Koharu Utatane sighed, "I'm not just saying this—it's the truth…"
"Digging up graves, stealing corpses, even using orphanage kids as living sacrifices for human experiments… If this gets out, it won't just be Danzo who's finished. The entire Hidden Leaf will be a pariah, despised by all. Hiruzen, you won't be able to wash your hands of this either."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sneered, "Let's be real—which ninja village is clean? The Mist has its Bloody Mist era, the Sand has its forbidden puppet techniques, the Stone's Onoki stirs up trouble and instigates wars in the shadows, and don't get me started on the Cloud. They tried to kidnap Kushina, the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, back in the day, and just recently went after Hinata Hyuga for her Byakugan. All dirty deeds!"
Homura Mitokado cut in, "Sure, but you, Hiruzen, have always played the kind and merciful leader. When Orochimaru, your prized student, was exposed for his forbidden human experiments, didn't you cast him out without hesitation, despite the pain it caused you? You've held power in Konoha for decades by maintaining that polished reputation, haven't you?"
Hiruzen's heart jolted. "Are you saying… we do the same to Danzo?"
Koharu's voice was grim. "Hiruzen, this isn't just us talking. You said it yourself: if Danzo's actions ever came to light, you'd pin all the blame on him to protect the village. It's the toughest choice, but it's the right one."
Homura nodded. "Koharu's right. Yoru Uchiha's got public opinion on his side, and the village is in an uproar. He's also got Ryoma Aburame and Nonou Yakushi as witnesses, ready to expose Danzo and Root's atrocities to the world. If you don't cut ties decisively, it won't just be Danzo who ends up a pariah."
Hiruzen fell silent.
His relationship with Danzo Shimura was… complicated. They'd always been rivals, yet they needed each other. Hiruzen relied on Danzo to handle the dirty work he couldn't touch, while Danzo leaned on Hiruzen's authority as his backbone. They were like two sides of a coin—constantly clashing but inseparable.
Now, treating Danzo like Orochimaru? A part of him hesitated, if only out of sentiment.
But for a schemer, a politician, a leader like Hiruzen Sarutabi, emotions didn't sway rational decisions.
"Where is Danzo, anyway?" he asked.
Homura and Koharu shook their heads.
"You know him," Homura said. "Root's bases are like a rabbit's warren—only Danzo knows all his secrets. From Orochimaru, he didn't just get the Impure World Reincarnation technique. He's likely holed up somewhere, studying forbidden jutsu, building his strength."
A ruthless glint flashed in Hiruzen's eyes. "Then it's settled. I'll announce a full investigation into Danzo's crimes. If they're confirmed, he'll be branded an enemy of the Hidden Leaf—an S-rank rogue ninja, just like Orochimaru. But I'll make sure the blame points back to Yoru Uchiha. Danzo's got a personal vendetta against him now—he'll stop at nothing to kill that brat. And that…"
Koharu and Homura exchanged knowing looks. A classic case of letting two enemies tear each other apart while the village reaps the benefits. Hiruzen's perfect plan.
They both agreed. Danzo might've been their ally once, but like a lizard shedding its tail, cutting him off cleanly was the only way to save themselves. If they didn't, Hiruzen's downfall would drag them all down with him.
"But," Homura added, "Danzo's not just going to hate Yoru. He'll come for you too, Hiruzen."
Hiruzen smirked. "Let him try. First, he'll have to survive Yoru Uchiha."
At the Hokage meeting, Yoru boldly revealed the findings of the Military Police Force's investigation, pointing the finger directly at Danzo Shimura and his Root organization.
To ensure credibility, he'd roped in the Analysis Team and the Interrogation Unit. The conclusion was undeniable: Danzo and Root were secretly conducting inhumane human experiments, desecrating graves, stealing corpses, and using orphanage children as living sacrifices.
The announcement sent shockwaves through the meeting. Every attendee who qualified to be there was livid, their anger boiling over.
Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura had anticipated this outcome, but they hadn't realized just how far Danzo had gone. And how had Yoru managed to get the Analysis Team and Interrogation Unit to back him up so discreetly?
Hiruzen's gaze landed on Kakashi Hatake. Something was off. Kakashi's usual laid-back, indifferent demeanor was gone, replaced by an icy intensity that mirrored Yoru's.
A realization hit Hiruzen. Could it be… Danzo?
He knew Danzo had been cozying up to Orochimaru, dabbling in the Impure World Reincarnation—a forbidden jutsu created by his teacher, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Danzo was likely planning to use it against Yoru.
But the jutsu was useless without powerful ninja to summon. So…
"That bastard Danzo," Hiruzen thought, "he went after Kakashi's late father, Konoha's White Fang, Sakumo Hatake?!"
If that were true, Kakashi had likely thrown his full support behind Yoru. The Interrogation Unit and Analysis Team's involvement probably had his hand in it too.
Damn it! Hiruzen's hatred for Danzo burned hotter.
But it didn't stop there.
Shito Akimichi, acting head of the Akimichi clan, roared, "Danzo and Root sneaked into our clan's cemetery and stole the body of our revered elder, Torifu Akimichi! It's beyond depraved—it's inhuman! The Akimichi clan won't let this slide!"
Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura exchanged stunned glances. Torifu Akimichi—a comrade who'd fought alongside them, Danzo, and Kagami Uchiha under the Second Hokage. A respected figure in the Akimichi clan, and now his body had been desecrated by Danzo.
If this wasn't handled carefully, the entire Ino-Shika-Cho trio—Inuzuka, Yamanaka, and Akimichi—might turn against Konoha's leadership.
Who knew how many other bodies Danzo had stolen? Reports had already come in about the thefts of Kato Dan Dan, Koma Moku, and Mayu Yugao's corpses, not to mention Torifu and Sakumo.
And likely others—Kagami Uchiha, Shisui Uchiha… maybe even the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, or the Second, Tobirama Senju.
That kind of power could absolutely take down Yoru Uchiha. But the backlash would be enough to topple Konoha's entire leadership.
Facing the raging public outcry, Hiruzen was sweating bullets. Thankfully, he'd already made his decision. He declared firmly, "Rest assured, everyone! Danzo and Root's heinous crimes will not be swept under the rug. As Hokage, I hereby declare Danzo Shimura an S-rank rogue ninja, effective immediately! He is an enemy of the Hidden Leaf, and anyone may strike him down!"
The crowd, seething with rage against Danzo, was stunned by Hiruzen's ruthless decision. But no matter how you sliced it, one of Konoha's top brass, the leader of Root, and Hiruzen's closest ally had just been branded an S-rank traitor. The village's leadership had never been more humiliated.