"Hey, have you heard?"
"Heard what?"
"You know, that hot topic going around lately..."
"Oh, you mean the Kumogakure ninja who tried to kidnap a child from the Hyūga Clan and got killed instead?"
"That's old news. How long has it been since you've gone outside? Haven't you heard that Elder Danzō Shimura has been conducting human experiments..."
Hiss!
"Don't talk nonsense. Konoha is full of that man's eyes and ears."
"What are you afraid of? The real shocking part is that he's transplanted Wood Release, the Sharingan, and other kekkei genkai from several of Konoha's major clans."
"Seriously?"
"Of course. My neighbor's second uncle's niece's distant cousin's son is in Root. He personally assisted with Danzō's surgery."
"Come on, tell me more. Lunch is on me today!"
Similar conversations spread through Konoha's streets and alleys like a plague.
At first, only a handful of people with hidden motives were spreading the rumors. Before long, however, nearly everyone in the village had heard them.
As the rumors spread, they became increasingly exaggerated. What began as claims that Danzō conducted human experiments and transplanted Wood Release and Sharingan evolved into stories that he had stolen and implanted the bloodline abilities of every major clan in Konoha.
To many people, that was unforgivable.
A villain like that deserved to be eliminated immediately.
Public opinion was like a wild beast. Once unleashed, no one could control it.
Even if the truth eventually emerged, the damage done in the meantime could never be fully repaired.
Of course, the uncontrollable nature of rumors played a role. But if someone had spread the same accusations about the Third Hokage, would anyone have believed them?
Of course not.
That was the difference between the two men.
Over the years, Danzō had done far too many things that angered Konoha's ninja clans. Root's forced recruitment alone had earned widespread resentment. The Military Police Force he once controlled had also become infamous for its brutality during its brief existence.
If the Third Hokage represented Konoha's light, then Danzō represented its darkness.
When a man burdened by so much hostility became the target of accusations, countless people were eager to kick him while he was down.
The ninja clans formed the foundation of Konoha's strength.
When those clans collectively pushed in one direction, Danzō's reputation collapsed almost overnight.
Just as Hayashi had predicted, once this scandal exploded, incidents like Kumogakure attempting to steal the Byakugan or Hiashi killing a Cloud ninja became insignificant.
The Third Hokage no longer had the luxury of worrying about those matters.
His immediate concern was saving his old friend.
Under normal circumstances, public outrage could be suppressed. People would look the other way, and the issue would gradually fade.
This situation was different.
Human experimentation was one of the greatest taboos in the shinobi world.
No hidden village tolerated it.
Sunagakure's Human Puppet research was a perfect example. Once discovered, those responsible were branded rogue ninja.
Hiruko had suffered that fate.
So had Orochimaru.
Because of that, any accusation involving human experimentation demanded an investigation. The Third Hokage could not simply ignore the voices of the village.
The real issue was not whether Danzō would be investigated.
It was whether he could survive that investigation.
Since the mastermind behind these rumors had chosen this moment to act, they clearly had confidence in their information.
Which meant Danzō was probably not innocent.
In truth, Konoha had a long history of human experimentation. The Second Hokage himself had conducted extensive research in many fields.
However, Tobirama Senju had never used Konoha's own shinobi as test subjects. Even his studies involving the Uchiha Sharingan had been conducted during the Warring States Period.
Yet the rumors surrounding Danzō involved Wood Release, Sharingan, Byakugan, and multiple other kekkei genkai.
Every one of those belonged to Konoha.
Although the Third Hokage refused to believe Danzō had gone completely mad, even involvement with a single one of those bloodlines would be unacceptable.
Not harming the village's own shinobi was a line that could not be crossed.
Research had limits.
At the very least, Konoha's ninja could not be used as experimental materials.
To make matters worse, the timing was disastrous.
Only a few days earlier, the Hyūga Clan had killed a Kumogakure ninja over an attempted theft of the Byakugan. Emotions were already running high.
Now rumors surfaced claiming Danzō had been transplanting the village's bloodline abilities.
"It truly is a turbulent time."
The Third Hokage lit his pipe, and thin streams of smoke drifted through the Hokage's office.
"Hiruzen, where exactly has Danzō gone?" Homura Mitokado asked.
At a time like this, Danzō needed to return and address the situation personally.
Homura did not believe Danzō would commit such acts.
"Him?" Hiruzen replied. "He said he went to Amegakure."
"Amegakure?" Homura blinked in surprise. "What is he doing there?"
"It's related to an investigation. Some time ago, Danzō discovered that Fugaku had traveled to Amegakure and joined an organization known as Akatsuki. Danzō went to investigate whether Fugaku's attack was connected to them."
"I see."
Homura nodded.
"Danzō really is dedicated. For such rumors to appear while he's working for the village... it's truly unfair."
The meaning behind Homura's words was obvious.
He wanted the Third Hokage to intervene and suppress the rumors.
After all, Danzō had been their comrade for decades.
Homura turned toward Utatane Koharu.
"Koharu, what do you think?"
But Koharu remained silent.
Her hand gripped the armrest so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.
Hayashi's words echoed repeatedly in her mind.
Kagami's Mangekyō Sharingan is in Danzō's hands.
Homura was about to continue when an ANBU operative suddenly rushed into the office.
The Third Hokage frowned.
"What happened?"
"Lord Hayashi, Nawaki, and Hiashi have gathered shinobi and launched an assault on Root. They're demanding an explanation from Lord Danzō."
A headache immediately formed behind Hiruzen's eyes.
This was exactly what he had feared.
The rumors specifically mentioned Wood Release, Sharingan, and Byakugan.
As the leaders or future leaders of the Senju, Uchiha, and Hyūga clans, Hayashi and the others could not possibly remain silent.
Helplessly rubbing his forehead, Hiruzen said, "Danzō isn't even at Root. Aren't they just causing trouble?"
The ANBU operative shook his head.
"No. Lord Hayashi claims that Lord Danzō is currently hiding inside Root and never left the village."
"What?!"
The Third Hokage shot to his feet.
If Hayashi's claim was true, then Danzō's report about investigating Akatsuki in Amegakure had been a lie.
A complete lie.
Suppressing the anger rising within him, Hiruzen spoke coldly.
"Take me to Root."
...
Deep underground, within one of Root's most heavily guarded facilities, a secret operation was underway.
The procedure had entered its final stage.
Outside the operating room, a masked Root shinobi appeared.
"Halt."
The guard's voice was calm and emotionless.
"I need to see Lord Danzō."
"Lord Danzō is currently undergoing surgery. No interruptions are permitted."
"But Uchiha Hayashi has already broken into the base."
"Even so..."
Before the Root shinobi could finish speaking, the operating room door suddenly opened.
Danzō stepped out while unwrapping the bandages around his right arm.
"Kagami's son?"
A cold smile appeared on his face.
"Perfect."
His newly exposed eye slowly opened.
"I'll use you to test my new eye."
===
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