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"Elder Chiyo, this is a duel, step aside!" Pakura's voice was weak, but her anger was unmistakable. She saw Rasa being carried away; missing this chance might mean never getting another one.
"No matter who wins or loses, I won't let the victor kill the defeated, Pakura," Chiyo sighed. She had just considered stepping down, but then this life-and-death battle between Pakura and Rasa erupted.
While she didn't want to meddle in village affairs anymore, the death of either would cause significant trouble for the Sand Village.
"One is the Fourth Kazekage, and the other is the hero of the Sand Village. Neither of you can die, Pakura. I'm not favoring Rasa!"
"If you're not favoring Rasa, then step aside. If he can betray me, he can betray you next!" Pakura, seeing Rasa about to be saved, grew anxious and prepared to use the Sage Seal again.
But her body couldn't support the Sage Seal any longer. Just as the markings appeared on her neck, Pakura collapsed from exhaustion, falling into Chiyo's arms.
"Take the Fourth Kazekage for treatment. I'll handle Pakura!" Chiyo summoned a puppet to carry Pakura and ordered the gathered Sand ninja, "Make sure no one spreads rumors. ANBU, monitor the village immediately. Ebizo, detain Muraki and investigate this matter!"
If Pakura's accusations were true, the only one likely to know the details was Muraki, who had dealt with the Mist Village and supported Rasa.
"Understood, sister," Ebizo replied calmly, going to gather the ANBU. Although both were high-ranking Sand Village members, there was a hierarchy.
In Konoha, Sakumo investigated all the users of the Wood Release, but no information surfaced about the enemy who could use it. However, Danzo was highly suspicious. According to Orochimaru, when Danzo had the Wood Release transplanted, several people were watching and might have learned the technique.
Even Orochimaru wasn't sure if Danzo had successfully transplanted it, but that didn't stop him from suggesting it, knowing Danzo had such ambitions.
Thus, Danzo became the prime suspect. What he did outside the village and how many Root members he hadn't recalled remained unknown.
In the Hokage's office, a heated discussion ensued about how to deal with Danzo. His unsanctioned actions had caused significant damage to Konoha, warranting execution and reclamation of his body.
However, Hiruzen, Homura, and Koharu came to plead for Danzo, citing his past contributions to Konoha.
"Sakumo, Danzo has made significant contributions to Konoha. Executing him for this incident alone is unfair," Hiruzen argued. Aside from being childhood friends, Danzo's strength was also considerable.
Koharu added, "Yes, Fourth Hokage, let Danzo atone. He's powerful."
Homura, seeing his friends had made his points, nodded, "Fourth Hokage, Hiruzen is right."
Sakumo, hands steepled under his chin, said, "Danzo has been uncooperative, revealing nothing to the interrogation team. Yet, the issue stems from his actions. Third Hokage, I've been lenient with him."
"Danzo might have already recalled all Root members..."
"Do you want to use such a vague statement, Third Hokage?" Yoichi interrupted. "Ninja intelligence must be precise. A slight error can have severe consequences. Using such a statement to excuse Danzo is laughable."
Hiruzen felt a surge of anger but didn't show it. The Uchiha and Sarutobi clans had long been at odds, rarely teaming up, so Yoichi now had no need to maintain even a facade of respect.
"Ninja clans can't be confined to Konoha; it's unavoidable. The Uchiha often conduct business outside but must avoid causing trouble for the village. How many ninjas have died since the Rinnegan appeared?"
"Even in war, we wouldn't lose so many elite ninjas. Konoha has lost 43 Chunin and 11 Jonin. Training a Jonin takes over a decade!"
"This could have been avoided from the start!" Yoichi's last sentence struck Jiraiya deeply. Half the blame for the deaths caused by Nagato could be placed on Danzo, and the other half on Jiraiya for not reporting the Rinnegan and for insisting on handling Nagato himself, leading to Minato and many others' deaths.
Hiruzen had brought Jiraiya to plead for Danzo, but Jiraiya couldn't muster the will or face to do so after Yoichi's words.
Shikaku interjected, "Fourth Hokage, though Danzo has erred, he still possesses significant strength. If he shows genuine remorse and works for Konoha, it could be beneficial."
"Since Shikaku thinks Danzo is remorseful, let's test him," Yoichi suggested, summoning an ANBU member. "Have the ANBU ask Danzo about his recent activities outside the village. If he reports truthfully, he can resume his position as a Jonin and even be my assistant. But if he hides anything, he'll live as an ordinary person with a seal that prevents him from being a ninja. This should be a lenient punishment."
Looking around the room, Yoichi added, "It shouldn't be difficult for him to confess honestly. Right, Third Hokage, Shikaku?"
Orochimaru chuckled, "Yoichi-kun, how will you ensure Danzo tells the truth?"
"Leave that to Inoichi. The Yamanaka clan's techniques should reveal all of Danzo's memories," Yoichi replied. Everyone looked to Hiruzen, knowing Yoichi had laid a trap. If Danzo was genuinely remorseful, he should have no problem reporting his activities.
"This is Danzo's last chance," Hiruzen thought, agreeing reluctantly.
"Send the ANBU to inform Danzo this is his final chance," Yoichi ordered, and the ANBU nodded, heading to Konoha Prison.
The group stayed in the Hokage's office, waiting for the results.
Soon, the ANBU returned with a report. "Fourth Hokage, Yoichi-sama, Third Hokage, here are Danzo's answers."
Reading the report, they found Danzo had indeed been busy, though none of his actions benefited Konoha; they were all self-serving, meant to strengthen Root.
Sakumo frowned, regretting not having immediately agreed with Yoichi and Hiruzen to execute Danzo. But at least it wasn't too late.
"Inoichi, I'll join you," Yoichi said with a smile. "If the Yamanaka techniques fail, my Sharingan will ensure he talks."
"Very well, Yoichi-sama," Inoichi sighed, understanding the warning to be thorough.
Hiruzen and the others followed, knowing this determined Danzo's fate as a ninja.
Danzo was brought to the interrogation room. Seeing the gathering, he asked, "Hiruzen, what's going on?"
"Sharingan!" Yoichi's three-tomoe Sharingan spun, putting Danzo into a trance.
Even in recovery, hypnotizing a chakra-less Danzo was easy.
"Your turn, Inoichi," Yoichi said. Inoichi placed his hand on Danzo's head, connecting the equipment.
"Mind-Body Transmission Technique!" Inoichi accessed Danzo's recent memories, projecting them for the others to see.
Minutes passed as they watched. Inoichi finally released the jutsu, looking fatigued. "We've recorded Danzo's recent activities. Shall we review, Yoichi-sama?"
"Not yet. Let's see if Danzo confessed sincerely," Yoichi replied, reviewing the memories. A smile formed as he handed the report to Sakumo. "Send for Mina," he instructed an ANBU.
"Yes," the ANBU replied, leaving.
Hiruzen knew from Yoichi's expression that Danzo had hidden much, sealing his fate as a non-ninja.
Sakumo's face darkened as he read. Danzo had hidden 17 Root members, extorted funds, and conducted illegal activities. He even had ties with Hanzo, stealing secrets and orphaned children from minor villages, and ambushing caravans.
Regretting his earlier leniency, Sakumo ordered, "Arrest the Shimura clan's ninja and detain them. Thoroughly scrutinize their movements. Consider carefully before allowing their entry into the ninja academy."
Hiruzen realized the Shimura clan was finished. Its ninja would gradually disappear, never to rise again.
"Yoichi-sama, you called?" Mina arrived, and Yoichi explained, pointing to Danzo.
Mina confidently replied, "No problem. Three interlocking seals will ensure he never uses chakra again unless he's a jinchuriki."
Hiruzen and the others left, unable to watch.
Mina quickly placed the seals on Danzo. Without chakra, he couldn't resist the hypnotic suggestion Yoichi added, compelling him to sweep Konoha's gates daily.
"Yoichi-kun, is this okay?" Sakumo asked.
"He loves Konoha, so sweeping should be fine," Yoichi replied.
"Not just the gates, sweep the entire village," Sakumo added sternly. "Konoha needs clean streets."
Though extreme, Yoichi modified the suggestion, making Danzo sweep 16 hours a day. Without chakra, he'd struggle to endure.
Danzo had hidden his activities, believing Hiruzen would save him. Unaware of the village's changes, his fate was sealed by his own actions.
(End of Chapter)