Sarutobi Hiruzen was filled with complicated feelings toward his old friend, so he decided to plead for Danzō.
He sought out the Fourth Hokage, Uchiha Ying Yue, and made his request.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said to Ying Yue, "Although Danzō made some mistakes during his life, he also made many contributions to Konoha. We cannot completely erase his merits just because of his crimes. His achievements and faults should be considered separately. I hope you will allow Danzō to be buried in Konoha's Memorial Garden."
After hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's request, Ying Yue replied calmly, "Danzō's assassination of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, as well as the dark acts he committed in Konoha, can no longer be ignored. Allowing Danzō to be buried in the Memorial Garden would provoke even greater dissatisfaction among the people of the Land of Fire and Konoha. How do you expect the daimyo of the Land of Fire and Konoha's citizens to view Konoha's justice?" Although Ying Yue's response was cold, it was reasonable. He made it clear that Danzō could not be given such treatment.
Even though Ying Yue firmly refused the request for burial in the Memorial Garden, Sarutobi Hiruzen still did not wish to see his old friend's reputation completely ruined.
He decided to make a concession and put forward another request, hoping to secure a shred of dignity for Danzō before Ying Yue.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Since he cannot be buried in the Memorial Garden, then at the very least, I ask that Danzō's crimes not be widely publicized. Konoha should not be thrown into further turmoil because of Danzō's past. We should protect the village's stability and promote more of Konoha's positive achievements."
Ying Yue pondered for a moment before ultimately deciding to compromise on this request.
Ying Yue agreed,