The Operation

The Third Hokage still had some of his old decisiveness. That evening, he entered the house where Danzo was confined.

The Third Hokage's actions had everyone on edge. The Elders Council and the heads of Konoha's Great Families alike were watching to see what happened.

Inside a room, Danzo sat calmly on his knees. He glanced at the Third Hokage as he entered.

"Hiruzen, you came after all."

The Third Hokage fixed his gaze on Danzo. "What are you counting on? I don't believe you would do this without being sure of yourself."

Danzo picked up the tea on the table and took a sip. "Root's purpose is to eliminate anything that threatens Konoha, whether it's a person or a situation.

"After a year without Root watching the Land of Fire and beyond, you and the entire Advisory Council have let down your guard. You belong in the light. You pay no attention to the schemes hatched in the dark.

"And in the Shinobi World, schemes are often more common than open confrontation. Hiruzen, you lived through all that back then, yet now you've forgotten it completely.

"Konoha still needs me."

The Third Hokage fell silent. After a long pause, he said, "Be specific. If you're making your move now, you must have something to back it up. What is it?"

Danzo raised his head and looked sharply at the Third Hokage. "Sunagakure has bought off some useless fools in the Capital. Orochimaru and Tsunade withdrew from the Land of Rain and brought back a large force of Ninja.

"That was all part of Sunagakure's scheme. Didn't any of you consider that at the time? If Root still existed, its Ninja would have killed those people in the Capital the moment they began to act.

"They would never have had