Root
A conflict with the village's Anbu was no small matter. Shuji was greatly relieved that the other two members of the team had stood by his side without hesitation.
Nor would he let his companions worry.
Thus, as they hurried along, Shuji explained what had just happened.
"The Anbu currently has four standard squads. Each squad has seventeen members, including the squad leader."
"This structure was established during the Second Hokage's era. During the Third Hokage's tenure, the Anbu gained another squad: Root."
Anko knew about this. Orochimaru had fairly close dealings with Danzo, Root's leader.
Itachi knew as well, because he had encountered Root while assisting Uchiha Shisui with a training mission.
"Root's organization is the same as an ordinary Anbu squad—seventeen members, directly led by Advisor Shimura. As for this advisor..." Shuji gave a polite assessment. "He acts without scruples, guided solely by what he deems to be the village's interests."
"Why did they attack..." Anko blurted out, then realized something was wrong—judging by the scene, those Anbu had been the ones beaten up.
"The Wasabi Clan's commission reward is rather significant. Advisor Shimura probably wanted to get his hands on it first. He might hand it over to the Third Hokage in the end, but he likely wouldn't turn over all of it."
Now that Shuji understood what lay behind the ledgers, he could easily infer Danzo's intentions in demanding them.
Nothing more than altering the figures, conducting private dealings with the various families of Chujie Port, and skimming off a portion for himself. After all, Root's official roster had only seventeen people, and Danzo could not possibly rely on those seventeen alone.
The extra manpower naturally required him to raise funds to support them himself.
Here we go again... Anko felt a faint ache in