many wanting to directly go over and kill Danzo where he stood between his Shimura clan members and surviving root. But Fugaku held them back, looking at and waiting for Katsuro who's anger was starting to show on his face with his veins popping.
Katsuro saw Fugaku's look and nodded at him, ensuring he would give them a satisfactory answer, and that was enough for him.
Katsuro breathed deeply trying to calm himself, before turning to everyone, "The crimes are worse than I could have even imagined. Several records of unsanctioned and illegal missions. Including, setting bounties on members of the Hidden Leaf in black markets. The killing of targets as commissioned by Danzo. Desecration and theft of Uchiha clan corpses and property. Inhumane training in the Root, forcing members to kill friends and comrades to ensure absolute obedience. The capture of targets as commissioned by Danzo. Human experimentation on numerous civilians and even several clan members including the Kurama, Nara, Yamanaka, Aburame, Uchiha and Senju clans. Experimenting trying to use the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju's cells."
The sheer amount and weight of Danzo's crimes were completely shocking to even these battlefield veterans. Danzo had treated the village as his personal playground, killing and abducting whoever he wanted. And the anger was palpable, directly targeting several clans alone would make them rise up, and even those unaffected felt the same. If he could do it to them, he could do it to anyone else. Afterall, this was only the things they had evidence for. But the mention of Hashirama cells pushed them even further over the edge, such a renowned and highly respected figure being so blatantly disrespected lead to the shouts calling for Danzo's death to begin.
Soon the Shinobi transformed into a mob of people all wanting the same thing - even those of the Sarutobi clan were appalled. This included Hiruzen, who stared at his friend in slight shock, he was aware of many things, but not quite so many. But what was truly shocking was how stupid Danzo must be to leave evidence for all these things - it was like he truly thought he was the Hokage, the way he was documenting missions.
Those still by Danzo's side began to sweat under the pressure, as Danzo lashed out hearing the death threats. "You imbeciles wouldn't understand! It was for the Village! Everything I do is to make the village stronger! Some sacrifices are necessary, you be glad I made the choices you couldn't!"
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