Should Danzō Step Aside?

Because he was furious, Yun Yan slammed the table with great force.

That single slap made Hiruzen Sarutobi's entire desk shake twice.

Watching his desk get slammed, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression darkened slightly.

How many years had it been? How many years had it been since someone had slammed a table in front of him?

He vaguely remembered that the last time someone had done so was during the first few years after he became Hokage, when his prestige was still insufficient.

Afterward, once he had established enough authority and his position as Hokage had become secure, no one had dared slam a table before him again.

Today was truly the first time in decades. Someone had actually slammed a table in front of him, the dignified Hokage. It was rather... nostalgic.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took another puff from his pipe and pondered silently.

Beside them, Kakashi broke out in a cold sweat again when he saw Yun Yan directly slam Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk.

Good grief, he knew Yun Yan was bold, but he had not expected him to be this unyielding.

Still... he could understand why Yun Yan was so angry. Lord Hokage had gone a little too far this time. Even Kakashi, merely an onlooker, could hardly stand to watch.

Keeping one hand planted on the desk, Yun Yan gave Hiruzen Sarutobi no time to remain silent and think. He continued questioning him, "Lord Hokage, this won't do. It will chill people's hearts.

"It may not matter much if I alone am disheartened, but if I spread what you just said—this reasoning of yours—then I'm afraid I won't be the only one whose heart turns cold.

"When that happens, what will Konoha's other shinobi think? What will Konoha's civilians think?

"I ask that Lord Hokage reconsider carefully."

Without a doubt, this was a clear threat from Yun Yan—a blatant threat against Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage.

A surge of anger rose involuntarily within Hiruzen Sarutobi.

But it came quickly and faded just as quickly, because Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to realize that his attempt to smooth things over had gone a little too far.

For a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi could not help feeling somewhat guilty. He looked up at Yun Yan's sharp, intimidating expression.

If it had been anyone else, Hiruzen Sarutobi would not have taken it to heart, and his attempt to settle the matter peacefully would have worked.

But when it came to Yun Yan... considering the brat's outrageous temperament, Hiruzen Sarutobi truly had some doubts. His threat might not be empty. If he truly provoked him, he might really do it.

No, his reputation could not be damaged.

With that thought in mind, and because he was somewhat in the wrong, Hiruzen Sarutobi yielded and compromised a little.

After all, the art of politics was compromise. Hiruzen Sarutobi had yielded countless times both internally and externally before, so one more time made little difference.

At most, it would be a little embarrassing to lose face before a junior.

So, after taking another puff from his pipe amid swirling smoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed and put on an expression of deep regret. "Very well, Yun Yan.

"You were the victim in this matter. Killing the two Root shinobi who intended to harm you in advance was an act of self-defense. You were not at fault in any way.

"So, what demands do you have regarding this matter?"

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi take the initiative to soften his stance, Yun Yan finally smiled. "Lord Hokage, what demands could I possibly have? I merely ask that you judge and handle this matter fairly and impartially.

"Although the two Root shinobi have already been killed by me, this matter obviously cannot simply end here. Otherwise, Root shinobi will be able to casually kill and deal with their fellow villagers in the future. Don't you agree?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression darkened somewhat, but he nodded.

Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could say anything further, Yun Yan solemnly asked, "Then, Lord Hokage, how exactly do you intend to handle this matter?"

At last, he had to face this thorny problem.

The last time he faced something similar, in order to give Yun Yan an explanation, Hiruzen Sarutobi's final decision had been to strip Danzō of his position and order him to reflect behind closed doors.

This time, Danzō and Root had offended again. The final punishment could only be harsher than last time, not lighter.

Yet removing Danzō from his post and making him rest for a while was already essentially Hiruzen Sarutobi's bottom line.

He did not intend to truly act against Danzō, at least not yet.

If Danzō truly lost his current position, or if something truly happened to Root, then who would Hiruzen Sarutobi throw his future blame onto? Who would do his dirty and exhausting work in the future?

Everyone else had a pair of white gloves, but in Hiruzen Sarutobi's hands, Root and Danzō had instead become his black gloves.

He had no intention of throwing away those black gloves. Not under any circumstances.

After thinking painfully for a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi could only kick the ball back to Yun Yan. "Mm... Root and Danzō have committed such grave mistakes, and this is their second offense. They must be severely punished.

"However, Root's existence is necessary, and Danzō is an elder of Konoha. How to deal with this truly gives me a headache...

"Yun Yan, as the person involved, what are your thoughts?"

Yun Yan did not care whether Hiruzen Sarutobi sincerely wanted his opinion. In any case, he directly stated his purpose and thoughts. "This is simple.

"Root harbors filth and corruption, while Danzō's methods are sinister. Neither of these two culprits can be spared.

"In my opinion, Danzō dared to attack shinobi from the same village. His crime is utterly heinous, and he should be executed immediately!

"Root has now greatly affected Konoha's stability. It has made shinobi of the same village fear for their safety. It should be disbanded and abolished at once!"

Hearing Yun Yan speak so bluntly, Hiruzen Sarutobi nearly coughed aloud. "Cough, cough... Yun Yan, that's too much. Too much.

"I already said that Root needs to exist. Danzō is a distinguished elder of Konoha. How can we simply disband one and execute the other?"

"Too much?" Yun Yan looked utterly innocent. "I think it makes perfect sense."

"It's too much, truly too much. Yun Yan, don't use this chance to pursue a personal vendetta and retaliate."

Yun Yan clicked his tongue as if deeply troubled, then continued, "In that case, I'll take a step back.

"First, Root still needs to be disbanded. An organization that brings disaster upon the village and its people should not continue to exist.

"As for Danzō... considering that he has made some contributions to Konoha, I'll spare him the death penalty. Strip him of his positions as Root's leader and an elder of Konoha, then demote him to a genin of Konoha.

"How about that?"

Listening to Yun Yan's proposal and staring at him as he spoke with such confidence, Hiruzen Sarutobi was simply speechless.

Stripping Danzō of all his positions was one thing, but demoting him to a genin of Konoha? Was Yun Yan trying to drive Danzō mad? With that petty temperament of his, turning him into a genin would be worse than killing him!

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked distressed. Puffing on his pipe, he continued pleading, "Cough, cough, Yun Yan, that's still too much."

"What? It's still too much?!" Yun Yan looked utterly incredulous. "I've already been extremely merciful, Lord Hokage. I've already spared Danzō's life!"

You speak as though you're the Hokage.

After silently grumbling that to himself, Hiruzen Sarutobi hurriedly said, "Yun Yan, your demands are truly still a little excessive. Consider it a favor to me.

"Besides, Danzō has led Root for so many years and has indeed made many contributions. If not for my sake, then at least consider his achievements; if not his achievements, then consider his hard work. How about it?"

Yun Yan clicked his tongue again.

Then, folding his arms as though he had suffered an enormous grievance, Yun Yan continued, "Fine, then I'll take one more step back. This is my final concession!

"Root does not have to be disbanded. It seems Root is very important to you, Lord Hokage, so I'll give you that courtesy."

At this point, the embarrassment on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face became even more apparent.

Yun Yan continued, "As for Danzō... I'll spare his life, and I won't demote him to a genin of Konoha.

"However, his position as Root's leader must be completely revoked. Danzō must never be allowed to lead Root again, no matter what. Otherwise, he will certainly use Root to eliminate dissidents again.

"As for his position as an elder of Konoha... I will mercifully allow him to retain it, but only as an empty title. From now on, Lord Hokage, you must not grant any authority to such a corrupt person.

"How about that?"

This proposed resolution sounded quite reasonable, and it was also Yun Yan's true final intention.

He truly wanted to crush Danzō in one blow, but that was unrealistic. Hiruzen Sarutobi would protect him no matter what. As long as Hiruzen Sarutobi remained, Danzō would remain. Danzō would not be so easily brought down.

Therefore, making Danzō step aside completely and ensuring that this old dog could never hold power again was Yun Yan's true hope for now.

Yun Yan had frankly expressed his thoughts. Next came Hiruzen Sarutobi. Would he accept Yun Yan's proposed resolution?

The answer was, of course... no.

How could Danzō simply step aside?

Danzō had to continue holding power. If he did not, who would take the blame in the future? Who would do the dirty and exhausting work?

The other two elders, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado?

No, no. Those two old fools were far too incompetent. There were many burdens they could not shoulder, and much dirty, exhausting work they could not do.

Only Danzō. Only Danzō could not be allowed to step aside.

With that thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi began painfully considering how to deal with Yun Yan.