The Third Hokage exchanged a bitter, helpless glance with Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood and spoke wearily.
"...All right."
"There's no time to lose. Let's go now."
"The Anbu will cooperate to ensure the search... proceeds smoothly."
The Anbu under the Hokage's direct command and the Konoha Military Police Force, which had incorporated some civilian ninja and Hyuga members after its reform, assembled.
Even Clan Leader Hyuga Hiashi came in person to demonstrate his commitment and provide "oversight."
Genya Uchiha, Fugaku, Shisui, and Itachi joined them, along with Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi himself and the two advisors.
Together, they formed a group with disparate allegiances but a shared objective, and quickly reached the entrance to Root's main base deep beneath Konoha.
Inside the base lay a labyrinth of passages, countless closed doors, and traces of surveillance measures and barriers everywhere.
Although most Root members had already been detained or placed under investigation, an uncomfortable sense of oppression still permeated the place.
"This way."
Shisui Uchiha was not entirely unfamiliar with the place.
He brought along Tenzo, a Konoha Anbu ninja skilled at dismantling barriers and mechanisms.
The two approached a heavy door covered in sealing formulas.
Tenzo formed hand seals, his Wood Release chakra surging. The door opened, revealing an archive as vast as a library.
Rows upon rows of scrolls, filing cabinets, and even well-preserved crystal balls containing experimental records stood arranged by category.
Genya stood at the entrance, his gaze sweeping over the room that could aptly be called a "database of evil," and gave instructions to the Uchiha who had accompanied him.
"Every record of Danzo's surveillance, assessments, infiltration, and even potential operations against our Uchiha Clan."
"Any intelligence or analysis related to the Night of the Nine-Tails, along with personnel deployment records