Conspiracy

Although she could answer the question herself, Sakura Haruno knew it was a difficult one.

Should I answer truthfully?

Of course, Danzo's attempt to take advantage of Sakura Haruno's vulnerability backfired, resulting in her killing several of his subordinates. Danzo wouldn't dare to openly admit to such an incident.

However, killing fellow village ninjas—even if they were Root ninjas with malicious intentions—is not a good thing and goes against the spirit of Konoha. Therefore, if this matter is exposed, it will leave an unsightly blemish on Sakura Haruno's flawless resume.

So, this is what the advisors are relying on? They think they have something on Sakura Haruno?

Koharu Utatane hoped that Sakura Haruno and Tsunade thought the same way, and that they would treat this incident as a tacit political deal—if you let me off the hook this time and hold me hostage, you'll have leverage to make me let you off the hook next time.

That's not true at all. The advisors and Danzo have been playing power games for years, and they've never believed in so-called tacit political deals. There will always be someone who breaks the rules; even written agreements can be violated at any time, let alone unspoken agreements.

What they wanted to do was damage Tsunade's reputation—by defaming Sakura Haruno.

First, she was suspected of not putting in enough effort during the battle with Uchiha Itachi; second, the Root ninja monitoring the battlefield was killed; and finally, Sakura Haruno has been secretly conducting human experiments for the past few years.

Heh heh, when you put it all together like this, doesn't it give off a vibe like Sakura Haruno is about to defect? She's even found a contact for her next organization, "Akatsuki."

Of course, there was no evidence, only rumors, but the advisors felt that was enough—wasn't that how Sakumo Hatake was driven to his death back then?

As for the idea that Hokage's disciple could never defect... Orochimaru's example is still fresh in people's minds!

As for whether doing so would be self-destructive... given the moral compass of politicians, would they care that much?

Well, maybe they'll care about those things, provided they first gain power and suppress Tsunade, rather than being Teuchi by Tsunade and gradually drifting away from the core power circle.

The first step in the conspiracy was to entice the girl to lie in order to clear her name. A person who lies is not trustworthy.

Yes, Koharu Utatane has deliberately left a way out for everyone after the question was asked. As long as they follow the line that "the murderer was Akatsuki's man," everyone will tacitly reach a consensus, cover it up, and then everyone will be fine.

As long as the girl feels that way.

Then, just when she thought she could safely land on the steps, Koharu Utatane would turn the tables and release a second autopsy report, telling everyone that the eight people died from Monstrous Strength Technique or Ice Release!

This completely humiliated Sakura Haruno and Tsunade.

Ideally, Sakura Haruno should become the second Hatake Sakumo, so that she can completely suppress Tsunade!

In short, these three old fogies, who are getting older and more attached to their positions, have prepared many vicious and despicable schemes in order to avoid being purged from the center of power by Tsunade, and are just waiting for Sakura Haruno and Tsunade to fall into their trap!

Koharu Utatane looked at Sakura Haruno with eyes full of hidden expectation, waiting for her answer.

Sakura Haruno didn't keep her waiting too long.

After a moment's hesitation, she spoke slowly, her face cold. "If you are one of those Root ninjas in the cave, I know the cause of their deaths."

"One of them did indeed die at the hands of Akatsuki."

Koharu Utatane asked again, "So, what about the remaining seven?"

"The remaining seven..." The girl suddenly revealed a malicious smile, "Why don't you ask Shimura Danzō, who brought Root ninjas to ambush me back then?"

She suddenly stood up, and a surge of Chakra erupted without warning!

Whoosh whoosh whoosh--

Several cyan water snakes suddenly sprang from the girl's fair wrists, showing no regard for the distinguished status of some of the people present. They brushed past the gaps between the seats and rushed out of the room with lightning speed!

The sudden attack nearly scared everyone half to death, especially the two advisors who had been pampered for many years. Their reaction was even worse; they screamed and almost shrank under the stage. The moment the high-speed water flowed past their noses, they even had the illusion that their hearts had stopped beating!

Koharu Utatane suddenly realized that, given Sakura Haruno's recent display of strength, if Sakura were to be forced to defect by her, it would probably only take a fraction of a second for Utatane to take her head... Even if Tsunade, the Third, and a group of Elite Jonin were present, they probably wouldn't be able to stop her!

"Damn it..." she gritted her teeth and cursed, crawling out from under the stage, her voice trembling slightly, whether from anger or fear, her face ashen, "Sakura Haruno, what are you doing!?"

"What do you mean, 'what do you mean, 'what do you mean'?" Sakura sneered. "There was a mouse lurking outside the door, eavesdropping. I just invited him in."

"You...!"

Sakura Haruno's surging Chakra aura was truly astonishing, actually suppressing the old woman, Haru Koharu Utatane, to the point of suffocation, preventing her from uttering a thousand malicious and slanderous words!

They could only watch helplessly as her slender fingers deftly controlled the water snake, binding the two men in black outside the door and dragging them back into the conference room.

This includes an elderly man with bandages wrapped around his head.

"Oh~" the girl deliberately exaggerated her tone, "This isn't..."

"Lord Shimura Danzō?"

The blue water snake appeared slender, but it was incredibly tough. Danzo, who was not weak, was firmly bound and dragged in like a dead snake.

As one of Konoha High Command and the leader of Root, Shimura Danzō was treated like this...? The scene was truly bizarre and speechless. The Jonin Commander and Anbu Captain were already numb; when gods fight, it's all unbearable to mess with them. They might as well just remain silent spectators.

Even more bizarrely, not only did the Hokage not say anything, Danzo didn't even rebuke Sakura Haruno...

"Sakura Haruno, put him down!" Koharu Utatane shouted angrily, pointing at Sakura Haruno, "You bastard, how dare you be so disrespectful and insubordinate! What kind of behavior is this!"

"Heh heh," the girl sneered, gently shaking her slender white index finger as she Shimura Danzō up high, and said softly, "Don't be in such a hurry, Lord Koharu Utatane Danzo. Perhaps Danzo just likes being tied up?"

Is that right?

"Zhi, Cun, Tuan, Zang, Da, Ren?"

Sakura Haruno has completely torn off her facade!

Incredibly, Shimura Danzō didn't struggle or resist. He simply stared wide-eyed at Sakura Haruno, suppressing his anger and humiliation, and said, word by word, "Is that enough, Sakura Haruno?"

He's actually backing down?

Chunhe Homura was absolutely furious!

To be so humiliated by Sakura Haruno!

They're still not saying a word!

How can this faction gain respect in the future? The faction leader is being treated like a dog and doesn't dare to resist. His reputation and prestige are completely ruined! Even if you can't beat Sakura Haruno, you still have to make a gesture!

Mitokado Homura nearly shattered his glasses in his hand. The anger in his heart was so intense it felt like it could burst out of his head and soar to the sky. That bastard Shimura Danzō must have been hiding something crucial from them. He didn't utter a sound even after being treated like this by a girl. Either he had been dealt a terrible blow by Sakura Haruno before, or Sakura had some major dirt on him, or he was extremely afraid of Sakura Haruno!

Yes, the advisors did have the idea of abandoning Danzo as a shield at any time, but this time they were the ones who got Danzo first!

Koharu Utatane finally realized that the situation was spiraling out of control.

Shouldn't it be that they, with their skillful rhetoric and political maneuvering, completely manipulated Sakura Haruno?

Why... did you flip the table right off the bat?!

[Two chapters released in quick succession.]