Chapter 59: Danzo

Hokage's Office

"It's been a long time since I've come here..."

Danzo Shimura, the Shadow of Konoha and leader of Konoha's disbanded Root faction, stepped into the office with a faint sigh. His kimono was immaculate, and his right eye and head were wrapped in bandages.

As his gaze swept across the room, he noted the absence of clan heads or jonin. Only the Third Hokage and the two elder advisors were present.

"Danzo, you've gone too far this time!" Koharu Utatane wasted no time, her expression stern as she spoke the moment he sat down.

"What are you talking about? I don't understand," Danzo replied evenly, though his mind raced to figure out what might have been exposed.

He had done far too many things that could never come to light. He knew his old friends would not confront him without solid evidence.

"You'd best explain yourself," Homura Mitokado said grimly. "We're talking about your actions against the kid of this village."

Did someone betray me?

Danzo's expression darkened further. There were countless justifications he could offer to defend his actions under the guise of protecting the village. But as someone stripped of all formal authority, he had no official standing to argue.

He began calculating. Which of my Root members might have leaked this? Outwardly, his tone softened slightly. "I will remove their Cursed Tongue Eradication Seals and hand them over to the Anbu for investigation."

Which operatives should I hand over…? Danzo thought silently. It had to be those who knew the least—those whose deaths wouldn't risk revealing critical secrets, even if interrogated with the Yamanaka Clan's techniques.

Koharu exchanged a glance with Homura and Hiruzen. Their initial surprise was fleeting, replaced by steely determination.

"Danzo," the Third Hokage finally spoke, his tone heavy. "You've crossed a line."

Danzo reported a list of operatives, most of whom were technically Anbu. Root had been an Anbu training division, after all. Many Root recruits naturally transitioned into Anbu. Even after Root's disbandment, many operatives merely went underground, blending into the larger organization.

The Third's expression darkened with every name listed. Homura remained stoic, but Koharu couldn't contain herself. She shot to her feet, pointing an accusatory finger at Danzo.

"What are you trying to do, Danzo? Stage a rebellion?"

The accusation was extreme, but Koharu's fiery temperament made such declarations unsurprising. She had been the first to advocate for wiping out the Uchiha Clan entirely during their suspected rebellion.

Here stood a retired elder, secretly controlling Anbu operatives through Cursed Seals.

Danzo snorted dismissively, unwilling to justify himself. He rose, intending to leave.

Hiruzen was too soft—he wouldn't accept Danzo's reasoning. But despite the confrontation, Danzo was confident he wouldn't face serious repercussions. His status as a Konoha elder and leader of the militant faction offered him protection.

And Hiruzen's history of leniency—like sparing Orochimaru—only strengthened his belief.

As for the advisors? They might attempt to curtail his influence, but if they truly had the means, they would have acted long ago.

"Wait."

Hiruzen's voice stopped him in his tracks. "Danzo, do you remember a name—Kabuto Yakushi?"

Kabuto Yakushi…

Danzo's mind raced. The boy had been an excellent tool. Under his manipulation, Kabuto had eliminated a rogue "The Wandering Miko" before disappearing from Danzo's control.

"I don't know who you're talking about," Danzo lied smoothly.

"We have evidence that Kabuto was a former Root operative, planted within the village under a fabricated identity," Hiruzen said, his voice heavy with anger. "Today, he attempted to attack one of Konoha's most talented young ninja and escaped even Kakashi's pursuit."

"Danzo, do you really know nothing about this?"

Hiruzen's tone left no room for evasion. Root's supposed dissolution had long been a sham, but an attack on Konoha's young talent crossed an inviolable line.

Danzo remained silent for a moment before finally storming out of the office. He needed to destroy evidence and prepare for Anbu inspections to remove the Cursed Seals.

Though he had committed countless atrocities—mimicking Kirigakure's brutal methods, human experiments, and more—this time, he felt genuinely frustrated.

He truly hadn't known Kabuto was still alive.

"It's a shame I can't say more…"

Link strolled through Konoha's streets, reflecting on the morning's events. Naming Kabuto had been risky, but the village's trust in him—and the enigmatic "secret techniques" he wielded—allowed him to navigate the situation.

If he'd revealed too much—like Kabuto being Orochimaru's protege or on par with Kakashi—his position might have become untenable.

As for the idea of defecting to Orochimaru? He dismissed it immediately. Orochimaru's controlling nature meant that anyone under his command lived in constant fear. Freedom in such a scenario was an illusion.

Konoha, on the other hand, is perfect, Link thought. With Hiruzen's protection, there was no need for him to endure strict militarization or political intrigue. Even if Hiruzen were to pass, Tsunade's leadership would uphold the village's Will of Fire.

Everyone here is talented, speaks well…

"I love my Konoha!"