"Keep the music playing! Let the feast continue!"
This time, thanks to Shukudō's well-arranged "day-off extravaganza," Umino Yoru was enjoying himself to the fullest. The thought of Mitokado Kakei's miserable fate made every cell in his body tingle with satisfaction.
Given Danzō's infamous zero-tolerance policy, no one would dare shield Kakei now. Add the Uchiha clan's external pressure, and the Mitokado clan would crumble under the strain.
Yoru was feasting on hotpot and singing—living his best life—when a squad of Root operatives suddenly barged in.
"Umino Yoru. You've been implicated. Come with us."
Every Root ninja was elite. The four before him were at least Special Jōnin, and the cat-masked leader was undoubtedly a full-fledged Jōnin.
Yoru briefly considered fighting back, but the power gap was too wide. Besides, this was Shinano City—Konoha's military HQ. Even a Kage-level fighter would hesitate before trying to escape here.
With his frail little body, resistance was pointless. So, he obediently let them cuff him, preparing for interrogation.
At least they didn't seal my chakra.
That meant the situation wasn't life-threatening. If it were, they'd have beaten him senseless first.
Root's usual methods were far more brutal. This "polite summons" was practically kindness by their standards.
Relaxing slightly, Yoru shelved his "flee and become a missing-nin" plan, deciding to hear the charges first.
Soon, he was brought to the HQ's training grounds—not even a jail cell—to await judgment.
"I've bled for Konoha! I've served with merit! You can't do this to me—!"
A Konoha Jōnin, freshly interrogated by Danzō himself, was dragged out, screaming about his contributions and how a "little embezzlement" shouldn't doom him.
THUD.
The man's head hit the ground before he finished his plea.
Every shackled ninja present froze in terror.
Good news, though: Those questioned in theside roomall walked free.
Then, it was Yoru's turn.
"Hah…"
He exhaled in relief.
Lucky me. Too small for Danzō's personal attention.
But just as he was about to enter the "safe" interrogation room, a Root agent intercepted:
"Umino Yoru. Lord Danzō summons you."
"…What?"
Yoru's blood ran cold.
Meeting Danzō face-to-face? That was a death sentence.
His mind raced—fight? Flee? Reverse Summoning?
But then he noticed:
The Root ninja wasn't restraining him.
This wasn't an arrest.
Danzō actually wanted to see him.
The cuffs came off.
Swallowing his panic, Yoru followed the agent into the shadow-drenched HQ office.
No lights. Curtains drawn. The air reeked of calculating malice.
"So. You are Umino Yoru."
A voice like frostbitten steel slithered from the darkness.
Instinct kicked in.
"Yes, Vice-Hokage-sama!"
Yoru snapped to attention, posture military-perfect.
"Vice… Hokage?"
Danzō savored the title.
"Hmph. According to Sarutobi Enjirō's report, you stand accused ofembezzlement. Explain yourself."**
Stepping into the dim light, Danzō's single eye gleamed with cold scrutiny. No cane, no bandaged arm—no Hashirama cells yet.
He held a dossier—Yoru's entire service record.
This wasn't about flattery. Danzō already kneweverything.
"Embezzlement?!"
Yoru's mind overclocked.
What could I have stolen?
As a lowly Chūnin, his only "ill-gotten gains" were:
Spoils from Suna puppeteers (the four puppets from Chiyo's disciples). "Exploiting" his genin team (Shukudō's "forced purchases").
Ah.
Sarutobi Enjirō must've reported his "extortion" of Shukudō, twisting it into corruption.
"Vice-Hokage-sama, this is amisunderstanding!"**
He launched into his defense:
Presented Shukudō family's official purchase receipts. Explained the Multi-Layer Iron Prison Gate's mechanics. Detailed how hundreds of millions of ryo were lost fighting Suna.
"I've beensubsidizingKonoha's war effort out of pocket! I'm drowning in debt!"
As for the "stolen puppets"?
"They wereruinedin battle! The poison I used alone cost a fortune!"
He unsealed the shattered puppet armor as proof.
"You killed one of Chiyo'sdisciples?"**
Danzō's eyebrow twitched. He'd assumed Suna's retaliation was just an excuse—not an actual loss of a prized pupil.
By the end, Yoru had erased Danzō's suspicions.
"Umino Yoru… I recognize yourWill of Fire."**
Danzō's lips curled. He admired Yoru's **"self-funding loyalty"**—especially the "suicide bombing dedication".
"Where the leaves dance, flames shall forever burn!"
Yoru stood ramrod straight, radiating fanatical conviction.
"Umino Yoru. By my authority—"
Danzō produced a pre-prepared scroll.
"—you are hereby promoted toSpecial Jōnin."**