"Frame-up?"
The evidence was irrefutable, and Danzo's defense was feeble.
That was true not only of the major ninja clans, whose relations with Root were less than friendly.
Even Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, his old friends, found it difficult to come up with anything in Danzo's favor, despite judging the matter with a bias toward him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped the table and said coldly, "Danzo, you led Root and bore the heavy responsibility of protecting the village, yet you repeatedly made poor decisions, causing the village tremendous losses. If I don't punish you, I'll have the whole village up in arms."
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged glances, helplessness in their eyes.
Murdering Uchiha Itachi, concealing the mysterious Uchiha who was suspected of being behind the Nine-Tails' Rampage, sending Aburame Ryoma to assassinate the Hokage—
Any one of those was a serious crime.
If Danzo were let off the hook again, Hiruzen Sarutobi would lose the people's support and wouldn't be able to remain Hokage.
"Ahem."
Mitokado Homura glanced at Danzo's livid face and coughed twice before pleading on his old friend's behalf. "Hiruzen, Danzo's decades of service to the village can't be erased. Besides, Konoha needs capable people right now. I hope you'll go easy on him."
At his words, the clan representatives looked displeased.
So having done good deeds meant you could get a lighter sentence?
There were far too many people waiting for lighter sentences, then.
Orochimaru was still on the run in the Shinobi World. Why not revoke his status as a rogue ninja?
Hiruzen Sarutobi ignored the plea and said solemnly, "Danzo, effective today, you are stripped of all your authority. Root will also be disbanded."
"What?"
Utatane Koharu was startled.
That punishment was far too severe.
More importantly, Danzo had committed countless dirty