Minato and the Nine-Tails' Meeting of Minds
Three days later, every loose end from the battle with the Nine-Tails had been dealt with, and the routine postwar meeting began as well.
As soon as the meeting started, Minato handed everyone a document—everyone except Danzō.
Danzō frowned, a bad feeling rising in him. He glanced at the Third Hokage, who was signaling him with his eyes, then simply sat there with his brows knit, quietly waiting for the result.
"You've all read it, yes? Then I assume no one has any objections to removing Shimura Danzō from his position as elder adviser and transferring command authority over Root?"
"!!!" Hearing Minato's words, Danzō stared at the Third Hokage in disbelief, unable to believe that the Third Hokage would actually agree to something like this—and that he had not let even the slightest hint slip beforehand!
Feeling Danzō's gaze on him, the Third Hokage slowly closed his eyes.
This outcome was not what he had wanted to see either. No matter what, he had always felt guilty toward Danzō.
But just as Shiro had said, Minato was the Hokage now, and his prestige was not low. If anyone wanted to rule from behind the scenes, they first had to ask whether Shiro and the others agreed.
So at this moment, he simply chose to keep his eyes shut and avoid the trouble. The other advisers more or less avoided Danzō's gaze as well.
Knowing he would get no help from the other elders, Danzō steeled himself and stepped forward on his own.
There was no helping it. This punishment was basically forcing him into retirement. If Root were merely disbanded, he could still accept it; with all the years he had spent building his influence there, he could still pull a few