Konoha Year 42, April 15.
Akaseki Squad escorted the captured Root members alive, and returned to Konoha with the "criminal evidence" collected from the secret research institute - these Root ninjas on the road were all controlled by Sealing, so naturally they could not cause any trouble.
And in fact, on the next day, the 12th, Akaseki had already received the news that Orochimaru had also launched a liquidation against Root in the village...
On the 14th, Anbu Ninja was dispatched from the village to meet up with Akaseki Squad. Just to be on the safe side, Akaseki did not hand over these people even though Shimura Danzō had confessed.
On April 15, when Akaseki returned to the village, the matter had actually settled.
Because Shimura Danzō fully admitted the charges, the witnesses captured alive by Akaseki had no additional role and were only equivalent to escorting the prisoner.
For these Root ninjas who not only ruined the reputation of Konoha, but also persecuted their companions in the village, the Konoha people also "welcomed each other" and shouted indignant curses.
"These are the evil thieves of Root?"
"Yes, these are the traitors!"
"Konoha's Akaseki Why didn't you kill these traitors?"
"Of course it's because he's kind..."
"The attack was too light, we should have killed them all like the other Uchiha Clans!"
"Shh, keep your voice down..."
"What happened to me loudly? How dare they do anything else?"
"Yes, even if my brother died on the battlefield, I think he must have been betrayed by them!"
"Fortunately, I adopted my nephew, otherwise I would have been harmed by them..."
"Konoha's Akaseki, well done!"
At the same time, the villagers of "Konoha's Akaseki" and Konoha did not hesitate to praise him - after all, Akaseki has never really worked in Konoha Military Police Force. Everyone's impression of him is that of war Hero "Konoha's Akaseki", so the impression is very good.
The villagers scolded Root with great justification...
After all, in a war, who doesn't have someone near or far away who is wounded or even killed?
And now Konoha's characterization of Root is to ruin Konoha's reputation and destroy the results of Konoha's war!
Seeing this scene, Akaseki felt relieved for the first time.
He also knows some of Hokage Building's reactions...
It now seems that, at least among the ordinary villagers of Konoha, the public opinion towards Root is widespread, and there is no noise that "they are also for Konoha".
On the one hand, of course, it is because "it should be so", especially now, when so many ninja families are suffering from the pain caused by the war. At this time, you will definitely not listen to an organization that robs villages and persecutes the orphans of ninjas who died in the war, how difficult it is, and how much it does for Konoha;
On the other hand, there are also Konoha Military Police Force and other major Shinobi Clans who are trying their best to defend Konoha's justice - even if someone wants to take the lead, they will be hit hard and have no chance at all.
Akaseki looked at the arrested Root members, each of them showing resentment, and understood that they could no longer integrate into the village.
Konoha people are very "petty", and Root members are even more determined to retaliate - now the villagers' insults are all remembered in their hearts!
This is why Akaseki did not do anything dirty...
Because there were too many people, Akaseki estimated that it would be impossible to execute them all.
Only if some are left, people in the future will understand why Root was destroyed and liquidated "in the past"!
Otherwise it's like Madara Uchiha...
Maybe in a few years, everyone will heal their scars and forget about the pain. Maybe they will miss their "roots" despite all the disappointments.
But as long as there are some left, especially the Root ninjas who have been rejected and humiliated by the villagers, they will prove it to everyone in the future...
Soon Anbu's ninja came forward and officially handed over these "prisoners" to Akaseki.
No matter how the investigation is conducted, members of Root who work directly in the secret research institute will definitely not be able to escape responsibility.
Also...
"Akaseki Jonin, regarding the baby found in Root's laboratory..." The leader, Anbu Captain, spoke with some embarrassment.
"Huh? We found more than one, and most of them are still at Fire Temple, being taken care of by the monks in the temple." Akaseki said matter-of-factly.
"I'm talking about... the one who succeeded in the experiment..." Anbu Captain said, looking at the baby held by Jiraiya - it's amazing, among Akaseki Squad, Jiraiya is already the one who is the best at taking care of children!
And of course this baby cannot stay with Fire Temple!
Otherwise it would be too dangerous!
As a suspected winner of Wood Release Experiments, many people will keep an eye on him.
But just then...
"I won't bother you with this."
Before Akaseki could say anything, Canglan came over with several ninjas from Forest Street.
Hearing what Canglan said, Anbu Captain just hesitated for a moment and left with the other prisoners without mentioning the "baby" thing again.
Seeing him give up so decisively, Akaseki guessed that Hiruzen Sarutobi should have mentioned this situation in his order!
It can also be seen that Hiruzen Sarutobi has already expected that Forest Street will behave distrustfully, and even... defaulted to it.
Canglan originally wanted to take the baby away directly, but the baby cried when he left Jiraiya, so Jiraiya sent it to Forest Street.
Also...
"You come with us too! Nonō... The person who will take care of you in the future is also Forest Street." Ranwu said, taking the white-haired boy with him.
The other children stayed with Fire Temple, but he took the initiative to go back to the village with Akaseki, and found the reason that he could "testify", so Akaseki agreed.
Although he certainly couldn't keep up with the pace, he didn't complain when Tanuki Treasure was carrying him.
After Anbu handed over the "prisoners", Jiraiya, Ranwu, and Third Uncle Fourth Uncle returned to Forest Street first, and Akaseki has returned to the Uchiha Clan's clan - if you go to Hokage Building at this time, that Hiruzen Sarutobi will only feel like an eyesore!
After returning to the Uchiha Clan's clan, Akaseki found that Jiancheng Clan Leader and Orochimaru were not there, so he went to see Chizuru Clan Elder first to ask about the current situation.
However, Chizuru Clan Elder usually doesn't care much about these things and is not completely clear about the current situation. She just stopped Jiancheng from messing around.
In the end, Akaseki learned about the current situation from other young people in the clan.
"Brother Akaseki, you don't know, if that son-in-law hadn't been too conservative, he could have killed that Shimura Danzō three days ago!"
"But this time our Uchiha Clan is not at a loss, at least we have two guaranteed positions for Elder..."
"I would say there should be at least three. I think Brother Akaseki can also do Elder!"
"That's right, I can choose two more. I think our Uchiha Clan is a guarantee of three things and four things..."
Akaseki first stopped A Jie and A Yang from thinking, interrupted and asked, ""Elder" What's going on now? Are you sure you want to choose?"
Akaseki and Orochimaru have indeed discussed this matter, but Akaseki is not sure how far Konoha has advanced it.
After all, only three and a half days have passed since "liquidating Root"!
"Yes, after the emergency Jonin Meeting three days ago, Hokage Building announced on the spot that "Elder System" was being planned, and the details were announced the next day."
"Well, at Jonin Meeting next month, all Jonin will have a vote of confidence..."
Akaseki From A Jie A Yang's "One word from you, one word from me", we also understand the general direction of the matter.
Konoha Elder System, now confirmed.
In the future, eight Elder Seat will be set up under Hokage, which is essentially the organizer of "Jonin Meeting".
In addition to participating in special resolutions, making emergency decisions, etc., Elder has the most important "final right to know" in addition to the power of "Elite Jonin", referring to the current "Hokage Advisor".
From now on, confidential organizations such as Root and Anbu must not completely bypass Jonin Meeting - even if ordinary Jonin is kept secret, at least half of the "Elder" must be informed and supervised.
There are eight Elders, and there are four seats that do not need to be selected--Hokage directly recommends two of them. In addition, Jonin Commander squad leader and Konoha Military Police Force minister will automatically obtain the "Elder" position.
The other four were voted by Jonin, but it was stipulated that at least two of them must be from "civilians".
This is the origin of what A Jie and A Yang said about "protecting the three and observing the four"...
As the main force in the liquidation operation, Uchiha Clan naturally received the greatest benefit - "Jonin Commander Squad Leader" and "Konoha Military Police Force Minister" were both from the Uchiha Clan, especially the latter, who was almost bound to the Uchiha Clan.
After all, this liquidation of Root can almost be said to be initiated by the Uchiha Clan. Although Forest Street can be regarded as the leader, he also accepts Uchiha Clan's sentiments and does not fight with them. Moreover, after the event, the purpose for everyone is still Uchiha Orochimaru. Naturally, when dividing the cake, Uchiha Clan has to use the chopsticks first.
Of course, the words "protect the three and observe the four" are just words.
Akaseki understands, let alone whether there is a "four", it is impossible for him to choose the "three"...
This is not a question of whether Akaseki is young or famous enough. The latter may not really be a problem, but...
In the case of the Uchiha Clan and there are already two Elder, who will choose another Uchiha Clan?
Akaseki's reputation is useless no matter how great it is!
"Did you actually create "Elder"? Then... Did Shimura Danzō not be executed?" Akaseki had vaguely guessed it.
If Shimura Danzō is killed and Third is forced to engage in Elder production, then the old monkey is probably going to have a fight with the Uchiha Clan...
"Not yet. It is said that after Elder is confirmed, Hokage and Elder will discuss and decide." A Jie said with disdain and anger. He said angrily, "Brother Akaseki, haven't you seen that Shimura Danzō, when he was about to die, he still pretended to be generous and sacrificed for Konoha!"
Akaseki also shook his head when he heard this - Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō are really a pair of smiling tigers, two black dogfish...
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi actually made so many "sacrifice" for Shimura Danzō. Akaseki was surprised, but also inexplicably happy.
On the one hand, it's because Hiruzen Sarutobi has enough "burial objects"; on the other hand... after Root is gone, the most annoying person in the village will become Konoha Military Police Force again!