Both Sides Badly Wounded...

Shuichi glanced around and noticed that several Root Researcher were already dead. He then began to sense his surroundings and detected that the Flying Thunder God Mark was still present not far away. He quickly called out, "Lord Hokage, there are still chakra fluctuations in another direction. Should we go and control them?"

Although his perception was stronger than that of the Anbu, he couldn't detect someone who wasn't moving. Fortunately, Orochimaru and he had recently worked together to create a jutsu, which could now be put to good use.

The Third Hokage frowned. Just how much had Danzo been hiding from him? "Please lead the way and check if we've missed anything."

Shuichi led them to the opposite corner and stopped in front of a door. After seeing the Third Hokage's signal, he extracted a small amount of Explosion Release chakra and punched it, easily blasting the door open.

The group quickly filed in. This seemed to be the Root's medical room. There were only two people lying on the bed in front. Upon closer inspection, they found that they were a boy and a girl, both around eleven or twelve years old.

"Besides Yamato, is this the third test subject to successfully implant the First Hokage Genes?" Shuichi at Yamato, then carefully observed the girl next to him.

With delicate features, closed eyes, and slightly messy short orange-yellow hair, she was less cute than Yamato.

According to Orochimaru's records, she received Medium-Strength Gene Fluid, but at a relatively high concentration. Success in this case was second only to Yamato. Judging from her presence here, she's probably another Wood Release Ninja. "As expected, those with unusual hair color are different from normal people; they have an advantage in chakra."

Upon receiving the Third Hokage's instructions, Shuichi began to conduct a thorough physical examination on the two. His current skill level was comparable to that of a professional Medical Jonin, making him arguably the strongest all-around ninja in the Shinobi World.

"Their vital signs are perfectly normal; they're just in a deep sleep," Shuichi reported. "It's like they've exhausted their energy after strenuous exercise or an injury. They may have recently undergone significant physical changes, but they've now passed the critical period. It's only a matter of time before they wake up."

"Really? You've had a hard time." The Third Hokage's face remained expressionless, but his mind was in turmoil. He didn't know how many people Danzo had used for his Wood Release experiments, but he had already guessed that the two children had succeeded.

The young man who had just Tailed Beast Transformation may have succeeded, which is why Nine-Tails Danzo a tail into him. But he didn't know that the Nine-Tails is the most special Tailed Beast, and almost no Root ninja has the chance to successfully control the Nine-Tails Chakra.

"More people are coming, and this time there are quite a lot of them," Shuichi thought to himself. "It's probably a few teams of Anbu clashing with Danzo's Root. He's about to face the Third Hokage face-to-face. What will the scene be like?"

Not long after, a large number of ninjas poured into Root's underground base, and then the awkward eye contact between the Third Hokage and Danzo was indescribable.

Shuichi remained silent, waiting for the Third Hokage to order a thorough investigation into the whole affair. Once he saw that he was unharmed, he seized the opportunity to slip away.

Two days passed quickly. Although Danzo was caught red-handed, he persisted in reporting Orochimaru, mainly accusing him of stealing various Forbidden Jutsu and the Nine-Tails Chakra.

It is estimated that the human samples that were "discovered" were secretly transferred by Danzo and were not reported to the Third Hokage.

Shuichi guessed that this was because his hometown had been exposed for experimental research, and if he used this to frame Orochimaru, it seemed that he would also get himself implicated.

After three full days of investigation, while the truth of this shocking case may not be fully revealed, at least 70% of the details have become clear.

First, there was the taboo experiment of secretly initiating research on the First Hokage Cells. Danzo was the principal offender, while Orochimaru was an accomplice.

Since there were quite a few other Root ninjas involved, it was difficult to hide the truth. One of them contributed money and the other contributed labor, so neither of them could shirk responsibility.

Secondly, there's the loss of the Nine-Tails' tail. Danzo himself did this, but he framed Orochimaru for it. The Third Hokage and the other two advisors weren't fools either; although there was no evidence, it was clearly more likely that Danzo did it himself.

Then, Danzo reported Orochimaru for Danzo into the Forbidden Jutsu Library and stealing Forbidden Jutsu. It was also discovered that he was researching unethical Ninjutsu such as the Impure World Reincarnation. Although the evidence was provided by Danzo himself and its veracity was uncertain, the Third Hokage believed Orochimaru was highly suspicious, given that he had been Orochimaru's disciple for many years and knew him quite well...

Not long after returning to the village, as Shuichi put on his Security Force uniform again and began patrolling, a stoic-faced man with thick eyebrows and big eyes suddenly appeared next to him.

"Good morning, Captain Commander. This Squad Leader of the 3rd Division the Security Department reporting for duty," Mokui said solemnly, his words brimming with pride.

Shuichi was speechless. "Did the Third Hokage send you? I don't have any new badges for you."

"It's alright. From now on, I will serve Lord Purple Aurora wholeheartedly and take care of all your needs." Mokui grinned, though the expression might frighten a child.

"..."

Seeing how dedicated he was, Shuichi rewarded him with a string of Three-Color Dango, which the boy accepted without hesitation. He then stayed by his side for the entire morning, even...

"You've gone too far! You even peep on me when I go to the toilet!" Shuichi roared angrily. Imagine someone staring right at you while you pee, or someone hanging on the door with their head peeking out when you take a dump. How terrifying is that kind of life?

"You've misunderstood. This isn't peeping, it's my personal service." Mokui calmly handed him a piece of paper, making Shuichi he wanted to blast him to smithereens with his Explosion Release.

It's obvious that Mokui was sent by the Third Hokage to "monitor" Shuichi, because that Danzo reported him as well, even though he was truly an accomplice among accomplices, since he was the one who obtained the crucial White Zetsu Cells.

Of course, the main problem was that the Small Jinchuriki appeared in the Root Base by sheer coincidence. Danzo thought it was definitely Shuichi's doing, and the Third Hokage thought that this possibility was not small, so he brought in a "bodyguard". For the first time in so many years, he finally tasted the bitterness of being a scapegoat.

Not long after the investigation began, the Third Hokage issued a new order. Of course, since it was illegal research, it wasn't publicized widely, and few ninjas outside knew about it, but the Anbu began to take action.

"... So you and Danzo will both be under strict surveillance." In a dark basement outside Konoha, Shuichi's Shadow Clone was talking to Orochimaru about the village's punishment.

The devil is always one step ahead of the saint. No matter how powerful Mokui is, he still found an opportunity. "The Anbu has been mobilized in large numbers to find you, so what should we do next?"

After Shuichi left the Root Base and returned home that day, the two of them had guessed this outcome. Danzo couldn't possibly be a fool and be easily manipulated by them. If he hadn't learned the Flying Thunder God Technique, Danzo might have already won a great victory.

So he immediately moved Orochimaru outside the village, then went to gather information himself before discussing what to do next.

Danzo definitely won't escape the village; he'll likely be under the Third Hokage's surveillance for many years to come. Orochimaru, having been "captured," will probably face the same fate. Now it remains to be seen what he will choose...