Hokage Building.
Haruma lay listlessly in her chair, listening to Sarutobi's endless complaints across from her.
"I did agree."
Picking at her ear, Haruma said softly, "They're just a few shops selling Ninjutsu, what's the big deal?"
" Danzo!" Sarutobi his fist on the table. "Do you know what you're saying?!"
"Is that just a simple way of selling Ninjutsu?!"
" The Uchiha Clan's actions are undoubtedly damaging the village's unity and undermining the authority of the higher-ups!"
"High-level authority?"
Haruma chuckled coldly, "Why don't you just say it will affect your Hokage authority and that you're afraid the commoner ninjas won't be as loyal as before?"
Why bring up high-level officials?
Sarutobi even angrier upon hearing this, glaring at Danzo and saying in a deep voice, "I don't care what you're planning!"
"I don't care what other plans you have behind this!"
"But the Uchiha Clan cannot wield real power; that's the bottom line!"
Although Sarutobi sensed that Danzo had changed somewhat, he thought it was probably just because Danzo had been wanted by him and the Root ninjas had been recruited.
So she harbors resentment towards herself, is uncooperative, and occasionally makes sarcastic remarks...
There was no excessive suspicion about Danzo's identity.
As for getting too close to the Uchiha Clan,
After considering it, Sarutobi simply assumed that Sarutobi had his own calculations and schemes to harm others.
Haruma shrugged and didn't argue further.
To be honest, Haruma is really tired of this kind of Tenten, pointless arguing.
Seeing that Sarutobi Danzo silent, Sarutobi took it as tacit agreement.
Lighting his pipe, Sarutobi continued, "With Orochimaru and Itachi's defection, and all Sannin leaving the village, other villages are already stirring."
Sarutobi didn't explicitly state that this matter was also closely related to Danzo's previous defection.
"Have any classified intelligence been sent back by the spies you planted in other villages?"
intelligence?
I don't even know who the spies Danzo are, so where am I supposed to get intelligence from you?
Although Haruma couldn't answer, she still maintained an arrogant attitude!
With a narrowed eye, Haruma turned to Sarutobi and said mockingly, "Haven't all my men been turned against me by you?"
"The messenger is gone, how can we get intelligence?"
Sarutobi frowned, ignoring Danzo's tone.
Taking a puff of his cigarette, Sarutobi voice, "This concerns the peace of the village; we can't afford to be careless."
"Which ninjas are responsible for gathering intelligence? I can temporarily recall them to Root."
"No need to trouble yourself."
Haruma said calmly, "It's better to leave those trash to your Anbu. I don't have the habit of going back to an old friend."
Seeing that Sarutobi was about to speak again, Haruma said directly, "This time, I will personally make the contact."
As she spoke, Haruma stood up and said sarcastically, "This is also a good opportunity for you to check on the Daimyo's condition."
"The reason you haven't gone is because you're worried I'll do something behind your back."
At this moment, Haruma couldn't understand whether this was just a simple coincidence, or whether it was the work of the old fox Sarutobi.
But one thing is certain: Sarutobi wants to leave the village.
And Haruma was also planning to go out openly and legitimately.
So regardless of whether this was Sarutobi's scheme or not, Haruma accepted it without hesitation.
Sarutobi coldly watched Danzo's departing figure, repeatedly smacking his cigarette butt, his face a complex and conflicted expression.
Sarutobi has achieved his goal in today's meeting.
Those Root ninjas had the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal etched on their tongues. Sarutobi couldn't ask them directly; he had to let Danzo identify them.
If Danzo is unwilling to go out, he can take back the ninjas responsible for the village's covert operations, Sarutobi can also obtain a list of personnel who have been taken back from the Anbu.
Afterwards, these people will be reassigned to the Anbu, and Sarutobi will be able to receive intelligence from spies outside the village as well.
This can be seen as indirectly increasing the Hokage faction's intelligence capabilities and weakening Danzo's influence.
If Danzo is unwilling and leaves the village voluntarily, then his objective can be considered successful.
After all, the daimyo's condition needs to be confirmed, and the side hall that was attacked by the mysterious person also needs to be analyzed by specialized Anbu agents.
Sarutobi hadn't asked Danzo about the mysterious man because he was worried about the unclear relationship between Danzo and that person.
Danzo and Orochimaru's previous research included Wood Release and the cells of the First Hokage.
The Yamato in the Anbu today is a successful example of this experiment.
What is the relationship between that other mysterious powerful figure who can control Wood Release and Danzo?
While seemingly targeting Danzo repeatedly, he deliberately let him go at the daimyo's residence.
After reading the information Asuma delivered, Sarutobi pondered for a long time.
The complete Four Red Yang Formation requires three top-tier Jonin and one Kage Level ninja to execute.
Initial examination of the two corpses at the Root revealed no signs of intense combat; they appeared to have been killed instantly.
How did Danzo manage to escape that situation when he was all alone?
Even after returning to the village, they found no trace of Danzo's serious injuries.
Sarutobi Danzo that Danzo had made some kind of special deal with the mysterious person and was thus spared because of this strange situation.
As for the possibility that his identity was stolen or that Danzo was dead, Sarutobi hasn't considered that yet.
Perhaps he was unwilling to believe his old friend's sudden passing...
Or perhaps they placed too much faith in Danzo's ability to escape and save his own life.
Root Base.
Haruma immediately arranged for his subordinates to relay the news of his departure to Fugaku.
As Shisui packed his gear, he asked in confusion, "Are we just the two of us setting off?"
Among the clansmen brought by Fugaku, there were still a few Jonin.
"Need not."
Haruma waved his hand. "With the Flying Thunder God Technique, I can get back to the village immediately if there's any emergency."
"Although Fugaku brought some decent men, it wouldn't be a good thing for them to know my information at this stage."
"Bringing them along actually hinders our mobility."
Shisui nodded knowingly, then asked, "So, are we really going to go to other villages to gather intelligence?"
"What a joke."
Haruma strode forward, speaking casually, "Do you think I'd obey that old man's orders? I'll just tell him a little secret on my way back and that'll be enough."
" The Kirigakure must be quite lively at this time of day."
Shisui quickly slung his short sword over his shoulder and strode after his best friend.
Shisui had a somewhat bad feeling about this trip.
Before my close friend even left the village, he arranged for me and Chief Fugaku to stir up trouble outside.
Now I'm personally leading the team...
Hokage Building.
Information was received that Danzo had left the village.
Sarutobi summoned Homura, Koharu, and Shikamaru Nara.
After giving a brief explanation, Sarutobi changed into casual clothes and, accompanied by several Anbu Ninja specializing in reconnaissance, headed towards the location of the Daimyo's residence in the Land of Fire.