"Then let's keep this matter under wraps and punish him privately."
"With the three of us counsellors acting together, even Danzō will have to submit. I'll also take responsibility for supervising him afterward."
This time, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't light his pipe. He simply set it down on the table.
He knew exactly what Danzō had done—much of it he had even tacitly allowed—but he still chose to spare his old comrade's life.
They had lived through the same era, fought as colleagues. Hiruzen couldn't bring himself to let the village execute Danzō.
Seeing his stance, Minato Namikaze and Shikaku Nara understood immediately: the once-proud ninja hero had grown old. In the past, he might have made an entirely different choice. But now, no longer Hokage, his ambitions had faded, leaving only a desire for peace.
The meeting fell into deadlock. Just then, the conference room doors opened.
Kazuyama Gekkō and Fugaku Uchiha walked in, both with grim expressions.
Kazuyama spoke first, his words making everyone's face change.
"Danzō ran. He took Root with him. The base is completely empty."
"Damn it. He must have realized the assassination squad he sent after me failed and bolted early."
"I even asked the ANBU at the gates. They swore they didn't see anyone leave. These ANBU... fine, starting tomorrow they're getting extra drills!"
He escaped?
Danzō escaped?
Neither Minato nor Shikaku, nor the three counsellors, had imagined things would take this turn.
The three counsellors in particular were stunned. They knew Danzō's methods were ruthless, but they also knew his motives had always been for the village. How could he abandon Konoha, the place he claimed to protect?
Kazuyama Gekkō: Right! All those people he killed "for the village"—weren't they villagers too???
"What do we do? Should we issue a wanted notice?"
"Minato, just give the word. I'll contact the underground network immediately and spread Danzō's bounty across the intelligence web."
Kazuyama Gekkō was fuming. He'd been one step away from dragging Danzō into the deepest hell, and what happened?
The man escaped???
It drove him mad. Hiding and running—wasn't that supposed to be his specialty? And now Danzō had used the same trick against him? It was infuriating.
"Impossible. Danzō is a senior elder of Konoha. If we post a bounty, what will the other villages think of us?"
"My suggestion is that we quietly send ANBU to track him down."
Koharu Utatane was the first to object. If news like this spread, the damage to the village's reputation would be enormous.
This could never be allowed.
Konoha had already been disgraced once when Orochimaru defected.
If even a Hokage counsellor defected and was placed on a wanted list, what would that make Konoha look like?
She was right—and Minato thought the same.
"Kazuyama, a public manhunt isn't an option."
"Danzō's status is even more sensitive than Orochimaru's. This will have to fall to the ANBU."
"Find him, bring him back, then we'll put him on trial."
"Until then, this news must not spread."
Minato's eyes swept the room as he finished, the meaning clear: only those present and the ANBU involved could know. No one else.
The three counsellors let out quiet sighs of relief. They had genuinely feared Minato might rashly agree to Kazuyama Gekkō's demand. That would have destroyed Konoha's reputation.
"Fine, I get it."
"I'll coordinate with Midori. Every ANBU squad heading out will keep an eye out for Danzō."
"But I doubt he'll leave the Land of Fire."
"Danzō always had more than one burrow. He won't lack for hideouts here."
Kazuyama Gekkō knew Danzō too well. He never forgot a grudge.
...
While they debated, Danzō himself had already reached the Daimyō's Manor in the Land of Fire and was meeting with Kazuma, commander of the Guardian Ninja.
Kazuma, whom he hadn't seen in years, now looked sharper and more formidable than ever.
"Danzō Shimura, Hokage counsellor of Konoha—why have you come to the Daimyō's Manor?"
"I have left Konoha. I intend to join the Daimyō's service."
Kazuma was stunned. Danzō left Konoha?
That was no small matter. Everyone knew his status—he was one of the Hokage's counsellors.
"Much has happened. The current Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and I differ in philosophy. To avoid being targeted by him, I had no choice but to leave."
"The men behind me are my own—elites of Root, loyal only to me."
"Kazuma, your aim is for the Guardian Ninja to surpass Konoha, isn't it? Let me tell you, with your current strength, that's impossible."
"Why not join forces with me?"
"Konoha must not be destroyed. But if I become Hokage, Konoha and the Daimyō's Manor will be as one."
Danzō's goal was plain: use the Daimyō's power to climb back to the top.
And he knew what that required. Gaining Kazuma's cooperation, as commander of the Guardian Ninja, was the first step.
"Heh... I'll need to report this to the Daimyō himself. After all, only he decides on the deployment of Guardian Ninja."
"But Lord Danzō, I have to ask. The so-called Shadow of the Shinobi World—did you really leave Konoha just over a clash of ideals?"
"When bargaining with a tiger, it pays to be cautious."
Kazuma wasn't a simple man either; he wouldn't be where he was otherwise.
He knew this was an opportunity, but also a double-edged sword. Used well, it could be a victory for both sides. Mishandled, it could backfire.
"Still, the Daimyō's Manor welcomes you."
"Come, I'll take you to the inn."
Danzō's following wasn't large, fewer than thirty in total.
But as he said, they were Root's last elites—including ninja of the Yamanaka Clan with secret techniques. This was the last of his strength.
Kazuma quickly passed word of Danzō's arrival to the Daimyō.
The Daimyō was delighted. The stronger his Guardian Ninja, the stronger his authority.
As for Danzō? The Daimyō wasn't concerned. With Kazuma there to balance him, what was there to fear?