Chiya led the Uchiha group away from the battlefield, running along the border line in the direction of Amegakure.
The night was dark as ink. Moonlight fell across everyone's faces and cast long shadows behind them.
They had not run very far when Chiya brought the group to a stop.
"Change your clothes!"
The moment Chiya said this, not a single Uchiha asked why. They moved immediately.
They flipped their Uchiha-marked clothing inside out, undid the plain inner layer that bore no clan crest, and pulled it over the outside.
The Uchiha markings were hidden.
They once again took on the appearance of ordinary traveling merchants, just as before.
"Has the intelligence report been sent out?"
Chiya looked toward the Uchiha from earlier.
"Not yet, Lord Clan Head. Should we send it now?"
Chiya gave him a nod.
"For this mission, we just need to clearly write out everything related to Danzo and then wait for orders from the village."
"Go ahead and prepare to send it."
Hearing Chiya's confirmation, that Uchiha gave a serious nod.
He took out a small notebook and began writing quickly.
After finishing, he handed it to Chiya.
Chiya read through the contents.
It covered everything from when the Uchiha group left the village and encountered Iwagakure spies, used genjutsu to extract intelligence from them, and came to suspect they were connected to Konoha-nin. It then covered how during the investigation they had "coincidentally" come across the situation involving Iwagakure and Root, and had helped Root eliminate the Iwagakure ninja. All of it was written out.
Chiya gave a small nod.
The content was detailed enough.
"Remove our suspicions. Keep only the objective facts."
"Copy it out again fresh, then it can be sent."
"Yes, Lord Clan Head!"
The portions expressing the Uchiha's suspicions were removed. After the report was copied out again, he opened the sealed scroll used to contact the village from inside his coat.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
"Bang!"
A messenger hawk was summoned.
That Uchiha placed the intelligence into a small wooden tube.
The hawk let out a sharp cry.
It spread its wings and flew off.
Chiya knew well.
The Third Hokage was himself very politically perceptive.
The mention of Danzo, the Iwagakure ninja, and everything around it. He would naturally understand the meaning behind it all.
Some things did not need to be spelled out too clearly.
Chiya lifted his gaze and looked into the distance.
"The area around here is relatively safe. You all wait here for me to return."
"Lord Clan Head, where are you going?"
Fugaku stepped forward, unable to help asking out of concern.
"Since we are already out of the village, I have a personal matter that requires me to leave the Land of Fire."
"A personal matter?"
The worry on Fugaku's face deepened.
On this border line, what kind of personal matter could there be?
He could not figure it out.
"I will follow and protect Lord Clan Head!"
Just then, the Uchiha who had been tallying the casualties earlier stepped forward.
His face was full of resolve.
"That is right. We will protect Lord Clan Head!"
"Lord Clan Head, let us come with you!"
"..."
With one person taking the lead, the surrounding Uchiha who had not yet understood the situation suddenly grasped it. They spoke up one after another with firm expressions.
Chiya had not expected them to be this worried about him.
Looking at the sincerity and resolve on their faces, Chiya could not help but smile warmly.
'The people of the Uchiha clan really are all such straightforward souls!'
"All right. If you are coming with me, you must follow my arrangements without question."
"Lord Clan Head, you have our word!"
Everyone responded, bright smiles across their faces.
"The response from the village will not arrive for a while anyway. Let us go."
"Move out!"
"We are heading to the Land of Rain!"
...
The messenger hawk raced across the sky above the Land of Fire at tremendous speed.
In under three hours it arrived at Konoha.
The Anbu quickly delivered the intelligence the hawk had carried to the Hokage's office.
The blue smoke rising from Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe curled slowly through the air.
"Hah."
He tossed the intelligence report onto the desk. A flash of disappointment and weariness crossed his eyes.
The letter recorded in detail Chiya's "observations and experiences." Not a single sentence directly named Danzo as the culprit, yet every sentence pointed in that direction.
As the Third Hokage, Hiruzen understood perfectly well the deeper meaning hidden within Chiya's roundabout words.
'Chiya, truly impressive.'
Hiruzen felt a quiet sense of admiration for the way Chiya had handled things, staying tactful while keeping the bigger picture in mind.
"Have Advisor Koharu Utatane and Advisor Homura Mitokado come here."
Hiruzen instructed the Anbu stationed outside.
"Yes!"
The Anbu departed quickly.
A short while later, Homura and Koharu arrived at the office.
Seeing the look of worry on Hiruzen's face, both of them were inwardly startled.
'Had another conflict broken out somewhere...'
"Hiruzen, what has happened?"
After the Anbu left, Homura was the first to speak.
Hiruzen pointed to the letter on the desk.
His tone was somewhat heavy.
"Have a look. Intelligence just sent by the Uchiha."
Homura and Koharu picked up the letter and read through it carefully.
As the contents unfolded, both of them gradually grasped what Chiya's letter was pointing to.
The expressions on both their faces grew increasingly grave.
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair. Smoke from his pipe drifted across his face.
"Danzo's actions have openly defied my orders. He had people steal children, most likely for the Wood Style experiments."
Hearing the words "Wood Style experiments," both of their faces filled with shock.
"Danzo actually dared to do this?"
A look of disbelief and fury spread across Koharu's face.
"This is completely unacceptable!"
Homura also furrowed his brow and spoke coldly.
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, the smoke from his pipe drifting across his face. He spoke slowly.
"Danzo's actions have openly defied my orders. Not only has he continued the forbidden Wood Style experiments, he even stole children to use as test subjects. This kind of behavior has seriously damaged Konoha's reputation and harmed the interests of its people. I believe his authority should be revoked."
Koharu and Homura exchanged a glance. After a moment of silence, they spoke.
"Hiruzen, although Danzo has made mistakes, his contributions to the village cannot be ignored. The Root organization he built has played an important role in multiple missions throughout this war. We cannot deny all of his achievements because of one mistake."
Koharu also nodded in agreement.
"That is right, Hiruzen. Although Danzo tends to be extreme in his methods, his loyalty to the village is beyond doubt. We can give him a chance to correct his ways."
Hiruzen's gaze swept across both of their faces. He let out a sigh.
"I understand what you both mean. Danzo's contributions over the years are indeed undeniable, but this matter is far too serious. I cannot sit by and do nothing. Otherwise, who will take my orders seriously in the future?"
Homura considered for a moment.
"Hiruzen, we are not trying to shield Danzo. But we must also consider the overall interests of the village. Setting aside the matter of needing a counterbalance against the rapidly rising Uchiha, just speaking of Root alone, if we were to replace Danzo right now, Root would likely experience some disruption in the short term. In recent years, Root has dispatched countless ninja who have infiltrated other villages.
Although the war has just ended, no one can predict what the situation ahead will look like. Without Danzo, Root would be unable to quickly re-establish its coordination in a short time, and during that period a great deal of intelligence would likely be lost.
It would be better to call him here first and have him explain the full account of events. If he truly understands his mistake and is willing to change, we can give him a chance."
Seeing that Hiruzen seemed somewhat moved, Koharu added.
"That is right, Hiruzen. We can have Homura temporarily oversee Root and monitor Danzo's conduct. This way we can ensure Root remains stable while also preventing Danzo from making the same mistake again."
Hiruzen was silent for a long time. He understood clearly that what Homura and Koharu were worried about was not without reason.
Root was indeed an important force for Konoha and could not be shaken lightly.
To say nothing of the fact that this was a sensitive period right after the end of a war.
But he also knew clearly that Danzo's actions had already crossed his bottom line.
"Very well."
Hiruzen finally spoke.
"Call Danzo here first and have him explain himself clearly. If he truly shows a willingness to reform, we can consider giving him a chance. But if he continues to be stubborn, then measures must be taken."
Homura and Koharu exchanged a glance, both letting out a quiet breath of relief.
They knew that it had not been easy for Hiruzen to reach this decision.
But for the sake of the village's interests, they had needed to do their best to persuade him.
"Hiruzen, do not worry. We will have a good talk with Danzo and make him understand his mistakes."
Homura said.
Koharu also nodded.
"That is right, Hiruzen. We will do our best to bring Danzo back on track and have him fulfill his role."
Hiruzen gave a nod, though in his heart he understood clearly that this matter was far from simple.
He knew Danzo's character better than anyone. Expecting him to genuinely reform his ways, that was easier said than done.
But he also understood that the stability of the village came first.
If the matter could be resolved through peaceful means, that was naturally the best outcome.
"I hope Danzo can come to understand his mistakes."
Hiruzen murmured, his gaze passing through the window and out toward the distant sky, his heart full of worry.