Lin Ze's report seems reasonable, but Hiruzen Sarutobi, who has been Hokage for many years, is so experienced that it is natural to hear some ambiguities and omissions in it.
For example, how did Lin Ze kill one person and successfully escape from the siege of one Jōnin and three Special Jōnin?
Is the timing of Iwa Shinobi too coincidental?
But he didn't intend to delve into it.
First, there is no evidence.
In the eyes of Hiruzen Sarutobi, it can be said that Root's people are dead without any evidence, and it is even more impossible for Iwa Shinobi to seek verification.
Secondly, the result is something he is happy to see.
Danzo's conspiracy failed. Lin Ze suffered some hardships but managed to escape, and will rely more on Hiruzen Sarutobi.
After all, a person who has experienced betrayal and danger is often more likely to be moved by "warmth" and "protection".
Thirdly, and most importantly, the value Lin Ze has shown now is not enough for him to completely break up with Danzo for Lin Ze.
A genius who can activate Eight Gates Released Formation Fourth Gate at the age of seven is rare, but he is still just a "child" after all. Although he predicts that Lin Ze can reach the strength of Kage Level, isn't it not there yet?
And the current Danzo, unlike the Naruto period, can be called the person Hiruzen Sarutobi trusts the most.
After all, "Root" was originally a department separated from ANBU and was the legacy left by Second Hokage Tobirama Senju. However, it later became independent and slowly developed in the direction of Danzo's private power.
At this time, instead of getting into trouble with Danzo over Lin Ze, it is better to stabilize the situation first, wait and see what happens, and give Danzo a beating by the way.
As long as Lin Ze is still in Konoha, and still within the sight of Hiruzen Sarutobi, nothing will happen.
Hiruzen Sarutobi has the confidence and the strength to control the overall situation.
Thinking of this, the expression on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face became serious and full of majesty, and he said in a deep voice:
"Lin Ze, I know this. You did a great job. It's amazing that you were able to escape successfully in that situation."
He paused, and his tone became more serious, with an unquestionable meaning:
"Don't worry, I will handle this matter seriously! Konoha will never allow such things like harming companions and internal strife to happen! I will definitely give you an explanation!"
Lin Ze lowered his head, listening to Hiruzen Sarutobi's "righteous words", but he was sneering in his heart.
'Give me an explanation? Haha, I'm afraid it's a warning to Danzo?'
As a time traveler, he understands Third Hokage's governing style very well - maintaining stability first and balancing the forces of all parties.
'In the final analysis, the value I have shown now is not enough for Hiruzen Sarutobi to make up his mind to completely eliminate the cancer of Danzo. In his eyes, I may be just a tool with potential, worthy of investment and win over, but it is not to the point where he needs to risk internal division to maintain it with all his strength.'
'But this is fine, it suits me just fine. As long as it's acceptable on the outside, give me some time to develop...'
Lin Ze's mind was racing with thoughts, but his face showed a grateful expression, as if he had found his backbone:
"Thank you Lord Hokage! I believe Lord Hokage will definitely make the decision for me!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to be very satisfied with Lin Ze's reaction. His expression softened a little and his tone became gentle:
"Well, you suffered a lot of fright and injuries this time. Let's take a good rest for a while. I'll give you half a month's leave to go back and recuperate."
"Yes! Thank you Lord Hokage!" Lin Ze saluted respectfully.
"Go, child. Remember, Konoha is your home, and I will protect you."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said the last thing, then picked up the file again, indicating to Lin Ze that he could leave.
Lin Ze saluted again, then turned around, dragging his "tired" body, Earth Flow out of Hokage Office step by step.
The conversation between the two movie stars ended.
Lin Ze walked out of Hokage Building, looked back at the majestic building, and let out a long sigh of relief.
'Finally I got over it for the time being.'
He dragged his "scarred" body and slowly walked in the direction of Orphanage, while his mind was rapidly reviewing his performance just now.
Lin Ze knows very well that this Third Hokage is best at the art of balance.
In the original work, he mostly turns a blind eye to Danzo's various behaviors. As long as he doesn't touch the bottom line, he won't really break up with him.
This style of governance has advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that it maintains the stability of Konoha, but the disadvantage is that it makes Danzo increasingly powerful.
In the final analysis, Lin Ze is just a chess piece with potential now, and it is not worth Hiruzen Sarutobi to completely fall out with Danzo because of him.
In the eyes of Lord Hokage, a talent that has not yet grown up is far less important than a "root" that can help him handle the dirty work.
'Hiruzen Sarutobi definitely doesn't believe it all, but he won't dig into it. For him, Danzo and I check and balance each other, which is the best situation.'
Lin Ze walked slowly on the street of Konoha, feeling like a mirror:
Even if you replace him with Kakashi, or the more important "Nine-Tails Jinchuriki" Kushina, the result will be the same, because this is not a multiple-choice question at all.
At most, the difference is in the intensity of punishing Danzo.
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi is now at the peak of his strength, he has already begun to decline, and his mentality has gradually become indecisive in the later period.
I want to completely train Lin Ze into a real Konoha Ninja, but I also don't want to punish Danzo too harshly. Typically, I want the horse to run but not let the horse eat grass.
Lin Ze already had this awareness before he came to see Hiruzen Sarutobi, but when he actually analyzed the meaning from his words, he still felt angry.
It cannot be denied that when Nonō was arranged by Danzo to go out of the village to perform a mission, Lin Ze did hold Hiruzen Sarutobi's thigh to isolate Danzo's tentacles, which was regarded as a favor to him.
But now Lin Ze's inner feelings for Hiruzen Sarutobi have decreased, and the original plan to save his life from Konoha's collapse plan has been changed to saving the life of his son Asuma.
We are all a family anyway, so saving Hiruzen Sarutobi and saving his son are not the same thing.
'But this is just right, it gives me time to develop.'
Lin Ze touched the wound on his arm that was about to heal, his eyes calm.
After this incident, Danzo's forces will inevitably be suppressed by Hiruzen Sarutobi, and they will not dare to take action against Lin Ze in a short period of time.
'Just give me a few more years until I can fully control Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon, or open a higher-level Eight Gates Released Formation... Danzo? Hiruzen Sarutobi? By then, no one can take advantage of me easily!'
Lin Ze remembered what happened to Naruto in the original work, and sneered in his heart.
Hokage World, in the final analysis, strength is the most important thing.
The so-called Will of Fire, bonds, are just tools used by the strong to restrain the weak.
Without strength, he can't even protect the people he cares about.
'However, now I have to accompany them to perform.'
Lin Ze quickened his pace and walked towards Orphanage.
He was in urgent need of rest now. He turned on Gate of Pain three times in a row and ran all the way back. Even with the support of Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon, he had reached his limit.