Chapter 466: Want to Renovate a Prison Cell? Then Pay for It Yourself

"The Shimura clan has only this one small request," Takeshi Shimura said with a deep bow toward the Third Hokage, his gesture leaving the older man unable to voice his objections.

In Konoha, the Shimura clan was considered a prominent family, and much of its development could be attributed to Danzo.

Despite the trouble he had caused the clan, many in the Shimura family had benefited from his influence.

Now that Danzo had fallen from grace, these individuals wanted to secure some small comforts for him.

If nothing else, at least let him use a proper bathroom outside his cell.

As the former advisor to the Hokage, it was humiliating for Danzo to be confined to a tiny cell where even basic necessities had to be managed within its cramped space. If this became public knowledge, it would reflect poorly on both the Shimura clan and the Third Hokage.

Danzo was being held in secret, with such information classified from the general populace. However, the upper echelons of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans were exceptions to this secrecy.

After all, they were staunch supporters of the Third Hokage.

"I'll think about it," said the Third Hokage, his tone heavy as he puffed on his pipe.

His plans for a peaceful day of rest at home had been disrupted the moment Takeshi Shimura arrived, throwing his mood into disarray.

The thought of Danzo stuck in a maximum-security cell, forced to eat, drink, and relieve himself in such a small space, made the Third Hokage deeply uncomfortable.

After sending Takeshi away, the Third Hokage spent a long time mulling over the situation. Eventually, he donned his robes and headed to the Hokage office.

In the office, Tsunade was still buried in a mountain of paperwork.

Noticing her visitor, she didn't even look up as she asked, "What brings you here?"

The Third Hokage rarely came to the office these days, preferring to rest at home. If he came now, it must be important.

It certainly wasn't to help with paperwork, given how hesitantly he lingered at the doorway, clearly struggling to find the right words.

"Ahem, ahem!"

Tsunade's bluntness caught the Third Hokage off guard, making him cough awkwardly.

Hearing the nearly lung-wrenching cough, Tsunade sighed, setting down her papers and crossing her arms.

"This is about Danzo, isn't it?"

Though her directness surprised him, the Third Hokage felt a little more at ease as Tsunade addressed the issue herself.

He explained the visit from Takeshi Shimura in full detail.

After listening, Tsunade remained indifferent, her tone disinterested.

"You know exactly why Danzo is being treated this way.

"He's a senior figure who's done much for the village, and I'd like for him to live comfortably too. But if anything were to happen because of that, who would be responsible?"

Could Danzo be trusted to behave?

Absolutely not. The moment he found an opportunity, he would undoubtedly cause trouble.

"I'm not asking for him to be given freedom of movement," the Third Hokage clarified. "I was thinking we could knock down the wall of the adjacent cell to give him a slightly larger space. That way, he could handle his daily needs in the other section. What do you think?"

Allowing Danzo freedom of movement was out of the question. The Third Hokage knew Danzo too well to risk it.

But if he couldn't grant freedom and still wanted Danzo to live more comfortably, expanding the cell seemed like a reasonable compromise.

The maximum-security cells were tiny. Connecting two cells would provide Danzo more space while maintaining surveillance.

"Why are you even wasting your time worrying about this nonsense?"

Tsunade rolled her eyes dramatically.

"Do whatever you want, as long as you don't dip into the village's budget. Build him a luxury prison if you like—I won't stop you."

"..."

"Don't say I didn't give you face. If you want to renovate the cell, pay for it yourself. I'll have Nawaki assist you. But beyond that, don't expect anything else from me."

Spending money wasn't an option for the Third Hokage—he didn't have much to spare.

The Sarutobi clan was large, and their expenses were significant. He certainly didn't have private funds to cover Danzo's comfort. The Shimura clan would have to handle the costs.

As long as Tsunade approved, Takeshi Shimura would ensure the funding was secured.

Shortly after the Third Hokage left, Takuya, Hatake Sakumo, and Minato returned to Konoha. With Minato's teleportation, the journey was as fast as a plane ride.

After a brief rest, the three headed straight to the Hokage office.

"Not in a good mood?"

As soon as they entered, they saw Tsunade lounging in her chair, legs crossed and frowning.

She shot Takuya an annoyed look and huffed, "The Shimura clan and the old man think it's too pitiful for Danzo to be stuck in a tiny cell for eating, drinking, and everything else. They want to give him a slightly bigger space."

"Pfft!"

Takuya burst into laughter.

He had seen the special cells in Konoha's prison before—they were indeed cramped, barely enough to fit a bed, a small table, and a toilet behind the table.

Saying that Danzo's needs were all crammed into one tiny space wasn't an exaggeration.

"What's so funny?"

Tsunade rolled her eyes in exasperation.

"Is the mission done?"

"Mostly, but the Third Mizukage escaped," Takuya replied.

Hearing this, Tsunade straightened up and instructed the ANBU at the door, "Notify everyone to convene in the meeting room immediately."

"Yes, Lady Tsunade."

The ANBU ninja carefully closed the office door before heading off to deliver the message.

"Thanks for your hard work. Have a seat and recount what happened."

Slumping onto the paperwork-laden desk, Takuya lazily replied, "There's not much to tell. Yagura and Genji lured the Third Mizukage back to Kirigakure. When his people signaled, Minato took me and the senior over to join Yagura. When the Third Mizukage arrived, we attacked. I'll admit, his Ice Release is ridiculously strong."

"Well, that's obvious," Tsunade scoffed. "He wouldn't have become Mizukage and led Kirigakure for so many years if he weren't strong. Stop wasting time and get to the point."

Shrugging, Takuya continued, "The point is that the Third Mizukage was being controlled—or swapped out entirely. This individual not only mastered powerful Ice Release but also Wood Release."

"Wood Release?"

Tsunade shot up from her seat, her eyes scanning Takuya's face in disbelief before shifting to Sakumo and Minato.

When both men nodded in confirmation, her skepticism turned to shock.

Wood Release?

To Tsunade, Wood Release was practically synonymous with her granduncle, Hashirama Senju.

And now, a ninja wielding Wood Release had appeared out of nowhere.

Tsunade was utterly dumbfounded.