Cracking Down on Danzo

Hokage Building.

"It was Danzo who did it?!"

The Third Hokage was somewhat shocked. Though he had tacitly approved of Danzo continuing the research,

he truly had not known about the kidnapping of sixty Konoha infants.

This incident had caused an enormous uproar in Konoha. It could be said that it was the greatest piece of evidence behind Orochimaru's eventual defection!

When Orochimaru fled, he had effectively taken the blame upon himself.

He had not expected Natsuki to say that Danzo had been the one to kidnap the infants. Thinking of Danzo's conduct over the past few years,

it was entirely possible!

By the end of the experiment, Danzo had declared it a failure.

And so the matter had been left at that.

He had never expected someone to survive that experiment.

Danzo had even hidden Kinoe away. His intentions were truly despicable!

"Kinoe, can you use Wood Release?"

Kinoe nodded. Forming hand seals, he turned his arm into a wooden staff.

The Third Hokage nodded in satisfaction.

"Though your origins were born of a conspiracy, cultivating a Wood Style Ninja has always been Konoha Village's long-cherished wish. Since you possess Wood Release, you should not remain hidden in Root."

"The Jinchuriki's child is already five years old. Wood Release sealing jutsu is becoming increasingly important to the village. Konoha needs you. Kinoe, are you willing to join Konoha Anbu?"

Kinoe looked at Kakashi, who gave him an encouraging look.

"I'm in the Anbu now too, contributing to Konoha Village."

Kinoe nodded. "Lord Third Hokage, I am willing to join the Anbu. Kinoe is my codename in Root. You can call me..."

Kakashi tilted his head. "Tenzo?"

Kinoe froze for a moment, then smiled.

"That's right. My name is Tenzo."

"Very good. From now on, you are an official member of the Anbu. For now, Kakashi will guide you for a while. Work hard on practicing Wood Release sealing jutsu."

The Third Hokage instructed.

"Yes!" There seemed to be light in Tenzo's dead-fish eyes now.

"I'll negotiate with Danzo. You two may leave first." The Third Hokage waved Kakashi and Tenzo away.

"Yes!"

After the two left,

the Third Hokage picked up his pipe and took a puff.

"Vice Clan Head Natsuki, use the front entrance from now on. It could easily cause misunderstandings."

Natsuki poked his head in through the window.

"Did you like this gift, Lord Third Hokage?"

The Third Hokage fell silent for a moment, but asked Natsuki another question instead.

"Did Danzo really kidnap those sixty infants?"

Natsuki smiled and nodded.

"Is that important?"

The Third Hokage nodded.

What he thought was that Orochimaru, who still had limits, was easier to control than Danzo, who had none.

Natsuki spread his hands. "Absolutely genuine."

The Third Hokage asked, "What do you want?"

Natsuki's smile faded.

"Lord Third Hokage, you know that there is no great conflict between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha. Unfortunately, Danzo is always setting his sights on us."

The Third Hokage said,

"All of Danzo's positions have been removed. He is just a civilian now."

Natsuki shook his head.

"As long as Root remains intact, his ambition will only grow by the day."

The Third Hokage fell silent for a moment.

"Even if I publicly order Root disbanded, it would not have much effect."

Natsuki knew that this was not entirely an excuse from the Third Hokage. Root's personnel were complex and numerous.

Moreover, they had all been brainwashed by Danzo. Even if the Third Hokage ordered Root dissolved, they would still secretly assemble in the shadows.

"Any reduction in losses is worthwhile. After all, he thinks about our Uchiha Clan every day."

Natsuki said indifferently.

The Third Hokage weighed the matter.

He had indeed recently discovered that Danzo's hidden ambitions were far greater than those he showed openly. It was time to rein him in.

Although the Uchiha Clan had just taken advantage of Konoha, Konoha had not suffered any actual losses. Instead, it had gained considerable advantages in the peace talks with Cloud Village.

And now they had delivered the Wood Style Ninja Konoha urgently needed. To be honest, the Third Hokage now both loved and hated Uchiha Natsuki.

Besides, Natsuki was far too powerful. For now, all he could do was keep him steady.

"No problem. In the name of the Hokage, I will issue a village-wide notice to disband Danzo's Root!"

Natsuki rose to his feet and leisurely bent at the waist.

"Lord Third Hokage is wise. The Uchiha Clan will always support you. There are many clan matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."

"Hmph!" Though he did not recognize the gesture, the Third Hokage could guess that it was probably some form of etiquette.

Natsuki truly had no sense of propriety.

Watching Natsuki's departing figure, the Third Hokage snorted.

Land of Water, Kirigakure.

Ao, whose mission had failed, led Zabuza and a group of elites back to the village.

"Zabuza, if you hadn't tried to show off, we would have already infiltrated Konoha!"

Ao was somewhat angered by Zabuza's stubborn bravado.

"Hmph, I take responsibility for my own actions! If the First Elder blames anyone, I'll bear it all myself!"

Zabuza wore an irritated expression. Ao made it sound as though they could have infiltrated Konoha Village if only he had not lost.

"You!" Ao was furious with this thorn in his side.

But Zabuza was also a talent. At such a young age, he was already close to jonin level.

Besides, the mission had already failed. There was nothing else he could do but see what the First Elder said.

Ao no longer argued with Zabuza. Taking the others with him, he quickly went to the First Elder to accept punishment.

In recent years, Fourth Mizukage Yagura had found Isobu and implanted it within himself, becoming a Jinchuriki.

Over the past two years, he had gradually gained perfect control over the tailed beast and begun sweeping reforms.

The First Elder's authority had also gradually diminished, and the village had clearly split into two factions.

One was the Mizukage Faction led by Fourth Mizukage Yagura, while the other was the Elder Faction led by the First Elder.

The First Elder was highly skilled in intelligence and had brought countless opportunities to Mist Village.

However, he was extremely wary of the Kekkei Genkai Clans and advocated weakening the Land of Water's various Kekkei Genkai Clans.

The Mizukage was personally very powerful but conservative in character, advocating a peaceful approach toward the Land of Water's various Kekkei Genkai Clans.

After reporting the full details of Ao's operation, Ao knelt on the ground and awaited the First Elder's judgment.

The First Elder's expression was cold, as though he had long expected Ao's failure.

"In that case, throw Zabuza into the Assassination Squad to temper him."

"As for you, you will be confined for one year."

"Thank you, First Elder!" This punishment was already very light. Even throwing Zabuza into the Assassination Squad counted as a reward.

Compared with Mist Village's other punishments, one year of confinement was nothing.

Ao and Zabuza were soon taken away.

The space behind the First Elder twisted, and masked Obito appeared.

The First Elder bowed toward him. "Lord Madara, Ao has been brought under control."

Obito nodded and spoke in an altered voice.

"Karatachi Yagura is becoming an ever-greater threat to us."

"What does my lord intend to do?"

"My people will arrive soon. Draw Yagura out in seven days."

"Your will shall be carried out, Lord Madara."

Mist Village had too many elites now, and the Kekkei Genkai Clans were all troublesome foes.

Those who cannot be used by me! They all have to die!

Seven days later,

Obito brought Deva Path Pain and Konan to the entrance of Mist Village. The moment Yagura saw the three of them, he immediately drew his weapon.

"Who are you people?!"

The Kamui Eye in Obito's eye spun wildly, and a massive current of air instantly pinned Yagura in place.

In an instant, Yagura lost consciousness.