Houka's forcefulness left Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu extremely passive, yet they still stubbornly supported Danzo.
"Danzo is a village advisor. He has no reason to collude with Akatsuki!" Mitokado Homura insisted.
Houka sneered. "Danzo has no reason to collude with Akatsuki? Ridiculous! In my view, his motive for colluding with Akatsuki is the greatest one in the entire village! Akatsuki captured the Three-Tails and threw the village into chaos. If Teacher Tsunade hadn't arrived in time, the number of dead civilians would have been astronomical. When that happened, who would bear the responsibility? Naturally, the Fifth Hokage. Then Danzo could join forces with you two to force Teacher Tsunade to resign out of guilt. Who would benefit the most? Of course, Danzo, who has always wanted to become Hokage!"
"Uchiha Houka! Don't forget, the Jinchuriki Naruto returned safely. If Danzo was colluding with Akatsuki, why was he able to come back unharmed?" Utatane Koharu reacted quickly, immediately seizing on a loophole.
But unfortunately...
Minato Namikaze frowned. "In fact, Naruto's group did encounter an Akatsuki attack."
"What?"
Utatane Koharu wore an expression as disgusted as if she had just swallowed a steaming pile of dog shit, and she abruptly turned to look at Kakashi.
Kakashi nodded. "If Teacher Minato and Houka hadn't arrived in time, Naruto might already have been taken away by Akatsuki."
Utatane Koharu looked at Mitokado Homura. Both of them were beginning to waver.
Tsunade said, "I'll immediately have the Anbu investigate Root. If Danzo really brought Akatsuki members into the village, then Sasuke killing Danzo was not only blameless—it was heroic!"
Mitokado Homura gritted his teeth. "Then what about his attack on me? Does that mean I'm colluding with Akatsuki too?!"
"If you are, then losing these two arms will be the least of your concerns!"