Disbanding Root

Fugaku nodded impassively. He was very satisfied with Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude; it seemed he sincerely intended to punish Danzo severely.

After a moment's thought, Fugaku tapped his fingers on the table, drawing everyone's attention.

"The evidence that Danzo murdered my son, Uchiha Itachi, is conclusive. This is an indisputable fact."

"What exactly are your intentions in defending Danzo, Advisors?"

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu had no answer to that, and their expressions stiffened slightly.

They inwardly cursed the inherently evil Uchiha brat.

At the same time, they privately blamed Hiruzen Sarutobi for being so weak that he had actually compromised with the Uchiha Clan.

At that moment, Shibi Aburame spoke up from the side. "Lord Hokage, how do you intend to deal with the traitor Danzo?"

Fugaku's gaze sharpened when he saw Shibi Aburame bail out the two advisors, but he said nothing.

The Hokage's faction alone was enough for the Uchiha to contend with. They absolutely could not drag the other shinobi clans into this.

Douyang glanced at Shibi Aburame, then at Danzo's empty seat, and understanding dawned on him.

Aburame Ryoma was Root's second-in-command, ranking below only Danzo, while Danzo's bodyguard, Aburame Torune, was even Shibi Aburame's nephew.

Douyang ventured a bold guess: the Aburame Clan had already sided entirely with Danzo.

Shibi Aburame was most likely Danzo's spokesman at this jonin meeting.

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke gravely.

"Danzo's offenses have seriously harmed the village's interests and damaged relations between the village and the Uchiha."

"In accordance with village regulations, Danzo will be stripped of all his positions, deprived of his political rights for life, and incarcerated in Konoha Prison for the rest of his life."

"In addition, Root will be disbanded."

Upon hearing this punishment, Uchiha Fugaku's expression eased somewhat.

Without authority or Root, and locked away in prison, Danzo would be worth less than a dog on the roadside.

After all, Konoha Prison was managed by the Uchiha Clan.

When the time came, he would have a hundred ways to kill Danzo.

A hundred!

Besides, if Danzo died in prison, absolutely no one would dare say anything, nor would anyone speak up for him once he had lost his power.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu looked thunderous, inwardly cursing Hiruzen Sarutobi for leaving absolutely no room to maneuver.

This would cost Danzo his life.

"Lord Hokage, Danzo has indeed done some things wrong."

"But Danzo has devoted half his life to the village and rendered distinguished service. Such a harsh punishment would dishearten the shinobi who quietly dedicate themselves to the village."

"I suggest showing leniency in light of Danzo's outstanding contributions to the village in the past."

Utatane Koharu suppressed her anger toward Hiruzen Sarutobi and pleaded for Danzo.

"Advisor Utatane makes a valid point."

"Danzo fought in three Shinobi World Wars. Who knows how many times he turned the tide or how much he contributed to the village?"

"He should not meet such an end."

Mitokado Homura chimed in as well.

Uchiha Fugaku was not surprised to hear these two plead for Danzo. He merely found them shameless.

Did meritorious service warrant leniency?

Many of those locked up in Konoha Prison had also served Konoha well. I never saw you show them leniency when they were tried.

"I disagree with the two advisors."

Just as Fugaku was about to speak, Shibi Aburame suddenly rose beside him and called out loudly.

Everyone looked at Shibi Aburame in confusion.

The two advisors were pleading for Danzo, so why were you unhappy about it?

Shibi Aburame continued, "Judgments must be fair and impartial. We cannot show leniency simply because someone has rendered meritorious service. With all the offenses Danzo has committed, Lord Hokage is already being merciful by sparing his life."

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's faces turned green.

A trace of amusement appeared in Fugaku's eyes. He merely took it as everyone turning on Danzo now that he had fallen, with the vicious dog he had raised biting back.

Only Uchiha Douyang frowned slightly, instinctively sensing something amiss.

Then Shibi Aburame abruptly changed tack.

"Lord Hokage wants fairness, the Uchiha want fairness, and everyone wants fairness. Very well. Since everyone is here, it is time we passed judgment on the Nine-Tails' Attack five years ago, which has yet to be tried. The Nine-Tails' Attack cost Konoha the Fourth Hokage and his wife. I would like to ask Lord Hokage, Clan Head Fugaku, and everyone here: who exactly should be held responsible for the Nine-Tails' Attack?"

Uchiha Douyang inwardly tensed. What a sharp tongue.

The evidence of Danzo's deeds was conclusive. Defending him directly meant arguing from an untenable position and would easily give others ammunition.

Dragging the Uchiha down instead and muddying the waters was simply a masterstroke.

If Danzo was to be punished fairly and impartially, then the Uchiha had to be punished fairly and impartially as well.

Yet Hiruzen Sarutobi had convened this jonin meeting precisely to appease the Uchiha. How could he punish them?

Hiruzen Sarutobi could only turn a blind eye to the matter of the Nine-Tails' Attack.

But that also meant he could not punish Danzo severely.

Everyone looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, waiting for him to speak.

Hiruzen Sarutobi lit his tobacco in front of everyone and began puffing away.

After a while, he made up his mind and spoke.

"The Nine-Tails' Attack is in the past. Do not bring it up again."

"Danzo has indeed made outstanding contributions to Konoha. Considering his advanced age, such a punishment is somewhat inhumane and unreasonable."

"Then let us do this: the other punishments will stand, but there will be no life imprisonment."

"If any of you have objections, speak freely."

No one said anything.

Anyone with eyes could see that this punishment was already the limit.

Neither taking a step back nor pushing a step forward would do.

Uchiha Fugaku nodded with a dark expression.

Now that the matter involved the Nine-Tails' Attack, digging deeper would do the Uchiha no good.

After all, there was no explaining away the Sharingan in the Nine-Tails' eyes. The Uchiha were the prime suspects.

As for pinning the blame on Danzo... Fugaku had carefully weighed that option, and it simply would not work.

First, Danzo had been evacuating villagers that night, and many people could testify to that.

Second, a Three-Tomoe Sharingan could not control the Nine-Tails.

Seeing that no one objected, Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a soft breath of relief.

This outcome was good for everyone.

Last night, he had tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep, his mind filled with Danzo's voice and smiling face.

In all fairness, given what Danzo had done, even killing him would have been merciful.

Telling Danzo to leave Konoha and become a rogue ninja like Orochimaru had already been an act of leniency.

But Danzo had refused to heed his advice and insisted on staying in Konoha.

He was placing his life in Hiruzen's hands.

Then was I really going to get him killed?

After much deliberation, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt he could not take things to the extreme. Otherwise, he would be unable to face his teacher in the Pure Land.

Danzo had perfectly inherited their teacher's will to suppress the Uchiha.

If their teacher learned that he had gotten Danzo killed, he would never forgive him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his fingers on the table and spoke.

"The punishments for Danzo and Root have been decided. Carry them out immediately."

"Chief Uchiha Fugaku, the Uchiha belong to the village, and the village belongs to the Uchiha as well. We have a long future ahead of us!"

"Does your Uchiha Clan need anything?"