Danzo's Order Was Ignored

On the stone path outside the Hokage Building, Shimura Danzō walked ahead with his cane.

He had not felt this pleased in a long time.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's furious appearance in the office just now had fallen entirely into his eyes.

The angrier Hiruzen became, the more it proved that the Public Security Auxiliary had struck certain people where it hurt.

Two guards wearing Root masks followed closely behind Danzo.

"My lord, where are we going?"

A Root Jonin codenamed Black Panther asked in a low voice.

Danzo turned his head and coldly swept his gaze over his subordinate.

"To the abandoned target range on the outskirts."

"I want to see what that brat Qian Ye has trained the troops into."

"Hiruzen wants to disband the auxiliary forces? Pure fantasy."

"I spent real money building this force. It can only belong to Root."

The three quickened their pace, avoiding the patrols on the main roads as they passed through the defensive zone in Konoha's northwest corner.

A quarter of an hour later, an abandoned training ground at the edge of the forest came into view.

This had once been a drill ground abandoned by the Hidden Leaf Police Force for many years.

The broken wooden fences around the grounds had long been torn down and replaced with sturdy low granite walls.

A wooden plaque hung above the camp gate, bearing four neatly carved characters: Auxiliary Camp.

As Danzo reached the camp entrance, a burst of orderly shouts came from within.

"One!"

"Two!"

"Three!"

The battle cries tore through the morning silence, and the air carried the mingled scent of dust and sweat.

Danzo stopped and waved for the two guards to remain silent.

He stood behind the camp gate and looked toward the center of the training ground.

On the broad,