"That's right. It was me."
Xia Yan saw no reason to hide anything in response to Shōma Senju's question.
Few people knew the truth behind Danzo's death. In fact, most people in Konoha had no idea what the name Shimura Danzō even meant.
But Shōma Senju knew exactly what sort of role that man had played in Konoha.
Xia Yan's answer left Shōma Senju silent for a moment, before his expression grew incredibly complicated.
He had bought newspapers himself and knew that someone might be planning to move against Danzo.
But he really had not seen Xia Yan in a long time, and he had no idea what exactly had happened.
He only knew that Xia Yan was now the Anbu Director and might well have been involved. Unfortunately, no one had told him anything more.
Whether it was Xia Yan, Renka, or the Senju ninja who had joined the Anbu, they all "dutifully fulfilled their responsibilities" and said absolutely nothing.
Seen another way, their loyalty now lay entirely with Xia Yan!
Only some time after Danzo's death had he happened to learn that the great fire in Konoha that night had actually been Danzo's funeral pyre.
That news had already left Shōma Senju utterly stunned. After receiving Xia Yan's confirmation, he suddenly felt a sense of desolation.
Not a single person in the clan had come to tell him about something so important. It truly hurt him deeply.
Still, he also felt gratified.
To him, Xia Yan had truly grown into a ninja who could stand on his own and shoulder the Senju Clan's fortunes and honor!
"I understand. Thank you for your efforts." Shōma Senju sighed. In the end, all he could say was, "Everything you've done for the clan, I..."
"I'm part of the Senju Clan too.