"Sarutobi, Hyuga Wuye is clearly retaliating against Root. You don't plan to rein him in, and you actually want to support him?"
Having heard the earlier conversation, Danzo already understood the Third's intentions.
But how could he possibly tolerate this?!
Back then, it was you, Sarutobi, who tacitly approved the spreading of rumors. Now that it was backfiring, you wanted my Root to bear the consequences alone?!
"Danzo, you never told me beforehand when you did this. Otherwise, I would have stopped you."
The Third looked at him and said calmly, "Now Hyuga Wuye has found a way to break the deadlock himself, and what he is doing is within the Konoha Police Force regulations. I cannot use the Hokage's authority to forcibly suppress him."
"But don't forget, forcing Tsunade to leave the village was something you wanted to do yourself!"
Danzo slapped the Third's desk with one hand, fury written across his face.
At the mention of this, the Third visibly paused. Then he took a deep drag from his pipe, calming himself before slowly saying after exhaling, "Danzo, this matter complies with the village's rules. I will not deliberately stop him."
"You!"
Danzo wanted nothing more than to smash his cane into the Third's shameless old face.
"Don't be hasty. According to the public security regulations, spreading rumors is not a major crime. The maximum penalty is only a fine of one million ryo. Consider it a contribution to the village treasury," the Third soothed him.
Danzo nearly spat in his old face. "Sarutobi! The people being fined are all my subordinates! They worked hard for years to earn those rewards, and now most of it will be taken away in one go. Their hearts will scatter! How will Root operate after this?!"
The Third did some calculations