Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi massaged his temples, a pounding headache tormenting him.
A figure stormed in.
"Hiruzen."
Danzo's face was twisted with fury.
"I told you long ago to let me handle the Uchiha, but you refused! You just wouldn't listen! Now look at what has happened!"
"The Uchiha have rebelled!"
"The casualties in my Shimura clan have reached into the hundreds."
"Your Sarutobi clan hasn't suffered lightly either."
"And countless ordinary ninja."
"And this is just the immediate loss. Think carefully! What will the Hidden Stone and Hidden Cloud do? Maybe even the Mist and Sand will take this chance to strike Konoha."
"Teacher Tobirama didn't pass the title of Hokage to you so you could govern the village like this."
Seizing the opportunity, Danzo unleashed a torrent of criticism on Hiruzen.
First, because Danzo was genuinely enraged.
The losses to the Shimura clan were catastrophic.
Second, because an opportunity like this to berate Hiruzen didn't come often.
"Leave the task of hunting down the Uchiha to me. I will kill every last one of them."
Hiruzen remained silent.
Two more figures walked in.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
"Hiruzen, have you assessed the situation in the village?"
"Hiruzen, what's the next step?"
They questioned him one after the other.
Just then, an ANBU ninja entered.
"Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen finally looked up.
"What is the situation?"
"Reporting to Lord Hokage. The initial report is ready. This is the casualty list. The property damage assessment will take a bit longer."
Hiruzen took the scroll. Upon seeing the numbers, his already grim expression turned even worse.
This internal conflict had inflicted enormous damage on Konoha.
And as Danzo said, this was just the beginning. The subsequent losses would be even greater.
What about the ongoing war with the Hidden Stone?
Will the Hidden Cloud attack again?
Will the Mist launch a surprise attack?
The thought of these problems made Hiruzen's head spin.
The ANBU ninja produced another report.
"Lord Hokage, the investigation into the sequence of events regarding the Uchiha rebellion is also complete."
Instantly, the eyes of all four elders locked onto him.
The ANBU reported, "According to our investigation, after the appearance of the Cloud ninja's suicide note, there was indeed significant dissatisfaction within the Uchiha clan."
"However, Sangaku Uchiha managed to bring it under control."
"Most Uchiha were willing to trust Sangaku to investigate the truth. Only a very small minority, like Dou Uchiha, remained aggrieved."
Hiruzen frowned.
"In that case, why did the Uchiha rebel?"
"Even after Dou Uchiha's outburst in front of the Hokage Building, this old man didn't punish him. I simply had Sangaku take him back to the compound."
The ANBU glanced at Danzo.
"Lord Hokage, the catalyst was Dou Uchiha himself."
"After Dou Uchiha was brought back to the Uchiha compound, he was murdered that very night. The entire house was set ablaze, nearly reducing everything to ash."
"Nearby Uchiha heard the commotion. After extinguishing the fire, they found Dou Uchiha's corpse."
"Written in blood beneath his body were four words."
"Save the Uchiha."
"And the jutsu that killed Dou Uchiha was Wind Style: Vacuum Wave. Furthermore, it was executed by a ninja with extremely high proficiency in Wind Style."
As the ANBU finished speaking, the gazes of Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura all swiveled to Danzo.
Hiruzen stared at Danzo, his eyes burning.
Now, Hiruzen finally understood.
Why, despite his careful handling and Sangaku's cooperation, things had still spiraled out of control.
Hiruzen also understood why the Uchiha rebels were shouting slogans about killing Danzo Shimura.
And why they attacked the Shimura clan.
SLAM!
Hiruzen stood up and slammed his hand onto the desk.
"Danzo! So this was your doing!"
Danzo panicked.
"It wasn't me!"
"If not you, then who?"
Hiruzen demanded sternly.
"If not you, who else can use such a proficient Wind Style: Vacuum Wave? If not you, who else could silently infiltrate the Uchiha compound and assassinate Dou Uchiha?"
"If not you, who else would do such a thing?"
"Who else dares to do such a thing?"
"Only you!"
"Danzo, I am so disappointed in you!"
Danzo was trembling with rage.
"I said, it wasn't me!"
But Danzo knew his defense was incredibly weak.
No one in the room believed him.
Not even the ANBU ninja.
Danzo knew he had been framed. But the problem was that all the clues, all the evidence, pointed to him. There wasn't a single other suspect.
This black pot was firmly stuck on his head.
No matter how he explained, it was useless.
Because this was his style. This was something he might do.
But he wouldn't have done it so crudely. He wouldn't have left so much evidence.
Danzo racked his brains, trying to figure out who could have framed him.
Finally, he thought of a possibility.
"Hiruzen, this is a bitter meat strategy by the Uchiha! They wanted to rebel, so they used this opportunity, using Dou Uchiha's death to convince the rest of the clan!"
Hiruzen shook his head.
"Even at a time like this, Danzo, you still try to shirk responsibility."
"Do you know how much the Uchiha clan has lost? How many have died? do you know what kind of situation the Uchiha will face after this rebellion?"
"Do you think they are all idiots?"
Hiruzen's expression became stern.
"Danzo, I believe that in your current state, you are no longer fit to lead Root. Starting today, Root will be absorbed into the ANBU. You are to step back from village affairs for now."
"The Shimura clan needs you more right now."
Danzo's face darkened.
"Hiruzen, you can't do this to me."
"Danzo, I have decided."
Hiruzen stated firmly, "Your actions have caused the village immense losses. I haven't even formally pursued your responsibility yet. Do not push me. I am serious this time."
Koharu chimed in to persuade him.
"Danzo, the Shimura clan truly needs you right now."
Homura added.
"Danzo, listen to Hiruzen. Take a break for a while."
Danzo lowered his head, ceasing his arguments.
"Lord Hokage, I understand. I will hand over Root."
Hiruzen finally nodded.
Just then, a voice announced from the doorway.
"Lord Hokage, Fugaku Uchiha requests an audience."