Seeing that Hiruzen and Danzō were on the verge of completely tearing into each other, Jiraiya quickly stepped forward to smooth things over.
"Advisors, please calm down. Let's hear what the others have to say first."
Danzō, who had already stood up in anger, didn't even bother to acknowledge Jiraiya's words. He headed straight for the door, ready to leave the meeting altogether.
"Danzō-sama, please wait. Regarding this matter, we should also hear the opinions of the other advisors."
Just as the situation was about to spiral out of control, Sakumo's voice stopped Danzō in his tracks.
Danzō turned back and looked at Sakumo, who was seated at the head of the table. Knowing that Sakumo would also be presenting a proposal about the reorganization of the Police Force today, Danzō didn't say anything further and returned to his seat.
However, as he sat down, he deliberately elbowed Hiruzen.
Frowning from the petty retaliation, Hiruzen briefly considered using the Five Nature Great Combo Jutsu right there in the Hokage conference room, but ultimately decided against it.
Just kidding. He'll get back at Danzō after the meeting.
Danzō: Strange, why does it feel like Sensei Tobirama's phantom keeps flashing in front of me?
"From the captive's memories, I discovered an even more important piece of information. There is a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan in Kusagakure—she's a young woman about the same age as Kushina. They refer to her as the 'Medicine Girl'."
Yamanaka Inoichi reported the intelligence exactly as he had seen it.
"How cruel... To use a member of the Uzumaki Clan like that..."
Hiruzen's brow furrowed tightly.
Danzō, on the other hand, was intrigued—it was the first time he had heard of this kind of application for the Uzumaki Clan's unique traits.
"The Uzumaki Clan has always been a close ally of Konoha. Although Uzushiogakure has been destroyed, Konoha still has a duty to protect the descendants of the Uzumaki Clan. Therefore, I propose that we negotiate with Kusagakure regarding the recent attack and request custody of that Uzumaki girl."
After speaking, Sakumo began observing everyone's reactions.
Since Uzushiogakure had been destroyed during Hiruzen's time as Hokage, he was naturally the first to respond.
"Fourth-sama is right. The fall of Uzushiogakure was indeed a tragedy. Back then, Konoha was unable to come to their aid for various reasons. This time, we must not stand idly by."
Hiruzen, who had always felt guilt over the destruction of Uzushiogakure, immediately voiced his agreement with Sakumo's proposal.
Koharu and Homura also nodded in agreement.
Only Danzō voiced a different opinion.
"Kusagakure's border raid and the Uzumaki girl are two separate issues. We can extract her through other means. But as for Kusagakure's attempt to target Konoha, we cannot let that slide!"
"Danzō, are you trying to start another ninja world war?!"
"Hiruzen, you're too soft!"
"Danzō, Sakumo is the Hokage!"
"You—"
Everyone: Damn, is this genjutsu? When did it start?!
"We can question Kusagakure about the matter first and see if they're willing to hand over the Uzumaki girl. If they refuse, then we proceed with Danzō-sama's plan and extract her ourselves."
At the critical moment, Shikaku stepped in with a compromise that temporarily eased the conflict between Danzō and Hiruzen.
"That's a sound suggestion. Konoha will need an excellent ninja to negotiate with Kusagakure. Can I entrust this mission to you?"
Sakumo had summoned Shikaku precisely for the purpose of having him go to Kusagakure and negotiate with the Grass shinobi.
"Understood. However, I hope the village can also dispatch an elite squad to accompany me. It will help apply pressure on Kusagakure."
Shikaku accepted the mission while offering a tactical recommendation.
"Very well. I'll send skilled shinobi to accompany you. Will the day after tomorrow work as the departure date?"
With the Kusagakure matter settled, Sakumo moved on to the topic of reorganizing the Police Force.
Despite hearing Danzō's cold snort, Sakumo received no clear objection from him during the final voting round. Thus, the proposal was passed without issue.
But no one expected what Sakumo would say next.
"I also propose we reorganize the ANBU Training Division."
As soon as he said that, Danzō's previously squinting eyes flew open wide. He hadn't expected Sakumo to set his sights on him—and there had been absolutely no prior warning.
Hiruzen and the other two advisors also sat up straighter, their eyes filled with disbelief as they stared at Sakumo.
The ANBU Training Division was originally meant to provide recruits for ANBU. However, with Hiruzen's tacit approval, Danzō had used it to construct an extensive covert network within Konoha, conducting all sorts of unsavory operations.
Sakumo had no need for such an organization to act as his scapegoat. He also knew about Hiruzen's longstanding friendship with Danzō, which was why he had never broached the subject before and had continued to allocate funding to Root on schedule.
So this is it... using the meeting to take me down?
Danzō took another hard look at the backgroundless Hokage before him.
"What does Fourth-sama plan to do with the ANBU Training Division?"
The matter was already on the table—there was no use complaining. Danzō simply clenched his fists and forced himself to ask calmly.
"I intend to strip away all secondary functions from the Training Division, retaining only its role of preparing new ANBU operatives. As for the shinobi under your command, they will be evaluated and reassigned according to performance."
"Of course, you will remain the head of the division. However, I will appoint a deputy to assist you and share in the responsibilities."
As Sakumo finished speaking, the room fell into a deathly silence.
Koharu and Homura exchanged confused glances. They had heard rumors about the Police Force reforms—but Root's reorganization?
Looking toward Hiruzen, they found that his expression matched their own: utterly baffled.
But Hiruzen didn't remain confused for long. Soon, a flash of determination crossed his eyes.
"I agree."
Hiruzen was the first to speak, publicly aligning himself with Sakumo and even offering a new proposal.
"In addition, I would like to serve as the deputy head of the ANBU Training Division."
Since Root had been formed with his tacit consent, it was his duty to help Sakumo handle the aftermath.
He also hoped that by placing himself under Danzō, he could ease some of the resentment the latter still held.
As expected, Danzō's mood lightened considerably upon hearing this—though his face still looked grim.
"We agree as well."
The two advisors acknowledged that after serving a year as Hokage, Sakumo was due to begin grooming his own support network. They gave their assent without hesitation.