Sai fell silent for a moment, as if searching his memory. "Yes. After examining Sumire Kakei's social connections and recent unusual communications, then comparing them with the list of people who fled during the purge of Root, we identified a prime suspect: Shinraku Raccoon."
"Our initial assessment is that he's Sumire Kakei's biological father."
"Shinraku Raccoon?" Naruto looked at Shikamaru.
Shikamaru picked up immediately, his voice steady. "Shinraku Raccoon was a senior member of Root and a direct subordinate of Shimura Danzō. He took part in many secret missions."
"Early in the Sixth's term, an internal purge was carried out to clean up the village and eliminate the extremist ideas and unstable elements Root had left behind."
"Some Root remnants fled or went into hiding because they resisted investigation or feared being held accountable for their past actions. Shinraku Raccoon was one of them, and he was considered a high-priority target."
Naruto pressed him. "What specific crimes were they being pursued for?"
Shikamaru hesitated, unusually for him, and adjusted his glasses before continuing. "According to the records, the main charges were participation in illegal Human Experimentation and suspected conspiracy to overthrow the village government."
"Heh."
Sasuke's mouth curved into a humorless smile. He shifted into a more casual position and swept his gaze over everyone present, especially the two Advisors across from him. His voice was cold.
"Plotting to overthrow the village? Taking part in Human Experimentation? I seem to recall that, to win the war and serve the so-called 'interests of the village,' certain people in this room condoned—even promoted—far worse things."
"What, now that peace has come and you're basking in the Sunshine, you're going to use the standards of a new era to judge the people who did the village's dirty work in the shadows, only to