"He used to know to report in immediately, but now he runs straight back to his clan compound the moment he returns... Hiruzen, I think he respects you less and less!" Danzo was still sowing discord in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Sarutobi took a couple of puffs on his pipe, then shook his head. "Akaseki worked hard and accomplished a great deal this time. It's perfectly normal for him to rest first."
"Normal? I heard he even brought an outsider into the village without permission, then took them straight to the Uchiha Clan's compound..." Danzo aired his grievances about Akaseki's conduct one by one.
"It wasn't exactly without permission. They did register the visitor," Sarutobi said, kindly offering an explanation on Akaseki's behalf.
"Register? An Uchiha registering someone for the Uchiha Clan, as a visitor to the Uchiha Clan, no less?" At this, Danzo changed tack. "Hiruzen, a duty as important as guarding the village gates shouldn't be entrusted to the Uchiha Clan!"
"Well..." Hiruzen Sarutobi did take that point to heart-at the very least, he could assign some other ninja to work alongside them.
"Why not give it to Root..." Danzo continued.
Sarutobi: ...
"That won't be necessary. Root has more important duties," Sarutobi cut him off.
Seeing that Danzo still wanted to say more, Sarutobi stressed, "Akaseki was instrumental in our operation in Kirigakure. He thwarted Sunagakure's plot against Konoha."
Kirigakure's own scheme had not targeted Konoha. It was mainly Sunagakure that had wanted to take advantage of the Mizukage's reckless behavior and ally with him against Konoha, but that plan had now fallen apart.
"Besides... it seems that child has grown up now. He even gave us quite a surprise. Stop always judging people through a lens of prejudice!" Sarutobi continued.
That only made Danzo more animated.