Smearing His Name

At Homura's words, anger flared in Danzo's chest, and a vicious light gleamed in his one eye.

"You think I'd be stupid enough to try to assassinate that old man Ito twice in a row? I was obviously framed!" Danzo roared.

Veins throbbed at the Third Hokage's temples. "So you admit you were behind the first attempt. You killed numerous ninja from the village. Confining you is hardly unjust.

"From now on, stay home and reflect on what you've done. Konoha's affairs are no longer your concern."

Danzo fixed the Third Hokage with a long look. "I've worked myself to the bone for Konoha all these years. The Elders Council hides behind its seniority, dragging us down and obstructing Konoha's growth. I did it to remove its hold on us and strengthen the Hokage's authority. You're the Hokage, so you can confine me.

"But where there is light, there will always be darkness. It isn't time to disband Root. Konoha has always come first to me."

The three men fell silent. Whether Danzo's words rang true depended on where one stood.

When the Third Hokage had first taken office, he might have agreed with Danzo. Root's founding had indeed removed many obstacles from his path.

But times had changed. The Third Hokage now wanted Konoha to remain stable and the Elders Council's authority to be transferred peacefully, not seized through drastic measures.

This time in particular, Elder Ito's death had caused enormous trouble and drawn the Third Hokage into it. The Land of Rain was still at war, while the Land of Wind and Land of Earth had long eyed the Land of Fire hungrily.

Danzo walked past the three men and headed deeper into Root. In the silent Underground Base, only his footsteps could be heard fading into the