Uchiha Ying Yue stood atop a high point in Konoha, looking down at the village's bustling streets, his heart filled with complicated emotions.
Everything that had happened over the past few days forced him to reassess the situation he was in.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's decision to punish Shimura Danzō—stripping him of his position as Root's leader and placing him under house arrest for half a year—had caught Ying Yue somewhat by surprise.
In the original storyline, after Hatake Sakumo committed suicide, Danzō had received no punishment whatsoever. Even Hatake Sakumo's sacrifice had failed to receive the recognition it deserved.
Yet this time, things had headed in an entirely different direction.
Danzō had been dealt with, and Hatake Sakumo had posthumously been named a hero of Konoha. These changes made Ying Yue realize that the evidence he had provided and the actions he had taken had indeed altered the storyline.
Looks like my efforts weren't wasted after all. Ying Yue mused inwardly, a calm glint flashing through his eyes.
Although he had not brought down Danzō directly this time, getting Sarutobi Hiruzen to make such a decision was already enormous progress.
After all, as the Hokage's advisor, Danzō shared an exceedingly deep friendship with Sarutobi Hiruzen. Unless he had committed an unforgivable offense, it would have been difficult for Sarutobi Hiruzen to impose any substantive punishment on him.
Ying Yue knew full well that Shimura Danzō was not merely one of Konoha's higher-ups. He was also the key figure commanding the forces lurking in the village's shadows.
Although his Root did not openly influence the village's operations, it was the most covert power within Konoha.
Taking Danzō down directly was an exceptionally difficult task, but this punishment had undoubtedly shaken his prestige, especially among Konoha's major clans.
*Danzō went too far this