"Give this old man an explanation!"
As the Third Hokage's aged yet weighty voice slowly fell within the room, everyone present narrowed their pupils, their tense gazes shifting back and forth between Danzo and the Third Hokage.
However, upon hearing the Third Hokage's words, Danzo's sinister, aged face remained utterly calm, as though he knew nothing whatsoever about what the Third Hokage had said.
His one exposed, clouded eye lifted slightly as he glanced at the Third Hokage. His voice was hoarse and slow, like decaying deadwood.
"Third Hokage, without conclusive evidence, you place this accusation upon my head. Do you believe that is reasonable...?"
Hearing him, Sarutobi's eyes narrowed slightly, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes seemed to deepen further.
His gaze fixed directly on Danzo as he spoke in a low voice, heavy with gravity.
"Root Base is very important to Konoha. Over the years, I know you have devoted much to Root Base, but that is not a reason for you to conduct these experiments. Now, I will give you one more chance."
At that point, Sarutobi looked gravely into Danzo's clouded eye.
The others standing beside them all fell silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to speak at such a moment. The long silence seemed to stretch on for a very long time.
Just as everyone thought Danzo would surely accept the charge under Sarutobi's relentless pressure, his gaze lowered, and he spoke calmly in a hoarse voice.
"Though I do not know who fed you such information in order to damage Root Base's stability, my answer remains the same. Without sufficient evidence, this old man will not accept such a false accusation."
As Danzo's words fell, everyone in the room seemed to breathe a little more heavily.
Sarutobi furrowed his brow