The Entire Village Shaken

Danzo waited hopefully in the Root base for the Jonin squad to successfully capture Tenzawa Kiyotaki, but instead, he received news that the entire Konohagakure was abuzz with talk of the Ghost Face Masked Man's abduction.

Some ninjas privy to Konohagakure's secrets were already inquiring if the Root had once again targeted the village's children for kidnapping.

Even the Anbu were asking questions. If it wasn't Root ninjas, then the Third Hokage would need to be informed to conduct a village-wide spy investigation.

Early that morning, Danzo felt as if he'd eaten a pile of shit; he was incredibly uncomfortable. Even the Jonin squad he'd dispatched returned to ask if the mission still needed to be continued.

The Jonin squad knelt on one knee awaiting instructions. Konohagakure was in a state of panic, and their difficulty in abducting someone had significantly increased.

Danzo gritted his teeth. "What need is there for a mission?" Even the Third Hokage had sent people to inquire about the matter. Many in Konohagakure were watching; how could the mission proceed?

"The mission is temporarily canceled!"

He waved his hand expressionlessly, dismissing the Jonin squad.

Kiyotaki ate breakfast and happily headed to school. Passing by a dango stall, he bought a few skewers.

He hadn't been idle all morning. He told everyone he met about being attacked and abducted by a Ghost Face Masked ninja. He told the bun shop owner while eating buns, and the dango shop owner while eating dango.

He told adults taking their children to school, and even young women breastfeeding infants.

Terrified, the adults holding their children tightly pulled them closer. The young women breastfeeding their babies quickly ran inside with their children. Even households without children were gossiping incessantly.

Upon arriving at school, the children were almost all discussing the foreign spies who abducted children. They had looks of excitement and fear, and they agreed to walk home together after school.

"Good morning! Kiyotaki-kun, I heard you were attacked last night? Are you okay!"

Hanabi, whom he met at the school entrance, greeted him with concern.

"I'm fine! Last night, on my way home from school, I encountered several ninjas wearing Ghost Face Masks who tried to capture me! It scared me to death, but thankfully, I have good fortune!"

"That's terrifying! I'm glad you're okay."

"Yes, Hanabi-chan is so cute; you need to be careful too."

Perhaps it was the first time someone had called her cute; Hanabi's small face instantly turned rosy.

"Kiyotaki-kun, don't worry. My father arranged for more protection for me after he learned about what happened to you."

Kiyotaki could also sense several hidden Hyuga Clan ninjas nearby. The guards assigned to Hanabi by the Hyuga Clan had doubled compared to before.

"That's good. That way, Hanabi-chan will be safe going to school!"

"Kiyotaki-kun, let's walk home together after school. It will be safer for you with me."

"Thank you, Hanabi-chan!"

Kiyotaki readily agreed. With the Hyuga Clan accompanying him, he didn't believe Danzo would dare make a move.

After entering the school, Kiyotaki parted ways with Hanabi and immediately went to report the Ghost Face ninja's abduction attempt to the school teachers.

Not just the school, but also the Konohagakure Security Department, the Konohagakure Guard, the Konohagakure Hokage's office...

He went to every place he could think of to report it. He even went to the gatekeeper at the school entrance and chatted with him, reminding him to be wary of unfamiliar ninjas potentially appearing in the village.

Before long, the ninja school teachers sprang into action, holding a grand safety education class for the entire school. Safety slogans warning about spies were even posted on the school walls.

The Guard and Security Department also increased patrols, and even the Third Hokage was alerted, dispatching Anbu ninjas to summon Danzo for an explanation.

Only then did Danzo realize he'd gotten himself into a mess. The entire village was discussing the matter. The hand holding his cane trembled with anger, and he almost crushed the cane.

"In all my years, I've never met such a gossipy child!"

Creak!

The door opened, and a Root member walked in.

"Lord Danzo, the Third Hokage requests your presence!"

At the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage slammed his hand on the desk, looking at Danzo indignantly.

"Danzo, look at the mess you've made!"

Danzo's face, resembling a corpse, was expressionless, but he lacked his usual imposing demeanor when facing the Third Hokage. He knew he was in the wrong; abducting village children was one thing, but having it spread throughout the village was another.

The Third Hokage was furious. Danzo always acted without his permission, just like with the White Fang incident, the Uchiha incident, and now the Tenzawa Kiyotaki incident.

He valued Konoha's peace and stability above all else and would not allow anyone to disrupt the village's tranquility.

The Third Hokage berated Danzo fiercely. Gradually, Danzo's temper flared, and the two argued. Finally, they reached some consensus before ceasing.

"I'll handle Tenzawa Kiyotaki on my end. You stop plotting against him and pay attention to the impact on the village."

The Third Hokage waved his hand. After Danzo left, he summoned Anbu ninjas again.