One Last "You'll Regret It, I'm Hokage"

Shimura Danzō, that monk, had fled, but the Root temple could not run away.

Once the Konoha Ninja gathered and exchanged their intelligence, they quickly uncovered everything about Root.

They even pinpointed many secret bases that even the Third Hokage had never known about.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was left dumbfounded as he witnessed firsthand what it meant for the people to have sharp eyes.

Without waiting for orders from the Third Hokage, the Konoha Ninja organized themselves. Grouped by clan or department, they formed highly capable ninja units and immediately descended upon Root's various bases.

What enraged the Konoha Ninja was that Root ninja had always used Hokage orders and elder orders to suppress them, forcibly seizing resources and even talented children.

Today, when the Konoha Ninja acted under the Third Hokage's orders, they were met with armed resistance from Root ninja.

The Konoha Ninja struck back without mercy, making the Root ninja deeply understand exactly what league they belonged in.

A pack of rats scurrying through the sewers, a pack of mangy dogs throwing their weight around behind a tiger's borrowed power—did they really think they could fight a fierce tiger?

There was no denying that Root had quite a few powerful ninja.

But there were too few of them, and their abilities were developed far too extremely. Against properly balanced Jonin squads, they had no ability to resist at all.

In particular, elite but underage ninja like Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Torune were swiftly subdued by their respective parents and taken home.

That night, the ninja clans recovered many children in one sweep, as well as countless bones.

As Root bases fell one after another, the crimes hidden in the darkness were exposed. Their bloodiness and cruelty were truly horrifying.

The Konoha Ninja's fury grew ever stronger. Even the Third Hokage had never imagined that the number of Konoha Ninja, civilians, and orphans harmed by Root had reached such a terrifying level.

Between the lines of the reports, Hiruzen Sarutobi saw bloodshed too unbearable to face, to the point that he did not dare inspect the sites himself.

The Third Hokage returned to the Hokage Building in desolation and, unsurprisingly, found Shimura Danzō in his office. The two faced each other in silence.

After a long while, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke. "Go, Danzo. There is no longer any place for you in Konoha."

Shimura Danzō asked, "Why did it turn out like this? We were clearly wiping out the evil Uchiha Clan. Why am I the one being forced to flee Konoha?"

"Today was supposed to be a historic day, the anniversary of Konoha finally breaking free from the Uchiha cancer. How did it become the day Root was destroyed instead?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. "This is not your fault. No one could have expected a Senju Clan ninja to suddenly step forward and fight to protect the Uchiha Clan."

"The moment Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence covered the Uchiha compound, your plan was completely ruined."

Danzo asked venomously, "What is that Senju ninja called? Why had I never known there was a Wood Release ninja like him?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi answered, "I only just learned of him myself. His name is Shazo. He only graduated from the Ninja Academy last year and is a Genin..."

Shimura Danzō stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi in disbelief. The fury in his eyes forced Hiruzen's voice lower and lower until he could not continue.

Yes, intelligence like that was simply too absurd. It sounded utterly unreliable.

But it was true!

In the end, Shimura Danzō believed that his old classmate would not lie about something so easy to verify, and accepted the absurd intelligence.

He gritted his teeth. "Shazo! A Genin! I won't let him get away with this!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi took out his pipe, lit it, and took a puff before speaking again. "Danzo, be careful. Genin Shazo is not alone. Behind him may be the vanished Senju Clan."

Shimura Danzō snorted coldly. "So what if it is the Senju Clan? We can wipe them out once—"

"Shut up!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi cut him off sharply. "Even if you become a rogue ninja, you cannot speak of that matter. Otherwise, I can only hunt you down myself!"

"Danzo, you know how well I understand you. I will certainly be able to find you and kill you!"

Shimura Danzō took a deep breath and closed his mouth.

After a period of silence, he asked, "When can I come back?"

The Third Hokage extinguished his pipe and answered, "Danzo, you cannot return."

Danzo was stunned on the spot. "What?"

The Third Hokage explained regretfully, "The darkness, bloodshed, and crimes hidden within your Root are too numerous. From tonight onward, Root and you will become taboos in Konoha. So long as anyone mentions them, it will stir public outrage."

"I'm sorry, Danzo. There is nothing I can do."

Danzo was nearly driven mad with rage. He was already sixty-four years old. How could he become a rogue ninja with no future to look forward to?

He roared, "You cannot do this to me! I am the Hokage's advisor! I am your classmate!"

"Hiruzen Sarutobi, I blocked kunai for you! I bled for you! My Shimura Clan has bled itself dry for Konoha! You cannot do this to me!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "I will not forget your contributions, Danzo, and I will remember the Shimura Clan's sacrifices all the more. I will take good care of your family, so rest assured."

Shimura Danzō stood there speechless, unable to say another word.

Taking care of his family did not merely mean taking care of them. It was also a threat.

The Third Hokage was warning Danzo that if he did not obediently take the blame and flee, then his family and clansmen would suffer.

Everyone knew that Shimura Danzō was a man devoid of familial affection. He did not care whether the Shimura Clan lived or died.

But things were different now. The Shimura Clan was extremely important to Danzo.

After Shimura Danzō became a rogue ninja, he could only obtain financial and material support from the Third Hokage through the Shimura Clan.

Not every rogue ninja could be like Orochimaru, capable of starting over with his own strength and building a new ninja village.

Most rogue ninja lived from one hungry meal to the next. Being hired by merchants like Momochi Zabuza was already considered a decent life.

Shimura Danzō no longer argued. He took out the Konoha forehead protector he had not worn in a long time, used a kunai to slash horizontally through the Konoha emblem, and tossed it onto the office floor.

Danzo strode toward the office door. After opening it, he looked back at Hiruzen Sarutobi and said with deep hatred, "You'll regret this, Hiruzen!"

At some point, the Third Hokage had put on his Hokage hat. Standing before the window, he looked toward the dawn in the east.

Hearing Danzo's words, he replied without turning around, "I am the Hokage, Danzo."

Silence fell between them once more.

Both of them had the feeling that this was the last time they would ever speak like this. This parting would likely be a final farewell.

In the end, Shimura Danzō left the office, but he did not close the door behind him.