Danzo tried to play dumb, but this time, Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't going to let him off the hook so easily.
After a moment of silence, Danzo said, "It seems there was a miscommunication. This is the first I've heard of the summons you mentioned."
Hiruzen withdrew his gaze and said, "Then we'll leave this matter aside for now. The reason I summoned you here is to discuss what I'm about to say next. Another extraordinary ninja in the village—you should know how longed-for the Wood Release user has always been by Konoha.
Back then, the village conducted high-risk experiments just to obtain this power. Now that Kinoto clearly exists, why have you hidden him within Root?"
Danzo's nails dug into his palms.
So they were here for someone.
And judging from Hiruzen's approach today, he likely wouldn't be leaving without getting his way.
Danzo had hidden Kinoto deep inside an extremely concealed chamber within the Root Base. If Hiruzen wanted to search for him, Danzo could simply let him do so.
But...
He hadn't expected Hiruzen to bring Kakashi along with him.
Some of the Root ninja still knew exactly where Kinoto was located.
Though they were bound by the Curse Seal of Absolute Silence, its effect only prevented them from revealing any information about Kinoto.
Danzo already sensed today might end with him losing Kinoto, but he still wanted to put up a fight—just in case.
He tried to deny everything. "I truly don't understand what you're talking about. What Wood Release ninja? What hiding within Root? I honestly don't know anything about it!"
Hiruzen looked at Kakashi and ordered, "Kakashi, use your Sharingan to cast Genjutsu on them and find out where the Root ninja codenamed Kinoto is."
Danzo's pupils narrowed.
Hiruzen even knew the codename was Kinoto.
Just as Kakashi prepared to activate his Genjutsu, Danzo snapped, "Enough!"
Looking at Hiruzen with complex eyes,
Danzo thought he understood Hiruzen well—but now he wasn't so sure anymore.
"Let's talk alone," Danzo requested.
Hiruzen nodded.
Turning to the Anbu, he commanded, "Everyone wait here."
Danzo led Hiruzen into his office.
Once seated across from each other, Danzo admitted, "I unexpectedly obtained a ninja capable of using Wood Release Ninjutsu, and I have protected and trained him. I didn't intend to hide him; I just didn't think it necessary to report."
Hiruzen shook his head helplessly.
First he denied it completely, and now he admits and still claims no intent to conceal—only something Danzo could actually say.
With serious eyes, Danzo told Hiruzen, "Hiruzen, I'd like to propose a deal with you. I have evidence regarding Orochimaru and Chinya's harm against Konoha shinobi.
During the Third Great Ninja War, Chinya deliberately targeted active Uchiha warriors, handing their bodies over to Orochimaru for research, while Orochimaru conducted forbidden experiments at the same time."
Not only that, I also have a lot of evidence regarding their misdeeds. As long as you keep Kinoto in Root, I can hand over all this evidence to you.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Chinya has already become uncontrollable. Sooner or later, he will become an even bigger problem than the Uchiha Clan. With these pieces of evidence, you could assign someone to arrest or eliminate both Chinya and Orochimaru.
That's the only way you can hold your seat as Hokage. Otherwise, you won't be able to keep it. Haven't you heard about the rumors spreading around Konoha?
The Third Hokage is jealous of talent and virtuous people. To deliberately target Chinya, he forcefully pushed Minato Namikaze into the Hokage position before, and now he's serving as Hokage again just to prevent Chinya from becoming the Fifth Hokage.
Think carefully how arrogant and domineering Chinya was during the meeting, and how Orochimaru took his side. They clearly look down on us.
Chinya and Orochimaru's reputations are too high, higher than anyone else's. You're getting old, Hiruzen. How much longer can you suppress them? If Konoha falls under their control, there will be no future for our village!
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked grim and remained silent.
Danzo revealed a trace of joy when seeing this.
As long as Hiruzen was thinking, there was still a chance.
After all, he wanted to take down both Chinya and Orochimaru anyway. Originally, he had collected these evidences to hand them over to Hiruzen, trying to convince him to oppose Chinya and Orochimaru together.
But now, if he could use these evidences to keep Kinoto within Root, it would be an incredible bargain.
Hiruzen reached out and picked up the evidence on the table. Danzo curled the corner of his mouth into a smile.
It seemed like he had succeeded.
However, what Hiruzen said next surprised him. "I'll take these pieces of evidence — and I'm taking Kinoto as well."
Danzo abruptly stood up, looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen with disbelief.
Was this still the Hiruzen he knew? Wasn't this practically a robber? Did he want everything?!
Hiruzen told Danzo: "Danzo, currently in Konoha we have two Jinchuriki. The Uchiha Clan who could suppress Nine-Tails and Chinya are both untrustworthy now. Also, Minato remains unconscious. The [Sealing Technique of Wood Release], in particular, has become increasingly crucial for our village. Therefore... I must take Kinoto with me. I will assign him into the Anbu directly under Hokage's command."
Danzo opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Hiruzen again: "For the sake of Konoha, let Kinoto transfer out from Root. This is not negotiable. If so, I can erase everything completely — not only your assassination attempt against me.
Chinya used to be your subordinate as well. I believe... you had ordered him to do many dark deeds for you. All of this, I can wipe clean."
Danzo's chest heaved violently.
Hiruzen had already declared this wasn't a negotiation. Then he had no choice but to comply.
Danzo could feel the determination in Hiruzen today about taking Kinoto away.
Danzo believed that if he continued to refuse, although nothing might happen to himself personally, Root Division would probably vanish.
Taking a deep breath, Danzo said: "To prevent people from Root leaking secrets, I've marked them with Cursed Seals. Those Cursed Seals cannot be removed."
There was slight timidity in his voice as he spoke those words.
Danzo wasn't lying either—he truly couldn't undo the Curse Seal of Absolute Silence. The seal had been developed without any corresponding method of removal, though only Chinya had the ability to remove it.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "It's fine. There's also one more thing—we shouldn't make a move against Chinya and Orochimaru just yet. Right now, Konoha still needs them. Minato has already lapsed into a coma; if Konoha's Crimson-Eyed Asura (Minato Namikaze) and one of the Sannin were to fall as well, it would be a devastating blow for the village. Let's wait until the timing is right."
Danzo caught his breath in disbelief—Hiruzen truly had no intention of taking action against Chinya and Orochimaru.
Upon thinking carefully, though, considering Konoha's current situation, what Hiruzen said did make sense. It was simply not yet the right time to act against Chinya and Orochimaru.
Frowning, Danzo asked, "Then… what about the Uchiha Clan?"
Hiruzen didn't respond immediately. He simply lowered the brim of his Hokage hat.
Danzo saw the gesture and instantly understood—Hiruzen had silently approved it.
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