Koharu's words struck a chord with several of the older ninja. None of them could guarantee they would go their whole lives without making a mistake.
If one grave mistake meant execution, all the service they had rendered in battle would count for nothing. A brief silence fell over the room.
Fugaku Uchiha stood. "Danzo is the first person in Konoha to face a case like this. It's different from a ninja defecting.
"Why not establish a rule based on this case? Service in battle could reduce the punishment someone faces for a crime.
"Or it could spare them only from execution. They would still have to serve a prison sentence."
The Third Hokage glanced at Fugaku. "It should spare them only from execution. If it exempts them from ordinary penalties as well, some ninja with distinguished records will inevitably use their service as a shield while doing things that harm Konoha."
Silence returned. With the Third Hokage having spoken, the matter seemed settled, and no one else felt able to object.
Several minutes passed, and the room remained quiet.
"Since no one has anything more to say, I will announce Danzo's sentence. In recognition of his many contributions to Konoha, he will be spared execution and imprisoned for life."
"Hokage, with Danzo imprisoned, no one is in charge of Root. What will happen to its ninja?" one ninja asked.
Everyone in the room perked up. Root was a prize worth having. Who wouldn't want a private force of several hundred ninja under their command?
Whoever became Root Leader would see his influence and standing in Konoha soar.
"Hokage, Root operates in the shadows. It does work for Konoha that cannot be brought into the open, but that darkness can take hold within the organization too. What happened with Danzo