The Jonin meeting

Kurama Murakumo rolled up her bedding and sent his precious daughter straight to Douyang's home. In the ninja world, the bond between master and apprentice was exceptionally close, no less so than that between father and daughter. Eating and living together was very common.

Of course, the master-apprentice relationship mentioned here did not mean a Jonin team leader training students.

The relationship between a Jonin team leader and students was more like that between a superior and subordinates, with no obligation to teach the students.

And so, after three years of Douyang's careful care, Kurama Yakumo's health gradually recovered.

"I'm done."

Kurama Yakumo said.

"Really? Then let your teacher see the results of your training, Yakumo."

Uchiha Douyang patted Yakumo's head, then reached into the fish tank and pulled out a carp.

The carp struggled constantly, scattering droplets of water all around.

Uchiha Douyang suddenly tightened his grip, squeezing the carp half to death.

"What you need to do is heal it within one minute."

The carp was small, so treating it did not require much chakra, making it just right for Yakumo.

But its small size also meant its meridian system was complex. Treating it required fine chakra control and was more troublesome than treating a large animal.

"Okay!"

Kurama Yakumo looked at the motionless carp. A pale green chakra glow appeared around her hands, and she gently pressed them against the fish.

A moment later, the carp came back to life.

Uchiha Douyang focused his gaze and examined it closely.

She had saved it, but not completely.

Some of the carp's nerves had been damaged by the chakra.

Had the patient been human, there would most likely have been lasting complications.

But Yakumo was only seven, and her performance was only a little worse than his had been at her age.

"That's my apprentice for you."

Douyang patted Yakumo's head, then called, "Yui."

A woman hurried over and said respectfully, "Lord Douyang."

Uchiha Yui was Douyang's servant. She had not awakened the Sharingan and was not even a ninja.

Douyang pointed at the carp. "Kill this carp and make an extra dish for Yakumo."

Early the next morning, just as dawn broke, Uchiha Douyang got out of bed. After washing up, he headed to the Konoha Military Police Force alone.

Only some Jonin who held positions of authority were qualified to attend the Jonin meeting. Even prodigies like Kakashi and Shisui were not eligible.

There was no other reason: they lacked seniority.

Konoha also ranked people by seniority. Outstanding ability did not count for much.

Douyang was only a Chunin, so he was even less qualified.

But Douyang belonged to the privileged class.

The Third and Fugaku had made an exception for him.

The Konoha Military Police Force's conference room.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu pushed the door open and entered. When they saw Hiruzen Sarutobi sitting upright at the head of the table with an expressionless face, Mitokado Homura managed to remain calm, but Utatane Koharu immediately frowned.

"Hiruzen, why did you suddenly call a Jonin meeting without discussing it with Homura and me?"

Utatane Koharu demanded.

The atmosphere in the conference room froze. Everyone quietly studied Utatane Koharu.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi was the Hokage, he could not exercise absolute control over Konoha. The elder advisors constrained him in many matters.

"Enough. Now you know. Whatever you have to say can wait until the meeting."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke coldly.

At his words, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged a glance, seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had been meek and submissive for half his life. Why had he suddenly become so assertive?

More and more Jonin arrived in the conference room. Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Douyang were the last to arrive.

Fugaku sat opposite the Third, while Douyang sat beside him.

Mitokado Homura glanced at Danzo's seat, and an ominous feeling suddenly rose in his heart.

Everything about this Jonin meeting was unusual. The Third had not discussed it with them, the venue was the Konoha Military Police Force, there were no Anbu ninja nearby, and Danzo was absent...

Clearly, the meeting was directed at Danzo.

Seeing that everyone who should be there had arrived, and that those who would not come could not come, Hiruzen Sarutobi announced directly.

"This Jonin meeting will now begin."

As he spoke, he took out Kakashi's investigation report and distributed it to everyone.

One part of the report concerned Uchiha Itachi's death, while the other concerned the Sharingan Danzo had implanted.

Reading its contents, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu felt as though their heads were about to explode.

Murdering Uchiha Itachi. Implanting Sharingan.

Either offense alone could cost Danzo dearly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had brought the matter into the open, which meant he intended to punish Danzo.

At that thought, Utatane Koharu's and Mitokado Homura's expressions grew increasingly grim.

Danzo was their close friend, and they also had a deeply cooperative relationship.

If anything happened to Danzo, their interests would suffer severe damage.

The Jonin representatives of the various clans also looked rather grim after reading the investigation report.

The Uchiha Clan was aloof and insular, with few allies in Konoha.

But compared with Danzo, the Uchiha Clan was positively endearing.

Every year, Root, led by Danzo, selected a group of outstanding ninja from the major ninja clans to train.

Because of this, Danzo's reputation in Konoha was downright notorious.

Now that Danzo had killed Uchiha Itachi and the Third intended to punish him severely, the major ninja clans certainly would not speak up for Danzo. They might even add fuel to the fire.

Sensing the shifting mood, Mitokado Homura hurriedly spoke. "Hiruzen..."

"Use official titles when we're working."

Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted Mitokado Homura without hesitation. "Advisor Mitokado, please address me as 'Lord Hokage.'"

Mitokado Homura's gaze froze.

Monkey, with that attitude, are you determined to take this all the way?

Danzo may have made a few mistakes, but whatever else he's done, he's still a friend you grew up playing with!

Are you really heartless enough to punish him like this?

Mitokado Homura considered for a moment, then said solemnly, "Lord Hokage, Danzo has rendered great service to the village. He would never commit such an outrageous act. Some villain must be framing him. I recommend reopening the investigation."

Utatane Koharu chimed in as well. "Danzo has made countless enemies for the village's sake. It's inevitable that some would resent him. This is a frame-up, a setup. Hiru... Lord Hokage, you must proceed cautiously."

Once the charges were confirmed, Danzo would never recover for the rest of his life.

The two went straight for the evidence from the investigation, trying to clear Danzo of the charges.

Uchiha Fugaku's icy gaze swept over Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu before finally settling on Hiruzen Sarutobi, waiting for him to make his stance clear.

He had already made up his mind. If Hiruzen Sarutobi showed even the slightest intention of protecting Danzo, there would be no need to continue the Jonin meeting. He would flip the table outright.

Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped the table, his voice exceedingly cold.

"The Anbu have already verified this evidence. Uchiha Itachi's Sharingan were found during the search of the Root Base. Danzo is the killer. No one has falsely accused him."

"Moreover, I saw his implanted Sharingan with my own eyes. If you doubt the evidence, are you doubting me, the Hokage?"

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu looked rather grim.

They knew Hiruzen Sarutobi all too well.

Before Hiruzen Sarutobi made up his mind, he was indecisive. But once he had made his decision, no one could sway him.