Uchiha Shion had not even graduated yet—he was merely a student in his third year at the Ninja Academy, and barely over a month into that year.
Academy students were not considered shinobi. After all, ninja registration numbers and forehead protectors were only issued after official graduation.
And since Shion was not a full shinobi, Root technically had no authority over him. They might try to act in secret, but on the surface, Root had no justification to interrogate a regular Konoha villager.
"The identity of Root has always been something hidden within the village," Minato said calmly, glancing toward Shisui. "And if I'm not mistaken, Root doesn't have the right to take away ordinary villagers. Internal security within Konoha falls under the jurisdiction of the Uchiha Police Force."
Bang!
Danzō's cane slammed against the ground with a sharp crack. His face lifted, dangerous and severe, as he glared at the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato.
"One of my Root shinobi is dead! Two more are gravely wounded!"
"Shff, shff…"
Even as his words rang out, several medical-nin from the Medical Corps rushed into the room. They immediately began emergency treatment on the two heavily injured Root operatives.
The squad leader bowed slightly to Minato. "Lord Fourth, we came as soon as we received word."
Minato nodded. "Take them back at once and begin emergency surgery. Their condition is critical."
His eyes flicked briefly toward Shion.
This sight only further enraged Danzō. He raised his cane again, blocking the medical-nin as they tried to lift the wounded.
"Someone else will be coming to collect them."
Minato's brows furrowed. "They're the only two survivors. Their memories may still reveal the truth of what happened."
Danzō's eyes narrowed dangerously. "No one is permitted to freely search the minds of Root shinobi. Do you really think, Fourth Hokage, that you can simply open their memories?"
Those words reminded Minato of something. Every Root shinobi bore the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal—they could die, but they would never reveal secrets.
"No one can freely search their minds?" Minato thought grimly. Root had clearly become nothing more than Danzō's personal force.
In Konoha, only the Hokage was supposed to command a personal ANBU unit—just as Hiruzen once had, and as Minato himself did now.
But Danzō…
"The survivors aren't limited to just those two Root shinobi," Danzō's grim voice pressed on. "This Uchiha brat should also be handed over to Root for memory inspection."
Minato shook his head firmly. "The Cursed Tongue Seal isn't absolute. In terms of fūinjutsu, I am confident in my own skill."
He straightened, voice cold and resolute. "And more importantly, Root has no authority to interrogate the villagers of Konoha. If I recall correctly, Root's sole duty is to train operatives for the Hokage's direct ANBU corps. And the Hokage's ANBU answer to me."
His tone sharpened, ringing through the chamber.
"I—Namikaze Minato—am the Fourth Hokage!"
The declaration struck Danzō like a blow. His grip on the cane tightened, knuckles whitening.
He thought bitterly of the past… If it hadn't been for Hiruzen… would he have ever been forced into such humiliation?
The Fourth Hokage…
If only I had spoken out sooner back then, the Hokage would be me—Shimura Danzō! Only I could have made Konoha stronger, greater!
Finally, he spoke through clenched teeth. "Very well. I'll leave those two Root shinobi to you. But I expect an explanation, Hokage. That brat killed a Root operative—someone must pay the price!"
Bang!
The cane struck the floor one last time before Danzō turned, leading his men away.
As his figure faded down the corridor, his voice echoed back:
"You don't understand the evil of the Uchiha, Fourth. One day you will regret this. Everything I do is truly for Konoha's sake."
His shadow disappeared. Minato's expression remained grave.
Shisui glanced at the Hokage. "Since the time of the Third Hokage, Root has officially existed to train ANBU for the Hokage's command. But those men just now…"
He didn't finish. He didn't need to. Minato knew as well as he did that those shinobi had shown him no respect as Hokage.
Root had already become Danzō's private army. And such authority should belong only to the Hokage.
"Shisui…"
"Yes, Lord Fourth?"
"These two years, you've grown a lot."
Shisui scratched his head and laughed softly. "Following you these past years, I've learned a great deal. Growing stronger was only natural."
Minato smiled faintly but didn't reply. Instead, his gaze shifted toward Shion, who stood calmly to the side.
"I've heard Shisui mention you for a long time. I've grown curious myself, Uchiha Shion. Can you tell me how you managed to do it?"
Thanks to Shisui serving as a bridge, the Uchiha and the Fourth Hokage had already been aligned for two years now. There was no need for evasions.
Minato knew full well that Shion had identified the Root shinobi. What he really wanted to know was about Shion's strength.
Shion raised his head slightly. With a soft flicker, his Sharingan activated—the three tomoe spinning before shifting, revealing the sharp, triple-bladed shuriken pattern of his Mangekyō.
"A second Mangekyō Sharingan, hm? No wonder you could deal with two Root operatives so easily," Minato murmured, faintly astonished.
Though Shisui had spoken often of this clansman, Minato hadn't expected the Mangekyō's power to appear at such a young age.
"In the coming days, it's best you remain within the Uchiha compound. Shisui told me you've already mastered the Shadow Clone Technique. Use a clone to attend classes at the Academy."
Shion nodded. "Will this incident bring any trouble later on?"
Minato frowned slightly. "In principle, the death of a Root shinobi is serious. But thanks to Shisui's efforts these past two years, many jōnin have become his allies. So…"
He trailed off. Minato rarely spoke of Shion directly, but he trusted Shisui.
Shisui continued instead: "There will be plenty of trouble, yes. But the two most important factors are: first, the stance of the major clans of Konoha; and second, the stance of the Third Hokage. If even one of those sides supports us, we can suppress the opposition."
"Ha…" Minato exhaled with a weary smile. "Shisui, hearing you say that makes me sound like such a powerless Hokage."
Shisui bowed lightly. "Not at all, Lord Fourth. When it comes to the jōnin corps, we already hold the majority. And Lord Third has always trusted you."
Minato gave a small, uneasy smile.
The Third Hokage… His trust wasn't limited to him.
Just as Uzumaki Sora had once said, Hiruzen's trust in his old comrades Danzō and Orochimaru had long since turned into indulgence.
If things continued like this…
There would be no choice but to act.