Root Base.
"Knock, knock, knock—" A rapid series of knocks abruptly shattered the quiet in the lounge.
Danzo, who had been reviewing scrolls, narrowed his eyes as a bad feeling rose within him.
He had made it clear that while he was reviewing scrolls, no one was to disturb him unless it was absolutely necessary.
So something must have happened.
"Come in." Danzo briefly tidied up before speaking indifferently.
"My lord, urgent intelligence has arrived." A Root ninja reported on one knee.
"Speak."
"Hatake Sakumo committed suicide at home this afternoon."
"Slap—" The scroll in Danzo's hand fell to the floor, and his entire body trembled—a rare sight.
"How is that possible?!"
Uchiha, Hyuga, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Nara, and the other great clans received the news at almost the same time.
At that moment, the clan heads or actual leaders of these families had all gathered at the Hatake Compound.
Looking at Hatake Sakumo lying on the ground, wrapped in white cloth, they could not help but feel that it was unreal.
This man, whose prestige and strength surpassed even the Sannin, had died just like that?
He had taken his own life in his own clan with a tanto?
All because of those damn rumors?
These questions continued to linger in the minds of the clan heads.
At the same time, their gazes unconsciously drifted toward the entrance, as though they were waiting for someone to arrive.
Just then, a figure leaning on a cane slowly walked in.
In an instant, everyone's eyes turned toward him.
This man was Danzo, who had just arrived.
Ordinary ninja and villagers might not have known, but how could these clan heads not know that Danzo had spread all those rumors?
And their Hokage Sama had not sent anyone to stop them.
If they