Imin Rujin's Counterattack

"Where is Danzo? Where is Danzo?!"

After being "educated" by the two advisors, Hiruzen watched them leave and then roared loudly at the empty room.

A few minutes later, a voice sounded behind Hiruzen: "Lord Danzo has just left the Daimyo's Mansion and is on his way back to the village."

"Ah, Suzu, set off immediately and tell Danzo to hurry back to the village. I need to speak with him." Recognizing the speaker, Hiruzen didn't turn around but remained in place, instructing the Anbu behind him.

"Yes. If Lord Danzo asks why, how should I answer?" Suzu acknowledged and then asked Hiruzen.

"Don't worry, he won't ask." Hiruzen shook his head, thinking about the strength of Danzo's ninja.

He figured Danzo should have already received information about the advisors' visit. Now, it was just a matter of seeing who had leaked the information…

"Zou, take your team and investigate. See what's going on." Worried that Danzo might be involved, Hiruzen summoned a trusted subordinate and ordered him to investigate as well.

"Really? That 'Konoha's White Fang' actually…"

"I heard it from others. They say the mission failure caused significant losses to our village…"

"Keep your voice down. Isn't that the White Fang's son?"

"Really? Sigh, such a good kid, to have such a father."

As the school bell rang, students left the school in groups of twos and threes. Kakashi, preoccupied with his thoughts, walked silently beside Kazashiro and quickly noticed the surrounding whispers.

Mission failure?

His father?

How could that be!

His father, his father was the most outstanding ninja in Konohagakure!

But, yesterday his father was indeed brought home by the Anbu…

Kazashiro, standing next to him, was also certain from the whispers that Sakumo's situation had become public.

He wondered if the old geezer had anything to do with it.

After all, in his previous life, many conspiracy theorists blamed Danzo for Sakumo's suicide. As for whether it was true or not, Kishimoto never said.

But Pot Kage had taken the blame for so much already, a couple more wouldn't matter.

Looking at the silent Kakashi, Kazashiro reached out and took his hand: "Kakashi, no matter what they say, Uncle Sakumo is the best ninja, and the best father you could have, right?"

"Kazashiro…" Kakashi's lips moved, and he looked at him with gratitude.

The whispers didn't last long. After all, Hatake Sakumo had a good reputation in the village over the years and even held the title of hero of the war. Therefore, upon seeing Kakashi's figure, everyone stopped talking in unison.

As rumors gradually spread throughout the village, Yamanaka Zen, who had been sent by Danzo to investigate the matter, also learned of it.

"Investigate! Find out who leaked this! Focus on those who were involved in the mission!" Yamanaka Zen instructed his ninja, a look of resentment on his face.

Damn it, this was a task personally assigned by Lord Danzo. If this led to mission failure, then he…

As Anbu and Root ninja moved around, more and more details flooded the desks of various leaders.

Eventually, all the evidence pointed to a female ninja named Imin Kaya.

"Imin Kaya, a Chunin, is the wife of Imin Rujin. She started spreading rumors about this matter this morning and appears to be inseparable from Imin Rujin."

A Root ninja reported the specific information to Yamanaka Zen.

"Should we capture her?"

Hearing the question, Yamanaka Zen pondered for a moment and finally decided to stand still and wait for Danzo's orders:

"This matter has already begun to circulate in the village. There is no point in capturing her now. I will report this matter to Lord Danzo and then make a decision."

On the other side, Hiruzen also received Zou's report. Hearing that it was Imin Rujin's wife who had leaked the matter, even someone as tempered as him couldn't help but curse, "That coward!"

Believing that he had seen through people's hearts, he saw through the other party's purpose at a glance. This was to force Sakumo to take responsibility for the mission failure in order to excuse himself and avoid the subsequent punishment.

"Go, bring Imin Rujin to me!" Not wanting the matter to continue to ferment, Hiruzen immediately issued an order.

"Third Hokage!" Before Zou could leave, an Anbu suddenly appeared, reporting a situation that caught Hiruzen off guard: "Imin Rujin, for some reason, ran to the Hatake Clan and is frantically accusing Sakumo."

"Not good!" Hearing this news, Hiruzen immediately realized that something was wrong.

This Imin Rujin was directly confronting Sakumo, which would greatly damage Sakumo's reputation.

"Quick, go, find a way to control him without alarming the villagers!" Watching the Anbu leave, Hiruzen reached for the Hokage's Hat, preparing to go to the scene himself. But then he thought, if he intervened, it would confirm the matter, and things would become even more unmanageable.

Therefore, Hiruzen put down the Hokage's Hat he had just picked up, hoping in his heart that the Anbu could resolve the matter.

At the same time, he also complained in his heart about the Root under Danzo, who had not taken any coercive measures against Imin Rujin.

If Yamanaka Zen knew, he would definitely shout injustice.

After all, whether it was Hiruzen or Danzo, the orders issued were to suspend their duties, not to restrict their actions. At most, it was just not allowing them to leave the village. Who would have thought that Imin Rujin would suddenly confront Sakumo.

"Hatake Sakumo, if you still have a conscience, go to the Hokage and admit your mistake, and take responsibility for the mission failure!" At the gate of the Hatake Clan, Imin Rujin completely lost the image that a Jonin should have, pointing at the closed gate of the Hatake Clan and yelling.

"I have prepared to sacrifice everything. For Konoha, for the Land of Fire, I am willing to dedicate everything, but you actively abandoned the mission, causing irreparable losses to the country and the village. Do you still have the face to wear Konoha's forehead protector?!"

As Imin Rujin's voice grew louder, some passers-by stopped and curiously looked at the situation here.

"I…" Alone at home, Hatake Sakumo looked out the window in disbelief, his lips trembling slightly.

He couldn't understand why the teammates he had given up everything to save were questioning him there.

He just didn't want to lose his companions, he just wanted to protect everyone around him, but why, why did it turn out like this?

Hatake Sakumo wanted to open the door and confront the other party on the spot, but when he thought that it was indeed his decision that led to the failure of the mission, Sakumo lost the courage to get up.